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:

WHO’S TO BLAME FOR HIGHER PRICES?

Trust between business and customers has frayed and is expected to become even worse, based on new insights from the Milken Institute-Harris Poll Listening Project.

• 50% of consumers today blame corporations for higher prices of goods and services, while 50% blame the government.
• 72% say companies are charging higher prices or using tariffs (60%) as an excuse to boost their profits artificially.
• Cultural issues also are a problem: 78% say companies are getting into trouble by trying to appease both the left and right.
• 56% say it’s a marketing ploy when companies voice opinions on social issues.
• 47% say it’s okay for companies to occasionally speak out on social issues, yet 24% say companies never should.
• To improve trust, companies need to “stop talking and start doing”: Consumers find it essential that companies demonstrate measurable progress on current commitments on local financial investments (86%), the environment (77%), social causes (75%) and DEI (71%).
• Looking ahead, 71% of Americans believe the relationship between corporations and consumers will become more adversarial.
• 73% say companies underestimate how willing consumers are to withdraw support from brands that violate their values.
• 65% say boycotting companies that don’t align with their values is more effective than ever.

STOP BOTHERING ME!

Consumers are tired of digital ads disrupting their online experience, according to our Harris Poll report with eyeo. 

• 73% of desktop users and 79% of mobile users are frustrated by online ads.
• Consumers say ads in mobile gaming apps are the most frustrating (25%), followed by ads in streaming services (21%), video platforms (15%) and mobile search platforms (14%).
• 61% of consumers are less likely to buy products when they are inundated with ads.
• 43% switch browsers for more ad-blocking capabilities.

BEING HONEST ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH

While conversations on mental health are more common today, the lingering stigma affects both older and younger adults, according to our Harris Poll survey with the American Psychological Association. 

• 88% say having a mental health disorder is nothing to be ashamed about.
• Yet 35% say they would view someone differently if they learned they had a mental health condition.
• 84% say the term “mental illness” still carries a stigma.
• 51% feel positive about their mental health.
• 83% are comfortable talking about their mental health.
• 45% have sought mental health care in the past.
• 52% of younger adults say they have withheld information about their mental health from friends or a health care provider (versus 25% for adults 55 and older).
• 52% of younger adults say they would be comfortable discussing mental health with an AI chatbot (26% for older adults).
• 30% of younger adults would rather talk about mental health anonymously than with someone they know.
• 41% of adults say they’re uncomfortable asking others for help.

MATERNAL HEALTH OVERLOOKED

An extreme gap exists in maternal postpartum care, according to our Harris Poll.

• 77% of women feel there’s not enough focus on health care for mothers after pregnancy and birth.
• 65% feel mothers become an afterthought once the baby arrives.
• 23% say postpartum care was less than adequate (30% for women ages 18-44).
• Only 24% of women who’ve given birth felt they received enough information or resources on postpartum depression.

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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:

BREAKING THE RETURN RULES

U.S. and UK consumers are finding ways to take advantage of retailers that have lenient return policies, according to our Harris Poll survey with Forter.

• 68% of U.S. and UK consumers believe retailers make it easy to abuse flexible return policies.
• 49% admit to abusing retailers’ policies in the last 12 months.
• 29% are turning to policy abuse to avoid paying full price.
• 30% say they exploit flexible return policies most for clothing and expensive items they could not otherwise afford (46% for younger consumers).
• 63% say they rely on retailers’ promotions and free perks more now than in the past.
• 16% say they have stopped shopping with a retailer because they made their return policy stricter.

BUSINESS LEADERS SOUND THE ALARM

US. business leaders’ concerns are growing about America’s global competitiveness and their own companies’ performance, based on our Harris Poll research with the Leadership Now Project.

• 84% of senior business leaders express concern over the current political and legal environment’s impact on their business.
• 45% say recent executive orders and policies have negatively affected their business’s competitiveness, while 33% report a positive impact.
• Business leaders feel more comfortable expressing their views about government policy within their company (83%) or industry (78%) than publicly (75%).
• Among business leaders who feel uncomfortable expressing their views on government policy, 51% worry about reputational risk to their company or themselves (38%).
• Business leaders are split on whether the current business climate under the Trump administration is better (39%) or worse (37%) than they expected.

