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 and Allison Worldwide. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

TRAVELERS ARE GOING SOLO THIS SUMMER

As summer vacation season ramps up, expect to see more of us flying and traveling solo, based on our Harris Poll research with Mastercard.

• 39% of international travelers already have flown solo on a trip.
• 20% of all travelers say their last trip was alone.
• 35% say they are considering a solo trip in the future.
• January 2026 had 1.6 million online searches for “solo travel” – jumping 230% during the last decade.
• Going solo doesn’t mean going alone: 7 in 10 international leisure travelers are interested in solo experiences designed to connect them with like-minded people.
• Solo travelers also skew more adventurous: 84% express interest in off-the-beaten-path or emerging destinations, compared with 78% of those traveling with others.
• THE NEW BUSINESS TRIP: 81% of business travelers have extended an international business trip for non-work purposes.
• GEN ALPHA CALLS THE SHOTS: 76% of parents of Gen Alpha kids (children born between 2010 and 2024) say their children have significant input on international destination choices, compared with 59% of parents of other generations.
  

TRAVELERS WANT ONE-STOP BOOKING

Global travelers increasingly want to plan more of their trips in one place, driven by both convenience and savings, based on a new Harris Poll survey with Expedia Group.

• 77% of travelers say they are at least somewhat likely to book more than one part of their next trip on the same platform.
• Younger travelers are especially aligned with this, with 83% of Gen Z travelers likely to book multiple trip elements on one platform.
• Cost is a major driver: 81% would be at least somewhat likely to bundle trip elements if it meant additional savings.
• Travel demand is becoming more experiential: 55% saying authentic, immersive travel is more important today than it was five years ago.
• 69% say having a rental car helps them experience destinations like a local.

ECONOMIC ANXIETY RISES

Americans are growing more worried about inflation, their own finances and the long-term impact of global instability on everyday costs, according to our May Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll.

• 56% say the country is on the wrong track, up from 53% the prior month.
• 59% say the economy is on the wrong track, up from 57% the prior month.
• 47% say their personal financial situation is worsening, up 5 points from the prior month.
• Inflation and the economy remain Americans’ top concerns, while concerns about the national debt and federal budget deficits rose 4 points.
• Price hikes are highly visible: 88% have noticed an increase in the price of gasoline, and 85% have noticed grocery and food prices rising.
• 53% say war and geopolitical conflicts are the biggest reason for higher gas prices.

PRIMARY CARE IS VALUED YET OUT OF REACH

Americans overwhelmingly believe in the importance of having a primary care doctor, even as many struggle to access one when they need care, according to new research from The Harris Poll and HealthDay.

• 89% of Americans say it is important to have an ongoing relationship with a primary care doctor who oversees their medical care.
• 84%  say they have a primary care doctor, yet 58% report being unable to access care when needed because of appointment shortages or long wait times.
• Among the 15% of Americans without a family doctor, 45% say they have experienced direct negative health impacts. Specifically, 15% were unable to get a diagnosis, and 14% ended up in the ER due to an untreated illness or injury.
• For those without a family doctor, urgent care (40%) is the top fallback when medical help is needed, followed by the ER (26%).
• Family doctors remain the most trusted first stop for medical questions, with 28% saying they turn there first, ahead of internet search engines (21%) and friends/family (14%).
• Access barriers remain significant: 38% say it’s hard to find a doctor they like, 36% say doctors aren’t taking new patients, 36% say insurance won’t cover the doctor they want, and 25% say there simply aren’t enough primary care providers.

