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 NEEDS A MENTOR

Amid job uncertainty and lack of confidence navigating the market, Gen Z needs a mentor, according to our Harris Poll report with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

• 82% of managers say Gen Z lacks the necessary skills in the workplace.
• 41% of Gen Z feel highly confident navigating today’s job market.
• 74% lack access to mentorship.
• Mentorship benefits: opening doors to possibilities they never would have seen on their own (84%), bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world success (83%), feeling more confident about decision making (81%) and having conversations with an adult outside of their family (65%).

VISUALS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

Visual communication is a critical tool to drive business results, according to our Harris Poll research with Canva.

• 91% believe visuals communicate better than text.
• 88% of leaders say visual fluency is a must-have skill for leadership positions.
• Only 22% of organizations consider themselves design-led, and 32% say they are visually forward.
• 63% of leaders say encouraging experimentation with AI would improve visual fluency across their organization.

CURIOUS BUT CAUTIOUS ABOUT AI

Americans are intrigued by AI yet not fully convinced, based on our latest Harris Poll Quest data.

• Adoption is growing: 8% use AI several times a day, 15% daily and 22% weekly.
• Trust gap: 40% distrust AI for personal advice, and only 14% say they would “definitely” use AI to help manage money.
• Workplace gains: 42% say AI helps them be more productive, especially for research (40%) and writing tasks (28%).
• Consumers are using AI for price comparisons (39%) and product search (39%).

THE RISE OF FINTECH

Americans who are watching their money more closely increasingly are leaning on fintech apps and tools, according to the 2025 U.S. Fintech Effect Report by the Harris Poll and Plaid.

• 81% of consumers are actively looking for financial education.
• 61% say economic worries make them more reliant on digital financial tools.
• 77% insist their bank be able to connect to their apps of choice.
• 66% would consider switch banks if connectivity weren’t possible.

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By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

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

INFLATION OVERSHADOWS ECONOMIC PROGRESS

While more Americans say their financial situation is improving, inflation concerns remain high, based on our August HarvardCAPS / Harris Poll.

• 40% say the country is on the right track – same as July.
• 38% say the U.S. economy is on the right track – same as July.
• 35% say their personal financial situation is improving (up 3 points from July).
• Inflation (34%) and the economy (31%) are the top two issues, while immigration dropped to 26% (down 3 points from July).
• 48% say inflation is the most important issue to them personally – up from 45% in July and 39% in June.
• 14 of 15 Trump policies receive support from the majority of Americans – with the most popular policies being lowering prescription drug prices for Medicare recipients and low-income patients (86%), deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes (75%) and eliminating fraud and waste in government expenditures (73%).
• Not popular: Making cost cuts to Medicaid programs by adding work requirements for those up to 64-years-old (56% of the country opposes this policy).
• 59% say President Trump will not solve the Ukraine war, and 64% say he will not solve the Israel-Hamas war.

HIRING FRUSTRATION GROWS

High-salary job seekers and employers are struggling with a lengthy and unsuccessful hiring processes, according to our Harris Poll survey with Indeed.

• 64% of high-salary job seekers say it’s difficult to get hired.
• 44% of employers say it’s hard to hire high-salary employees.
• 42% of employers and 57% of job seekers agree the hiring process is taking longer.
• 56% of employers claim there are too many candidates (51% of job seekers say the same).
• 39% of employers are seeing more candidates per job opening than last year.
• 44% of job seekers point to fewer job openings as a result of the economy (74%) and layoffs and restructuring (45%).
• 55% of employers think candidates would be willing to accept a lower salary. Yet only 37% of job seekers agree.

MORE TREES, PLEASE

While a large majority of Americans appreciate the impact of tress and green spaces on their mental health, less than a fifth are planting trees, according to our Harris Poll report with the Arbor Day Foundation.

• 87% of Americans say trees and green spaces have a noticeable, positive impact on their mental wellbeing.
• 95% see the value of trees in their communities for their ability to clean air, provide shade and provide privacy.
• 84% say spending time in nature brings them hope and optimism about the future.
• Yet only 19% have planted a tree in the last year.

