Agency

At the start of the new year, Americans are feeling much more optimistic about their economic future than they were at the close of 2006, according to the most recent results of the RBC CASH (Consumer Attitudes and Spending by Household) Index, which measured the attitudes of 1,002 Americans this week.

While the U.S. economy is rolling through a soft patch — mainly because of a market correction in housing, weaker than expected consumer spending, and a long-overdue slowdown in manufacturing activity — stronger growth is ahead in 2007, according to an analysis released by The Conference Board.

Instead of creating individual products addressing specific needs, electronics firms are collaborating with entertainment companies on technical standards to create a “digital lifestyle ecosystem” that can distribute content to multiple devices.

A new generation has come of age, shaped by an unprecedented revolution in technology and dramatic events both at home and abroad. They are Generation Next, the cohort of young adults who have grown up with personal computers, cell phones and the internet and are now taking their place in a world where the only constant is rapid change.

Kids are becoming increasingly tech-savvy, playing video games and using and downloading content to cell phones, computers and portable digital music players (PDMP) as young as age 2, according to The NPD Group’s new study, Kids & Digital Content, which provides insight into kids’ ages 2 through 14 usage and interaction with consumer electronic (CE) devices and the dynamics behind acquiring digital content for these devices.

Due to sheer size and projected growth, three consumer groups are emerging as critical segments for consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers and retailers: families with young children, Hispanics and lower-income consumers. The latest Times & Trends report, “Emerging Consumer Segments: Capturing Potential in High-Growth and Under-Served Markets” from Information Resources, Inc.

Hunt’s Snack Pack pudding launched their first ever advertising campaign directly targeting Hispanic consumers.

The ads, scheduled to air in key Hispanic markets on major Spanish television networks, employ computer-generated imaging technology that allows viewers to experience the ads in an innovative way.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the nation’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) civil rights organization, today released its annual list of the “Best Places to Work for GLBT Equality.”

A new economic reference, “The New Career Economy” is the end result of a 2006 research study commissioned by The Entrepreneur’s Source of Southbury, Connecticut. In essence, the study suggests that gone are the days when individuals will work for one or two employers, receive lifetime benefits and retire boasting double-digit service time from one employer. The study did suggest that in the future, long-term security would be gained through individuals managing their own careers through self-employment and other alternative career options.

Infiniti is launching its first Hispanic marketing effort via Miami based MARCA Hispanic with the launch of the newly redesigned Infiniti G35.

Ralph de la Vega, formerly COO of Cingular has been named President of Wireline Operations at AT&T.

Two out of every three Latinos now believe that U.S. troops should be brought home from Iraq as soon as possible and only one in four think the U.S. made the right decision in using military force, according to a new survey by the Pew Hispanic Center.