Trends
Culture & Trends: Moving at the speed of culture [REPORT]

This year, we turned our focus to the rapid technological changes in creation and consumption that are enabling creators and their fans to put these individual perspectives front and center. For our latest report, we conducted surveys in 14 countries and analyzed hundreds of trends to better understand how creative tools are being used to offer new means of expression and produce moments that resonate in culture today.
Immigration at Near-Record Highs: A Net Positive for the US

Immigration has been a contentious issue in the United States since at least the 1840s when waves of Irish immigrants arrived to escape famine. Their arrival was met with racist backlash, and many were deported back to Ireland with little more than the clothes on their backs. Anti-immigrant sentiment shifted to anti-Chinese in the 1880s and anti-Italian in the 1920s. Despite the pro-immigration inscription on the Statue of Liberty, the U.S. has never been particularly welcoming to immigrants. This is despite the fact that 97% of Americans trace their ancestry to somewhere other than the U.S., and only 2.9% of Americans are of Native American descent.
Consumers to Spend Nearly $900 to Celebrate the Winter Holidays

Those celebrating the winter holidays expect to spend $875 on average on gifts, decorations, food and other key seasonal items, according to the National Retail Federation’s latest consumer survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. The amount is $42 more than consumers planned to spend in 2022 and is in line with the average holiday budget over the last five years.
On Trust. The Future Does Not Fit in the Containers of the Past.

A case can be made that today the most important asset is that of trust. While a Brand seeks attention its goal is to become a trust mark. By Rishad Tobaccowala - the Chief Growth Officer at Publicis Groupe
Why Brands Should Unlock the Hispanic Pet Market for Growth

The pet industry is booming, with a significant contribution from Hispanic pet owners. Here's a condensed look at why brands should focus on this market to drive growth
Latino and Latinx/e: Finding a Solution for a Challenge That Is Dividing Our Community

There are many studies that show that the number of people within the LATINO/HISPANIC community who use the term "Latinx/e" is less than 5%. Yet, I've seen articles asking the community to accept the term, while the community has expressed it LOUD AND CLEAR that it's not happening. Marketers know that IF YOU DON'T KNOW or UNDERSTAND your target audience, it's over. Using the term LATINX/E for the Latino community is the same thing. While many are trying to make it STICK, my recommendation to ALL MARKETERS is to stay away from the term until the COMMUNITY agrees on how this term should be used, not the 5%. By Luis Solís
Fandoms: The Next

The concept of fandom is not new. People have always been passionate about the things they love, whether it's a sports team, a TV show, or an artist. However, in recent years, fandom has become more than just a community of enthusiasts. It has proven to be a powerful economic force that brands are leveraging to drive sales and grow their businesses.
Gen Z is Tightening its Belt, with 73% Modifying Lifestyles Due to Inflation [REPORT]

Today, 85% of Gen Zers cite one or more barriers to achieving financial success. Topping the list is the higher cost of living, cited by 53% of respondents to Bank of America's annual Better Money Habits survey (PDF). The new research provides timely insights into approaches this younger generation is taking to gain its financial footing in the current economic environment.
Is Hispanic Advertising Now Victim of a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing?

Over the last month, data and research reports have validated the ongoing momentum of several trends about the U.S. Hispanic consumer audience. The common take-away? This segment continues to be the primary growth-driver across many business verticals, categories and brands. Perhaps most profound and compelling, a recent report from the UCLA Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture: If the U.S. Latino population were its own country, the GDP would be the world’s fifth largest, outpacing even the United Kingdom, France, and India. What’s more, out of the world’s top 10 largest GDPs, the U.S. Latino GDP would be the second-fastest growing from 2020 to 2021, second only to China. Additionally, the latest Claritas Hispanic Market report shows Latinos are adding 4,021 people per day to the U.S. population, offsetting population daily declines in the non-Hispanic White segment (-2,340) and far outpacing the gains in African American/Black and Asian/Pacific Islander segments, at 918 and 828 added per day, respectively. In short, the Latino purchasing power and consumerism is showing no signs of plateauing, let alone declining. By Louis Maldonado
How Fintech is Changing the Way Gen Z Manages Money [PODCAST]