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By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

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

U.S. LEADERSHIP CRISIS

A major lack of trust and value alignment exists between Americans and public leaders, according to our Harris Poll research with U.S. News.

• 77% say they don’t see any public leaders they admire or would want to emulate.
• Disappointment in leaders varies by sector: 73% for health care, 72% for business and 68% for education.
• 85% say government officials and other community leaders care more about their own power and influence than what’s best for the people they represent.
• More than half (56%) associate political figures with leadership, but only 31% consider them trustworthy.
• 82% say the values held by business leaders don’t align with those of everyday Americans.
• 80% say the current public service leaders aren’t prepared to adequately respond to the new crises of today.

GEN Z WANTS TO BE RICH QUICKLY

High cost of living and student loan debts mean Gen Z wants to gain financial independence as early as age 32 and will be creative to reach their financial goals, according to our Harris Poll research with dub.

• 94% of Gen Z want to hit financial independence before 55.
• 60% believe a traditional job won’t help them reach their financial goals.
• 62% of Gen Z use social media over traditional advisors for financial advice (36% of all Americans).
• See also: Are You Making These Retirement Mistakes? How a HENRY Can Prepare

AI FOR FINANCIAL ADVICE?

While Americans trust humans more than AI for financial advice, many are in favor of the two working together, according to our Harris Poll research with Northwestern-Mutual.

• Americans trust humans more than AI for all financial scenarios, including creating a retirement plan (56%), asking a financial question (55%) and managing an investment portfolio (53%).
• 47% would prefer to work with a financial advisor who understands and uses AI (54% for Gen Z and Millennials).

DISRUPTOR MEDIA SHOWCASE: Join Stagwell, SKDK and Targeted Victory on Sept. 16 in D.C. for the inaugural Disruptor Media Showcase – a session for advertisers and industry leaders offering an early look at how publishers are engaging audiences in today’s fast-evolving media landscape. RSVP and see participating publishers here.

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By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

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

FRUGAL HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Holiday shopping will increase at a slower rate than previous years and will be defined by intentional spending, according to Assembly’s 2025 holiday preview.

• Holiday sales will rise 1.2%, below the full-year growth rate of 1.4%.
• 51% of consumers say tariffs will have an impact on their holiday shopping.
• Electronics (50%) and toys (42%) have the perception of being most affected by tariffs due to global sourcing and price sensitivity.
• 87% say they plan to start shopping earlier or at the same time as last year.
• Women are 25% more likely to already know what they want to buy than men.
• Early shoppers want to spread out spending and manage their budget (47%) and take advantage of early deals (46%).
• Consumers are buying fewer gifts for several reasons: 77% will try to find more practical options, 71% want to give more meaningful gifts, and 33% are opting for handmade items.
• Younger consumers ages (ages 25-34) are opting for connection over consumption: 53% prefer giving experiences over physical items, and 57% prefer giving gifts that create shared experiences.

GEN Z NOT EXCITED ABOUT SKILLED TRADES

While skilled trades offer a respected career path, they are thought of less highly by younger generations, according to our Harris Poll report.

• 91% of Americans say trade jobs are just as important to society as white-collar jobs.
• 90% say most people don’t realize how well-paying skilled trades can be.
• 86% say skilled trade careers are overlooked in schools today.
• Younger generations don’t think as highly of skilled trades: 36% of Gen Z strongly agree skilled trades offer a more affordable path to a good career.
• 38% of Gen Z say skilled trades offer the best job opportunities (compared with 40% of Millennials, 45% of Gen X and 59% of Boomers).
• See also: Parents Want More Than ABCs from Early Education

POWER OF TV ADVERTISING ON PRESCRIPTION MEDS

Second to doctors, TV ads are the most popular way consumers learn about new medications, according to our Harris Poll research with Cadent.

• 62% of consumers use TV ads as a primary source for learning about new prescription and over-the-counter drugs (compared with 68% for doctors).
• 70% said they would ask their doctor about a prescription med after seeing an ad for it.
• 75% said that receiving educational info about health conditions from a pharma company is “valuable.”
• 69% said they trust the educational info they receive from pharma companies.
• At the same time, 57% said they find it annoying when they visit a health website and then receive ads for a related medication.