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

• Most Dogs Aren’t Getting Enough Walks (Harris Poll)
• Consumers Can See Through Your AI Marketing Slop (Harris Poll)
• Teams, not players, still drive engagement engines in sports (National Research Group)
• Nearly half of Americans with auto insurance and homeowners insurance are stressed about their premium costs (Harris Poll)
• Three Quarters of Americans Want ‘On/Off’ Switch for AI Surveillance (Harris Poll)
• Join Anthropic and Google DeepMind for PRSA’s next AI Pulse webinar (Ray Day and PRSA)
  

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 and Allison Worldwide. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

WHAT HELPS AND HURTS JOB INTERVIEWS

Candidates point to references as the leading job-interview advantage, while tardiness remains the biggest dealbreaker, according to new research from The Harris Poll and Express Employment Professionals. 

• Top signals that help job candidates stand out include references who can vouch for qualifications (45%), showing passion for the role (42%) and having a personal referral from someone at the company (40%).
• 38% of job seekers say they try to stand out by having a resume optimized for applicant tracking systems and search engine optimization.
• 36% say they keep the resume concise, while one third look to show creativity.
• Job seekers say clear dealbreakers that can kill an opportunity include being late to an interview (54%), being rude during an interview (53%) and dressing unprofessionally (51%).
• Other red flags: Using unprofessional body language during an interview (49%); having multiple jobs in a short period of time (42%); being uninformed about the position during an interview (41%); having large, unexplained gaps between work experiences (38%); being uninformed about the company during an interview (36%); not asking questions during an interview (32%), and having few or no references (31%).
• While being dishonest is never recommended, 22% say they have listed skills on their resume that they did not have. This is most common among Millennials (27%).
• See also: 6 in 10 Workers Say They Have a Toxic Boss

AI-POWERED SMALL BUSINESSES LEAD THE PACK

Small, service-based businesses that adopt AI outearn their peers, based on a new Harris Poll study with Honeybook.

• Small businesses using AI earn five times, or $400,000, more per year than those that don’t.
• Customers walk away from small businesses for non-AI reasons: 36% say businesses are hard to reach, 32% cite lack of professionalism and 30% cite inconsistent quality.
• Meanwhile, customer decisions are most influenced by consistency (51%) and availability when needed (42%).
• 49% of customers expect small businesses to use AI-powered tools to improve quality during the next five years.
• 46% expect AI to accelerate turnaround times.
• See also: Agentic AI is your personal and budget-friendly travel agent

MILLENNIALS ACCELERATE GIVING

Millennials are now the most generous and engaged donor segment, according to the 2026 Giving Signals Report from The Harris Poll and Bloomerang.

• Three fourths of Millennials plan to give more this year, compared with 49% of Gen X and 36% of Baby Boomers.
• 80% of Millennials plan to give to at least one new nonprofit.
• While most donors (97%) say caring about their community motivates them to give, only 68% cite having money to give as a motivator.
• 94% of donors say they’re motivated to give when an organization tells them exactly where their money will go. 

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

•  The Sport Beach lineup at Cannes is heating up (Stagwell)

• More Americans are putting trust in sportsbooks and prediction markets (Harris Poll)

• Join Allison at the Axios AI Summit in NYC Next Week (Allison)

• Why ‘Just Ask AI’ Isn’t a Research Strategy (Code and Theory)

• Three in four people with bladder cancer say they hide the emotional impact of the disease (Harris Poll)

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 and Allison Worldwide. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

U.S. CORPORATE REPUTATION IMPROVES

U.S. companies with the biggest reputation gains are those previously caught up in culture wars and consumer backlash, based on the seventh annual Axios Harris Poll 100.

