Originally Released On

PR Newswire

Contact:

Madi Wick

pr@stagwellglobal.com

Stagwell Announces Goal to Increase 2025 Ad Spend in News Media by 22% Year-Over-Year

Announcement timed to today’s second annual Future of News UK summit and the release of research fielded among 500+ EMEA CEOs and Board Directors

89% of EMEA CEOs and Board Directors follow the news closely, reading an average of five articles per day

LONDON, March 20, 2025 – Today, Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) announced its commitment to increase 2025 ad spend in news by 22% year-over-year. This announcement is timed to Stagwell’s second annual Future of News UK summit and the release of new data revealing EMEA CEOs and Board Directors view news as a powerful medium to reach key stakeholders.

“At Stagwell, we believe supporting trusted journalism isn’t just good for society — it’s smart business,” said Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell. “The data continues to back that up, which is why we’re doubling down on our commitment with a significant increase in news ad spend for 2025.”

Stagwell launched the Future of News initiative with the goal of reinvigorating the relationship between news and marketing through research, events and informed discussion around brand safety. This latest study conducted by Stagwell’s research consultancy HarrisX and fielded among more than 500 EMEA CEOs and Board Directors across the UK, France, Germany and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), underscores business leaders overwhelmingly value the importance of news media as a powerful advertising tool.

EMEA CEOs and Board Directors Consider Media to be Vital, Share Global Trust Concerns

• 80% think news media gives companies a powerful medium to reach their stakeholders.
• 73% of UK CEOs and Board Directors think news media is critical to democracy, as do 82% of GCC CEOs and Board Directors.

EMEA CEOs and Board Directors Want Their Companies to Advertise More on News Media

• Overall, 85% believe advertising on news media is a good investment.
• In the GCC, 92% say advertising on news media is a good investment.
• EMEA CEOs and Board Directors believe advertising on news media will have the greatest positive reputational impact among the general public (86%) and financial investors (86%).

Brand Safety is an Industry Standard but its Application is Too Broad

• While only 9% of EMEA CEOs and Board Directors say safety protocols should not be used at all, a majority (71%) believe brand safety protocols are overapplied to the point of hurting media outlets and advertisers.
• 26% of CEOs and Board Directors in Germany think brand safety protocols should be used across all types/sources of news media, but the sentiment is much higher in France (47%) and the GCC (51%).

“This study illustrates that despite the noise around brand safety, AI and politics, EMEA business leaders recognize the significant impact news media has on effective advertising,” said James Townsend, Stagwell EMEA CEO.

Tonight, Stagwell will host panel discussions at its EMEA headquarters in London. Industry leaders from CNN International, Newsquest, The Sunday Times, and more will take the stage to discuss how journalists are breaking down barriers, holding truth to power, and shedding light on the issues that matter most. For more information about Stagwell’s initiative and to get involved, visit stagwellglobal.com/future-of-news/.

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 40+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at StagwellGlobal.com.

Contact:
Madi Wick

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:

TARIFF WORRIES:

Most American consumers are worried about the impact of President Trump’s tariffs, according to our Harris Poll research with Bloomberg News.

• 59% expect Trump’s tariffs to lead to higher prices.
• 44% say tariffs are likely to be bad for the U.S. economy – compared to 31% who say they would be a boost.
• 61% say they already have noticed an increase in grocery prices in the last month.
• 59% believe tariffs will raise the cost of everyday goods further.
• Only 31% say the U.S. economy is working.
• Being able to comfortably afford monthly expenses (40%) is more important to Americans than a strong job market (26%), producing more of what we buy in the U.S. (13%), growth in innovation and new industries (11%) and a rising stock market and strong corporate performance (10%).

 ECONOMIC PESSIMISM:

Most Americans believe the economy is getting worse rather than improving or staying the same, based to our Harris Poll research with The Guardian.

• 51% of Americans believe the U.S. economy is worsening.
• 20% say the economy is improving.
• More Republicans believe the U.S. economy is improving compared to the past (39% today versus 8% last May).
• More Democrats think it’s worsening today (69% today versus 36% last May).
• 47% of Americans believe the U.S. is currently in a recession (53% of Democrats, 46% of Independents and 43% of Republicans).
• Democrats (69%) and Independents (66%) believe the economy is worse than the media describe it.
• Republicans think the economy is better than media reports (56%).

