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:

BOEING SAFETY ISSUES WORRY TRAVELERS

Boeing’s safety issues are creating nervous travelers, according to our Harris Poll research with Fast Company.

• 64% are aware of the Boeing safety issue on Alaska Airlines.
• Among those aware, 43% say they are less comfortable with flying – highest among Boomers (49%), followed by Gen X (41%), Millennials (39%) and Gen Z (37%).
• Those who plan to travel by air in the next 12 months say the safety incidents have prompted them to shift their behaviors: 47% are more likely to wear a seatbelt when not required, 30% are more likely to pick a seat in sections of the plane that they perceive as safer, and nearly half are paying more attention to safety materials.
• 40% are more likely to consider the model of the airplane they’re flying on.
• 36% are more likely to consider which airline they’re using for upcoming flights.

BUSINESSES SEE AI AS $1.6 TRILLION BOOST

Generative AI could save $1.6 trillion in U.S. business productivity each year by improving communication, based on our Harris Poll survey with Grammarly.

• Business leaders and workers are communicating more and in more channels, causing more stress than ever (16% higher stress from communication this year versus last year).
• Workers today spend nearly half of their workweek on writing tasks (19.08 hours).
• They also spend 10.5 hours in meetings, 6 hours on email and nearly 4 hours on text-based chat functions.
• Time spent reviewing and editing all these communications increased 11% from last year.
• Business communications are not hitting the mark, however: a 24% gap exists between workers’ (63%) and leaders’ (87%) perceived effectiveness of their organization’s communications.
• 64% of employees (down 8 points from last year) say their senior leadership communicates effectively.
• 90% of leaders believe they communicate effectively.
• Workers using generative AI say that it makes them better at their job (77%), has transformed how they communicate at work (71%), and they ultimately believe AI will enhance their work versus replace them (66%).
• 58% wish their companies were more open to implementing AI.
• Yet 52% admit they don’t know how to use AI.

YOUNG PEOPLE SEE MORE REWARD THAN RISK WITH AI

Gen Z is the most bullish on generative AI for school and work, based on our Harris Poll research with MITRE.

• While most U.S. adults (54%) say AI’s risks outweigh its benefits, Gen Z and Millennials are more excited about the potential benefits (57%) than risks.
• Gen Z (54%) and Millennials (58%) are most willing to use AI to perform everyday tasks (compared with Gen X at 39% and Boomers at 30%).
• Gen Z and Millennials also say using AI tools in their personal life reduces the mental load they have to carry (73%) and has given them time back to do other things (73%).

PET LOVE = INSURANCE GROWTH

America’s love for pets runs deep – with most willing to spend $1,000 or more on lifesaving medical care, and 1 in 4 now have pet insurance, based on our Harris Poll research with NerdWallet.

• 64% say they consider pets a member of their family.
• 34% budget their pet’s care costs.
• 25% would go into debt to pay for lifesaving medical care.
• 42% with pet insurance say they have it because their pets often need care covered by their policy.
• 57% of pet owners with pet insurance say they have it for “peace of mind.”

ICYMI

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

• Almost All U.S. Physicians Surveyed Feel Burned Out on a Regular Basis, with Many Having Considered Career Change
• How Americans keep fit, and why they fall short, reveal opportunities for marketers
• Mirroring their favorite A-list celebrities, Gen Zers don Polo Ralph Lauren

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:

TWO THIRDS WOULD STAY AT JOB PAYING FOR CHILD CARE

Parents today would take a pay cut for child care benefits at work, according to the fifth annual Parent Confidence Index from Harris Poll and KinderCare.

• Working parents see a gap between child care benefits they need and what employers provide.
• 65% of parents would stay at their job if their employer provided subsidized child care.
• 57% would take a pay cut to work for a company that provided child care benefits.
• Only a quarter of parents say their employer offers a child care benefit.
• 70% of parents are contemplating adapting their careers to be able to care for their children.
• 73% of parents who use child care feel highly confident in themselves on a typical day. That compares with a 43% confidence rating of all parents.

