By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

We wanted to share our latest consumer and business insights, based on research from Stagwell. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

GEN Z IS NOT WORKING 9 TO 5

The younger generation is relying on investing and social media to reach their financial goals instead of traditional full-time jobs, according to our Harris Poll research with MarketWatch.

• 51% of Gen Z think a 9-to-5 isn’t essential for achieving financial success.
• 60% say that working a full-time job won’t allow them to reach their financial goals (compared with 35% of Boomers).
• Instead, Gen Z is relying on side hustles, entrepreneurship and investing to achieve their goals.
• 62% of Gen Z say they receive financial advice from social media (compared with 36% of all Americans).
• 65% believe investing is their best shot at becoming a millionaire.
• See also: Why Gen Zs Trust TikTok Influencers Over Teachers

COLLEGE SAVING PLANS HAVE A REPUTATION PROBLEM

Parents are asking if “college is still worth it?,” based on our Harris Poll research with Intuit Credit Karma.

• For most generations, 529 college savings plans have been a default strategy for most parents looking to start a college fund.
• Today 65% of American families say they are saving for their children’s future.
• Yet fewer than a quarter now are using a 529 plan.
• Among those not contributing to or considering a 529 plan, most say it’s because they’ve never heard of it before.
• Among those who have or had a 529, 19% have closed their plans early, and another 22% have considered doing so.
• See also: What do Americans think about the skilled trades?

DEALERS VERSUS CONSUMERS IN CAR BUYING

Today’s automotive landscape highlights a significant gap between auto dealers and buyers, according to our Harris Poll study with Urban Science.

• 94% of dealers think the direct-to-consumer model appeals to consumers, yet only 64% of auto buyers agree.
• 64% of auto buyers cite affordability as their biggest concern (compared with 40% of dealers).
• 3 in 5 auto buyers believe tariffs will have a negative impact on the U.S. auto industry.
• 67% have changed their plans or experienced higher costs due to recent automotive tariffs.
• 78% of dealers say they will be increasing their focus on selling EVs.
• 87% reported increased sales revenue from EVs in the past five years – up from 67% last year.
• Buyers are split on EV adoption: 48% agree that they will be ready for EV-only options by 2040, and 48% said they never will be ready.

AI DRIVES GROWTH

Executives say AI-led software development has led to a 44% increase in revenue, according to our Harris Poll report with GitLab.

• 58% of C-suite executives report their organization experienced business growth from software innovation efforts.
• 91% of executives say software innovation is a core business priority.
• 80% say they’re willing to invest more than half of their company’s IT budget in software development.
• 73% believe human input for human-AI partnership should be at least 50/50.
• Only 27% believe AI should do the majority of the work.

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• Companies looking to make a splash during the 2026 World Cup should connect with the soccer players
• The Click Is Dying, And It’s Taking Your Brand With It
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• The fertility gap: Confronting myths and cultivating support

By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

We wanted to share our latest consumer and business insights, based on research from Stagwell. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

6 IN 10 FEEL FINANCIALLY STRAINED

Despite positive economic indicators, more Americans are facing a turbulent financial reality, according to the Economic Trust Report by the Harris Poll and Kikoff.

• 57% of Americans today feel financially strained.
• 37% say the way the U.S. government talks about the economy doesn’t reflect their financial reality.
• 22% trust the financial data provided by the government.
• Americans are turning to financial advisors (43%), friends and family (42%) and fintech platforms (32%) for more trusted financial advice.
• 24% opened a new credit card within the past year to cover an unexpected expense.
• 55% don’t know the amount of their current credit card debt.
• 23% delayed a major life event in the last year to protect their credit score.
• See also: Retailers In The Crosshairs Over Tariff-Driven Price Hikes
• See also: 32% of Americans unprepared financially for natural disasters

WORLD CUP SCORES WITH AMERICANS

Soccer (football) is experiencing a surge in fandom and culture relevance in the U.S., based on our Harris Poll research.

