Agency

As we focus our attention on 2010, clearly the global marketplace is redefining itself. Not only in economic terms but more importantly in consumer terms. Consumers are more diverse, demanding and connected than ever before.

That whooshing sound heard on Christmas morning was not the sound of Santa’s sleigh launching its return trip to the North Pole. It was the collective sigh of relief by America’s retailers, as they squeaked through an intensely uncertain holiday season with positive growth numbers. Put in perspective, though, a little bit of good news for the holiday season is a modestly upbeat flourish on what is otherwise still a very challenging retail market.

The National Retail Federation released its 2010 economic forecast, projecting retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will increase 2.5 percent from last year.

In association with the US Army MWR, DominoesStars.com and Jim Beam Global Spirits & Wines, R.Paniagua, Inc. announces the first-ever U.S. Army Domino Championship, February through April, 2010 at 30 Army bases.

Since initiating its year-long study of global talent trends and strategies, Deloitte reveals in its latest research report that economic optimism has reached its highest level among surveyed executives since the study’s inception. According to Deloitte’s December 2009 survey, more than one-third of the 335 surveyed executives now believe the worst of the recession is behind us as companies look to move forward to find the right balance between offensive and defensive talent strategies.

A unique analysis of how extensively government, at all levels, subsidizes the news media will be released by the USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy. DOWNLOAD HERE.