LOCAL PHARMACIES ARE THE NEW DOCTOR’S OFFICES

Community pharmacies are fast becoming the primary healthcare source for Americans, according to our latest Harris Poll survey with CVS Health.

• 90% of Americans live within five miles of a retail pharmacy.
• 7 in 10 prefer pharmacies for their healthcare needs because of convenient locations with evening and weekend hours.
• 1 in 3 Americans visit their pharmacy at least once per week.
• 40% of Americans of color visit their local pharmacies in person at least a few times per month to speak with a pharmacist for heart health services (32% compared with 19% for White Americans), education on diseases (32% compared with 18%), immunizations (30% compared with 19%), diagnostic tests (30% compared with 17%) and prescribing contraception (29% compared with 15%).
• 81% of consumers say they use digital technology to interact with their pharmacy, through websites, mobile apps and text messages.

FINDING A ROOMMATE HARDER THAN FINDING A DATE

Rent prices are now 29.4% higher than before the pandemic, and young people hoping to share expenses are finding it harder to find a roommate than a romantic partner, based on our Harris Poll survey with Zillow.

• 59% of Gen Z and Millennial renters report feeling uncertain about where they would go to find a roommate if they needed one.
• 60% say finding a good roommate is more challenging than finding a romantic partner (68% for women).
• A roommate is a financial must for many: 57% of renters describe their current economic situation as “poor,” and 46% do not have money when a bill is due (versus 29% of homeowners who describe their financial situation as poor and 29% of homeowners who don’t have money to pay bills on time).

DEI, ESG AND REPUTATION

Join our new monthly 30-minute webinar from Stagwell’s Risk and Reputation Unit. Please email Alexis Williams to RSVP.

ICYMI

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

• HARRIS POLL: A Country (Taylor) Divided and Other Super Bowl Insights
• HARRIS POLL: Cancer prevention is a top priority for business leaders, but they’re operating without the data they need
• HARRIS POLL: They’re back! Gen Z is reviving UGG’s popularity
• CODE AND THEORY: Your AI’s Hallucinations Are Out Of Control, What To Do
• ASSEMBLY: Ramadan Strategy: Illuminating Pathways for Unforgettable Marketing Moments

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:

66 DAYS UNTIL ONE OF AMERICA’S MOST STRESSFUL DAYS

April 15 is on the horizon, and 57% of American adults find completing their own tax-filing nerve-wracking, according to our Harris Poll survey.

• 46% file early in the season, 33% mid-season, and 19% wait until the deadline – or after.
• 54% prefer to file with the assistance of someone else.
• Among those who receive support, 33% meet with a tax professional, 22% use an online tax service, and 15% use paid tax software.
• Maximizing tax returns is top of mind: 60% believe filing too quickly could affect their deductions.
• 66% say it’s smart for people to use legal loopholes in tax law to maximize their filing.

YOUNG PEOPLE TURNING TO AI FOR TAX HELP

Tax filing using AI is growing in popularity among America’s young adults, based on our Harris Poll research with Fast Company.

• 70% of Gen Z would consider using AI-based tax preparation software to file their taxes, compared with 45% of Americans overall (61% Millennials, 47% Gen X and 25% Boomers).
• 44% of Gen Z already has used AI to ease tax filing (versus Boomers at 4%).
• AI could help calm Gen Z’s tax nerves: 67% of Gen Z say completing tax filings is nerve-racking (compared with 57% of Americans overall).

LOUD BUDGETING BECOMING A THING

Gen Z also is introducing us to “loud budgeting,” or speaking up about saving money and not overspending, according to our Harris Poll study with Credit Karma.

• Comedian Lukas Battle introduced loud budgeting in a TikTok video viewed more than 1.5 million times.
• 27% of Americans admit to spending to cope with stress.
• 69% of Americans say they have financial regrets from 2023.
• 53% say their economic situation worsened last year.
• Many point to poor spending habits: 41% regret not saving money, and 22% overspent.