• 45% of Americans say their interest in soccer is increasing – up 17% from 2020.
• 70% of fans say they are more excited about the 2026 World Cup specifically because it will be held in North America.
• 54% agree that they pay attention to the brands that sponsor soccer teams and/or events such as the World Cup.
• 65% say that people in America are soccer fans, but soccer is not an “American” sport.
• Overall, 72% of Americans say they’re interested in soccer, lower than 92% of Mexicans, 82% of British and 80% of Germans.

PTO BY THE POOL

U.S. employees are prioritizing single days off this summer to relax by the pool rather than saving PTO until the end of the year, according to our Harris Poll survey with ResortPass.

• Americans report feeling happier (55%), more productive (51%) and patient (40%) after taking just a single day off.
• 28% believe it’s becoming more acceptable to take regular individual days off work.
• 55% say spending time near water is part of a perfect day.
• 62% of employed Americans say relaxing is among their top priorities for time off – versus 33% who prioritize adventure.
• See also: Forget quiet quitting – 4 in 10 millennials are taking ‘quiet vacations’ and checking out of work (and the country) on company dime instead

SOUND SOOTHES STRESS

Consumers are relying on audio content as a way to reduce stress, according to our National Research Group report.

• 41% consume audio content to decompress, relax or recharge (42% for background noise and 53% to be entertained).
• Consumers turn to audio content for a break from screens (77%) and to give their eyes and mind a rest (74%).
• 71% say listening to podcasts or music helps them feel more present than scrolling on a phone.
• 36% stream music while working or studying (54% for Gen Z).
• 66% trust podcast hosts more than other types of online influencers.

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• Two Stagwell leaders on PRWeek’s 2025 Power List: Ray Day and Doug Thornell
• Almost half of healthcare workers consider leaving their jobs due to workplace safety concerns, new study from Verkada and The Harris Poll finds
• What Christian Audiences Want from Entertainment Today
• Demystifying Google Tag Gateway: Supercharge Your Media Performance

By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

We wanted to share our latest consumer and business insights, based on research from Stagwell. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

LINGERING INFLATION CONCERNS

Fewer Americans say the country is on the right track, and inflation concerns remain high, based on our July Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll.

• 40% say the country is on the right track – down from 41% in June.
• 38% say the U.S. economy is on the right track – down from 39% in June.
• 43% say their personal financial situation is getting worse (up 4 points since May).
• Democrats, Independents, women, older, Black and rural Americans are more likely to say their finances are getting worse.
• Inflation (32%) and immigration (29%) remain the top two issues, consistent with June.
• 24% say healthcare is the most important issue – up from 18% in June.
• 45% say inflation is the most important issue to them personally – up from 39% last month.
• Americans are split on how the Big Beautiful Bill will affect the economy (52% say it will make the economy worse, and 48% say it will improve it).
• See also: Half of Active Duty Military Report “Just Getting By” Financially

NO JOBS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Young Americans are facing uncertain futures as they feel unprepared, unsupported and anxious about navigating today’s career landscape, according to our HarrisX study with the Schultz Family Foundation.

• 1 in 3 young adults say a career is the area in life most important to their success.
• 57% are concerned or unsure whether there will be enough job opportunities in the market.‍
• 46% feel unprepared for jobs of the future.
• 54% are concerned about whether AI will replace the jobs they seek.
• 45% describe the job market as broken and lacking meaningful guidance.
• 48% say they don’t know where to look for educational and career opportunities.
• 65% are still trying to discover what motivates them or where their passions lie.
• Parents and young people are disconnected: 71% of parents say their child had an easy time finding a job, while only 52% of young adults say the same.
• 40% of young adults and 66% of parents believe the American Dream is achievable.

TALKING FINANCE ON THE FIRST DATE?

Americans, especially younger generations, are prioritizing positive financial habits over looks in prospective romantic partners, according to our Harris Poll survey with the Current.

• Low or no debt (33%) and a strong credit score (30%) are more powerful attractors than physical appearances.
• Gen Z (19%) and Millennials (22%) say bad credit is a bigger turnoff than bad hygiene.
• 33% of Gen Z and Millennials say a potential partner’s emergency savings is more attractive than their looks (23% of Gen X and 18% of Boomers).
• Younger generations are more likely to end a relationship due to debt: 19% for Gen Z and 17% for Millennials versus 8% for Gen X and 5% for Boomers.
• 39% of Americans think improving their credit score could bolster a couple’s bonds.

