In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first two states to legalize the recreational use of cannabis. Since then, eight more states (and the nation of Canada) have adopted similar measures and 33 states have passed legislation allowing for medical use of cannabis. Many expect that federal legalization will come within the next ten years, which means that the cannabis industry will only continue to grow in size and revenue.

At 83 million strong, Millennials now make up one quarter of the U.S. population. As such a large group, they also represent $200 billion in spending power – the second-most of any generation behind Baby Boomers. Accordingly, it would behoove brands in the financial services industry to cater to this ascending group. However, finances are a touchy subject for Millennials, as evidenced by their feelings about credit cards. Here, we take a look at their behavior and concerns to understand how financial institutions can get Millennials interested in their offerings.

Though not quite as ubiquitous as the NBA or NCAA football, NCAA basketball has a large following in the U.S., with over 58% of the population interested in the March Madness tournament. Whether it’s at the games, at the bar, or at home on the television, brands will be looking to reach these consumers. In order to get the most out their investments, though, brands must have a deep understanding of who these fans really are, what they love, and where they can be reached.

Hailing from Hartsdale, New York, Farah Brigante recently joined the Inspira team as Creative Director. To get to know her better, read along in this edition of the Employee Spotlight!

Whether it’s enjoying a mimosa at brunch or a late-night martini, consumers agree that there’s nothing like a well-crafted drink. But, instead of trying to mix the perfect cocktail at home, Americans prefer to leave it to the professionals. Here, we look at on-premise cocktail consumption to discover the emerging marketplace trends and consumer preferences.

In fewer than 25 years, Amazon has captured almost half of all e-commerce sales and revolutionized the way we shop. Amazon has mastered personalization at scale through innovations in machine learning and its commitment to customer service.

In the world of non-alcoholic beverages, Americans are always excited to try the latest, most exciting products – and brands have taken notice. Whether it was sparkling waters, coffees, teas, or anything in between, brands flooded the market with more than 4,000 new product launches in the year of 2018. Here, we take a look at trends from those beverage innovations and what they tell us about the future of the non-alcoholic beverage category.

Maddie Hubler, a native of Ridgefield, Connecticut and graduate of the University of Iowa, recently joined the Inspira team as an Associate on the Planning & Measurement team. To get to know Maddie better, read along in this edition of the Employee Spotlight.

Is romance dead? By all indications, it may be so. The percentage of Americans planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day has fallen to its lowest level in more than a decade. Only a little more than half of U.S. adults say they plan to celebrate, down from two-thirds a decade ago. But all is not lost -- among those who have been hit by Cupid’s bow, spending is up! Here, we look at how Americans prepare and celebrate one of the biggest consumer holidays of the calendar year.

In the past decade, there has been a massive shift in consumer behavior. Instead of buying things, consumers are increasingly choosing to invest in experiences. If there’s any doubt, just think about the massive popularity of engagements like Refinery 29’s “29 Rooms” or the Museum of Ice Cream.