WHERE AMERICA GETS THE NEWS IT DOESN’T TRUST

Social media CEOs were in the spotlight last week during a Senate Judiciary hearing that reinforced just how low public trust is in the platforms.

• 65% of Americans do not think social media is a trusted source of news, yet 66% have used social media to seek out news, according to Harris Poll data.
• It’s not just young people: 82% of Gen Z, 78% of Millennials, 72% of Gen X and 44% of Boomers use social media as primary news sources.
• It’s not partisan either: 67% of Democrats, 66% of Republicans and 66% of Independents use social media for news.
• Read more about the trust deficit in the new edition of Stagwell’s Risk and Reputation Radar.

ICYMI

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

• HARRIS POLL: Would the NFL Ever Put Super Bowl On Pay-Per-View? Bad Idea
• CODE AND THEORY: What if you invested $20m in AI instead of a Super Bowl ad?
• KWT: Can Generative AI Help Employee Advocacy?
• NRG: Which games left their mark at The Game Awards?
• CODE AND THEORY: Thanks to Gen Z, Deeper Connections Will Become the Currency of the Future
• HARRIS POLL: 2 generations, 1 corner office: 20 years separate the Harris Poll’s co-CEOs

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:

VIRTUAL COLLEGE HURTING NEW HIRES’ JOB SUCCESS

Virtual college courses and internships instead of in-person training are giving Gen Z more challenges in the workplace than their predecessors, according to our Harris Poll survey.

• 82% of corporate managers say new Gen Z hires often lack the soft skills to be successful.
• 78% of younger employees agree – adding that abstract workplace soft skills can’t be taught and can only be gained by being with more seasoned employees over time.
• 55% of Gen Z employees say their lack of adequate interpersonal training makes them afraid of asking “dumb questions” in the workplace.
• 59% don’t know whom to turn to for help with their soft skills.
• More than two thirds of Gen Z employees say that those who socially connect with senior coworkers are more likely to be promoted.

HEALTHCARE HAS BECOME TOO HARD, PATIENTS SAY

Healthcare has become too hard, and young people in particular are not seeking the help they need, according to Harris Poll’s new global Future of Health Survey with ZS.

• Three quarters of people in every country except Japan say they put off healthcare because accessing it is so frustrating.
• Other than in Sweden, the percentage of people in every country who say “I feel like the healthcare system doesn’t care about people like me” increased between 2022 and 2023.
• U.S. consumers trust retailers like CVS and Walmart (66%) to act in their best interests more than health insurance companies (54%) and pharmaceutical companies (51%).
• A growing gap exists between healthcare providers and patient satisfaction – especially cardiology. In fact, 1% of U.S. cardiologists believe their patients are frustrated after an interaction. The reality is 22% of patients walk away frustrated.
• Similarly, 64% of oncologists think patients feel cared for after a visit, while 46% of cancer patients say they actually are satisfied.
• The solution? 76% of people in the U.S., UK, Sweden, Germany and Japan believe their governments should shift funding toward preventing diseases to reduce health disparities. The number jumps to 84% in the U.S.

ACRONYMS CAN BE BAD FOR BUSINESS

Acronyms like DEI and ESG are increasingly becoming reputation issues for businesses, as many Americans hear them as politically polarizing terms. The Harris Poll last weekend asked if Americans have a positive, negative or neutral feeling when businesses use the following terms:

• Cancel culture is the term today that divides the most – perceived as a negative by 62%, neutral by 26% and positive by 12%.
• Woke is equally problematic – 48% negative, 29% neutral and 23% positive.
• DEI (26% negative), ESG (26% negative) and Latinx (25% negative) also are divisive words for businesses.
• Context matters: While many Americans find the acronym ESG to be a negative, far fewer say the same about sustainability. Similarly, swapping DEI for equality improves understanding and acceptance substantially.
• To help businesses navigate communicating in today’s unprecedented era of political polarization, Stagwell’s Risk and Reputation Unit is conducting off-the-record briefings for C-suite executives seeking data and insights. To join one of the forums, send us an e-mail.