FRUGAL BACK-TO-SCHOOL

Tariff-related price increases multiply the economic stress anticipated by families during the back-to-school shopping season, according to our Harris Poll report with NerdWallet.

• 56% of parents say the back-to-school season is financially stressful.
• 23% say they’ll use “Buy Now, Pay Later” services for back-to-school purchases.
• 26% have already purchases tech items for the school year to avoid tariff price increases.
• Other saving strategies include buying different brands (39%), shopping with different retailers (35%) and cutting back on clothing (27%) and supplies (25%) purchases.
• 25% say they’ll seek out free options for this year’s school supplies.

ICYMI: In case you missed it, check out the thought-leadership and happenings around Stagwell making news:

• Stagwell CEO Mark Penn Talks the Future of Marketing Amid AI Revolution
• Insights on Where Travel Is Heading
• Why advertisers are wrong to shun news websites
• Advance care planning could be the next health crisis

By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

We wanted to share our latest consumer and business insights, based on research from Stagwell. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

FEMALE CANARIES IN THE COAL MINE?

Two thirds of American women today are adjusting their budgeting and shopping in preparation for a recession, based on our Harris Poll research with The Guardian.

• More women than men (62% of women versus 48% of men) are cutting back on their discretionary spending, switching to lower-cost brands (56% versus 45%) and entering “low-buy mode” (46% versus 39%) in anticipation of an economic slow-down.
• Women are significantly more concerned about overall economic uncertainty than men (83% for women versus 73% for men).
• 62% of women say the economy is worsening, versus 47% of men.
• 70% of Gen Z women say their financial health is all they think about today.
• Women also are 13 percentage points more likely to be shoring up their emergency funds than men (76% versus 63%).
• Women in relationships report being primarily responsible for their household’s shopping (70%) and tracking household expenses (59%).

AI-LITERATE HELP WANTED

In a world of AI, which skills are needed in the workplace? The Harris Poll’s new 2025 ETS Human Progress Report: HR Edition gives an inside glimpse into how HR leaders will assess tomorrow’s talent.

• 67% of HR decision-makers say AI literacy is an essential skill for new hires, yet only 39% of U.S. employees report being proficient in this area.
• At the same time, only 24% of employees in the U.S., UK and France have access to AI coaching for personalized skills development – compared with 53% who have such a benefit in India and 30% in China.
• 70% of employees would trust an AI coach to help them identify skills they need to learn to accelerate their careers.
• 90% of chief human resources officers say their organization is finding the need to hire outside the standard four-year college degree.
• 86% of HR decision-makers say focusing on college degrees as an employment filter is a dated practice, leaving talent on the table.
• The key challenges for HR decision makers are verifying skill sets (73%) and upskilling and reskilling employees (70%).
• 86% of employees say certifying their skills improves their overall career trajectory.
• 6 in 10 expect a world of verified resumes and digital skill wallets to showcase their value to the market.

PICK UP THE PHONE!

Most Americans will forego restaurants that do not answer their phones, according to our Harris Poll research with Hostie.

• 63% of Americans say calling is their preferred way to contact a restaurant.
• 58% of calls to restaurants go unanswered.
• 69% say they’re likely to give up on going to a restaurant if no one answers the phone (72% for Millennials).
• Other methods of communication include speaking with staff in person (34%), using reservation apps (30%) and messaging via a restaurant’s website (29%).
• 89% would be open to using an AI agent – versus a live person – for making a reservation (47%), tracking an order or checking wait times/availability (42%), searching for special offers (39%) and placing a pickup or delivery order (38%).

AMERICANS NEED HELP, BUT STRUGGLE TO GET IT

Americans are feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of daily life, yet they don’t feel they can ask for help, according to our Harris Poll research with Duckbill.

• 64% of Americans are just trying to get through the day, instead of enjoying it.
• 67% of young adults ages 18-34 say time feels like a luxury they can’t afford (74% for women in the same age group).
• 22% say they avoid or procrastinate scheduling their own doctor’s appointments (31% of women ages 18-34).
• 48% say they feel they should be able to handle things themselves.
• 47% of women say they don’t want to burden others by asking for help.