• More than half of the 100 most visible U.S. companies have improved reputations this year.
• Back at the top for the first time since 2021 is the online pet brand Chewy.
• Most improved this year are UnitedHealth Group (up 7.6 points), Tesla (up 5.9), Southwest Airlines (up 5.5), SpaceX (up 5.3), Wells Fargo (up 4.8), Anheuser-Busch InBev (up 4.5), Shein (up 4.5), Meta (up 4.1), Airbnb (up 3.6) and Boeing (up 3.5).
• Top decliners include UPS (down 3.5 points), Microsoft (down 2.8), BP (down 2.8) and Temu (down 2.5).
• Americans’ top-ranked brands often are associated with wellness and optimism and perceived as more politically neutral. Top wellness brands include Alo Yoga (#7) and Athletic Brewing (#8).
• The top-ranked auto brands include Toyota Motor Corporation (#2), which is up from #4 last year, and Honda Motor Company (#6), up 7 spots.
• Major media companies and social platforms (including Fox, Comcast, TikTok, X and Meta) drew relatively unfavorable sentiment overall.
• Eli Lilly is the top-ranked pharmaceutical company (#13) and is now more associated with GLP-1 weight-loss drugs than with its COVID treatments.
• See also: Axios Harris Poll 100 shows shift toward politically neutral brands

2 IN 3 PREDICT A RECESSION

Today, 66% of Americans believe the U.S. economy will enter a recession in the next 12 months – up from 59% in February – based on our Harris Poll monthly Consumer Financial Resilience Index with NerdWallet.

• 75% of middle earners (with household incomes from $50,000 to $74,900) are most likely to see a recession – compared with 67% of those making less than $50,000, 61% of those in the $75,000-$99,900 range and 64% of those with household incomes of $100,000 or more.
• 37% will rely on credit to manage at least some of their expenses this month.
• 63% have enough cash on hand to cover an unexpected $1,000 expense, should one arise this month.

HOPE IS TODAY’S CURE

In a polarized country, hope is one of the few values Americans still share, according to new research from The Harris Poll and St. Jude.

• 96% have taken at least one deliberate action in the past year to cultivate hope.
• 68% feel hopeful about their own future and that of their friends and family.
• 84% say nonprofit organizations give them hope, and 77% are more likely to support organizations that inspire hope.
• 72% report that giving more frequently helps them feel they are making a difference.

HISPANIC VOTERS UNDECIDED

Economic pressures, culturally authentic outreach and AI‑related job fears will factor into U.S. voting decisions this year, according to a new poll from Harris Poll and TelevisaUnivision.

• 52% of Hispanic registered voters in 17 battleground congressional districts say they are undecided or open to changing their vote – making this group pivotal in tight races.
• 70% say candidate appearances on Spanish‑language media signal that Hispanic voters matter, 59% say it makes them feel a candidate cares, and 44% say communicating key issues in Spanish is important.
• Nine in 10 report cost of living as their top issue, and 80% are supporting family members outside their home.
• 53% will back the candidate who best understands what they’re going through, which is more important than party or policy details.

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

• The modern traveler has a new itinerary: Smarter, bolder, more personal than ever (Harris Poll and Mastercard)
• 80% of Americans want AI workforce programs now — and Washington hasn’t delivered (Harris Poll)
• Four in five employers say entry-level roles demand more skills than ever before (Harris Poll)
• Gen Z not boycotting U.S. travel, except for these two reasons (Harris Poll)
• Weekly viewership amongst streamers is higher for those who watch news and sports (HarrisX)
• What’s next for the auto industry? (Allison and HarrisX)

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 and Allison Worldwide. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

AI IS #2 CAR-BUYING INFLUENCER

AI ranks second in car-buying purchase influence today, behind only visiting a dealership or taking a test drive, based on new HarrisX research released this week at the Financial Times Future of the Car Summit.

• 1 in 3 consumers used AI tools, such as ChatGPT or Gemini, during their most recent vehicle purchase.
• Top reasons for AI: to evaluate value for money (36%), compare vehicles (36%), and build confidence in decisions (32%).
• Only 38% of buyers today say country of origin matters when choosing their next vehicle brand.
• 28% say they would switch to a competing brand if it were 10–20% cheaper.
• Consumers are far more attached to vehicle type than to the brand itself: If a chosen vehicle became unavailable, only 14% would stay within the same brand but switch to a different model.
• 44% say unexpected costs or pricing changes would make them abandon a brand, the single highest switching trigger.
• Poor dealer experience (33%) ranks second.
• See also: Rising Auto Prices, Rising Expectations

CRYPTO GAINS AGAIN

One in four Americans now hold crypto, with adoption broadening by age, gender and industry, according to Harris Poll’s second annual State of Crypto Holders report with the National Cryptocurrency Association.

