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:

RIP TIKTOK?

A broken algorithm and inauthentic content are causing Gen Z users to question TikTok, according to our Harris Poll research.

• 79% of Gen Z users say they miss the early days of TikTok.
• Gen Z users trust the platform less (59%) and say it feels more censored (53%) and “more draining” than it did a year ago (43%).
• 63% say they have stopped buying things on TikTok.
• 33% say the algorithm isn’t as personalized or relevant.
• 37% still go there first for entertainment, pop culture and local experiences.
• Meanwhile, YouTube’s popularity is rising: 66% of Gen Z uses YouTube daily (1 point higher than TikTok), and 44% plan to use it more next year.

JOB SEEKERS DON’T KNOW HOW TO NETWORK

People looking for a new job understand the importance of networking, yet they don’t know how to do it, according to our Harris Poll research with Express Employment Professionals.

• 84% of job-seekers and 92% of hiring managers say networking is the key to landing a new role.
• Yet 59% do not know the best places or websites to network within their field.
• Most turn to online platforms (73%) for networking, followed by in-person events (66%), informal social gatherings (65%), cold outreach (62%) and virtual events (59%).
• Men (79%) are heavier users of online platforms than women (67%) for networking.
• 71% report at least one positive outcome of networking, including receiving a referral (39%), securing an interview (36%) and receiving a job offer (32%).
• 44% say they lack the people or soft skills to make networking worth their time – rising to 51% for Gen Z.

AI MAKES ENGLISH ESSENTIAL

81% of employers say more AI tools in the workplace increase the need for English proficiency around the world, according to our Harris Poll and ETS research.

• 92% of employers say English skills are more important today than five years ago.
• 90% say English skills are critical to their organizations’ success.
• 60% say AI can’t compensate for weak English skills.
• 82% agree global collaboration creates more need for English proficiency.
• 78% currently use proficiency assessments during the hiring and screening processes.

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

• AI isn’t going to take your job, but the person who is better at using AI might (Ray Day and PRSA)
• Don’t inherit the playbook. Rewrite it. (Ray Day and American Marketing Association)
• Feeling Financially Behind, Americans Turn To Riskier Bets (Harris Poll)
• 81% of Working Parents Report Fewer Child Care Supports Than Previous Generations (Harris Poll)
• Hardware is the new software (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:

YOUTH SPORTS ARE BREAKING PARENTS’ BANKS

The annual cost of youth sports has reached $2,000, making it unattainable for many families, according to our Harris Poll research with Good Sports.

• 95% of parents say children benefit from playing sports.
• Yet 3 in 4 have considered pulling their children out of sports, with 21% citing the cost of participating as the reason.
• 58% say paying for the required equipment has become a financial stress for their family.
• 18% say they’ve gone into debt to afford kids’ sports.
• 56% worry they won’t be able to enroll their children in sports next year due to rising participation costs.

AMERICANS’ MOOD STAYS MIXED

Americans’ views about the country and economy remain flat – yet healthcare concerns are rising, according to our February Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll.

• 38% say the country is on the right track – level with last month and down from 39% in December.
• 38% say the economy is on the right track – level with last month and up from 36% in December.
• 36% say their financial situation is improving – up 1 point from last month and up 2 points from December.
• Inflation (34%), the economy (28%) and immigration (27%) continue to be the nation’s top issues, with healthcare concerns (27%) rising to the top and increasing 3 points from last month.

HEALTHCARE ACCESS IS DOCTORS’ WORRY, TOO

Despite financial and technological worries, healthcare access remains physicians’ top concern today, according to Harris Poll’s fifth annual Physician Sentiment Survey with athenaInstitute.

• 51% of Americans say they have access to and can afford quality healthcare.
• Yet 52% of physicians say healthcare access is their top concern – up from 38% in 2024.
• Rural healthcare workers (67%) are more likely than urban/suburban (52%) ones to feel constantly burned out and consider leaving medicine (69% for rural doctors versus 51% for urban/suburban).
• 77% hope new technology can improve patient care.
• 48% are considering major operational changes to offset financial burdens.
• 63% say AI is helping to reduce administrative burdens.

YOUTH BETTING EPIDEMIC

With a federal ban for sports betting lifted, young adults are placing bets before the legal age, according to our Harris Poll research with ESPN.

• 33% of 21- to 44-year-olds have placed a sports bet before the legal age.
• Accessibility seems to be a factor, with 90% of sports bets being placed on mobile phones.
• 65% have participated in other gambling before age 21.
• 66% of Americans are concerned about the impact of gambling on young people.