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By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

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

GEN Z IS NOT WORKING 9 TO 5

The younger generation is relying on investing and social media to reach their financial goals instead of traditional full-time jobs, according to our Harris Poll research with MarketWatch.

• 51% of Gen Z think a 9-to-5 isn’t essential for achieving financial success.
• 60% say that working a full-time job won’t allow them to reach their financial goals (compared with 35% of Boomers).
• Instead, Gen Z is relying on side hustles, entrepreneurship and investing to achieve their goals.
• 62% of Gen Z say they receive financial advice from social media (compared with 36% of all Americans).
• 65% believe investing is their best shot at becoming a millionaire.
• See also: Why Gen Zs Trust TikTok Influencers Over Teachers

COLLEGE SAVING PLANS HAVE A REPUTATION PROBLEM

Parents are asking if “college is still worth it?,” based on our Harris Poll research with Intuit Credit Karma.

• For most generations, 529 college savings plans have been a default strategy for most parents looking to start a college fund.
• Today 65% of American families say they are saving for their children’s future.
• Yet fewer than a quarter now are using a 529 plan.
• Among those not contributing to or considering a 529 plan, most say it’s because they’ve never heard of it before.
• Among those who have or had a 529, 19% have closed their plans early, and another 22% have considered doing so.
• See also: What do Americans think about the skilled trades?

DEALERS VERSUS CONSUMERS IN CAR BUYING

Today’s automotive landscape highlights a significant gap between auto dealers and buyers, according to our Harris Poll study with Urban Science.

• 94% of dealers think the direct-to-consumer model appeals to consumers, yet only 64% of auto buyers agree.
• 64% of auto buyers cite affordability as their biggest concern (compared with 40% of dealers).
• 3 in 5 auto buyers believe tariffs will have a negative impact on the U.S. auto industry.
• 67% have changed their plans or experienced higher costs due to recent automotive tariffs.
• 78% of dealers say they will be increasing their focus on selling EVs.
• 87% reported increased sales revenue from EVs in the past five years – up from 67% last year.
• Buyers are split on EV adoption: 48% agree that they will be ready for EV-only options by 2040, and 48% said they never will be ready.

AI DRIVES GROWTH

Executives say AI-led software development has led to a 44% increase in revenue, according to our Harris Poll report with GitLab.

• 58% of C-suite executives report their organization experienced business growth from software innovation efforts.
• 91% of executives say software innovation is a core business priority.
• 80% say they’re willing to invest more than half of their company’s IT budget in software development.
• 73% believe human input for human-AI partnership should be at least 50/50.
• Only 27% believe AI should do the majority of the work.

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By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

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

6 IN 10 FEEL FINANCIALLY STRAINED

Despite positive economic indicators, more Americans are facing a turbulent financial reality, according to the Economic Trust Report by the Harris Poll and Kikoff.

• 57% of Americans today feel financially strained.
• 37% say the way the U.S. government talks about the economy doesn’t reflect their financial reality.
• 22% trust the financial data provided by the government.
• Americans are turning to financial advisors (43%), friends and family (42%) and fintech platforms (32%) for more trusted financial advice.
• 24% opened a new credit card within the past year to cover an unexpected expense.
• 55% don’t know the amount of their current credit card debt.
• 23% delayed a major life event in the last year to protect their credit score.
• See also: Retailers In The Crosshairs Over Tariff-Driven Price Hikes
• See also: 32% of Americans unprepared financially for natural disasters

WORLD CUP SCORES WITH AMERICANS

Soccer (football) is experiencing a surge in fandom and culture relevance in the U.S., based on our Harris Poll research.

• 45% of Americans say their interest in soccer is increasing – up 17% from 2020.
• 70% of fans say they are more excited about the 2026 World Cup specifically because it will be held in North America.
• 54% agree that they pay attention to the brands that sponsor soccer teams and/or events such as the World Cup.
• 65% say that people in America are soccer fans, but soccer is not an “American” sport.
• Overall, 72% of Americans say they’re interested in soccer, lower than 92% of Mexicans, 82% of British and 80% of Germans.