ICYMI

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

• Ugg scores with young buyers and Swift lifts the NFL, while Bud Light gets a glimmer of good news in latest Ad Age-Harris Poll Gen Z tracker
• Travis Kelce Voted the Football Star Americans Would Most Want as Their Neighbor
• Why are so many more young people living with their parents? Gen Z on their struggle to move out
• What is code-switching? Why Black Americans say they can’t be themselves at work
• Harris Poll: Wide divide in health care providers explains a lot about sickness and health in Chicago

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:

IMMIGRATION OVERTAKES INFLATION AS AMERICANS’ TOP CONCERN

Immigration has overtaken inflation as the top concern among Americans, according to our most recent poll with the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard University.

• 35% list immigration as their top concern among an array of issues, with inflation a close second (32%).
• Inflation, however, remains the issue affecting Americans personally. In fact, 38% say inflation affects them directly, compared with 17% who cite immigration as affecting them personally.
• Republicans (85%) and independents (71%) want to see tougher border enforcement, while Democrats are split 50-50.
• Overall, 30% of Americans say the country is on the right track (down from 32% a month ago), and 31% say the economy is on the right track (down from 33% a month ago).

HEART DISEASE MISDIAGNOSED BY CONSUMERS

More than half of U.S. adults don’t know that heart disease is the leading cause of death, despite its 100-year reign, based on our Harris Poll survey with the American Heart Association.

• 51% did not correctly identify heart disease as the leading cause of death in the U.S., while 16% said they didn’t know the leading cause.
• 18% list cancer as the top cause of death of people in the U.S.
• 46.7% of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, yet only 38% of those with high blood pressure are unaware that they have it.
• In the past 10 years, the age-adjusted death rate from high blood pressure jumped 65.6%, and the actual number of deaths rose 91.2%.

SPORTS FANS WILLING TO SPEND FOR STREAMING

Sports fans are increasingly willing to spend for watching their favorite games, according to our Harris Poll survey with Front Office Sports.

• 61% of NFL fans and 45% of all U.S. adults say they would be likely to pay for a subscription to a streaming service to watch an NFL playoff game.
• If the NFL were to make a postseason matchup a pay-per-view event, 57% of NFL fans and 42% of U.S. adults surveyed say they would likely pay a one-time fee to watch.
• Among NFL fans willing to pay a per-game price, 53% would pay $10 or more, and 17% would pay $20 or more.
• 64% of NFL fans and 49% of all U.S. adults would pay for a subscription to watch the Super Bowl.

ANIMALS ARE IN, CRYING IS OUT AT THIS YEAR’S SUPER BOWL

When it comes to Super Bowl ads, laughing and animals are in, and crying and cause-related marketing are out, according to our Harris Poll survey with AdAge.

• 69% of respondents favor funny ads, while only 14% want serious ones.
• Only 31% want to see patriotic themes and 24% purpose-driven ads.
• Animals remain a crowd favorite with nearly half of Americans.
• 42% want to see athletes, followed by TV and movie characters (42%) and celebrities (41%).
• Ads aside, 76% are excited to see the actual game, with Gen Xers particularly interested (81%).
• Gen X (72%) is most excited to watch the ads, compared with 64% of the general population.

ICYMI

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

• The State of AI + Women, as presented at 2024 WEF in Davos
• What the 21st century space race could mean for popular culture
• Managers’ latest complaints about Gen Z: They lack soft skills and have unrealistic workplace expectations
• Workers of all generations agree on one thing: They have no idea what the right rules at work are anymore

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:

MOST YOUNG PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THEIR CREDIT SCORE

A lack of credit score awareness among young people is a barrier to achieving their financial goals, according to our Harris Poll survey with Zillow.

• Gen Z (23%) and Millennials (35%) are pivotal players in the rental market.
• Yet 54% of Gen Z and Millennial renters report a rental application being denied due to a low credit score – and many are surprised.
• 94% of Gen Z and Millennial renters feel confident they know their monthly cell phone bill, 93% know their favorite streaming service’s subscription cost, and 92% know the price of their regular morning beverage.
• Only 45% are “very confident” they know their credit score – 36% among Gen Z and 49% among Millennial renters.