HITTING THE ROAD

Despite economic pressures, Americans are traveling more this summer than last, according to our Harris Poll report with the Out of Home Advertising Association of America.

• 83% of Americans plan to travel for leisure this year (90% of Gen Z).
• 1 in 4 travelers say they will spend more this year than last summer.
• In the past week, 79% rode in a car and 58% walked in a city or downtown area.
• 4 in 10 say they are driving more today than before the pandemic.
• Most will take about nine days off, and more than one in five are planning two weeks or more.
• See also: What’s next in travel and communications?

ICYMI: In case you missed it, check out the thought-leadership and happenings around Stagwell making news:

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• What does AI look like? Designing the interface of intelligence
• Navigating the Changing Media Landscape from Substack to GEO

By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

We wanted to share our latest consumer and business insights, based on research from Stagwell. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

FITTING IN

While most hiring managers want new hires to fit with an existing company culture, many are growing more open to adapting to a more modern era, according to our Harris Poll research with Express Employment Professionals.

• 44% of employees say it’s time for company culture to evolve with the times (59% of women and 49% of men).
• 84% of hiring managers say their organization is open to changing its culture to meet business needs.
• Top reasons for changing company culture include: retaining current employees (42%), boosting morale across the board (41%), attracting more qualified candidates (39%) and broadening their appeal to job seekers in general (32%).

AI ADVANTAGE

As AI becomes increasingly popular in the modern workplace, Gen Z stands out as the top adopters, according to our Harris Poll research with UKG.

• 70% of Gen Z employees say they’ve taught themselves most of the AI tools they use at work (58% of Gen X and 40% of Boomers).
• 49% say their bosses don’t understand the benefits of AI.
• 89% feel AI should be viewed as a tool, not a co-worker.
• AI appropriate tasks include highly repetitive or routine responsibilities (49%), data-intensive duties (42%), time-consuming tasks (38%), tasks that require little judgment, empathy or nuance (35%), and tasks that are often prone to human error (34%).
• 79% believe AI tools could free up time to focus on more important or rewarding parts of their jobs (90% for Gen Z).

SUMMER BLUES

Younger Americans are relying on a variety of mostly online tactics to combat emotional overwhelm, according to our Harris Poll survey with Naropa University.

• 68% of Gen Z agree they often put other people’s emotional needs ahead of their own.
• 61% say they don’t know where to turn when they feel emotionally overwhelmed.
• 63% of Gen Z and Millennials find mental health information on social media (compared with 43% of Gen X and 18% of Boomers).
• Gen Z coping tactics include listening to music (64%), binge watching TV (47%), doomscrolling (29%) and retail therapy (27%).

DELIVERY NOT INCLUDED

Most Americans now prefer to buy big-ticket items in-store rather than risk receiving them via unsafe delivery, based on our Harris Poll research with Position Imaging.

• 70% of Americans buy big items in-store due to delivery concerns.
• 68% of apartment residents would shop more online with secure delivery rooms.
• More than 80% of younger buyers are speeding up purchases to avoid tariffs and shortages.

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• HarrisX Crypto Policy Study June 2025

By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

We wanted to share our latest consumer and business insights, based on research from Stagwell. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

THE TOLL OF STUDENT LOANS

The burden of student loans affects much more than just borrowers’ credit scores, according to our Harris Poll report with Credit Karma.

• 7 million Credit Karma members with federal student loans are delinquent.
• 58% say that their student loan debt is the biggest financial stressor that they face today.
• 44% estimate to have more than $50,000 in federal student loan debt.
• 72% say their credit score has declined as a result of being delinquent.
• 68% who are delinquent or in default on their loans say their current income is not sufficient to cover both their living expenses and student loan payments.
• 25% say they’ve been threatened to have their wages or government benefits garnished because of unpaid student loan debt.
• 67% of those who are delinquent or in default say it has caused them significant anxiety and/or depression.
• 91% are taking steps to make payments: taking on additional work to increase income (32%), decreasing non-essential spending (30%), applying for an income-driven repayment (28%) and applying for forbearance or deferment (25%) are the top steps.

