Agency

It’s been said that the average American is exposed to 3,000 advertising messages a day, ranging from emails to billboards. With that kind of ad overload, it’s not too surprising that 76% of consumers think ads are very or somewhat exaggerated, according to a new study by Lab42. (Some 3% think ads are “very accurate.”) This week’s infographic is full of insights from the study, including ways that marketers can make ads more convincing and palatable to consumers.

With student debt now topping $1 trillion dollars and the cost of college far outpacing inflation, some have begun to question if getting a college education is worth it. Industries like media and advertising tend to rely on a lot of on-the-job training, and client entertaining and negotiating isn’t something most schools teach.

From televisions and smartphones to tablets and game consoles, Americans are consuming content on every device under the sun — the latest versions of which will be on display this week at the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

US family businesses are more confident about their growth prospects than their global peers – 93 percent versus 81 percent – and are poised to capitalize on new opportunities, according to PwC’s latest Global Family Business Survey.

Brands are spending more time—and money—engaging with consumers outside of their brand sites on the likes of YouTube, Tumblr, Facebook and many other channels. As marketing efforts move to social networks and to content sites such as BuzzFeed, what happens to the brand’s dot-com?

It’s that time of year when we reflect on the year’s accomplishments and start thinking about what the next year will bring regarding today’s Networked Mom. Will marketing to moms look different? Will there be any less emphasis on her and her continuing power?

As New Year resolvers restock pantries, “natural,” “made with,” and “whole grains” have made the Leanwashing Index’s 2013 list of food marketing words that should be banished to the land of advertising malarkey. The list is inspired by the appearance of “superfood” on Lake Superior State University’s 38th annual List of Words to be Banished.

When we hold smartphones in our hands, we are in effect grasping miniscule computers. Their capabilities far outpace those of desktop units of yore, and their perpetual state of connectivity mean that smartphone users are almost never disconnected from the Internet. But even if they are at least somewhat comparable to full-fledged computers, are they used comparably?

A survey of a wide-ranging mix of U.S.-based arts organizations shows that the internet, social media, and mobile connectivity now permeate their operations and have changed the way they stage performances, mount and showcase their exhibits, engage their audiences, sell tickets, and raise funds.

One of the best marketing minds in our field passed away yesterday. León Potasinski died from pancreatic cancer at 54 having been diagnosed only two weeks before. It was a shock to those of us who knew him and worked with him. By Roberto Orci

Univision Communications Inc. announced it will be the Platinum sponsor of The Social TV Summit Miami, in Association with Nobox, on February 28 and March 1, 2013 at The Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Randy Falco, president and CEO, Univision Communications Inc., will serve as the Summit’s keynote speaker.

The Connected Home report found that while computers are still the primary connected device, numerous others are diminishing the computer’s relevance to the broadband content marketplace.

A 16-page custom publication appearing in Ad Age (November 2012) featuring articles including: “Brands Moving Forward,” “The Top 10 Trends for 2013,” “The Global Mindset,” and “Feeding the Content Beast.

The folks over at Ericsson ConsumerLab have identified the hottest consumer trends for 2013 and beyond. For more than 15 years, ConsumerLab has conducted research into people’s values, behavior and ways of using ICT products and services.

To support the launch of its new identity, the network celebrated with a series of events as part of a Times Square takeover, including the ringing of The NASDAQ Stock Market Opening Bell and colorful pop-up flash mobs featuring dancers and the new brand musical theme, accompanied by the simultaneous display of the new logo and image promos across multiple digital billboards.