COMMS LEADERS WORRY ABOUT GEOPOLITICS, POLARIZATION, MISINFORMATION

New surveys by the Harris Poll and Page identify geopolitics as the primary risk to business in the year ahead, closely followed by concerns about political polarization – as well as key areas of focus for business leaders to tackle in 2024.

• In a survey of chief communications officers across North America, Europe and the Middle East, 45% highlighted international conflicts and elections as the paramount critical risk demanding businesses’ attention in 2024.
• 32% express concerns about political polarization.
• 14% cite mis/disinformation and employee issues as areas of significant apprehension.
• Another global survey with The Harris Poll focused on consumer perceptions about confidence in businesses.
• 80% say it is crucial for companies to address seven key issues in the year ahead: economic growth, job creation or skill development, environmental concerns, corruption, mental health, income inequality and trust in key societal institutions.
• At the same time, the confidence in companies’ ability to make a positive impact on these issues is in question, with only 56% expressing faith in responsible business practices.
• Economic growth, job creation and workplace skills development garnered the highest public confidence (60%) compared with issues like corruption (50%).
• Environmental issues (59%) and mental health (56%) are viewed as the top business opportunities, suggesting potential areas for businesses to focus their efforts and build public trust.

TAYLOR SWIFT DRIVES FEMALE INTEREST IN NFL

Women make up nearly half (46%) of the NFL’s growing fanbase – and we can thank Taylor Swift, in part, according to Harris Poll data.

• Young women’s (Millennial and Gen Z adults) interest in the NFL jumped after Taylor Swift took an interest in the game last September.
• At the end of December, NFL interest among young women reached 46.6. This is up from 37.0 a year earlier.

NEW PRIVACY RULES IN EUROPE

On March 6, the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) goes into effect. Similar to 2018’s GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), it has important consequences for businesses doing marketing and advertising.

• Stagwell’s Assembly has created the Privacy Solutions Handbook to help companies navigate the road ahead and understand how Google is changing its services to accommodate the DMA.

ICYMI

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

• Americans are actually pretty happy with their finances
• How America’s boom states could shape the ’24 campaign
• CES thoughts
• Why AI Changed “Everything and Nothing” for Agencies in 2023
• “The Bear” Effect: Media’s Depiction of Cities and Public Perception

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:

RED, RURAL AND RENTING = ☹

Republicans, rural residents, renters, women and singles are the most unhappy Americans financially, according to our Harris Poll survey with Axios.

• While inflation dipped in recent months, it remains top of mind for Americans – with 6 in 10 saying they are “triggered” by trips to the grocery store.
• 37% of Americans rate their financial situation as poor – 42% for Republicans, 43% for women, 46% for rural residents, 47% for singles and 57% for renters.
• In comparison, 32% of respondents in relationships and 28% of Democrats say their financial situation is poor.
• 25% of Americans say they’re falling behind financially, compared with 30% of women and Republicans, 33% of rural residents and 36% of renters.
• 41% of Americans say their finances are worse today than they would have predicted if asked pre-COVID to imagine the future. That climbs to 51% for renters, 53% for rural residents and 55% for Republicans.
• Grocery purchases (72%) are the top way Americans say they feel inflation in their daily lives, followed by gas prices (56%).
• 88% say “gas, groceries and housing costs – not stocks – are the real economic indicators I care about.”
• 76% – climbing to 82% of Republican and Hispanic respondents – believe “economists say things are getting better, but we’re not feeling it where I live.”

HIRING BOOST IN NEXT 6 MONTHS

Employers are ringing in the new year with an optimistic hiring outlook and plan to increase their employee count in the first half of 2024, according to our Harris Poll survey with Express Employment Professionals.