THIRD OF CONSUMERS ‘JUST GETTING BY’ FINANCIALLY

With economic concerns growing, half of Americans feel that, no matter how hard they try to move ahead financially, something always comes up to set them back, based on our Harris Poll survey with the Wells Fargo Foundation.

• 48% feel like they are constantly treading water financially and that any unexpected expense could pull them under.
• 33% report they are just getting by financially.
• 63% worry that partisanship and volatility in the U.S. government will negatively affect their personal finances in the coming year.
• 57% say current uncertainty in the U.S. economy makes it impossible to achieve their long-term financial goals.

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• New study proves localized advertising is more effective among key demographics

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 COLLEGE STILL WORTH IT?

Gen Z says AI has made college degrees irrelevant, according to our Harris Poll survey with Indeed.

• 51% of Gen Z today view their degree as a waste of money (41% for Millennials and 20% for Boomers).
• 45% of Gen Z say AI has made their college education irrelevant (versus 30% overall).
• 68% believe they could do their job without a degree (49% for Boomers).
• With tuition fees up 32%-45% during the last 20 years, 52% report graduating with student debt (58% for Millennials).
• 38% believe student debt has hindered their professional growth more than their degree helped.
• See also: Gen Z is interested in blue-collar work – but not necessarily manufacturing

SAVING VERSUS SPENDING

Americans concerned about their financial situation are spending less and saving more, according to our Harris Poll survey with the American Institute of CPAs.

• 37% of Americans say they have become more cautious about their financial situation during the past 12 months.
• 28% are charging less on credit cards.
• 27% have delayed a major purchase.
• 27% have started increasing their savings.

SANDWICH GENERATION SUFFERS

The sandwich generation – those between ages 40 and 59 – are facing the unprecedented financial strain of caring for both elderly relatives and adult children, according to our Harris Poll research with Athene.

• 73% say supporting family has affected their retirement goals.
• Women (53%) report higher levels of financial strain than men (40%).
• 22% are using retirement assets to support their family.
• 34% are planning to delay retirement.
• 30% are concerned about having to rely on children for financial support in retirement.
• 9% are not planning to retire at all.
• See also: ‘Magic number’ for retirement is down to $1.3 million, but Americans are still concerned

CHILDCARE CRISIS

The lack of childcare benefits is a growing crisis for working parents, according to Harris Poll and KinderCare’s 2025 Parent Confidence Index.

• 53% of working parents fear career setbacks due to parenting responsibilities.
• 63% say the return to in-person work has affected childcare needs.
• 53% are worried they will have to step back from their career to take on childcare responsibilities.
• 63% say employee-provided childcare benefits are more difficult to use than health benefits.
• 71% believe today’s gender pay gap directly results from America’s lack of childcare support.

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• Behind the rise of agency chief AI officers

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:

AMERICANS GROW MORE NEGATIVE

U.S. consumers are growing more negative about the macro economy and their personal financial situation, based on our April Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll.

• 39% say the country is on the right track overall – down from 41% in March and 42% in February.
• 37% say the economy is on the right track, down from 38% in March and February.
• 45% say their personal financial situation is becoming worse – up sharply from 41% in March and February.
• Price increases and inflation (38%, steady with last month) and the economy/jobs (33%, up 1 point) remain the country’s two major issues.
• 47% oppose President Trump’s tariff program, while 45% support it.
• Americans cite increases in prices of everyday purchases (41%) and their retirement money being at risk (24%) as the top ways tariff policies already have affected them.
• 39% expect the U.S. economy to grow worse in the next 12 months.
• 67% support the goal of cutting $1 trillion of government expenditures.
• 57% do not believe Elon Musk and DOGE will be able to hit the goal by the end of the year.
• 55% say Musk and DOGE have gone about making government spending cuts in the wrong way.
• 58% believe Musk should resign after his six-month special government employee status ends.
• See also: PRSA forum gives education and advice on the economy and tariffs

GROCERY PRICES AFFECT EVERYTHING

The pressures inflation puts on the retail industry is causing a disconnect between shoppers and business operators, according to our Harris Poll study with Rakuten.