PTO BY THE POOL

U.S. employees are prioritizing single days off this summer to relax by the pool rather than saving PTO until the end of the year, according to our Harris Poll survey with ResortPass.

• Americans report feeling happier (55%), more productive (51%) and patient (40%) after taking just a single day off.
• 28% believe it’s becoming more acceptable to take regular individual days off work.
• 55% say spending time near water is part of a perfect day.
• 62% of employed Americans say relaxing is among their top priorities for time off – versus 33% who prioritize adventure.
• See also: Forget quiet quitting – 4 in 10 millennials are taking ‘quiet vacations’ and checking out of work (and the country) on company dime instead

SOUND SOOTHES STRESS

Consumers are relying on audio content as a way to reduce stress, according to our National Research Group report.

• 41% consume audio content to decompress, relax or recharge (42% for background noise and 53% to be entertained).
• Consumers turn to audio content for a break from screens (77%) and to give their eyes and mind a rest (74%).
• 71% say listening to podcasts or music helps them feel more present than scrolling on a phone.
• 36% stream music while working or studying (54% for Gen Z).
• 66% trust podcast hosts more than other types of online influencers.

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By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

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

LINGERING INFLATION CONCERNS

Fewer Americans say the country is on the right track, and inflation concerns remain high, based on our July Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll.

• 40% say the country is on the right track – down from 41% in June.
• 38% say the U.S. economy is on the right track – down from 39% in June.
• 43% say their personal financial situation is getting worse (up 4 points since May).
• Democrats, Independents, women, older, Black and rural Americans are more likely to say their finances are getting worse.
• Inflation (32%) and immigration (29%) remain the top two issues, consistent with June.
• 24% say healthcare is the most important issue – up from 18% in June.
• 45% say inflation is the most important issue to them personally – up from 39% last month.
• Americans are split on how the Big Beautiful Bill will affect the economy (52% say it will make the economy worse, and 48% say it will improve it).
• See also: Half of Active Duty Military Report “Just Getting By” Financially

NO JOBS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Young Americans are facing uncertain futures as they feel unprepared, unsupported and anxious about navigating today’s career landscape, according to our HarrisX study with the Schultz Family Foundation.

• 1 in 3 young adults say a career is the area in life most important to their success.
• 57% are concerned or unsure whether there will be enough job opportunities in the market.‍
• 46% feel unprepared for jobs of the future.
• 54% are concerned about whether AI will replace the jobs they seek.
• 45% describe the job market as broken and lacking meaningful guidance.
• 48% say they don’t know where to look for educational and career opportunities.
• 65% are still trying to discover what motivates them or where their passions lie.
• Parents and young people are disconnected: 71% of parents say their child had an easy time finding a job, while only 52% of young adults say the same.
• 40% of young adults and 66% of parents believe the American Dream is achievable.

TALKING FINANCE ON THE FIRST DATE?

Americans, especially younger generations, are prioritizing positive financial habits over looks in prospective romantic partners, according to our Harris Poll survey with the Current.

• Low or no debt (33%) and a strong credit score (30%) are more powerful attractors than physical appearances.
• Gen Z (19%) and Millennials (22%) say bad credit is a bigger turnoff than bad hygiene.
• 33% of Gen Z and Millennials say a potential partner’s emergency savings is more attractive than their looks (23% of Gen X and 18% of Boomers).
• Younger generations are more likely to end a relationship due to debt: 19% for Gen Z and 17% for Millennials versus 8% for Gen X and 5% for Boomers.
• 39% of Americans think improving their credit score could bolster a couple’s bonds.

FRUGAL BACK-TO-SCHOOL

Tariff-related price increases multiply the economic stress anticipated by families during the back-to-school shopping season, according to our Harris Poll report with NerdWallet.

• 56% of parents say the back-to-school season is financially stressful.
• 23% say they’ll use “Buy Now, Pay Later” services for back-to-school purchases.
• 26% have already purchases tech items for the school year to avoid tariff price increases.
• Other saving strategies include buying different brands (39%), shopping with different retailers (35%) and cutting back on clothing (27%) and supplies (25%) purchases.
• 25% say they’ll seek out free options for this year’s school supplies.