• 79% of U.S. hiring managers feel positive about employment opportunities at their companies this year.
• 63% say their company plans to increase the number of employees through June 30 – continuing a positive trajectory now reaching its highest point since the survey began in 2020.
• The need for hiring stems from increased work volume (51%), filling newly created positions (45%) and employee turnover (43%).
• Some companies are looking for ways to avoid hiring, such as training and promoting from within. In fact, 71% of hiring managers say they would prefer to reskill current employees for new roles than hire new.

QUIET QUITTING TURNS INTO QUIET SHOPPING

Young professional women are taking quiet quitting to the next level with “quiet shopping,” according to our Harris Poll survey with Rakuten.

• Nearly 30% of women say they find themselves shopping online between 1 and 5 p.m. – in the middle of the workday.
• 41% of Gen Z women admit to quiet shopping, compared with 24% of Millennial women and 23% of Gen X women.
• Social media has played a part in accelerating quiet shopping, especially TikTok Shop and Instagram Shopping.
• Finding shopping recommendations online is top of mind for 30% percent of women overall – 40% for Gen Z women, 34% for Millennial women and 23% for Gen X women.

VIEWS FROM CES

Several of our Stagwell experts and leaders have been on the ground this week at CES in Las Vegas. Check out their insights:

• Harris Poll Live From The Floor At CES 2024
• Stagwell launches SmartAssets AI tool at CES
• Stagwell Content Studios talks with leaders about trends at CES 

ICYMI

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

• U.S. EV sales fell short of predictions in 2023. Elon Musk and range anxiety could be to blame, according to a new poll
• Companies rush to define DEI
• Walgreens leaders make 10 healthcare industry predictions for 2024
• NFL Digital Broadcast Rights Likely to Create Winners and Losers

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:

BEST DIETS FOR 2024

The Mediterranean diet remains the favorite health plan for 2024, according to our new Harris Poll survey with U.S. News & World Report.

• For the seventh consecutive year, the Mediterranean diet (85.1% in popularity) takes the No. 1 spot with its focus on diet quality rather than a single nutrient or food group and a daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, legumes, olive oil, herbs and spices.
• Rounding out the top 10 are the DASH diet (75.4%), MIND diet (60.7%), Mayo Clinic diet (55.3%), Flexitarian diet (53.6%), WeightWatchers (46.1%), Volumetrics diet (41.4%), Dr. Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory diet (41.1%), TLC diet (39.9%) and Vegan diet (17.9%).
• Six newly evaluated diets make the list this year: Vegan diet, Dukan diet, Herbalife Nutrition, HMR Program, Profile Plan and Plantstrong.

FUTURE OF TRANSPORTATION

The next decade will mark significant changes in the transportation experience – from driverless cars to better urban transit – according to our Harris Poll study with MITRE.

• 40% of Americans believe their transportation experience will improve in the next 10 years, with 23% saying it will get worse.
• When thinking about the future of transportation, 90% want to see improved safety, 83% lower costs, 79% better data privacy, 78% more predictability and 77% environmental sustainability.
• Boomers (62%) rate safety as the highest priority for transportation improvements, while Gen X (47%) cites cost as the top priority.
• 85% of Gen Z believe it is important to increase environmental sustainability during the next 10 years – 11 points higher than other generations.
• At the same time, Gen Z is the most skeptical about the role of AI and automation in transportation (40% for Gen Z versus 27% of others who say AI will have a detrimental impact).
• 40% of Americans expect to use driverless cars, taxis, ridesharing vehicles and delivery vehicles in their lifetime.
• 60% expect to use driverless taxis in urban areas.

JOB HUNTERS WANT BALANCE VERSUS A TITLE

As we head into the new year, job seekers are putting more focus on personal fulfillment and work-life balance, according to our Harris Poll survey with Express Employment Professionals.

• 83% of job seekers say it’s more important to have a meaningful job than a high-level job title.
• 80% define success more by work-life balance than climbing the corporate ladder.
• Hiring managers appear to agree, with 85% saying it’s more important for workers to have a meaningful job than a high-level job title.
• 84% of hiring managers say employees now define success by work-life balance rather than climbing the ladder – especially compared with three years ago.