•  More than 67 million Americans – or one in four – now own cryptocurrency, an increase of about 12 million from 2025.
• Female ownership is rising quickly – up 10% year‑over‑year – and 28% of crypto holders are age 55 or older.
• New buyers differ from early adopters: 42% of recent crypto purchasers are women (versus 34% earlier); 18% are ages 18–24 (up from 11%); and new holders are also less likely to have traditional 9-to-5 jobs.
• Construction and manufacturing workers make up 21% of holders – just behind the combined share of tech and financial‑services employees.
• The South has more crypto holders than any other U.S. region.
• 41% of holders send crypto to friends and family, and 40% use crypto to shop and pay.
• 69% of holders trust crypto, compared with 65% who trust traditional banking.
• Nearly one in three holders cite integration with trusted platforms (PayPal, Visa, banks) as the most positive change in how they view crypto.

MOST EXPECT CONTAINMENT OF HANTAVIRUS

Public‑health agencies inspire more confidence than politicians when it comes to the ability to handle another pandemic, according to new HarrisX research.

• 66% of Americans think the hantavirus will be contained and that there won’t be a widespread outbreak.
• 61% are confident in the CDC’s ability to handle a pandemic, 59% in the NIH, 58% in HHS, and 57% in state and local authorities.

MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH MISUNDERSTOOD

Moms face wide misconceptions, patchy follow‑up and stark disparities in care – leaving many without the support they need, according to new Harris Poll research.

• One third of women believe postpartum depression always appears soon after birth – higher among Hispanic (39%) and Black (44%) women versus white women (28%), despite PPD being possible at any point during the first postpartum year.
• 51% of women are unaware that PPD typically does not resolve without intervention.
• 36% of women who are/have been pregnant report a mental‑health diagnosis during their pregnancy journey. Rates are higher rates among Hispanic (51%) and Black (43%) respondents.
• 86% say more postpartum follow-up should be standard care (44% strongly agree), signaling broad public support for moving beyond a single six-week checkup.
• 56% experienced postpartum mental‑health issues, and 52% say they got subpar or no support from providers.
• 59% believe health insurers should always fully cover pregnancy/postpartum mental‑health counseling.

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

• AI presents a legal wake-up call for communicators (Ray Day)
• What happens when AI gets good at strategy (Code and Theory)
• Toxic Bosses Are Growing In Lockstep with AI (Harris Poll)
• Gen Z not boycotting U.S. travel, except for these two reasons (Harris Poll)
• PR agencies are evolving from simply adopting AI tools to redesigning workflows (Katie Huang Shin)
• American Marketing Association keynote: Moving from reactive marketing and communications to true predictive strategy and execution (Ray Day)

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 and Allison Worldwide. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

AI RESHAPES PARENTING

Parents are rethinking how AI will affect their children’s future careers, according to our Harris Poll research with Intuit Credit Karma.

• 86% of parents agree a different playbook is needed to prepare their children for the future.
• 76% are worried the rules for success will have changed by the time their child enters the workforce.
• 81% say AI has changed the way they think about their child’s future career.
• 69% say thinking about their child’s future career feels more stressful than it used to.
• 89% already have made changes to how they are preparing their child for the future as a result of AI, including encouraging their children to explore subjects like STEM, robotics and math (41%).
• 28% are actively teaching their kids how to use and understand AI tools.
• On the positive side, 75% believe AI will open up career opportunities.

AMERICANS’ COST-OF-LIVING CONCERNS PERSIST

Widespread price increases and worry about household finances remain prominent concerns among Americans, based on our April Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll.