SIDE HUSTLE CULTURE

More workers are looking for additional sources of income to combat financial anxiety, according to our Harris Poll survey with the American Staffing Association.

• 64% of workers say they’re likely to get a second job or side hustle in the next year.
• 75% of workers with children said they were likely to seek additional work (55% without children).
• 28% of workers who rent said they’d have less than a month of savings as a financial cushion (14% for homeowners).
• 19% said their savings could cover less than a month of expenses.

TRENDS OF GEN Z

Gen Z shoppers are trend-driven, embracing social media and AI tools, according to our Harris Poll survey by QuestDIY.

• 40% of Gen Z shoppers report buying new products based on trends.
• 33% participated in live shopping events on social media.
• 21% relied on AI-powered product recommendations.
• 33% used chatbots for customer service.
• 27% shopped using voice assistants.
• 33% are willing to pay 5-10% more for sustainable products.

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By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

We wanted to share our latest consumer and business insights, based on research from Stagwell. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

WORRIED WOMEN

Women are feeling the financial strain of today’s economy more than men, including concern for affording a family and household shopping, according to our new Harris Poll survey with The Guardian.

• 62% of women said the economy and inflation is getting worse (47% of men).
• Only 27% of women said they felt comfortable affording a family, compared to 43% of men.
• 71% of women are the household’s primary shopper.
• 52% of women are very worried about food prices (39% of men).
• 36% of women are spending time trying to find deals.
• 54% of women think they’ll get a raise this year (63% of men).
• See also: 66% of Americans Are Making Purchases Earlier Than Planned, Due to Tariffs or Other Concerns, According to New Position Imaging/Harris Poll Survey

THE POWER OF NEWS JUNKIES

The growing news audience and increasing news consumption reinforces the value of advertising in news, according to our most recent  study with HarrisX and the Future of News.

• 80.4 million U.S. adults, News Junkies who follow the news ‘very closely,’ view brands more positively than less engaged audiences across key brand and reputation metrics (purchase intent, favorability, likelihood to recommend, and trustworthiness).
• Among News Junkies, a key target group for advertisers, the average purchase intent for 20 brand ads tested across technology, travel/hospitality, CPG, financial services, and automotive, was 66%— compared to 50% among the rest of the general population.
• 8%, approximately 36.8 million U.S. adults, are Exclusive News Junkies, defined as those who follow the news ‘very closely’ but do not closely follow sports or entertainment.
• Exclusive News Junkies have grown in population size by approximately 7.2 million U.S. adults, now making up 13.8% of the general population (compared to 11.1% a year ago).
• 60% of News Junkies and Exclusive News Junkies now follow the news more closely than they did a year ago.

OPTIMISM REMAINS STEADY

While U.S. voters’ optimism on the state of the economy and country persists, inflation and national debt are top concerns, based on our June Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll.

• 39% say the country is on the right track – down from 42% in May.
• 52% say the U.S. economy is strong today – up 1% from May.
• Inflation (34%) and immigration (32%, up 5% from May) are the top two issues for voters.
• 39% say inflation is the most important issue to them personally.
• 67% say the current level of national debt is unsustainable – up from 62% in May.
• 79% believe the U.S. government should move to balance the budget in the next few years.
• 42% believe cutting government programs like EV tax credits and scientific research is not justified.
• See also: SPECIAL REPORT: JUNE HARVARD CAPS / HARRIS POLL: MAJORITY OF VOTERS SAY TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SHOULD SUPPORT ISRAEL’S EFFORT TO TAKE OUT IRAN’S NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM.

KIDS AND THEIR PHONES

Parents are expressing regret over the early age their children adopted social media and smartphone usage, based on our recent Harris Poll survey.