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

• Gen Z job seekers are learning professional skills on social media. Are their sources credible? (Harris Poll)
• Why hiding money can be just as damaging as lying (Harris Poll)
• How Video Streaming Platforms Rewrote the Rules of Podcasting (NRG)
• Perspectives: The modern boardroom isn’t modern at all (Allison)
• Lights, Camera, Packed House: 2025 Cinema Attendance Gains, and What’s Next in 2026 (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:

IS SELF-TAUGHT GOOD OR BAD ON A RESUME?

Job seekers and hiring managers are split on the benefits of self-taught skills, according to our latest Harris Poll research with Express Employment Professionals.

• 47% of job seekers add self-taught online skills to their resumes.
• 66% of Gen Z is teaching themselves skills online, followed by 50% of Millennials, 35% of Gen X and 20% of Boomers.
• Men (53%) are more likely than women (40%) to include self-taught skills on their resumes.
• 71% of hiring managers say skills learned through online platforms are credible.
• Yet hiring managers prefer formal education (53%) over self-taught learning (18%).
• 24% of job seekers say self-taught skills help them stand out, while 23% say it hurts their employment chances.
• 50% of hiring managers say their company has updated hiring processes to recognize and verify self-taught skills.

RETIREMENT REGRETS

Less than half of recent retirees are on track with their original retirement goals, according to our Harris Poll research with Nationwide.

• 55% of Americans who have retired in the last five years have regrets about how they saved for retirement.
• Only 40% are on track with their original budget and decumulation plan.
• 28% wish they started saving earlier.
• 50% have changed their retirement portfolio due to market turbulence.
• 41% of financial advisors say it’s a challenge for their clients to maintain their desired lifestyle within budget constraints.

IRL FINANCIAL ADVICE

Younger adults want more personalized financial advice than what their parents might have preferred, according to our Harris Poll research.

• 43% of younger Americans plan to switch asset managers from their parent’s current provider.
• 33% say misaligned values is a reason to switch.
• 38% want a collaborative relationship compared with 17% who want a digital relationship.
• Young people want in-person (29%) or phone (24%) communication versus email (19%) or text (7%).

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

• ‘Tis the season for reputation surveys; It’s time for a change (Stagwell / Allison Worldwide)
• C-suite request to communications: Help us see around corners (Allison Worldwide)
• Tinder says Gen Z still believes in true love – they just want a soft launch first (Harris Poll)
• Reflections on The Biggest Month in Sports: A Masterclass in Modern Storytelling (Sloane)
• Chinese Automakers in the U.S. Market (The 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. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

CHILDCARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN RETIREMENT

Childcare has overtaken retirement benefits in the workplace, and most employees believe their employer is falling behind, based on new Harris Poll research with KinderCare.

• 85% of all working parents say childcare benefits should be treated as essential – on par with health and retirement benefits.
• 79% of working parents would be more loyal to their company if their employer supported them better as a parent.
• 1 in 3 employers offers no child care benefits today.
• Parents report missing work (50%), reducing work hours (35%), and experiencing tension with managers (28%) and coworkers (24%) due to a lack of reliable child care.

EMPLOYEES = BEST STORYTELLERS

Consumers trust employees more than any other company communications for storytelling, according to our Harris Poll research.

• 74% say employees are more influential than marketing in shaping a company’s brand.
• 78% say posts from employees are more authentic than posts from official corporate accounts.
• 49% say posts from non-executives feel authentic, compared with 12% of posts from executives.
• Adults are more likely to apply (74%) and support (70%) a company after seeing employee experiences.
• Yet 64% of employees say they’ve rarely or never posted about their current employer, job or industry.
• 36% are not confident they can share honest opinions about their company online without fear of retaliation.

PETS OVER CHILDREN?

The perception that Gen Z and Millennials see pets are less of a financial burden than children is outdated, according to our Harris Poll research with Empower research.

• 42% of Gen Z and Millennials say they prefer pets to children because they view them as less financially burdensome.
• Yet, since 2020, pet care costs have increased more than childcare costs (34.6% higher for pets versus 25.8% higher for children).
• 43% of dog owners are concerned about rising costs of pet care.
• 60% of Gen Z and Millennial pet owners prioritize spending on their pets over themselves.
• 35% of Americans say their pets motivate them to work harder and seek higher pay.

UNSANCTIONED AI

Chief innovation officers are facing the consequences of an AI governance gap, according to our Harris Poll research with Dataitku.

