Trends
Cultural Capital Is the Flex
3 Models Brands Must Master to Lead in Culture (Not Just Market in It) Culture moves everything. It drives how people see themselves, who they connect with, and what they buy. It shapes language, aesthetics, rituals, desire. From Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl show to Bad Bunny’s Puerto Rican manifesto in album form, culture isn’t riding shotgun—it’s driving the whole car. By Roberto Ramos - Group President, Chief Transformation Officer at Culture + Group & CIEN +
Reaching LGBTQIA+ Consumers with Interactive and Targeted Advertising Strategies
LGBTQIA+ audiences are bullish on interacting with brands through digital advertising and social media, according to Horowitz’s recent report, State of Media, Entertainment, and Tech: FOCUS LGBTQIA+. This annual study found that LGBTQIA+ consumers are more likely to engage with interactive and targeted advertising.
Why the Work of the Immigrant Archive Project is More Important Now Than Ever
In a time when the contributions and struggles of immigrant communities are being systematically erased from public consciousness, the Immigrant Archive Project (IAP) stands as a powerful counterforce—preserving the stories that define America’s rich and diverse narrative. The IAP, the leading oral history project documenting the modern immigrant experience, is more than a repository of memories. It is an essential safeguard against the dangers of historical erasure, and its work has never been more crucial than it is today. By Tony Hernandez - Founder of The Immigrant Archive Project
Need to know: What is share of voice?
How many ads do people see every day? It’s a hard number to pinpoint, and even harder to figure how many they actually pay attention to, but one thing is for sure: brands that stand alone in the spotlight are easier to notice than those sharing the stage with dozens of their competitors.
Only 50 U.S. Counties Had Populations Over a Million in 2024
Fifty or 1.6% of the United States’ 3,144 counties had at least one million people on July 1, 2024, more than double the number (23) in 1970.
Scaling a Digital Agency: When to Expand, Outsource, or Automate?
Scaling a digital agency is both an exciting opportunity and a complex challenge. As demand grows, agency leaders must decide when and how to expand while maintaining efficiency, profitability, and service quality. The key question is: Should you hire in-house talent, outsource to specialized partners, or invest in automation? Each approach has its advantages and trade-offs, and choosing the right one depends on your agency's goals, budget, and operational needs.
The Modern CMO: Driving Transformation in an Era of Complexity
Adapt or become irrelevant. That's the harsh reality facing today's CMOs. In a marketplace defined by rapid technological shifts, evolving customer expectations, and relentless competition, marketing leaders are no longer just responsible for brand awareness — they're accountable for driving growth, building trust, and transforming their organizations from the inside out.
What Age Do People Around the World Think Is Best to Reach Major Life Milestones? [REPORT]
When is the right time in life to get married or have a child? What is the best age to buy a home? Is there an ideal age for retirement? We asked adults in 18 mostly middle-income countries what they think is the best age to reach these life milestones. Overall, there is a lot of agreement around the world.
Nielsen Launches its 2025 Global Media Planning Report [REPORT]
Nielsen released its 2025 global media planning report. With the media landscape now so fragmented and complex, the report aims to help advertisers and publishers navigate their way through an ecosystem that is more nuanced and multifaceted than ever before.
Gen Z: A Generation That Shapes Culture in Real Time Through Streaming & Scrolling
A new study from Horowitz Research highlights the behaviors and cultural influences of Gen Z, showcasing key insights into their language diversity, media consumption, and social identity. As the generation that scrolls, streams, and shapes trends in real time, Gen Z is redefining the way brands, media, and influencers engage with audiences at the intersection of media, culture, and identity.
The Essential Elements of Agency Credibility: Why Proof Points Matter
In the competitive advertising landscape, potential clients are bombarded with many similar promises and pitches. There’s not a lot of “new” in the noise, and what does it all mean to a team that doesn’t truly know your agency yet?
The Power of Culture in Latinx Media and Music Consumption
According to Horowitz Research’s FOCUS Latinx: Social, Cultural & Political Shifts study, culture is at the core of Latinx consumers’ media and music habits. As a Latina, I see this firsthand in the way I engage with content—it’s not just entertainment; it’s a reflection of my identity. By Adriana Waterston
Marketers Innovation at the Speed of Success
An ancient Chinese proverb counsels its audience that "when the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills." Innovation thus necessitates the ability to recognize such changes in real time, the courage to eschew defensiveness in the face of them, and, indeed, the wisdom to discern the opportunities lying nascent in them, as well as the creative adaptability to capitalize on those opportunities.
The Gender Gap in Teen Experiences [REPORT]
American teens face a host of challenges these days – both inside and outside the classroom. A new Pew Research Center survey of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 finds that, while there is some common ground, many of the problems and pressure points teens are dealing with differ significantly for boys and girls. In addition, many teens see imbalances in how boys and girls are experiencing school and how they’re performing academically.
Growth in Metro Areas Outpaced Nation
Population growth in U.S. metro areas as a whole was faster between 2023 and 2024 than in the previous year and outpaced that of the nation. Additionally, some metro areas that experienced population declines during the COVID-19 pandemic are now observing population gains, according to Vintage 2024 estimates of population totals and components of change released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Evolution of Soccer into Fútbol [REPORT]
With the MLS season having kicked off this past weekend, the U.S. soccer landscape is hotter than ever. Driven by a younger and more diverse fanbase, U.S. Hispanic fans are playing a pivotal role in the explosion of fútbol fandom that’s permeating throughout the U.S.. With the 30% Latino fanbase of MLS, the 60 million fans of the National Mexican team here in the U.S. and the growing Hispanic cohort gearing up to root for their home countries during the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, the rise of the Hispanic population has been instrumental in driving soccer’s mass appeal.
Women Held 1 in 5 Radio GM Roles in 2024, MIW Study Finds
Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio‘s annual Gender Analysis Study reveals mixed results for female leadership in radio management. While there was marked growth in sales roles, Program Director positions remain a hurdle.
Nielsen Portable People Meter AM/FM Radio Audiences: Significant Growth in Drive Times, Weekends, and Younger Demographics; Format Shares Are Stable
Nielsen has released all January 2025 Nielsen Portable People Meter markets (except for West Palm Beach). There are significant increases in listening across demographics and time periods. This audience growth is due to Nielsen’s three-minute qualifier modernization which provides a significantly more comprehensive and realistic definition of AM/FM radio’s audience and their listening behavior.
The Future of Marketing in a Multicultural America
The United States is continually growing into one of the most diverse nations in the world. By 2050, the White population is projected to decline to 46%, while Hispanic and Asian populations are expected to rise significantly (Kipnis et al., 2019) . These demographic shifts are fundamentally reshaping society and the marketplace. This challenges marketers to adapt their strategies. In a multicultural society, marketing must no longer just be about selling products; although from a revenue perspective, corporations will have to incorporate inclusivity and diversity to keep up with the dramatic demographic transition (Mueller, 2008). It is important to recognize and embrace the unique identities and needs of diverse populations. Brands or companies that fail to engage with diversity risk the potential of alienating segments of their target audiences and becoming obsolete. A multicultural society is transforming marketing practices in the United States by reshaping consumer identity through diverse demographics, emphasizing the role of cultural values in consumer behavior, and the need for inclusive marketing strategies. These shifts will require marketers to develop a deeper understanding of their audiences. By Kristina Simon - Florida State University
Race and ethnicity in religious congregations [REPORT]
Americans who go to religious services tend to worship where most other congregants and senior leaders share their race or ethnicity.