• 37% say the country is on the right track – up 2 points from March yet 5 points lower than January 2025.
• 34% say the economy is on the right track – up 2 points from March, yet 4 points lower than January 2025.
• Yet 84% noticed higher grocery/food costs.
• 85% worry that higher gas prices will further raise overall living costs.
• Inflation, the economy and health care remain the nation’s top issues, with 20% now citing the U.S.-Iran conflict as a top concern, too.
• Looking ahead to November, 71% of voters say they are planning to vote in the Congressional midterm elections.

CONSUMERS AREN’T JUST OPEN TO AI IN FINANCE; THEY EXPECT IT

People now see AI as a baseline feature in financial services, but demand empowerment and accountability, according to our Harris Poll–Plaid Spring 2026 State of Intelligent Finance report.

• 55% of Americans say they have used AI for financial tasks in the past 12 months.
• 86% of those users say AI helps them better understand their finances.
• Half say managing money without AI will soon feel outdated – rising to 54% among Gen Z and Millennials.
• 75% say it’s important to know when AI is being used in financial decisions.
• 80% believe companies should reimburse customers for AI-driven mistakes.

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

• Why Employee Turnover Is A Bigger Business Risk In 2026 (Harris Poll)
• The EV Credibility Problem Just Got Harder to Ignore (Harris Poll)
• Allison’s Marcel Goldstien speaks about AI for small and medium businesses. (The Marketing Cloud / Allison)
• Headed to Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity? SPORT BEACH is officially open for registration. (Stagwell)
• Allison Global CEO Wendy Lund chaired Fierce Pharma’s Engage in San Diego, where industry leaders came together to tackle what’s next for healthcare communications. (Allison)

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 and Allison Worldwide. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

TRUST BUT VERIFY ‘DR. AI’

More Americans are using AI to answer healthcare questions, yet they do not trust it completely, according to our Harris Poll research with Merck Manuals.

• 62% of Americans use AI tools for medical information.
• 54% use it to enter symptoms for a diagnosis.
• 32% do not trust the medical information provided by AI.
• Only 14% say they trust the information completely.
• 9 in 10 are taking steps to check the legitimacy of the information provided: talking with a health care professional (41%), cross-referencing with other AI or online platforms (39%), checking the sources provided by the AI (37%) and using other databases for deeper research (32%).
• Gen Z (77%) and Millennials (77%) are more likely to use AI for medical information than Gen X (58%) and Baby Boomers (40%).
• Parents with children under 18 (83%) use AI for medical information more than those without kids (52%).

ENTREPRENEURSHIP NOW EASIER THAN FINDING A JOB

Owning or starting a business today feels more financially secure than traditional jobs, according to our Harris Poll research with Shopify.

• Respondents in the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia and Spain say entrepreneurship feels more secure than a traditional job – highest in the U.S. at 39% for being your own boss versus 18% when working for others.
• Two thirds across markets say starting a business is a positive life move.
• In the U.S., 46% say finding a job today takes more effort than entrepreneurship (24%).
• 89% of U.S. founders would start their business again.
• 86% said e-commerce platforms make it easier to start a business now versus a decade ago.
• See also: Why Skilled Trades Are Becoming More Secure Careers in the Age of AI

DATA CENTER CONCERN GROWS

Concerns about neighborhood data centers are growing, based on new research from National Research Group on the role of AI and data centers in local politics.

• More Americans today oppose (37%) than support (28%) a new data center built in their area.
• Most say data centers are bad for the environment (39%), home energy costs (38%) and people’s quality of life nearby (30%).
• Americans are unsure about the environmental toll of AI: 54% overestimate how much water a typical LLM query uses.
• See also: AI Has Officially Entered Mainstream Politics

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

• How a housing standoff became an identity crisis — and why it matters far beyond real estate (Harris Poll)
• E.O.s Are the Heads of Companies. Should They Also Be the Face? (Mark Penn)
• AI Lets Communicators Measure Emotions, but Gen Z Interest Is Cooling (Ray Day)
• The Trade Desk launches first AI agents with Stagwell as clients (Stagwell)

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 and Allison Worldwide. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

3% INTEREST RATES NEEDED TO RESPARK HOME SALES

Most Americans say mortgage interest rates need to return the 3% range before they are willing to buy a new home, according to Harris Poll’s State of Real Estate 2026 report.

