Trends
Rapid Change Is Driving a Need for Marketing Training

Companies rely on a variety of training formats to keep their marketers up to speed
Decoding the Hispanic Voter: Affluence, Status, and Ideology in the 2024 Election

In the wake of the recent election, the strong Latino wave supporting Trump caught many by surprise. As I noted in my last piece on decoding the Hispanic voter, an emerging trend is clear: working-class and middle-class Latinos are joining the ranks of an increasingly affluent, conservative Latino voter base, where ideological leanings are often anti-socialist and pro-business. By Gabriela Alcantara-Diaz - Founder, President of SEMILLA Multicultural, Inc.
Why Trump’s Victory Shows Hollywood’s Star Power Just Isn’t Enough Anymore. The Subtle How

I’m not a political analyst, and this isn’t a post to stir up debates over policy or undermine anyone’s feelings about the election results. But as someone deeply interested in how audiences connect and who holds influence, I can’t ignore the subtle yet significant shift this election highlighted. Trump’s win showed us something crucial: traditional celebrity endorsements might be losing their grip, especially when weighed against the power of relatable, community-driven influencers. By Emmanuel Paa Kwesi Owusu - Digital Business Transformation | Head of Digital, Citi FM & Channel One TV | Brand Strategy | Akora | Consumer Behaviour |
Cultural Insight: The Missing Link in Marketing Strategy

Why do some marketing campaigns fail to resonate? The answer may lie in a critical oversight; culture. Marketers and agencies often underestimate the power of culture in shaping consumer behavior. According to Sasu, to gain profit and satisfy the target market, the culture must be understood (Sasu, 2005). Marketers often study demographics, economic conditions, and product features, overlooking the deeper aspects of cultural identities. To customize a message to different groups of people, the marketing strategy must recognize the psychographics and behaviors of those target audiences. Failing to do so can result in campaigns that fail to connect or, worse, offend different cultures. What works for one group might be inappropriate or offensive to another. Even though the ramifications of neglecting cultural marketing are prevalent, marketers still overlook it because of complexity, short term goals, and costs. This essay will explore the implications that are involved in cultural marketing. By Gabrielle Christina - Florida State University - Hispanic Marketing Communication
Differences between code switching and Spanglish, and implications for advertising to Hispanics

Code switching and Spanglish are two linguistic phenomena that occur within the Hispanic community, but they differ in their nature and implications. A new identity is followed by a new Spanish and English dialect. As Hispanics undergo increased acculturation in the U.S., their language usage tends to become more hybrid in everyday contexts. This involves the occasional insertion of English words into Spanish discourse, a phenomenon known as code-switching, and the development of Spanglish, a hybrid language combining elements of both Spanish and English (Korzenny et al., 2017; Levine, 2023). Both involve the dynamic interplay between Spanish and English, but they differ in their nature and implications. A new identity and way of speaking will become increasingly prevalent and acknowledged as part of Hispanics' experience in the US. This essay will delve into the distinctions between code-switching and Spanglish, drawing on additional readings, personal experiences, and insights from interviews with diverse Hispanic consumers. Furthermore, an exploration of the implications of these linguistic practices for advertising to the Hispanic demographic will be undertaken. By Katherinne Peralta / Florida State University
A look at the state of affordable housing in the U.S.

Housing affordability has emerged as a key issue in this year’s U.S. presidential election. Both Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump have talked about what they would do to increase the supply of affordable homes and people’s ability to buy them, though their plans have little in common.
The Crucial Role of Insights-Based Research in Engaging the U.S. Hispanic Market

As the U.S. Hispanic market continues to grow and diversify, understanding and connecting with this vibrant segment has never been more critical for brands. Insights-based research is the key to unlocking the cultural nuances, values, and behaviors that drive decision-making among Hispanic consumers. By leveraging these insights, brands can develop strategies and campaigns that resonate deeply and authentically with the Latino audience. At Culture IQ, we specialize in providing the insights needed to guide your success in this dynamic market.
Record Latino Voter Engagement and Shifting Political Sentiments Highlighted in Final Week of the Nation’s Only Weekly Latino Voter Poll [REPORT]

Entravision, AltaMed, and BSP Research have unveiled Week 8 findings from the 2024 National Latino Voter Tracking Poll, showcasing record engagement and significant insights into Latino voters' perspectives as Election Day approaches. With 84% of registered Latino voters already casting their ballots or expressing near certainty to vote, the poll highlights unprecedented enthusiasm, as early voting among Latinos has doubled in just the past week. Despite this strong participation, the data also reflect growing anxieties, with many Latino voters concerned about potential election disputes and their community's place in America. Additionally, the findings show intensified Democratic outreach efforts, outpacing Republican engagement, and a clear preference for Kamala Harris among Latino voters, indicating key shifts in support and political sentiment within the community.
Decoding the Complex Latino Vote in the 2024 Election [INSIGHT]