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By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

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

FEMALE CANARIES IN THE COAL MINE?

Two thirds of American women today are adjusting their budgeting and shopping in preparation for a recession, based on our Harris Poll research with The Guardian.

• More women than men (62% of women versus 48% of men) are cutting back on their discretionary spending, switching to lower-cost brands (56% versus 45%) and entering “low-buy mode” (46% versus 39%) in anticipation of an economic slow-down.
• Women are significantly more concerned about overall economic uncertainty than men (83% for women versus 73% for men).
• 62% of women say the economy is worsening, versus 47% of men.
• 70% of Gen Z women say their financial health is all they think about today.
• Women also are 13 percentage points more likely to be shoring up their emergency funds than men (76% versus 63%).
• Women in relationships report being primarily responsible for their household’s shopping (70%) and tracking household expenses (59%).

AI-LITERATE HELP WANTED

In a world of AI, which skills are needed in the workplace? The Harris Poll’s new 2025 ETS Human Progress Report: HR Edition gives an inside glimpse into how HR leaders will assess tomorrow’s talent.

• 67% of HR decision-makers say AI literacy is an essential skill for new hires, yet only 39% of U.S. employees report being proficient in this area.
• At the same time, only 24% of employees in the U.S., UK and France have access to AI coaching for personalized skills development – compared with 53% who have such a benefit in India and 30% in China.
• 70% of employees would trust an AI coach to help them identify skills they need to learn to accelerate their careers.
• 90% of chief human resources officers say their organization is finding the need to hire outside the standard four-year college degree.
• 86% of HR decision-makers say focusing on college degrees as an employment filter is a dated practice, leaving talent on the table.
• The key challenges for HR decision makers are verifying skill sets (73%) and upskilling and reskilling employees (70%).
• 86% of employees say certifying their skills improves their overall career trajectory.
• 6 in 10 expect a world of verified resumes and digital skill wallets to showcase their value to the market.

PICK UP THE PHONE!

Most Americans will forego restaurants that do not answer their phones, according to our Harris Poll research with Hostie.

• 63% of Americans say calling is their preferred way to contact a restaurant.
• 58% of calls to restaurants go unanswered.
• 69% say they’re likely to give up on going to a restaurant if no one answers the phone (72% for Millennials).
• Other methods of communication include speaking with staff in person (34%), using reservation apps (30%) and messaging via a restaurant’s website (29%).
• 89% would be open to using an AI agent – versus a live person – for making a reservation (47%), tracking an order or checking wait times/availability (42%), searching for special offers (39%) and placing a pickup or delivery order (38%).

AMERICANS NEED HELP, BUT STRUGGLE TO GET IT

Americans are feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of daily life, yet they don’t feel they can ask for help, according to our Harris Poll research with Duckbill.

• 64% of Americans are just trying to get through the day, instead of enjoying it.
• 67% of young adults ages 18-34 say time feels like a luxury they can’t afford (74% for women in the same age group).
• 22% say they avoid or procrastinate scheduling their own doctor’s appointments (31% of women ages 18-34).
• 48% say they feel they should be able to handle things themselves.
• 47% of women say they don’t want to burden others by asking for help.

HITTING THE ROAD

Despite economic pressures, Americans are traveling more this summer than last, according to our Harris Poll report with the Out of Home Advertising Association of America.

• 83% of Americans plan to travel for leisure this year (90% of Gen Z).
• 1 in 4 travelers say they will spend more this year than last summer.
• In the past week, 79% rode in a car and 58% walked in a city or downtown area.
• 4 in 10 say they are driving more today than before the pandemic.
• Most will take about nine days off, and more than one in five are planning two weeks or more.
• See also: What’s next in travel and communications?

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By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

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

FITTING IN

While most hiring managers want new hires to fit with an existing company culture, many are growing more open to adapting to a more modern era, according to our Harris Poll research with Express Employment Professionals.

• 44% of employees say it’s time for company culture to evolve with the times (59% of women and 49% of men).
• 84% of hiring managers say their organization is open to changing its culture to meet business needs.
• Top reasons for changing company culture include: retaining current employees (42%), boosting morale across the board (41%), attracting more qualified candidates (39%) and broadening their appeal to job seekers in general (32%).