• 20% say 3% to 3.99% is the range needed before buying a new home, followed by 4% to 4.99% (17%), 5% to 5.99% (18%) – versus only 6% willing to buy at today’s average rates.
• 70% of Americans say the housing market feels stalled.
• 77% would rather stay put than face today’s mortgage rates.
• For young people, home ownership barriers include more than interest rates: 37% of Gen Z can’t buy because of mortgage rates, 37% don’t have money for a down payment, 28% have poor credit, and 25% say they don’t have enough knowledge about buying a home to pursue doing so.
• 68% of all Americans believe someone needs a six-figure salary before they can afford to buy a home.

RETAIL RESHAPED BY AI

Americans are already leaning on AI shopping agents to navigate today’s retail landscape, according to our Harris Poll research with Quad.

• Americans say pricing (74%) and being an informed shopper (73%) play a bigger role in shopping decisions now than 12 months ago – higher for Millennials at 79% and Gen Z at 81%.
• 69% say social media is becoming a less attractive place to shop.
• 73% say algorithm-driven pricing makes it hard to know whether they’re getting the best deal.
• Top benefits of AI tools include spotting pricing inconsistencies (66%), helping stay on budget (60%) and narrowing choices faster (60%).
• 51% would rather use AI shopping tools to reduce the risk of making a bad purchase.
• Younger Americans are more likely to trust AI shopping recommendations than older generations: 54% of Gen Z and 60% of Millennials compared to 42% of Gen X and 25% of Boomers.
• 70% say shopping in store, even alone, feels more like a social activity.
• See also: Millennials, Gen Zers warm up to AI shopping tools

WOMEN LEAD STRATEGIC AI ADOPTION

Our Harris Poll research with Chief examines how women leaders are defining AI adoption in the work place.

• 80% of women leaders are playing active strategic roles in their organization’s AI efforts.
• 31% are focused on AI governance, ethics and responsible implementation.
• 78% already use a personal criteria for deciding what stays human or transitions AI in their workflows.
• 87% have witnessed negative consequences when AI is prioritized without human development.
• Their top concerns are over-reliance reducing human judgement (43%), over-reliance reducing human capability (38%) and risks to data privacy and security (36%).
• See also: Women executives warn AI adoption is outpacing workforce development

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

• Another very positive step as we turbocharge growth at Allison Worldwide for our clients and our business (Ray Day)
• A Generation Homesick for a World They Never Knew (Harris Poll)
• Curling’s Next Wave: What the Data Says About Gen Z, Millennials, and Growth (The Harris Poll)
• Advocating for Black Maternal Health (The Harris Poll)
• Will AI redefine the future of qualitative research? (NRG)

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 and Allison Worldwide. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

IS AMERICA FALLING IN LOVE WITH SOCCER?

This summer’s World Cup in North America is creating more American soccer fans, based on our Harris Poll research.

• 32% of soccer fans say this year’s World Cup has sparked new interest in the sport.
• Since 2020, American soccer fandom has grown by 17%.
• 65% of Americans call themselves soccer fans, even though they say, “it still doesn’t feel like an American sport.”
• 35% of Americans already watch major global soccer events.
• 47% follow individual stars as much as a specific team.
• See also: America is building a soccer economy before it builds a soccer culture

JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD FOCUS ON REFERRALS

Nine of 10 hiring managers say referrals are the secret to landing a new job, yet many candidates miss out, based on our Harris Poll research with Express Employment Professionals.