• 55% of shoppers are looking for the lowest prices when shopping.
• 77% think prices will continue to increase throughout 2025.
• 19% cannot afford to pay their household bills.
• 17% cannot afford necessities like food and gas.
• 36% say they can afford all their daily expenses in addition to non-essential items.
• 41% plan to shop less than in previous years, and 39% cite inflation as having the most impact on their 2025 shopping plans.
• 57% say rising grocery prices has caused them to cut back on non-essential shopping.
• 41% are spending more at the grocery store to purchase from the same brands they’re accustomed to, while 39% are shifting to cheaper alternatives.
• 13% say they are completely avoiding buying products affected by large price hikes, such as eggs.

RETIREMENT WOES

The burden of retirement is affecting single people more than partnered investors, according to our Harris Poll research with Nationwide.

• 1 in 4 single investors say they did not plan to be alone in retirement.
• 22% are scared to grow old alone.
• 37% say they experience more strain or financial hardship compared to their married or partnered peers.
• 18% of non-retired single investors don’t know if they’ll ever be able to retire.

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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:

HITTING THE BRAKES ON CAR BUYING

Americans are preparing for a surge in auto prices with new tariffs, and some already are holding off on buying, according to new research from HarrisX and Allison Worldwide.

• U.S. consumers anticipate vehicle prices will rise 14.4% during the next year.
• 17% say they are “very likely” to buy a vehicle in the next 12 months – down from 21% in February.
• 41% are “very unlikely” to purchase – up from 28%.
• 56% believe it is a bad time to buy a car, up from 46% two months ago.
• 53% expect auto loan interest rates to rise during the next year.
• American-made cars remain most preferred, with 71% saying they’re likely to buy an American-made brand (down from 80% in February).
• Openness to buying Japanese auto brands dropped to 47% today from 59% in February; German brands are at 37% today from 47% in February; and Korean brands are at 32% today from 39% in February.
• 62% are most likely to buy a gas or diesel-powered vehicle (similar to 63% in February).
• 15% prefer a non-plug-in hybrid (down from 17% in February), and 9% prefer an electric vehicle (similar to 8% in February).
• See also: Americans Now Split on Trump’s Tariffs as Most Expect Higher Prices and a Short-Term Recession, New HarrisX Poll Shows
• 📅 YOU’RE INVITED: Education on tariffs and the economy from PRSA

HOLDING BRANDS ACCOUNTABLE

Consumers – especially younger generations – continue to place a strong emphasis on brands’ social values, according to our Harris Poll research with Ad Age.

• 1 in 5 U.S. adults say they’ve stopped supporting a brand because its approach to DEI either contradicted or reversed previous efforts.
• 19% disengaged when the brand’s stance didn’t feel authentic.
• 70% now expect brands to follow through on the social stances they take.
• 64% said a company’s openness in its advocacy is more important today than in the past (76% for Gen Z).
• 50% of Gen Z say they are more likely to purchase from a brand that prioritizes social issues (56%), green initiatives (55%) and DEI (50%) in their business practices.

LOSING THE LOVE FOR TIKTOK

Most American don’t care if TikTok shuts down, based on new HarrisX research.

• Two thirds of Americans say that are not concerned about TikTok possibly shutting down in the U.S.
• Among users, however, 61% are concerned, and 39% are not.
• 39% think TikTok should be allowed to continue operating in the U.S. without any changes.
• 34% think ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, should have to sell its U.S. business to another company to keep the app running in America.
• 27% think TikTok’s U.S. operation should be shut down regardless of who owns it.
• See also: Snapchat scores big with NCAA fans, boosts brand equity during March Madness

WHAT SAVINGS?

While nearly half of Americans have savings goals, nearly a quarter are unsure how much they’re actually saving each month, based on our Harris Poll 2025 Savings Report with NerdWallet.

• 86% of Americans have savings accounts.
• 40% have at least one savings goal for 2025.
• 23% are unsure how much they’re saving.
• 46% are saving for an emergency fund (33% for vacations).

EASTER EATS

As Easter and Passover approach, the Harris Poll and Instacart explored Americans’ traditions and festive food preferences.