U.S. EXODUS?:

Rising rent, healthcare and education costs are causing more Americans to consider moving overseas, according to our Harris Poll research with Fast Company.

• 42% of Americans have considered or plan to move abroad to improve their happiness.
• 19% of young people say they are seriously considering an imminent move.
• 52% believe they would have a higher quality of life living abroad.
• Lower cost of living (49%) is the top reason for considering a move, followed by dissatisfaction with the current political leadership (48%).
• The top five countries Americans would consider moving to are Canada, the UK, Australia, France and Italy.

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

• Confusion Over Food Date Labels Has Grown, According to New National Survey
• Trump’s 5 most popular and 5 least popular executive orders … so far
• UGG surges in popularity among Gen Z with new collaborations and styles
• In the market for a communications / PR job?

Originally Released On

PR Newswire

Contact:

Don Halcombe
+1-312-730-0164
On behalf of NRG
doncommpr@gmail.com

“As the media and advertising landscape grows more fragmented, brands need more than just data—they need a true strategic partner to help them connect with audiences in meaningful ways,” said Fotoulla Damaskos, Chief Client Strategist at NRG. “This role is designed to make NRG an even more powerful force for clients, ensuring our insights don’t just inform, but actively drive business decisions, shape go-to-market strategies, and unlock new opportunities for growth.”

Damaskos’ appointment follows a strong track record helping NRG-clients Snapchat, Expedia, Amazon Prime Video, and many others unlock new opportunities through strategic insights. Most recently, she was part of an inter-agency team that helped Stagwell secure the global lead for creative campaigns and social content at Adobe. In this new role, Damaskos will be working across the firm to win and consult on high-value assignments by translating thought leadership, proprietary products, and unique methodologies into actionable strategies.

As Chief Client Strategist, Damaskos will work directly with brands, platforms, and media companies to convert consumer insights into competitive advantage. Whether by shaping brand positioning, mapping the impact of the creator economy to brand growth, or bringing proprietary tools like fan-centric brand measurement and creator insights into the hands of marketers, this role will serve as the bridge that connects data and insights to meaningful action and change.

“At NRG, we don’t just tell our clients what’s coming next; we help them define it,” said Grady Miller, CMO and Head of Trends & Futures at NRG. “This role strengthens our ability to turn insights into action, ensuring clients stay ahead of industry shifts. This appointment marks NRG’s evolution as a strategic growth partner—one that doesn’t simply measure success but helps create it.”

About NRG (National Research Group)

NRG is a leading global insights and strategy firm at the intersection of entertainment and technology. Rooted in four decades of industry expertise, the world’s most innovative brands turn to us for insights into growth and strategy for any content, anywhere, on any device. Working at the confluence of content, technology, and culture, NRG ensures our clients create with confidence.

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 40+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.    

Media Contact:

Don Halcombe
+1-312-730-0164
On behalf of NRG
doncommpr@gmail.com

Originally Published on PR Newswire 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sarah Arvizo 
pr@stagwellglobal.com 

NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Harris Quest, an AI-powered real-time research software suite from the Stagwell Marketing Cloud (NASDAQ: STGW), released new survey insights following Super Bowl LVIII gauging what really makes the Big Game so entertaining for the general population in the United States. Using QuestDIY to create, target and deploy quality surveys at speed, Stagwell generated insights fewer than 24 hours after the game’s conclusion and fewer than four hours of fielding to capture viewers’ perceptions around the hot topics, trends and memes surrounding Super Bowl 58.

“There were so many memorable moments around the Super Bowl, and this is just one example of how quickly QuestDIY can work for organizations looking to capture quality consumer insights quickly and efficiently,” said Stagwell Marketing Cloud CEO Elspeth Rollert. “With the added benefits of a generative AI survey builder, real-time analysis and reporting, and transparent cost estimates up front, our advanced survey platform is built for the modern marketer.”