• 89% of CIOs say unfettered AI access will create significant technical debt within organizations.
• 82% say they are creating AI apps and agents faster than IT can govern them.
• Only 25% have full visibility into all agents in production.

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

• Astrology Is The New Career Counselor (Harris Poll)
• Ask these 6 money questions on a first date (Harris Poll)
• Is ‘Design’ Creative? (Instrument)
• Guide to Ramadan 2026 (Assembly)
• The Numbers are Clear: Latest Iteration of Stagwell’s News Advertising Study Shows Germans Love Their News (Stagwell’s Future of News)

By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

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

GEN Z SAVING FOR A CAR, MILLENIALS FOR A VACATION

Saving money in 2026 differs widely depending on age group, based on our Harris Poll research with the American Institute of CPAs.

• 92% of Americans say they have financial goals for 2026.
• Gen Z is saving for a car (41%), a home (36%) or investing (39%).
• Millennials are saving for a vacation (36%), paying down debt (35%) or investing (35%).
• 46% of Gen X is saving for retirement.
• 33% of Boomers are paying down debt or investing.
• 52% of Millennials and 50% of Gen Z feel that 2026 will be financially better for them than 2025, compared to 42% of Gen X and only 29% of Boomers.
• Rising cost of living is stopping all generations from hitting their financial goals, including 59% of Boomers, 53% of Gen X, 44% of Millennials and 40% of Gen Z.

OPTING OUT OF THE ECONOMY

41% of Americans are “opting out” of the economy this year, and Gen Z is leading the charge, according to our Harris Poll research.

• 52% of Gen Z say they are finding ways to stop spending, compared with 48% of Millennials, 37% of Gen X and 29% of Boomers.
• 56% of Gen Z women and 49% of Gen Z men have no interest in supporting the economy this year – up 10 and 21 points respectively from last year.
• Reasons for opting out include protecting finances by cutting spending (31%), needing a mental health break from economic and business cultures (29%) and not wanting to support the current administration (28%).
• 41% of Gen Z say they don’t shop at their favorite store anymore because of their politics.
• Americans earning more than $100,000 are following suit: 49% of are shifting spending to align with their morals, and 40% are actively finding ways to disengage from the economy.

DISSING DATING APPS

Modern dating culture is evolving from app-led to more romantic and organic connections, according to Harris Poll’s Modern Dating Survey.

• 56% say app meetups are cringe compared, while 80% who meeting someone in real life is cute or cool.
• 72% say apps make dating feel more transactional than romantic.
• 75% say they want more curated ways to meet people than dating apps offer.
• 57% meet partners through friends, work or organically, compared with 24% who meet online.
• 75% say AI has made dating interactions harder to trust.
• See also: Valentine’s Day not just for romance any more
• See also: Highly attractive partners have ‘financial stability’–but these 4 money red flags doom a relationship

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

• PR’s New Influence: Shaping What AI Says
• The Era of Predictive Products Is Already Here
• Homecoming for Health at the Super Bowl
• The Moltbook Moment: A Turning Point for Communications
• The Death of Software? Forget It.

By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

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

WORRIED ABOUT AI TAKING YOUR JOB? CHANGE YOUR COLLAR COLOR

3 in 4 Americans today believe blue-collar jobs are more likely to be AI-proof, based on our Harris Poll research with the Business for Good Foundation.

• 76% believe jobs relying on hands-on or trade skills are less likely to be replaced by AI than other types of work.
• 80% say more people today are choosing trade skills training and certification programs over a traditional four-year college degree.
• 78% say the stigma around trade and blue-collar work is declining.
• 75% say that what they consider a “good job” today is very different from five years ago.
• See also: Americans are rethinking college in the search for economic mobility

AMERICANS’ MOOD STAYS MIXED

Americans have not changed their view of how the country is trending, yet they are slightly more upbeat about the economy, according to our January Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll.

• 38% say the country is on the right track – compared with 39% in December and 35% in September.
• 38% say the economy is on the right track – up 2 points from December.
• 35% say their financial situation is improving – up 2 points from December.
• Inflation (33%) is the top issue, followed by immigration (29%, up 3 points).
• 55% disapprove of how immigration enforcement agencies like ICE and Border Patrol (CBP) are enforcing laws in U.S. cities.
• 57% say ICE and CBP have gone too far.
• See also: Trump Approval Drops with 57% Saying ICE And CBP Have Gone too Far

DATING DEALBREAKER$

Financial dishonesty is a dating dealbreaker for Americans, according to our Harris Poll survey with NerdWallet. 