• 76% plan to celebrate Easter or Passover this year.
• 59% say cultural and family traditions are a top influence.
• 41% will host guests for a meal.
• 48% will celebrate at another person’s home.
• 35% say roasted lamb is their least favorite Easter dish.
• 35% say jelly beans are their favorite Easter candy.

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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:

WORKPLACES ARE MEANER THAN EVER

The rise of poor behavior in the workplace is pushing employees to leave, according to our Harris Poll survey with Express Employment Professionals.

• 30% of employed U.S. job seekers say employees at their company are more confrontational than they were three years ago.
• 22% have seen a rise in “being mean” to others at work during the past year.
• The trend is particularly pronounced among male job seekers (34%) versus female (23%)
• 50% of hiring managers report increased poor employee behavior.
• 74% regularly witness toxic traits.
• 62% of job seekers feel companies should have signage to “remind people to be nice to one another.”

HEALTH IS WEALTH

Americans are looking to improve their financial knowledge to reduce stress, based on our Harris Poll report with MoneyLion and Mastercard.

• 66% of U.S. adults have experienced physical health problems due to financial stress.
• 59% have skipped health-related activities due to financial concerns.
• 67% say inflation has negatively affected their physical or mental health.
• 75% of say they would be healthier if they improved their financial literacy.
• 22% believe better financial knowledge would enhance their physical appearance.
• 56% say they face barriers to learning about money and personal finances.

IS CRYPTO THE NEW NORMAL?

Crypto ownership is becoming mainstream, according to our 2025 State of Crypto Holders report from the Harris Poll and the National Cryptocurrency Association.

• 1 in 5 Americans own cryptocurrency.
• More men (67%) own crypto than women (31%).
• The top uses for crypto are shopping for goods and services (39%), buying or using blockchain NFTs (32%), sending money to family (31%) and accepting payments for business (31%).
• 73% feel it’s important for the U.S. to become the global leader in crypto.

MORE AI, LESS BURNOUT

The rise of AI is leading to less physician burnout, according to our Harris Poll survey with Aethnahealth.

• 3 in 10 physicians say AI has the potential to reduce burnout.
• 27% say AI technology is overhyped – down from 40% in 2024.
• The most valuable uses of AI for doctors are transcription services and capabilities (48%) and streamlining administrative tasks (46%).

PAYOUTS GO DIGITAL

Businesses must adapt to the digital landscape to keep up with consumer expectations, according to a new National Research Group report with Onbe.

• Digital payments are now essential, with 98% of Americans using them at least once a month.
• 80% of consumers receive between one and 10 digital payouts a month – separate from payroll and compensation – an 8-point increase from 2024.
• 70% use mobile wallets at least once a week.
• 93% of consumers are using payment apps at least once a month, with PayPal (83%), CashApp (39%) and Venmo (37%) leading the way.
• 59% believe that digital payments are more secure than physical options.

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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:

FROM BACKLASH TO BOYCOTTS

Americans are continuing to change their consumption and spending habits based on brands’ political alignment, according to our Harris Poll survey with The Guardian.

• 20% of Americans support boycotting firms aligning themselves with President Trump’s agenda.
• 36% of Americans say they are or will be participating in boycotts.
• 53% of Gen Z and 46% of Millennials are participating in boycotts (compared with 30% of Gen X and 22% of Boomers).
• 53% of Black Americans and 51% of Hispanic Americans are boycotting, compared with 29% of white Americans.
• Democrats (49%) are far more likely to boycott than Independents (32%) and Republicans (29%).
• The top reasons Americans cite for boycotting are to show companies that consumers have economic power and influence (53%) and to express their dissatisfaction with current government policies (49%).
• 20% say they are changing their consumption habits permanently.

GROWING UP IN 2025

The prevalence of technology in today’s society means young kids are growing up in a world drastically different from the one of their parents’ childhood, according to a new report by Stagwell’s NRG and Young Storytellers.