Big Game, Big Moments

• A country (Taylor) divided? With all eyes on America’s sweetheart, respondents were asked to recall how many times they saw Taylor Swift on screen during Super Bowl coverage, and the results were a near-split – with 47% indicating “The Right Amount,” and 45% noting “Too Much.”
• The meme of the night goes to: Travis Kelce yelling at Kansas City Chief Coach Andy Reid, with 1/4 of respondents claiming this as the most memorable meme of the night.
• Slam Dunkin’: “The DunKings,” the humorous spot from Dunkin’ featuring Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Tom Brady as a musical group performing for Jennifer Lopez in the studio, took the prize as the favorite ad of the Big Game.
• Ladies who ranch: Ranch emerged as the clear winner (35%) among condiments that pair best with the Super Bowl snack table – which increases to 42% for women when broken down by gender.
• Halftime heroes goes to: The hip-hop crew of 2022. While no one said “No” to Usher’s halftime performance this year with a little help from his friends Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Will.i.am., Lil Jon, Jermaine Dupri and Ludacris, his ranks second in order of preference from the last five years of shows, topped by Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, and Anderson Paak in 2022. Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Bad Bunny and J Balvin rank third, followed by Rihanna and The Weeknd, respectively.

QuestDIY enables creating, targeting, and deploying surveys at speed, enabling brands and other marketing organizations to capture feedback from consumers faster than ever, and to leverage generative AI to build surveys in line with industry best practices. Visit here to learn more: https://www.stagwellmarketingcloud.com/product-pages/harris-questdiy

Survey Methodology
Stagwell Marketing Cloud’s Super Bowl post-game survey was conducted online within the United States and completed on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, among 1,000 respondents aged over 18 yrs. representative of the population based on age, gender, and region, by Harris Quest Research.

About Stagwell Marketing Cloud
Stagwell Marketing Cloud (SMC) is a marketing-focused, AI-enablement platform built for the modern marketer. Born out of Stagwell’s (NASDAQ: STGW) network of award-winning marketing agencies, SMC’s technology empowers marketers to drive business impact by giving them intuitive tools equipped with proprietary, actionable data. SMC’s portfolio of solutions powers strategic customer research, communications, and media activation for brands worldwide by leveraging technology such as generative and predictive artificial intelligence, shared augmented reality, and more. Get your head in the cloud at www.stagwellmarketingcloud.com.

Media Contact
Sarah Arvizo
pr@stagwellglobal.com

Contact:

hello@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 (fielded July 21-23):

WEEKLY WORRIES ABOUT ECONOMY JUMP BACK UP:

Today, 87% of Americans are concerned about the economy and inflation – up 2 points from last week and higher than December’s 82% rate.

• 81% worry about a potential U.S. recession (up 5 points)
• 79% about affording living expenses (up 9 points)
• 74% about political divisiveness (no change)
• 84% about U.S. crime rates (up 1 point)
• 72% about the War on Ukraine (up 5 points)
• 58% about a new COVID-19 variant (up 7 points)
• 57% about losing their jobs (up 10 point)

INFLATION AND AI REMAIN TOP NATIONAL CONCERNS:

Inflation is still hitting Americans across the political spectrum, and fears about AI are real, according to our most recent poll with the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard University.

• 76% say inflation has affected them and their family’s finances, with groceries (49%) as the area inflation has hit the hardest.
• 60% think the inflation rate is continuing to increase even though that is not true.
• When it comes to AI, 74% of Americans – including more than 70% of each political party – think AI technology can be dangerous and that fears of it are not overblown.
• 51% of Democrats are optimistic about AI, while 59% of Republicans are fearful.
• 72% of Republicans compared with 52% of Democrats think AI advancements will mostly destroy rather than add jobs.
• 79% of all Americans want more regulations around AI.
• 62% want regulations to emerge from the tech industry rather than from lawmakers.

TOP BRANDS FLYING PAST AFFINITY TO CREATE SUPERFANS:

The renewed Barbie fascination as well as Taylor Swift and Marvel all have one thing in common: they each have learned how to unlock the power of brand fandom – versus just affinity – by unleashing “superfans.” And it’s paying huge dividends, according to the new “The Fandom Formula Report” from Stagwell’s National Research Group.