In this episode of The New Mainstream podcast, Lilah Raynor, CEO of Logica Research, explores the money management habits of Gen Z and Millennials and sheds light on AI's impact on financial services.
Why Cultural Competence Is Critical In The Age of Multicultural Data

Cultural competence is the ability to understand, appreciate, and interact with people from cultural backgrounds, values, and beliefs different from one’s own. While necessary for companies and brands aspiring to reach and engage multicultural audiences meaningfully, cultural competence is essential for programmatic media buyers who rely on data-driven strategies to target their ads.
Multicultural Marketing Excellence Doesn’t Just Happen

Multiculturals are Fortune 500 companies target sweet spot and the core growth customer to futureproof their business given the majority of consumers under 45 are Multicultural or Multi-racial, rising to 48% of the total population over next decade, and their prime earning years. They lead 100% of population, job and HH growth, drive digital and pop culture trends, and decide which brands win. Multiculturals are THE business imperative. By Liz Castells-Heard, CEO & Chief Strategy Officer, INFUSION by Castells
Hispanic? Latino? How the language of identity is shifting over time

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates a U.S. population of 64 million that’s diverse, growing and constantly changing. But can a single term like Hispanic or Latino describe a group with such varied ancestry and geographic origin? Mark Hugo Lopez from the Pew Research Center and Cristina Mora from UC Berkeley’s Department of Sociology join John Yang to discuss.
The Future of Media Agency Models: Change is Coming

A new survey by WFA and MediaSense shows an overwhelming proportion of major multinational brands looking to improve their agency model with just 11% of respondents believing their current agency model fits their future needs, while 24% believe it is unfit for future purpose.
Nurturing trust: Engaging with Hispanic audiences in a diverse media landscape

With an ever-expanding media landscape, audience preferences are pivotal. Creators and distributors want to engage audiences, and brands seek relevant content opportunities where their messages can truly resonate. Any meaningful engagement with audiences requires a deep understanding of people, but building meaningful relationships with Hispanic audiences can be more complex.
For US consumers, it’s a matter of ‘and’—not ‘or’

Across the country, consumers’ spending habits are evolving—and, in some cases, going in opposite directions at the same time.
R.I.P. GENERAL MARKET: THE MAINSTREAM LEADS WITH CULTURE

In the latter half of the 20th century, a theory emerged—and is still promoted today—that the cultural orientations of Hispanic and Asian immigrants and their descendants would diminish as they “became more acculturated.” A new study by the Hispanic Marketing Council (HMC) shows the opposite is true: non-Hispanic white (NHW) 13-to-49-year-olds have been more influenced by Hispanic, Black and Asian cultures. With the multicultural majority already a reality for Americans under 25 & estimated for all people under 35 by the end of this year, it is safe to say that the construct of a white American “general market” is dead, upending long-held marketing paradigms centered around an increasingly non-existent NHW majority.
The Significance of Cultural Relevance: The Spark That Ignites Brand Loyalty

In an age where each customer is evolving into a 'Segment of One,' brands must pivot from simplistic translations and stereotypical portrayals. The Hispanic culture, with its rich tapestry, should be seen as an asset from which to draw from, not a challenge to avoid. Gone are the days when brands could adopt a laissez-faire attitude. A mere linguistic translation falls short of capturing the essence of culture, values, or identities. By Daniel Sokol - EVP, Digital Solutions / eContent Digital
A New Digital Age Has Begun: Are You Ready for The Fourth Wave of Advertising?

I have to admit surprise at how generative AI has so quickly grabbed everyone's attention in 2023. Clearly, AI's growing importance in advertising is undeniable, and I look forward to how it will shape our industry in the coming months and years. At the same time, we are on the cusp of an important shift that I predict will have more immediate consequences for our business.
Advertising Industry Launches New Initiative To Expand & Standardize Privacy Protections Through Responsible Online Advertising Practices And Enhanced Advocacy

Leaders of the U.S. advertising industry launched a new initiative to boost privacy protections and choices for consumers through evolved and enhanced industry data privacy principles for responsible online advertising practices and to renew their commitment to enacting preemptive, federal privacy legislation.