• Kids and teens interact the most with their friends by hanging out at school (62%), followed by sending text messages (43%), chatting through social media (35%) and sending links to online content (33%).
• The average age at which Gen Alpha is allowed to own a mobile phone is 11.5 (versus 12 for Gen Z and 14.1 for Millennials).
• 64% of kids and teens think technology makes the world better.
• 45% of kids and teens still enjoy talking to friends in-person more than digitally.
• 58% of parents agree it’s harder to raise kids today than in the world they grew up in.
• 58% of parents say they spend “a lot” of time thinking about how to ensure their kids are watching age-appropriate content on social video platforms.
• 49% of parents with kids under 12 strictly enforce a screentime limit for their kids.

SUMMER TRAVEL SURGES

Despite economic concerns, Americans are still planning to travel this summer, according to a Harris Poll survey with The Points Guy.

• 76% of Americans plan to travel this summer.
• 35% plan to travel more in 2025 than last year.
• 71% plan to travel domestically (29% internationally).
• The top international destination are Europe (53%) and Canada or the Caribbean (30%).
• More than half (51%) say they will spend more on travel in 2025 than in previous years.

ALL IN ON MARCH MADNESS

As March Madness kicks into full gear, a new Harris Poll survey explores American’s viewing habits of the tournament and sports as a unifying force.

• 50% of Americans believe watching and playing sports helps them connect with people from different backgrounds.
• 54% plan to follow either the men’s or women’s tournaments this year.
• 18% will follow both the men’s and women’s tournaments.
• 68% of adults aged 18-34 plan to follow at least one tournament.
• 84%  of those following the men’s tournament are excited to see at least one of the top 16 teams succeed.

FUTURE OF NEWS BREAKFAST

Will you be in Washington, D.C. during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner? Please join us on Friday, April 25 from 8:00-10:00am for breakfast and a discussion on the business of news. Email futureofnews@stagwellglobal.com for additional details and to RSVP.

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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:

TARIFF STRESS GROWS

Americans continue to worry about tariffs, based on our new Harris Poll research with The Guardian.

• 72% of Americans say they are concerned about tariffs (compared with 61% in January).
• 66% believe the U.S. economy will take years to recover from the tariff wars.
• 89% of Democrats, 57% of Republicans and 69% of Independents worry tariffs will cause a recession.
• 59% believe the tariffs won’t last long (61% of Republicans, 60% of Democrats and 55% of independents).

NOT HIRING

A relatively low unemployment rate and lack of mobility means many employees are staying in their current jobs, according to our Harris Poll research with Bloomberg.

• 70% of Americans think it’s difficult to find a better job than their current one.
• 76% say employers have more leverage in the job market than employees do.
• Nearly half of Americans feel “stuck” (39%) or “falling behind” (8%) at work, while 53% say they’re moving ahead.

CRYPTO = LUXURY

High-net-worth Americans are more likely to own crypto than average Americans, according to our Harris Poll research with Grayscale Investments.

• 20% of Americans own cryptocurrency.
• 26% of high-net-worth Americans (with investible assets of $1 million or more) own crypto.
• Of high-net-worth Americans who own crypto, 42% say it is because a financial advisor recommended it.
• 36% are paying closer attention to Bitcoin and other crypto assets due to geopolitical tensions, inflation and a weakening U.S. dollar.

GEN Z DELAYS WORK FOR STREAMING

Many Gen Z employees are prioritizing streaming over work, based on a new report by the Harris Poll and Tubi.

• 84% of Gen Z employees watch TV or movies while working.
• 52% say they don’t want to return to the office because they’ll miss streaming during the workday.
• 53% say they’ve put off work to continue a show they’re watching.
• 48% of Gen Z have lied about their streaming habit to coworkers and bosses.
• 38% of Americans stream for three hours or more.

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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:

SLEEPLESS IN AMERICA

Most Americans lost an hour of sleep this past week, and many are struggling to find sleep quality overall, based on our Harris Poll research with Mattress Firm.

• 53% of Americans rate their sleep quality as fair or poor.
• Women (55%) are more prone to sleep quality issues than men (50%).
• 7 in 10 say some kind of noise helps them sleep, with favorites being nature sounds (45%) and white noise (22%).
• 26% travel with their own pillows for better sleep quality.
• When it comes to daylight saving time, 44% love the longer daylight and adjust easily.
• 40% say changing the time is outdated.
• 42% have had their sleep affected in some way by daylight saving time – women (46%) more than men (37%).