• Brand fans are 3.5 times more likely to advocate for you, 3 times more likely to stick with you even if they try something they don’t like, more willing to pay a price premium, and 2 in 3 brand fans will try a new product.
• 73% of Americans consider themselves a superfan of at least one brand.
• Top categories attracting superfans include: fast food restaurants (63%), musician/band (60%), entertainment franchise (52%) and online personalities or content creators (50%).
• 71% of superfans became so gradually over time.
• 29% say it was a singular moment that turned them into a superfan.

PREPARING FOR BACK TO SCHOOL STRESS:

Heading back to school is more stressful than ever, according to our Harris Poll survey with On Our Sleeves Movement for Children’s Mental Health.

• 71% of parents say their children experienced challenges last school year.
• The top factors identified by parents included safety concerns (37%), academic challenges (26%), bullying (24%), ongoing social challenges related to the pandemic (24%) and mental health challenges (22%).
• 50% of parents also feel their child(ren)’s mental health has suffered during the past 12 months because of social media use.

EMPLOYEES NOT READY FOR ETHICAL DILEMMAS:

Workplace training is failing young workers, and business leaders need to do more to empower future leaders in sustaining ethical workplace cultures, according to our Harris Poll research with AICPA & CIMA.

• 90% of U.S. and UK employees say they are familiar with their company’s code of ethics.
• 71% say they have received ethics training.
• Yet only 26% of future talent – those aged 20 to 30 pursuing an advanced degree, looking for work or working for less than ten years – found the training to be “very effective.”
• Only 24% of workers feel “very prepared” to an ethical dilemma at work.

ICYMI

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

• Rookie managers make nearly half of female employees want to quit
• Employers Prefer In-Person Interviews, but 40% Fold In Virtual Components
• 20 brands catching Gen Z’s attention right now
• Majority of Americans Mistakenly Believe Health App Data is Covered by HIPAA

As always, if helpful, we would be happy to provide more info on any of these data or insights. Please do not hesitate to reach out.

Thank you.

CONTACT

hello@stagwellglobal.com

SIGN UP FOR OUR INSIGHTS BLASTS

We’re going strong after Cannes LIONS 2023 – even after hosting more than 5,000 people at SPORT BEACH. The emerging themes still on our minds: 

1. The consensus at Cannes was that generative AI is no passing fad. But brands and marketers need to understand how to use (and not use) AI to truly realize its potential.

    

2. Brands need to understand the risks of embracing polarizing issues. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t stand for something.

    

3. Fandom is even more valuable than you think. How else could a dish soap company like Dawn have more fans than tech and entertainment giants?  

Get ready, because we’re diving deep into all three … 

How AI and AR Will Transform Sports 

The Intersection of Sport and Sustainability  

What Turns Customers Into Fans

CONTACT

hello@stagwellglobal.com

SIGN UP FOR OUR INSIGHTS BLASTS

1. WAIT, THE DISHWASHING LIQUID COMPANY? At SPORT BEACH, NRG’s Fotoulla Damaskos revealed a major surprise. In a survey of 12,500 people about 250 brands, Dawn had the 5th highest brand fandom score, topping major entertainment, tech, and sports brands. What’s going on? People say Dawn connects with their values. (think of clean baby ducks); innovates by releasing products they use and love; and creates community. Seriously, spend a few minutes on #CleanTok. THE LESSON: Yes, Nike, Marvel, and other buzzy brands made NRG’s Fandom 50. But any type of brand can attract fans with the right strategy. 
2. IT TAKES TWO Delta’s Tim Mapes put it nicely at the Palais: “Are we loyal to you when you need us?” Translation: When loyalty program members are stuck overnight at O’Hare, they expect Delta to show loyalty to them – through the empathy and actions of its employees. That’s how you build a sense of community. WHY IT MATTERS: Building a community is a huge part of attracting fans, who are 3x more likely to stick with a brand during a crisis.
3. ALWAYS LEAVE THEM WANTING MORE A boring website isn’t enough. Expedia’s Jon Gieselman, speaking at the Palais, talked about attracting fans by creating a “subscription-like business.” Expedia isn’t literally selling subscriptions. The idea is to use technology (like Expedia’s ChatGPT tool) in inventive products and features that will keep customers coming back — “managing the business for lifetime value rather than a one-time transaction.”
   INNOVATE OR ELSE: The key to building fandom is to keep innovating and evolving in ways that surprise and delight consumers.