It’s clear that the Hispanic vote is far from a monolithic force. Instead, it reflects a complex landscape where affluence, social status, and ideology converge, shaping distinct partisan trends across multi-ethnic and socioeconomically diverse Latino communities. Today’s Latino voter is increasingly informed by unique experiences and values, highlighting the nuances of a voting demographic that demands to be understood beyond stereotypes. By Gabriela Alcantara-Diaz - Founder, President of SEMILLA Multicultural, Inc.
ANA unveils Loyalty Marketing Report highlighting growing Importance, Challenges, and Fraud Concerns

The Association of National Advertisers (ANA) and HUMAN Security (HUMAN) have released a new report on loyalty marketing, revealing the increasing significance of loyalty programs for brands in the current marketing landscape. Loyalty marketing, which rewards customers for repeat purchases or interactions with a brand, has become a key strategy for companies seeking to deepen customer relationships and drive long-term value.
Part II: Hispanics’ CPG Shopping Trends – Impact and Opportunities for Retail Activation [REPORT]

14% of U.S. households are Hispanic households, and these consumers are more likely to shop in-store than online. This report, Part II in a two-part series, focuses on U.S. Hispanic retail engagement. It also explores the importance of understanding cultural references and opportunities to activate these valuable shoppers around specific holidays.
Part I: Hispanic Consumers Drive 16% of Total US CPG Growth [REPORT]

Hispanic consumers are fueling 16% of total consumer packaged goods (CPG) growth in the United States, with spending trends that vary from non-Hispanic counterparts in both dollar and unit sales, as well as the channels they shop. In two new reports, Part I: Meet the U.S. Hispanic CPG Consumer and Part II: Hispanics’ CPG Shopping Trends, Circana™ delves into the complexity of the U.S. Hispanic population and their influence in reshaping purchasing behavior across multiple categories, including baby care, laundry products, and bottled water.
The Challenge of Attention [REPORT]

Attention is important, so how do we measure it? For more than ten years now, the sheer scale and volume of media available to advertisers has been proliferating. Digital technologies and platforms mean that consumer choice about how, where, and when they consume media content has exploded and so fragmented. It is no longer possible to reach mass audiences at scale simply by running a TV ad campaign. As a result, many now characterise modern marketing as an attention economy, a multimedia competition for consumer eyeballs.
After Transforming Advertising, AI Is Coming for Marketing

Over the past decade, artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the way advertisers manage advertising campaigns. Platforms like Meta and Google have deeply integrated AI into their systems, automating the once-tedious processes of ad targeting, creative testing, and bid optimization. This transformation has enabled advertisers to scale campaigns with minimal manual input, maximizing performance while reducing operational burdens.
Back To The Office Study: Marketers, Agencies And Average Americans Now Have Similar Commuting Habits

Marketers and media agencies are increasing their commutes and spending more days at the office, according to a brand new Advertiser Perceptions study of 305 media agencies and brands commissioned by the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group®. Interviews took place October 1-4, 2024 and the results were compared to previous conducted in April 2022, October 2022, April 2023, October 2023, and April 2024.
The cost of Housing in America

But the cost of living is putting serious pressure on their dreams of buying a home, or even staying where they are. And it’s not just renters who feel this. Homeowners often share with me how fortunate they were with their timing, knowing the current prices and rates make it hard for new buyers.
Tapping the Trillion-Dollar Latino Market: A Roadmap to Build Trust for Corporate America

Latinos often take center stage during U.S. presidential election years, recognized as a critical voting bloc with the power to shape the nation's future. With over 36 million projected eligible voters, the race to win the Hispanic vote is more urgent than ever. But this community has proven to be incredibly influential beyond politics, driving progress across all institutions, particularly business. Leaders of all institutions and organizations looking for sustained growth and influence must prioritize building and strengthening their relationships with Latinos. The 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report: Business and Racial Justice highlights how crucial it is for communities to feel seen and elevated. The data shows that people are 24 points more likely to trust businesses that serve the needs of their racial community well. However, only 45% of Hispanic/Latino respondents in the U.S. feel that businesses truly understand their experiences and are committed to their growth. By Carolina Rincón Sato, SVP, Multicultural Brand.
How Brands Reignited the Olympics Advertising Competition for LA 2028

The Olympics in Paris marked the start of a journey toward a more democratized marketplace for brands looking to reach audiences during tentpole sporting events. By 2028, as the 34th Olympiad begins in Los Angeles, the games should be accessible to a much broader array of advertisers than ever before.
Getting Audio & Podcasting on the Media Plan: A Guide for Mutual Success [REPORT]

Getting Audio & Podcasting on the Media Plan: A Guide for Mutual Success dives into the untapped potential of digital audio in marketing, spotlighting how brands can reach highly engaged audiences and leverage the trusted connection audio listeners have with content. The guide reveals a notable gap between consumer audio usage and brand investment, presenting a unique chance to improve ROI by embracing digital audio’s reach and flexibility.
The importance of reaching out to Hispanics to get out to vote.

Kathy Whitlock, VP Strategy & Insights interviewed Teri Arvesu, SVP of Social Impact and Sustainability at TelevisaUnivision to talk about the importance of reaching out to Hispanics to get out to vote.