8 QUALITIES AMERICANS WANT FROM LEADERS

Americans today feel that good leaders are in short supply and that modern leadership begins and ends with trust, based on our Harris Poll survey with U.S. News & World Report.

• 86% of Americans are “largely disappointed” by leaders in society today.
• 72% said political leaders aren’t trustworthy.
• When asked how “leaders can earn trust,” more than 1,000 Americans responded and ranked their advice for leaders:
  1. Be Honest
  2. Put People First
  3. Be Transparent and Communicate
  4. Be Reliable
  5. Be a Team Player
  6. Take Action and Get Results
  7. Show Some Ethics
  8. Be Respectful

READY TO TALK REPUTATION AND RISK AT CES?

We have spent a lot of time focusing on risk and reputation in 2023, and Stagwell has been sharing what we’re seeing through our expanded crisis team. This includes addressing when companies should speak out, the role of corporate purpose today and the major wedge issues to expect during the 2024 U.S. election cycle.

• As a next step in sharing our research and insights, we are continuing the reputation and risk discussion at CES on Wednesday, Jan. 10.
• Let us know if you would like to be included by reaching out at ces2024@stagwellglobal.com.

ICYMI

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

• CES 2024 for the C-Suite: Our Experts on What to Expect
• Empowering consumers through the short-form video revolution
• Unity is a winning strategy. As we head into the 2024 election, more of us should try it.
• AI Recruiting Tools Are Rich With Data Bias And CHROs Must Wake Up

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:

2 IN 5 STILL FINISHING HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Holiday shopping is in the home-stretch – and this weekend’s Super Saturday is expected to be a banner day. What are we buying? Clothing and accessories are at the top, followed closely by gift cards, according to our Harris Poll survey with Retail Brew.

• Among shoppers polled this past week, 2 in 5 still were shopping for all or most of their gifts.
• What are they shopping for? Clothes and accessories are at top (60%), followed by gift cards (58%), toys (44%), personal care and beauty items (38%), electronics (37%), books, video games and media (36%), and food and beverages (35%).
• The people who procrastinated rely on retailers’ websites (63%), directly from brands (43%) and social media (31%).
• Overall this season, 19% said they exclusively shopped online, and 8% only shopped in stores.

ECONOMIC VIEW DIPS BACK

Americans are slightly more negative on the economy and its outlook versus a month ago, according to our most recent poll with the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard University.

• 32% say the country is on the right track (down from 35% a month ago), and 33% say the economy is on the right track (down from 35% a month ago).
• A third of the country (33%, up 3 points from the prior month) list price increases and inflation as the country’s top issue, followed by immigration (28%, up 3 points), economy and jobs (23%), guns (18%) and crime and drugs (18%). Concerns about the Israel-Hamas conflict is at 7%, down 5 points from the prior month.

2023’S TOP SURVEY TRENDS

From a boom in pre-nuptial agreements and tuning out news coverage for mental health to the significant rise in the influence of grandmothers, Americans voted with their voices, actions and opinions in 2023.

• The Harris Poll looked at the top 12 research trends this year at this link.
• Stagwell’s National Research Group – in the spirit of the new year and unpacking “What’s NEXT” – contextualized some of the existential questions at the cultural forefront at this link.

READY TO TALK REPUTATION AND RISK AT CES?

We have spent a lot of time focusing on risk and reputation this year, and Stagwell has been sharing what we’re seeing through our expanded crisis team. This includes addressing when companies should speak out, the role of corporate purpose today and the major wedge issues to expect during the 2024 U.S. election cycle.

• As a next step in sharing our research and insights, we are continuing the reputation and risk discussion at CES on Wednesday, Jan. 10.
• Let us know if you would like to be included by reaching out at ces2024@stagwellglobal.com.