• 90% of U.S. hiring managers say employee referrals make hiring more efficient.
• 91% say a strong internal reference can open doors that would otherwise stay closed.
• 89% trust candidates’ stated skills more when someone recommends them.
• 80% prioritize interviewing referred candidates over equally qualified non-referred applicants.
• Yet, among job seekers, only 40% know that a referral helps them stand out.

GLP-1 ACCEPTANCE DEPENDS ON EMPLOYER

Employer-sponsored health benefits play a significant role in determining who uses GLP-1 treatments, based on new Harris Poll research with Wondr Health.

• 65% of Americans would be more likely to use a GLP-1 for weight loss if their employer covered at least part of the cost.
• 49% would be more comfortable using a GLP-1 for weight loss if the treatments were more widely accepted by society.
• Men (53%) are more likely than women (45%) to say social acceptance would make them more comfortable using a GLP-1 for weight loss.
• Americans with an annual household income of $100,000 or more (54%) are more likely than those with an annual household income of less than $75,000 (43%) to say societal acceptance would increase their comfort using a GLP-1 for weight loss.

AMERICAN HOME OWNERSHIP DREAM IS DYING

More than half of Americans believe the American dream of owning a home is dead, according to our Harris Poll survey with USA TODAY.

• 51% believe the American Dream of owning a home is history – increasing to 57% for Gen Z.
• 68% of Americans say home ownership feels less like a goal and more like a privilege – higher for Millennials (73%).
• 43% believe that, no matter how hard they work, they won’t be able to afford a home they love.
• 50% of Gen Z homeowners say their house is a money pit.

ONLINE DEGREES MORE CREDIBLE

Online degrees are more credible today than 10 years ago, according to our Harris Poll research with the University of Phoenix.

• 98% of hiring leaders say online degrees are more credible today.
• 85% are more likely to consider candidates with these credentials during the next 10 years.
• Hiring leaders say those with online degrees have improved productivity (63%), faster skill development (62%), improved morale (55%) and more upward mobility (52%).

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

• 1 in 3 Americans With Credit Cards Say They Have Too Many (Harris Poll)
• 78% of Americans don’t feel financially secure — and doing everything right is not enough (Harris Poll)
• Inside America’s $147 billion love affair with pets (Harris Poll)
• 80% of women leaders are shaping AI strategy (Harris Poll)
• Top Pollster Breaks Down Which Party Is Better Positioned Headed Into The Midterms (HarrisX)
• Creative Intelligence: What the Data Says (Left Field Labs)

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 and Allison Worldwide. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

WORKERS NOT PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE

Half of workers today feel underprepared for the next generation of jobs, according to the 2026 Human Progress Report from The Harris Poll and ets.

• 61% of employees are concerned about their current job being disrupted.
• 49% feel underprepared for the next generation of jobs – highest for rural employees (73%), non-college grads (64%) and Gen X (57%).
• 73% say it is difficult to know what level of AI literacy employers expect.
• 60% feel pressured to adopt AI skills before they are ready.
• 79% are actively developing new skills to future-proof their careers – highest for Millennials (85%) and college grads (83%).
• 67% of workers report experiencing at least one major change in the past 12 months, ranging from shifts in tools and systems to evolving job expectations.

AMERICANS’ MOOD DECLINES

Americans’ perceptions of the country and economy have declined, according to our March Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll.

• 35% say the country is on the right track – down 3 points from February.
• 32% say the economy is on the right track – down from 38% last month.
• 45% say their financial situation is getting worse – up 5 points from last month.
• Inflation (32%) and the economy (30%) remain the nation’s top issues.
• 19% say terrorism is a concern – up 8 points from last month.
• 63% typically vote in the congressional midterms, and 73% are planning to turn out this year.

AI POTENTIAL BEING MISSED

Technology leaders are frustrated at the speed of AI adoption and integration, according to our Harris Poll research with Collibra.

