Last Friday, the Association of National Advertisers hosted a virtual gala in honor of the 37th annual REGGIE Awards. The REGGIE Awards are among the most coveted in the world of marketing and signify best-in-class brand activations chosen by a jury of over 200 industry leaders.
While old trends becoming new again is a relative constant in some industries, such as fashion, it’s unclear how many of us foresaw the return of the drive-in movie theater in 2020. However, given the constraints put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, drive-ins have seen a huge resurgence – especially in states where citizens are no longer sheltering in-place.
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, CNBC created a content series called "The Next Normal," which seeks business leaders' perspectives on how life and business will change as we move toward a new normalcy. As part of their feature, "Working Home is Here to Stay, Even When the Economy Opens," our founder and CEO, Jeff Snyder, was asked to share his thoughts on the return to the workplace. To hear what he had to say, read along on CNBC.
Coming at a time of collective unease and jarring disruption, Mental Health Awareness Month feels particularly crucial this year. As mentioned in our latest infographic, 44% of Americans say their mental health has worsened since March, and 90% are looking for ways to improve their wellbeing. So, how can brands help? Below, we share three ways to genuinely connect with consumers and provide solutions throughout this month:
Like all other events that are mainstays on our calendars, Mother’s Day projects to be a little bit different in 2020. However, that’s not to say that the day of appreciation for the women in our lives will go by the wayside. In fact, 78% of consumers say that celebrating Mother’s Day is even more important to them given the current state of the pandemic. That sentiment is also expected to bring an increase in spending over last year – in spite of all the economic concerns surrounding COVID-19. Below, we share Americans’ plans and priorities for Mother’s Day 2020.
Though citizens across the country are more than ready for new normalcy to take hold, the unfortunate reality is that it’s going to be some time before large-scale live experiences are commonplace again. And even when they do, things will be different. In the meantime, brands have been adapting by creating virtual experiences that allow consumers to engage from afar.
The COVID-19 crisis has presented a great deal of challenges to citizens across the country and globe. From public health and economic concerns to the isolation as a result of social distancing, there is a lot on everyone's minds. So, how are Americans coping with these changes? With May representing Mental Health Awareness Month, let's take a look at how consumers of all different ages are taking care of their bodies and minds during this time.
With citizens across the country sheltering in place for the time being, our ways of life have been turned upside down. For many, the commute to work has been limited to a commute to the other room. That fitness class or gym session has morphed into a virtual one from within the comforts of home. Even the way that we eat food, an essential commodity for life, has changed drastically. Though many restaurants are still offering delivery, the fact of the matter is that all the time spent at home has led to major shifts in consumption behavior.
When the NBA announced the suspension of its season on March 11th after a player tested positive for COVID-19, it set off a chain reaction that no one could have foreseen just months ago. From March Madness and the Masters to the Stanley Cup playoffs and Summer Olympics, sporting activities have come to a screeching halt. While public health and economic concerns remain the most important issues of the COVID-19 crisis, sports have always served as an escape for the millions of Americans who would welcome such a distraction during this time.
As we move our way through mid-April, people across the country are passing the one-month mark in terms of time spent in social distancing. Over that time period, consumer purchase behavior has followed a rather distinct pattern, with cleaning products, pantry items, paper products, and a few other categories seeing a major surge in sales. However, as the calendar moves forward, consumers are further settling into their routines and keeping non-essential purchases to a minimum.