Trends

How Marketers Can Create Wins for the Brand, the Business, and Their Partners [VIDEO]

ANA CEO Bob Liodice shared his thoughts on how marketers can do a better job of crafting and communicating their goals, helping the broader organization and external partners to better understand the objectives and create synergy across the entire function.

Religious upbringing and childhood education [REPORT]

The vast majority of Americans were raised in a religion. Fully 86% say that as children, they identified with Protestantism, Catholicism, Judaism, Islam or another religion. Just 13% of U.S. adults say that as children, they did not identify with any religion.

How women can steer toward growing industries and companies

Workplaces are full of talented, educated, and hardworking women. Many are caught off guard when, several years into their careers, they see that they are falling behind their peers, and they can’t put a finger on exactly how or why

AI Plots Path for Measurement in the Coming Creative Explosion

Creative is king. This may sound odd coming from a media person, but data supports this assertion. A 2017 Nielsen study of 500 advertising campaigns across all major media platforms found that the effectiveness of media tactics like targeting, reach and recency have improved over time. However, 56 percent of advertising's contribution to sales is still attributable to creative. A similar (updated) study from Data2Decisions in 2023 revealed that creative is the second biggest multiplier of advertising profitability, second only to brand size, and many times greater than targeting.

Women Drive the Economy — Are Brands Doing Enough to Keep Up?

As we recognize Women's History Month and prepare to celebrate International Women's Day, it's an opportune moment to reflect on how far we've come — and how far we still have to go. Brands and businesses have long played a role in advancing gender equality, yet many are now hesitating. Some organizations that once championed equity are reassessing their commitments. Others remain uncertain about how to take meaningful action in an era where progress is increasingly met with resistance.

U.S. Juvenile Products Sales Decline 6% in 2024, Circana Reports

Circana announced that retail sales for the U.S. juvenile products industry declined by 6% in 2024 to $7.3 billion, compared to 2023. However, dollar sales remain higher than 2019 levels, with a five-year compound annual growth rate of 0.5%. Albeit at an improved rate, units sold decreased year-over-year, down 3%, while the average selling price also declined by 3%.

Mental Health Perceptions in the U.S. and Mexico: A Cross-Cultural Perspective [REPORT]

Mental health awareness has seen significant shifts in recent years, but cross-cultural and regional differences still play a role in how individuals perceive and address their mental well-being. A recent ThinkNow study comparing mental health attitudes and behaviors in the U.S. and Mexico offers valuable insights into how people in both countries navigate their mental health journeys.

Opportunity to Attract and Retain Highly Motivated Working Parents via Enhanced Flexibility, Stronger Support Systems

Seventy-six percent (76%) of working parents believe that becoming a parent has boosted their motivation at work, driving them to achieve greater success in their careers while also managing their family responsibilities, according to a new study released by KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm.

The Great Unbundling – 2025 is the year advertising technology resolves conflicts of interest

For more than a decade, the advertising industry has been defined by a structural tension: Platforms providing buy-side technology have also been deeply entrenched in selling media inventory. Companies like Google leveraged their scale, deep pockets, and technological resources to dominate both sides of the coin. Any capitalist with such advantages would have done the same.

The Artificial Intelligence learning curve. Part 2

By Gonzalo López Martí - Creative Director

• There is a saying in the videogame industry: a successful game must be easy and intuitive so everyone can learn to dabble in it at a glance, yet difficult enough that it takes a very long time to become an expert.
• This logic will most possibly apply to AI.

Yep. We’re Under Attack

Florida is suing Target, claiming the company misled investors by not disclosing the financial risks of its DEI efforts. The lawsuit argues that Target’s Pride merchandise and diversity initiatives triggered a consumer backlash, tanked sales, and wiped out billions in market value. The state, which manages public pension funds invested in Target, says shareholders paid the price for the company’s “ideological” decisions.  By David R. Morse

ANA’s Takeaways from CES 2025

CES 2025 is a wrap and between the major tech announcements (a supercomputer you can hold in your hand) and the integration of AI into everything, it was an inspirational way to kick off the year. The transition of CES from screens to AI-enabled entities is well on its way. Oh, and there were flying cars too.

Podcast fuels Audio Market growth [REPORT]

MAGNA and VOX MEDIA have been tracking the meteoric rise of podcasts since 2020, publishing research on how podcasts fit into media strategy, followed by a look at the content creators and hosts in the world of podcasts and their influence on listeners. In a new study called “It’s All in the Mind(set)” released today, VOX MEDIA and MAGNA move the conversation beyond the medium and the makers to go deeper on how – and why – brands should consider listeners’ mindsets when advertising on podcasts.

COMMISSIONERS GOMEZ, BEDOYA TO HIGHLIGHT BARRIERS TO ENTRY FOR HISPANIC/LATINO MEDIA [VIDEO]

FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez and FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya will convene a roundtable discussion to explore the market dynamics affecting the success and sustainability of Hispanic/Latino-serving media organizations.

This Deloitte Executive Explained Why Performance Marketing Has Diminishing Returns [VIDEO]

Though it may seem counterintuitive, performance marketing as a strategy has diminishing returns. Deloitte Digital's Maggie Gross discussed why this is, citing examples from her own work and explaining having a balance between branding and performance is critical for business success.

Why Diverse Data Is as Critical as Diverse Media for Multicultural Audiences

U.S. consumer demographics are shifting, with multicultural consumers projected to become the majority by 2050. These audiences drive population growth, influence cultural trends, and wield significant buying power. For programmatic media buyers, it’s clear that effectively engaging multicultural consumers isn’t just an ethical choice—it’s a strategic business imperative.

The Artificial Intelligence learning curve.

By Gonzalo López Martí - Creative Director

• Your kids are doing their homework with AI.
• You are probably toying with it too.
• The learning curve, however, is an asymptote.
• Don’t know what an asymptote is?
• No need to ask ChatGPT.

5 Years Later: America Looks Back at the Impact of COVID-19 [REPORT]

The most significant pandemic of our lifetime arrived as the United States was experiencing three major societal trends: a growing divide between partisans of the left and right, decreasing trust in many institutions, and a massive splintering of the information environment.

Digital Advertisers Are Finding Success in Radio

Advertisers are discovering that the power of radio isn’t just for building brand awareness—it’s a powerful tool for driving sales and lower-funnel conversions. One experienced digital Audio advertiser recently tapped into the magic of AM/FM radio to boost engagement and skyrocket conversions. By partnering with Audacy and harnessing Claritas’ AI-powered attribution model, they were able to pinpoint exactly which radio stations were moving the needle. This innovative approach not only linked radio ads to tangible online actions but also provided deep audience insights that allowed the brand to fine-tune their strategy for maximum impact. In short, radio is proving to be a game-changer for advertisers ready to mix traditional reach with digital precision.

The Anti-Social Century and What It Means for Brands

Recently, I found myself reflecting on Derek Thompson's recent article in The Atlantic, "The Anti-Social Century," which examines how we in the U.S. increasingly are choosing isolation over connection and solitude over community. It's a powerful lens that offers insight into the cultural moment we're in as well as what this behavioral shift means for brands navigating our evolving zeitgeist. (And, no, Derek Thompson and I are not related, though his insights feel closely aligned with my reflections!)