AI ADVANTAGE

As AI becomes increasingly popular in the modern workplace, Gen Z stands out as the top adopters, according to our Harris Poll research with UKG.

• 70% of Gen Z employees say they’ve taught themselves most of the AI tools they use at work (58% of Gen X and 40% of Boomers).
• 49% say their bosses don’t understand the benefits of AI.
• 89% feel AI should be viewed as a tool, not a co-worker.
• AI appropriate tasks include highly repetitive or routine responsibilities (49%), data-intensive duties (42%), time-consuming tasks (38%), tasks that require little judgment, empathy or nuance (35%), and tasks that are often prone to human error (34%).
• 79% believe AI tools could free up time to focus on more important or rewarding parts of their jobs (90% for Gen Z).

SUMMER BLUES

Younger Americans are relying on a variety of mostly online tactics to combat emotional overwhelm, according to our Harris Poll survey with Naropa University.

• 68% of Gen Z agree they often put other people’s emotional needs ahead of their own.
• 61% say they don’t know where to turn when they feel emotionally overwhelmed.
• 63% of Gen Z and Millennials find mental health information on social media (compared with 43% of Gen X and 18% of Boomers).
• Gen Z coping tactics include listening to music (64%), binge watching TV (47%), doomscrolling (29%) and retail therapy (27%).

DELIVERY NOT INCLUDED

Most Americans now prefer to buy big-ticket items in-store rather than risk receiving them via unsafe delivery, based on our Harris Poll research with Position Imaging.

• 70% of Americans buy big items in-store due to delivery concerns.
• 68% of apartment residents would shop more online with secure delivery rooms.
• More than 80% of younger buyers are speeding up purchases to avoid tariffs and shortages.

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By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

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

THE TOLL OF STUDENT LOANS

The burden of student loans affects much more than just borrowers’ credit scores, according to our Harris Poll report with Credit Karma.

• 7 million Credit Karma members with federal student loans are delinquent.
• 58% say that their student loan debt is the biggest financial stressor that they face today.
• 44% estimate to have more than $50,000 in federal student loan debt.
• 72% say their credit score has declined as a result of being delinquent.
• 68% who are delinquent or in default on their loans say their current income is not sufficient to cover both their living expenses and student loan payments.
• 25% say they’ve been threatened to have their wages or government benefits garnished because of unpaid student loan debt.
• 67% of those who are delinquent or in default say it has caused them significant anxiety and/or depression.
• 91% are taking steps to make payments: taking on additional work to increase income (32%), decreasing non-essential spending (30%), applying for an income-driven repayment (28%) and applying for forbearance or deferment (25%) are the top steps.

SIDE HUSTLE CULTURE

More workers are looking for additional sources of income to combat financial anxiety, according to our Harris Poll survey with the American Staffing Association.

• 64% of workers say they’re likely to get a second job or side hustle in the next year.
• 75% of workers with children said they were likely to seek additional work (55% without children).
• 28% of workers who rent said they’d have less than a month of savings as a financial cushion (14% for homeowners).
• 19% said their savings could cover less than a month of expenses.

TRENDS OF GEN Z

Gen Z shoppers are trend-driven, embracing social media and AI tools, according to our Harris Poll survey by QuestDIY.

• 40% of Gen Z shoppers report buying new products based on trends.
• 33% participated in live shopping events on social media.
• 21% relied on AI-powered product recommendations.
• 33% used chatbots for customer service.
• 27% shopped using voice assistants.
• 33% are willing to pay 5-10% more for sustainable products.

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

• The Harris Poll and Quad: The Return of Touch Report
• New Madison Logic Survey By Harris Poll Finds 96% of B2B Marketing Leaders Polled Are Changing Their Marketing Strategies Due to the Current Economic Climate
• The PR Week Podcast: Jonathan Heit, Allison
• Mondelēz leverages Harris Poll insights to lead the conversation in snacking
• Decoding the Paradoxes of Trust
• Cannes Lions 2025 takeaways and insights from ad executives