• 88% of technology decision-makers believe organizations are not using AI to its full potential.
• 84% say organizations must increase their AI spend in the next several months.
• 90% support federal requirements for companies to disclose and document high-risk AI systems.
• 87% seek a national cybersecurity strategy.
• See also: Americans feel better about AI in practice than in theory

HIGHER TAXES?

As U.S. tax day approaches, our Harris Poll and Nationwide research looks at the latest investor and advisor trends.  

• 57% of investors believe taxes will rise.
• Only 26% engage in tax management throughout the year – when lowering taxes can have the best impact.
• 85% of financial advisors currently are working with clients to diversify their tax profile.

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

• Seeing around corners: Using emotion to anticipate business risks and opportunities (Ray Day)
• Women’s Risk-Taking Deserves a Bigger Definition (Allison Worldwide)
• Hotel vs. Vacation Rental Preferences: Study Reveals Generational Differences (Harris Poll)
• What makes an exceptional leader? (Harris Poll)
• The grocery landscape: what marketers and media network operators need to know (The People Platform)

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 and Allison Worldwide. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

STREAMING IS NOW A FAMILY AFFAIR

A family that streams together stays together – including couples who are dating – according to The Stream  2026 study from The Harris Poll and Tubi. 

• 75% of Americans say streaming together as a household represents quality time.
• 52% now travel to friends’ houses specifically for dedicated viewing sessions – up 15% from last year.
• 55% stream for one to three hours at a time.
• 61% say they’re more likely to date someone who’s a fan of the same streamed movies and TV shows – and a third would end a relationship if their preferences are different.
• 67% won’t share their streaming login unless things are serious.
• 71% would rather watch content on demand over scheduled programming.
• Top genres are comedy (70%), action (68%) and crime (66%).
• 84% say watching ads is a fair trade off for free content.

BUDGET TRAVEL? NOT THIS SUMMER

Nealy half of Americans would rather stay home this summer than book budget travel, according to our Harris Poll Research with Nerd Wallet.

• 45% plan to take a summer vacation – at an average cost of $3,940.
• Yet 42% would stay home versus book budget travel this summer.
• Travelers are finding clever ways to save money: 35% will drive versus fly, 33% will prioritize a hotel’s price over amenities, and 32% will use credit card points and air miles.
• At the same time, 48% say travel points and miles programs have become too complicated.
• See also: Demand for Easter staycations soars due to Iran war

LEADERS NOT LEADING

Only a third of employees today rate their leaders as exceptional, and many employees don’t feel valued in the workplace, according to our Harris Poll research with The Grossman Group.

• 30% of U.S. employees rate their senior leaders as exception, 54% good, and 16% say their leaders are “outdated.”
• Employees working for exceptional leaders are more likely to feel valued (+10 points), feel they are reaching their full potential (+8 points) and feel heard (+7 points).
• Exceptional leaders lead with gratitude, listen and empathize, foster an inclusive culture as well as communicate with context.

SPIRITUALITY + ENTERTAINMENT

Viewers want more accurate portrayals of faith in entertainment, according to our HarrisX research with the Faith and Media Initiative. 

• 73% of people globally identify as religious, spiritual or a person of faith (77% in the U.S.).
• 54% of Americans watch TV or movies daily.
• 69% say entertainment perpetuates religious stereotypes.
• 80% say it’s important the entertainment industry improve their portrayals of faith (2 points higher in the U.S.).
• 68% want more diverse perspectives about various faiths.
• 59% say entertainment taught them something they didn’t know about other religions.

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

• If you want a bigger seat at the business table, talk about “what’s next” (Ray Day)
• Networking Isn’t Personal Anymore — With Four in Five Professionals Calling It Transactional (Harris Poll)
• Can Gen Z Save Hollywood? (National Research Group)
• Why Threads Is Having a (Surprising) Second Life (Kettle)