• 54% say a partner lying about his or her financial situation is a dealbreaker.
• Other dealbreakers: asking to borrow money (46%), expecting you to pay for dates (38%), not investing for the future (31%) and credit card debt (17%).
• 50% of American couples say they’ve lied or withheld financial information from their current partner, and 52% have lied to a previous partner.
• 18% have lied about purchases.
• 16% have lied about lending money to a friend or family member.
• 42% say talking about money early in a relationship is a red flag.
• 78% say it’s a green flag if a partner earns more money than them.
• See also: Only 55% of Gen Z feel like they’re ready for a romantic partnership

ENTERTAINMENT HABITS CHANGING

Viewer habits are changing rapidly and redefining the future of the entertainment industry, according to Stagwell’s National Research Group 2026 In the Frame study.

• 26% of all viewers and 35% of Gen Z found out about the most recent movie they watched from social media.
• Viewers want to see more content on friendship and loyalty (36%) and less about non-monogamy and polyamory (31%).
• Viewers are less interested in engaging with AI-created content: 36% less for movies, 37% less for TV or series and 42% less for podcasts.
• 74% of Millennials, 70% of Gen Z and 70% of Gen X are using streaming platforms over cable to watch live sports.
• Boomers are the only generation watching sports on cable (71%) over streaming (47%).
• 48% of viewers would be interested in watching live sports in a movie theater.

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

• Allison Worldwide Named Official Public Relations Partner for North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards (NACTOY)
• Ray Day hosts PRSA’s next AI Pulse on “the difference between traditional SEO success and AI credibility”
• The Super Bowl Is the One Night We Still Show Up Together
• We’ll Try Driverless Taxis Before We Trust Them: The Autonomous Acceptance Gap explains why

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:

TIKTOK REWRITING SPORTS FANDOM

TikTok and social media allow sports fans to engage in positive new ways, based on new National Research Group research.

• 62% of sports fans enjoy watching sports content on social media more than on traditional TV.
• 72% say TikTok, in particular, motivates them to play.
• 34% say TikTok motivates activity in sports/fitness through giving new ideas for sport activities or workouts to try.
• 35% who purchased a sports-related item seen on TikTok say the item was highlighted in a tutorial or “how-to” video.
• 50% prefer watching short clips, highlights or behind-the-scenes moments over full games (60% for Gen Z).
• Fans follow athletes on social media to see their lives off the field (61%), lifestyle and opinions (56%), and training regimens (52%).
• Fans younger than 45 are twice as likely to say the top season they engage with pro sports is to connect with athletes.
• See also: How can sports win over non-fans?

AI OUT, HUMOR IN AT SUPER BOWL

As Super Bowl approaches, viewers want to see funny ads, not AI-generated content, according to our Harris Poll research in Ad Age.

• While 55% of streaming or cable viewers are interested in AI-generated movies and TV shows, only 17% of Super Bowl viewers want to see AI-generated ads.
• Younger generations are more open: 21% of Gen Z and 28% of Millennials want to see AI-generated ads.
• 44% don’t like the idea of AI being used in ads at all.
• 36% would be more open to AI-generated ads if they disclosed that AI was used.
• 71% of viewers want to see funny ads at this year’s Super Bowl.
• 46% say they are more likely to remember funny ads.
• See also: 2 Million U.S. Employees May Miss Work on Super Bowl Monday

LEADERSHIP DISCONNECT

63% of senior leaders would seek input more often from their teams if it did not make them look weak, according to our Harris Poll research with Turas Leadership.

• Male leaders (71%) are more likely than female leaders (46%) to fear the cost of asking for team input.
• 90% wish their teams would challenge them more.
• At the same time, 63% of Gen Z and 52% of Millennials don’t feel confident expressing their opinions at work.

BENEFITS OF GLP-1

Weight loss drugs are becoming mainstream, and our Harris Poll research outlines the latest user trends and insights.

• Millennials are more likely to have taken or consider a GLP-1 (54%) than Gen X (48%), Gen Z (47%) and Boomers (26%).
• 64% of parents with children under 18 have taken or are considering a GLP-1.
• Top improvements from users include eating less low-quality food (50%), eating more high-quality natural food (44%) and decreasing “food noise” (43%).
• 52% of Millennials would take a GLP-1 if it also would help with an addiction like gambling, gaming or social media use.
• 48% of Americans would try a GLP-1 in pill form.