Beyond the Stage

Stagwell talked to C-suite marketers, sports luminaries, and other innovators at SPORT BEACH and the Palais. You’ll find fresh, insightful videos on our YouTube page from every day of Cannes LIONS. 

JPMorgan Chase’s Leanne Fremar talked with Code and Theory’s Brent Buntin about everything from purpose to Chase Sapphire’s new airport lounges.

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:

WORRIES ABOUT ECONOMY DOWN BUT JOB-LOSS CONCERNS GROW: 

Today, 84% of Americans are concerned about the economy and inflation – down 1 point from last week and closer to the 82% rate we saw in December.

• 81% worry about a potential U.S. recession (no change)
• 80% about U.S. crime rates (down 2 points)
• 74% about the War in Ukraine (up 2 points)
• 73% about political divisiveness (no change)
• 68% about affording their living expenses (down 1 point)
• 58% about a new COVID-19 variant (up 3 points)
• 54% about losing their jobs (up 11 points)

WOMEN INCREASINGLY CONCERNED WITH WORRY – WITHOUT HEALTHCARE SUPPORT: 

Women are increasingly consumed by worry and let down by a health care system that neglects their needs, our “The State of Women” survey with theSkimm found.

• 71% are consumed with worry – thinking through every single scenario, at home and work, and planning for every contingency.
• 82% of women surveyed said that, while there’s much talk about how overburdened women are, no one is actually helping ease the burden.
• 63% of Millennial women – and 70% of LGBTQIA Millennial women – said they’ve received disappointing or inadequate medical care.
• 59% reported that they had sought treatment from doctors who did not believe them or ignored their needs.
• 77% of women agreed with the statement “I am the only advocate for my health and well-being.”
• For example, 92% of women said they are now prioritizing their health and 81% said they are “actively seeking new lifestyles that prioritize their health and well-being.”

NEW HIRES, RAISES STILL ON TAP, HIRING MANAGERS SAY: 

American hiring managers are forecasting pay bumps and hiring sprees even amid economic uncertainty, according to our survey with Express Employment Professionals.

• 75% of hiring managers predict employees at their companies will receive a bump in pay this year, up from 58% in 2020.
• 60% of hiring managers say their company plans to increase the number of employees in the first half of 2023, on par with the first and second halves of 2022.
• 45% said they have open positions they cannot fill. That is the highest proportion of job openings reported since the study began in the first half of 2020.
• Those positions remain unfilled due to a lack of applicants (40%), lack of applicants with relevant experience (47%), hard skills (46%) and/or soft skills (31%).
• 29% say their company needs more money in the budget this year or that their upper management still needs to approve new hiring.

SLEEPLESS IN AMERICA: 

Our Wake Up America survey with Idorsia finds the far-reaching effects of insomnia on personal relationships and the compounded overall effects on our health.

• 41% of people with trouble sleeping say it causes them to argue more with their partner or disrupt their partner’s sleep and their relationship overall.
• 53% report their trouble sleeping is an added relationship stressor, with 41% saying their partner has had to pick up the slack with household chores and nearly a third (31%) saying they have slept in a separate bed.
• While 67% of primary care physicians say they ask about sleep in routine visits, only 36% of people with trouble sleeping report being asked.

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

• The unsung heroes of the American economy: Grandmothers

• New Survey Reveals Half of Americans are Concerned about their Water Access and Safety
• Is ChatGPT a viable solution for brands, marketers and global businesses seeking fast-paced, low-cost multilingual content localization and adaptation?

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:

WORRIES ABOUT ECONOMY DECLINE AGAIN: 

Today, 85% of Americans are concerned about the economy and inflation – down 2 points from last week and up from 82% in December.