FEAR OF FLYING

Recent air travel incidents have Americans on edge, based on our Harris Poll survey with The Points Guy.

• 72% believe airline travel is safe overall.
• Yet 65% are more nervous about flying in light of the recent safety incidents.
• 51% always are nervous when flying, and 20% are “very nervous.”
• 36% admit their fear has led them to change their travel plans.
• 43% use distractions like music, movies, games or books to overcome their fears.
• 22% use medication to combat flying stress.
• 14% consume alcohol to cope – with men (17%) more likely than women (11%).

MONEY ON WOMEN’S MINDS

Women feel confident about managing their personal finances, yet money remains a top stressor, according to our HarrisX research with Laurel Road.

• 65% of women rank personal finances as a top source of stress and anxiety.
• 78% say concerns about the economy make them uneasy about staying on track with their financial goals, including retirement savings (36%), credit card debt repayment (30%) and salary (22%).
• 76% of Gen Z women and 58% of Millennials look to their parents for financial guidance.
• 30% of women use social media to learn about financial trends and practices.

CRYPTO CONFUSION

While Americans are familiar with cryptocurrencies, skepticism in the investment remains high, according to Harris Poll’s QuestBrand.

• 58% of U.S. adults say they are familiar with cryptocurrency.
• 1 in 4 are currently invested in or trading crypto.
• 58% consider crypto to be a fad.
• 45% say they know how crypto works.
• 46% think crypto will be a mainstream payment method in the future.

CEOs FEAR FOR THEIR JOBS OVER AI

With AI reshaping the business landscape, global CEOs are feeling the pressure to successfully adopt AI or risk losing their jobs, based on our Harris Poll research with Dataiku.

• 74% of global CEOs said they risk losing their jobs if they fail to deliver measurable AI-driven business gains within 24 months.
• 70% predict at least one of their peers will be ousted due to a failed AI strategy.
• 54% say their competitors have deployed a better AI strategy than their company.
• 63% say their boards demand measurable AI-driven results.
• As a result, 35% say many AI initiatives are designed more for optics than real business impact.

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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:

WORK FRIENDS = BETTER EMPLOYEES

Employees are happier, more productive and more likely to stay at a job when they have friends at work, based on our Harris Poll research with Express Employment Professionals.

• 97% of U.S. hiring managers agree there are benefits to employees forming friendships in the workplace.
• Improving employee and company productivity is the most common benefit (67%), followed by increasing morale (55%), strengthening company culture (51%), improving mental health (50%), reducing turnover (44%) and reducing burnout (40%).
• 76% of job seekers would stick with a company if they had friends at their workplace.
• 65% of employees have stayed at a job longer than they intended because of their friendships at a job.
• 59% say they couldn’t get through a workday without the friendships they’ve formed at work.
• 87% of companies use methods to encourage and help employees form friendships.

WE LOVE E-CHECKING OUT

Consumers globally rank shopping as the online activity that gives them the most joy, according to our Harris Poll research with Rokt.

• Global consumers say shopping gives them the most joy online (53%), followed by streaming content (47%) and social media (42%).
• 70% say they look forward to online shopping.
• 72% of Gen Z and Millennials say online shopping is a more enjoyable experience than shopping in physical stores.
• 51% of younger consumers say they dread going to a store to shop.

WHO SHOULD LEAD CONTENT MODERATION?

With the rise of AI-generated misinformation, Americans believe content moderation is the responsibility of social media platforms, not the government, according to our research by Stagwell’s NRG.  

• 38% of social media users say the platforms should prioritize protecting freedom of speech.
• Americans are split on what’s happening today: 36% say social media platforms are doing enough in their approach to content moderation, 32% say they are too lenient, and 31% say they are too strict.
• 39% say the government should be less involved in influencing how social media platforms moderate their content – versus 25% who say the government should be more involved.
• 44% think social media platforms should use fact-checking for content moderation.
• Only 12% of users say platforms should not use any forms of content moderation.

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