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

• How Social Media Screenings Affect Hiring Decisions
• How Gen Z’s Pursuit of Personal Growth Is Redefining Romance
• Study Shows Faith On Screen Can Win Over Audiences — Even The Non-Religious (new HarrisX research)
• ChatGPT is launching paid ads (Assembly insights)
• The future of AI search (Assembly insights)
• SPORT BEACH Clubhouse at Super Bowl LX

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:

HIRING OUTLOOK IMPROVES

Hiring managers are optimistic entering 2026, yet technology and skill gaps will continue disrupting employment, according to our Harris Poll study with Express Employment Professionals.

• 85% of hiring managers report a positive outlook for the year ahead.
• 2 out of 3 plan to increase headcount in the first half of 2026, focused on market expansion (38%) and seeking new skill sets (38%).
• 83% are willing to use contingent workers to meet business needs.
• 36% have open positions they can’t fill.
• Fewer companies are planning to hire students (33%) and retirees (10%).
• Increased use of technology (39%) and not replacing employees who leave (33%) are the top reasons for reducing staff.
• 91% of hiring managers expect employment obstacles in 2026, including AI related complexities (46%), finding qualified candidates (40%) and increased competition for talent (28%).
• See also: Gen Z is sick of working from home

AI APPROVAL GAP

The general public is more weary of AI use than corporate America, according to our Harris Poll report with JUST Capital.

• 80% of investors and 93% of executives see positive effects of AI use, yet only 58% of the general public agrees.
• 81% say business leaders have a responsibility to address the ethical use of AI.
• All parties agree AI-generated content needs to be watermarked: 86% of executives, 84% of investors and 78% of the general public.
• 90% say it is critical that companies ensure AI training and development are available to employees.

AI AS THE MARKETING CONNECTIVE TISSUE

B2B marketers are embracing AI to focus on customer experience and brand building, according to our Harris Poll survey with Madison Logic.

• 55% expect AI to reshape how strategies are developed and executed.
• 45% believe AI-powered search and assistants will dramatically change how customers discover brands.
• 33% say customer experience will be the key differentiator for growth.
• See also: 2026 will be the year marketers rediscover the basics

FINANCIAL SECURITY DOWN

Women and lower earners are feeling worse about the state of the economy, according to our Harris Poll survey with The Guardian.

• 45% of Americans say their financial security is worse (20% say better).
• 57% say the U.S. economy is in a recession – up 11% since last February.
• Women are less confident than men: 62% believe the U.S. is experiencing a recession, and 50% believe their financial security is worse (versus 52% of men who see a recession and 39% of men who say their financial security is worse).
• 59% of those making less than $50,000 a year say their financial situation is becoming worse, compared with 37% of those making more than $100,000.
• See also: Men More Financially Confident in the New Year

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

• New global CEO at Allison Worldwide
• The Rise of Emotion and Decline of Trust
• Stagwell turns Sport Beach into its own company
• Three Trends in the Mix for 2026: Connie Chan, Chief Growth Officer at Stagwell APAC
• 6 customer experience trends to watch in 2026

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:

MORE TRAVEL IN 2026

Half of Americans will spend more on travel in 2026 and less on material goods, according to our Harris Poll survey with Marriott Bonvoy.

• 91% of Americans plan to travel in 2026.
• 49% say they want to travel more than they did in 2025.
• 67% plan to prioritize experiences, such as travel, over material goods.
• 57% say carving out time to rest and recharge is the most meaningful benefit of travel.
• 70% of Millennials would rather give up dining out for six months than give up a vacation.
• See also: Big ideas that will define 2026

GEN Z LEADS WITH AI

Gen Z’s rapid adoption of AI is already enhancing their leadership and management skills, according to our Harris Poll research with Google Workspace.

• 82% of young leaders say they use AI tools at work.
• 93% of Gen Z use two or more AI tools a week, compared with 79% of Millennials.
• 75% actively recommend tools to colleagues.
• 70% use AI to draft emails, handle difficult messages or overcome language barriers.
• 50% say automating routine work frees them for strategic priorities.
• 47% see it enhancing team-wide communication and problem-solving.
• 86% feel AI can help current executives become better leaders.
• 98% expect AI to affect their industry or workplace within the next five years.
• See also: Gen Z is defiantly ‘giving up’ on ever owning a home

SEASON OF GIVING

Americans have donated more to charities this year than last, according to our Harris Poll research with Vanguard Charitable.