• 81% of parents who have already given their child a smartphone said that they had done so by age 12.
• 15% said their child was the primary or sole user of a smartphone by age 5 (42% for tablet).
• 51% of children who use Instagram and Snapchat have been using the apps since the age of 13 (57% for TikTok).
• 39% of parents who had already given their child a smartphone said they wish they hadn’t but they felt that they had to give in because so many of their children’s friends already had one.
• 54% felt they had to give their child social media because so many families had already done so.
• 29% say their child began using social media too young (22% for smartphones and 17% for tablets).
• 66% said they would like to restrict their child’s access to smartphones until they reach high school.
• 73% said they want to delay social media until at least age 16.
• 64% supported schools enforcing a bell-to-bell phone-free school policy.

ICYMI: In case you missed it, check out the thought-leadership and happenings around Stagwell making news:

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• Absolutely Marvelous News: Amy Sherman-Palladino, Queen of Quips and Creator of Coffee Obsessions, is Headed to PRSA’s ICON 2025
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• B2B Marketers Changing Strategies Due to Current Economic Climate: Harris Poll
• For CEOs, AI Innovation Is Now A Near-Term Survival Requirement
• AI has a resilience problem. Designers and researchers can help fix it.

By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

We wanted to share our latest consumer and business insights, based on research from Stagwell. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

COLLEGE VERSUS TRADE SCHOOLS

A greater percentage of Americans would advise high school graduates to attend a vocational or trade school (33%) rather than a four-year college or university (28%), according to our Harris Poll survey with the American Staffing Association.

• Baby Boomers (41%), Gen X (37%) and Millennials (31%) recommended vocational and trade school career paths.
• Gen Z is the only cohort that recommended a four-year degree (36%) over attending a trade or vocational school (22%).
• A smaller number suggest grads enter the workforce (13%) or find an internship (11%).
• Traditional universities are under the gun: Aside from the campus politics and threatened halt of federal grant money, 80% globally believe that new skills and credentials will be as valued as a traditional university degree by 2035.
• 75% believe AI will disrupt their future career.

THE RISE (AND FALL?) OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES

While interest in electric vehicles has nearly tripled in the past decade, the elimination of tax incentives is affecting purchase consideration, according to our new Harris Poll report.

• 31% of consumers say they are likely to purchase an EV (up from 13% in 2013).
• The top reasons for owning an EV, according to current owners, are having a positive environmental impact (34%), having a 10-year battery warranty (25%) and federal tax credits (21%).
• 24% of consumers who are at least somewhat likely to consider purchasing an EV would strongly reconsider (or no longer consider) making that purchase without the tax incentive.
• 23% of Boomers cite the federal tax credit as a reason for purchasing an EV, compared with 14% of Gen Z/Young Millennials and 18% of total consumers.

TARIFFS HIT RETAIL

The Harris Poll’s Tariff Retail Report highlights Americans’ ongoing economic uncertainty in the wake of months of inflation:

• 72% of Americans are concerned about tariffs (up 11 points since January).
• 66% think the U.S. economy will take years to recover from the tariffs.
• More consumers blame businesses for higher prices (39%) than the government (30%) and personal financial decisions (30%).
• 63% believe companies are taking advantage of the economic climate to boost profits.

SUMMER LIKE IT’S 1999

Americans are nostalgic for ice cream, less screen time and lower prices, according to our Harris Poll survey with Instacart.

• 57% of Americans say the last day of school is among the things they look forward to most during the summer.
• A few of the most appealing elements of the 1990s are the lack of smart phones and social media (53%), the sense of simplicity and nostalgia (39%) and the food and snacks (32%).
• 62% say ice cream reminds them of their childhood summers.
• 64% want their kids to experience the fun summer treats they loved as kids.
• 84% of parents say it’s more important that their kids minimize screen time during the summer.

GAME ON IN CANNES

Stagwell’s SPORT BEACH returns to Cannes next week as the official sport partner of the festival with a powerful lineup of programming at the intersection of sports, creativity and culture. 

• This year’s roster of speakers and panelists include tennis icon and trailblazer Serena Williams, sports broadcaster Erin Andrews, long-distance runner and Olympic Gold Medalist Sir Mo Farah, NBA legend Chris Paul, MLB All-Star Alex Rodriguez and George Russell, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team driver.
• In addition to SPORT BEACH’S daily swim and run clubs, Peloton and select instructors will host engaging fitness experiences throughout the week.
• To register, view the programming calendar, and see the full roster, visit sportbeach.com.