• 82% worry about U.S. crime rates (up 2 points)
• 81% a potential U.S. recession (up 1 point)
• 73% political divisiveness (no change)
• 72% the War on Ukraine (no change)
• 69% affording their living expenses (up 1 point)
• 55% a new COVID-19 variant (no change)
• 43% about losing their jobs (down 3 points)

AI-GENERATED BUZZ: WHAT DO CONSUMERS THINK?:

With all the buzz about generative AI, AI-powered search engines and ChatGPT, what do consumers have to say? Stagwell’s National Research Group took the pulse of public opinion in a new report. 

• 17% of those surveyed said they had heard a “great deal” about AI-powered search recently, and 53% had heard at least “some.”
• 92% of consumers who have heard about AI-powered search say they think it will change the way people use the internet.
• 71% say they’re excited about using the technology.
  
• 59% of those who have heard about AI-powered search say Google is best positioned to successfully deliver the technology to market versus 13% who would vote for Microsoft.
• Also see Stagwell’s whitepaper: “Can Picasso Live in the Machine? AI get smart: What to know, what to watch and what to play with”

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO SECURELY: 

Our latest survey with Norton finds many Americans – especially younger ones – are reckless online after breakups, including sharing passwords with their exes and not treating online stalking with concern.

• 25% of Americans admitted to being the victim of an online dating or romance scam.
• Gen Z (34%) and Millennials (35%) have “concerningly relaxed” attitudes about online stalking. One third say they don’t care if they’re being stalked online by a current or former partner as long as they’re not tracked in person – three times higher than older adults (10%).
• More than a third of Gen Z say they have shared passwords with an ex.
• Among those who have been in romantic relationships, 16% say that they’ve checked a current or former significant other’s phone to view texts, calls, direct messages, emails or photos, 12% have reviewed their former partner’s device search history, and 11% have tracked a current or former partner’s location using a location sharing app.

THE DOCTOR IS IN BUT BURNED OUT: 

America’s healthcare workforce is under unprecedented strain, and doctors and nurses are burning out in record numbers, according to our survey with HealthDay.

• 63% of doctors and nurses said they are experiencing a moderate or great deal of burnout at work.
• 66% of physicians and 75% of nurses cite understaffing as the most significant contributor to burnout, along with a growing amount of daily paperwork (58% for physicians and 51% for nurses).
• Many also cite time communicating with insurance companies on their patients’ behalf as a source of burnout (38% for primary care physicians and 20% for nurses).
• All of this is leading to decreased satisfaction among medical professionals. A year ago, 40% of physicians felt highly satisfied. Today, it’s 22%.
• As a result, only 57% of doctors say they would choose medicine as a profession again, compared with 72% last year.

RECENT HOME SELLERS REVEAL LESSONS LEARNED: 

An overwhelming share (84%) of Americans who sold a home for the first time in the past two years wish they had done something differently, according to our survey with Zillow.

• Regret #1: The most common thing recent first-time home sellers wish they had done differently is set a higher list price (39%). In January, nearly one in four listings had a price cut (22%), which is 10 percentage points higher than last winter. 75% of agents say pricing is the most important thing sellers need to get right in a less frenzied housing market.
• Regret #2: 87% of recent first-time sellers think something they could have done would have attracted a higher sale price. 39% say better listing photos could have boosted their bottom line, while 25% say a virtual tour could have helped sell their home for more. Fact: Listings that include a 3D home virtual tour or an interactive floor plan receive 69% more page views and 80% more saves.
• Regret #3: 25% of recent first-time sellers wish they had listed their home at a different time. If the owner has flexibility, the second half of April is the optimal time to list a home for sale nationwide.
• Regret #4: 25% of recent first-time sellers say they could have received a higher sale price if they had invested in more home improvements and repairs. Landscaping, interior painting and carpet cleaning are the most commonly completed seller projects, as they send a signal to a buyer that a home is well-maintained.

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

• Hiring Remains Strong, But Costly
• Don’t tell Americans the economy is getting better — they’re still worried about a recession
• February Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll: Perception of economy is improving but only a third believe it is on the right track