• 75% of Americans gave to charities this past year.
• Average giving reached $1,394 this year – a 29% increase from 2024.
• Donors who plan gifts with a budget are more likely (43%) to increase their donations than those without a budget (17%).

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

• AI Won’t End Marketing, It Will Elevate It To Its Full Potential
• The Return of Touch Report: Shopping, Reconnected
• Nearly 70% middle-aged Americans say caring for parents is stretching their finances
• Most Consumers Don’t Feel ‘Known’ By Their Financial Institution
• Inside Time Magazine’s AI Overhaul

By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

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

AMERICANS’ MOOD IMPROVES

Americans are more optimistic about the country and economy than previous months, yet inflation remains a top issue, according to our December Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll.

• 39% say the country is on the right track – up 4 points from November.
• 36% say the economy is on the right track – up 3 points from November.
• 1 in 3 say their financial situation is improving – up slightly.
• Inflation (36%) and the economy and jobs (29%) remain the top issues.
• 46% say they were personally affected by the government shutdown.
• 48% say 2020 – before the pandemic – was the last time the economy was “good.”
• See also: 57% say Trump is losing battle against inflation

GIFT-GIVING STRESS

The holiday season means more stress for employees who feel pressure to give gifts, based on our Harris Poll survey with Express Employment Professionals.

• 94% of U.S. hiring managers say their company hosts celebrations, most commonly for holidays (61%), birthdays (51%) and work anniversaries (50%).
• 64% say employees regularly exchange gifts.
• While 87% of employees say their company hosts celebrations where gift exchanges are common, half feel pressured to give gifts to coworkers.
• 46% feel pressured to spend a specific amount on gifts.
• Gen Z and Millennials are significantly more likely than Gen X to feel this pressure, such as giving gifts to managers (33% of Gen Z and 29% of Millennials say it’s a stressor versus 10% of Gen X).
• 62% say gift-giving fosters a sense of obligation that can negatively affect team dynamics.

CEOS BULLISH ON AI

Business leaders admit that AI will affect some jobs, yet say the overall effect of this technology will be positive to society, according to new National Research Group research presented at the Wall Street Journal’s 2025 CEO Council Summit.

• 68% of CEOs say AI will weaken the U.S. job market, yet agree it will strengthen productivity and output, the U.S. and global economies and U.S. global competitiveness.
• 78% are bullish on AI’s impact on workplace efficiency and innovation.
• 85% see AI as entering a healthy growth phase rather than a bubble.
• Looking at 2026, CEOs are most concerned about inflation (77.5% say it’s a negative), tariffs (70.6% negative) and U.S.-China relations (68.6% negative).

RETIREMENT WORRYING GEN X

Late preparation has left Gen X uncertain of retirement realities, according to our Harris Poll report with Nationwide.

• 61% of Gen Xers didn’t view retirement as a priority until age 50 or later (26% say age 60 or later).
• 89% believe cost of living is making it harder to retire comfortably.
• To prepare, Gen X has cut discretionary spending (40%), increased contributions to retirement accounts (34%), sought out professional financial advice (23%) and shifted their investment strategy to reduce risk (19%).
• Despite these measures, 25% are concerned their savings won’t last more than 14 years.
• 16% are planning to retire later than initially hoped.
• 15% don’t know if they’ll ever be able to retire.
• 39% of financial advisors say insufficient retirement income is one of the biggest obstacles for Gen X retirement readiness.

ENTREPRENEURIAL BACK-UP PLAN

83% of Americans view owning a business as a viable alternative to traditional jobs, according to our Harris Poll research with Entrepreneur’s Source.

• 70% of Americans believe business ownership offers greater opportunities than traditional jobs in today’s economy.
• 61% say business ownership is the key to thriving in an AI-driven world.
• 69% say business ownership is the best protection against ageism (highest amongst Millennials at 76%).
• 83% of parents say funding a child’s business is a good investment in their long-term financial security.
• 64% even consider financially supporting their child’s business a smarter investment than paying college tuition.

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

• Everyone needs to listen to why this Chief Communications Officer got fired
• As AI’s novelty wears off, workers want it to be better
• Tech companies, not the government, are positioned to act on mental health
• The Preventive Care Tradeoff: How Rising Costs Are Reshaping Family Finances
• Six-figure earners are ‘living the illusion of affluence’ while working side hustles, skipping meals, and pretending Venmo’s not working
• Allison Worldwide hires Jeremy Lucas as first Europe CEO