ICYMI: In case you missed it, check out the thought-leadership and happenings around Stagwell making news:

• Father’s Day gifts: 10 brands with high brand equity among dads
• Your Drink Tells Your Age: Keurig Dr Pepper-Harris Poll
• Teachers Sound The Alarm On Literacy: Nemours Children’s Health-Harris Poll
• Companies are preparing for a potential rise in employee turnover
• Fashion Forward: Emerging Trends in Apparel Purchases

Originally Released On

PR Newswire

Contact:

Kara Gelber

pr@stagwellglobal.com

NEW YORK, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing, today announced the addition of tennis icon and trailblazer Serena Williams to its SPORT BEACH 2025 roster. On the heels of announcing her and her sister Venus’ new podcast with X, Williams will join X CEO Linda Yaccarino on Thursday, June 19 for a fireside chat at SPORT BEACH to discuss her vision for a new model of athlete-entrepreneur.

To register, view the full programming calendar, and see the full roster of leaders, innovators, and cultural influencers joining SPORT BEACH 2025, visit sportbeach.com.

Stagwell invites brands, athletes, sports leagues, media platforms and other interested parties to reach out to sportbeach@stagwellglobal.com to get involved.

About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world’s most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our specialists in 45+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.

Contact
Kara Gelber
PR@stagwellglobal.com

By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

We wanted to share our latest consumer and business insights, based on research from Stagwell. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

IS HOME OWNERSHIP JUST A DREAM?

Financial anxieties and misconceptions make home ownership feel unattainable to Americans, according to our Harris Poll survey with KB Home.

• 83% of Americans believe owning a home is a significant milestone.
• Excitement (47%), pride (43%) and motivation (28%) are the top emotions associated with homebuying.
• However, 89% feel anxious about affordability and the homebuying process (93% for current renters).
• 74% are willing to make lifestyle sacrifices to afford the home they want.
• 54% believe they are in a worse position to buy a home than previous generations.
• 28% are anxious about whether now is a good time to buy.
• Americans’ top financial anxieties are affording a down payment (45%), knowing how much they can afford (43%), making monthly payments (42%) and finding the best mortgage rate (42%).
• 69% falsely believe mortgage rates are at an all-time high.
• Nearly half don’t know key homebuying terms such as APR (44%) and PMI (49%).
• Gen Z (25%) and Millennials (23%) feel anxious about not knowing where to start in the homebuying process.

FREE WIFI, PLEASE

New York City residents rely on tech companies for accessible Wi-Fi according to our HarrisX research with LinkNYC.

• 55% of New York City residents use free public Wi-Fi monthly.
• 30% rely on it weekly.
• 35% don’t have unlimited cellular data plans.
• 51% run out of data at least one month per year.
• 76% approve of New York City’s use of technology to deliver public services.
• 78% say tech companies have positively impacted the city.
• 71% express interest in expanded, city-wide technology and AI programs.

WOMEN WANT DOULAS

Lack of access to doulas is a critical issue in the maternal health care crisis, according to our Harris Poll research.

• 73% of women believe that insurance companies should provide coverage to employ a doula (81% for women aged 18-34).
• 21% of women who have given birth have used a doula, and 90% found it helpful.
• 19% of women who have given birth wanted to employ a doula but couldn’t.
• 23% say a doula would have improved their pregnancy and birth experience.
• 30% felt they did not have control over their labor and delivery.
• Women ages 18-34 are more likely (51%) to engage a doula than older women ages 35+ (15%).
• Reasons for not employing a doula include lack of education and resources (65%) and financial constraints/lack of insurance coverage (35%).

ICYMI: In case you missed it, check out the thought-leadership and happenings around Stagwell making news:

• PRSA Member Monday Session on Building Reputation Today
• 20 brands catching Baby Boomers’ attention
• Gen Z’s fascination with secondhand apparel: Depop sees large brand equity gains among younger consumers, according to Ad Age – Harris Poll brand tracker
• Organic posts and brand-voice tests: how advertisers are approaching Threads
• From hype to human impact: expanding the role of UX research in the age of AI