ICYMI

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

• Decoding how corporations are buying and deploying AI solutions
• Generative AI Adoption High; Most Trying to Achieve Better Productivity, Customer Engagement
• FTX Collapsed in 2022 – Will the Crypto Exchange Recover?
• Survey Sheds Light on How Leaders Can Earn America’s Trust

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:

LOSS OF FAITH IN UNIVERSITY LEADERS

Americans are experiencing a crisis of faith in college and university leaders amid a volatile moment for the higher education sector – with more than half not trusting them to do the right thing for students, according to our Harris Poll research with U.S. News & World Report.

• 80% of Americans say that higher education institutions are more worried about their endowment than creating leaders of tomorrow.
• 60% believe they prioritize donors, the press and other external factors over students.
• 60% believe higher education leaders are failing students rather than developing them and that one of the barriers is that they themselves aren’t good examples of leaders.
• 80% believe that, if colleges and universities don’t become more accessible to all people and emphasize diversity, the leaders of tomorrow will all be the same.
• In a separate Harris Poll survey, 60% of Americans would fire university leaders for poor leadership amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.

SOCIAL MEDIA IS HOW AMERICA GETS ITS NEWS

Two thirds of Americans use social media to get their daily news – and not just young people, according to our Harris Poll.

• 66% of Americans have used social media to seek out news and information.
• Social media as a news source is highest among Gen Z (82%) yet nearly just as high for Millennials (78%) and Gen X (72%) (versus Boomers at 44%).
• YouTube (62%) and Facebook (60%) are the most frequently used platforms for news and information, followed by Instagram (44%), TikTok (39%) and X (35%).
• While trust is highest in YouTube (24%) and Facebook (18%), it is low across the board.

MUSHROOMS WILL BE BIG IN 2024

Among the top predictions for 2024 are a mushroom boom, a boost in produce choices, a higher protein intake and drinking in moderation. That’s according to our Harris Poll research with Instacart. The top five predictions:

• More people will realize the health benefits of mushrooms: 40% of Americans are aware that consuming fresh mushrooms and mushroom supplements can improve cognitive function, and 58% express their likelihood to consume mushroom supplements and increase their mushroom intake to reap these health benefits.
• People will put a premium on sleep health: 48% of Americans want to make changes to their sleep habits and quality in the new year. On Instacart’s platform, the share of carts containing magnesium supplements is up 19%, sleep masks increased 56%, and sleep and sound machines jumped 134%. In parallel, 33% will improve sleep habits by reducing caffeine intake and/or consuming gentler types of caffeine, such as matcha (which grew 20% in Instacarts in the past year).
• Higher protein intake is on the rise: Of those who plan to make dietary changes in the new year, 39% want to eat a higher protein diet. This includes cottage cheese (up 8% in carts), Greek and Icelandic yogurt (up 3%), protein drinks (up 10% in carts) and meat jerky (up 16% in carts).
• Produce is more popular than ever: Prepare to witness a shift in people not just aiming to eat more produce but actively embracing a diverse and colorful array of fruits and vegetables. In 2024, 61% plan to increase their fresh produce intake. New to the shopping list: red dragonfruit (+201% growth), yellow passionfruit (+201%), mangosteen (+158%), Mayan melons (+31%), microgreens (+50%), broccoli sprouts (+32%), purple broccoli (+32%) and purple asparagus (+18%).
• Alcohol moderation becomes a movement: We’ve already witnessed the popularity of drinks without booze – with the share of Instacarts containing non-alcoholic cocktails growing 666%. In 2024, expect to see people embrace drinking in moderation by restricting alcohol consumption to weekends or one to two days a week. Also, look for continued growth in liver support supplements (+ 114%) and electrolyte drink powder (+19%).

ICYMI

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

• Corporate Crises — and Reputational Recovery — Have Changed
• Americans Are Down on Society’s Leaders – Especially in Politics
• Most HR pros see disconnect between their job title and the actual work they do
• 55% of U.S. Adults Plan to Prioritize Travel Over Other Luxuries Despite Economic Uncertainty
• 3 Harris Poll strategies to capitalize on shopping preferences of boomers, Gen X, millennials and Gen Z
• How Agencies Stand Out Amid Clients’ Interest in AI Capabilities