From social to chatbots, digital communication has opened the door for more immediate engagement between consumers and brands. Consumers expect those conversations to be personalized and authentic at every touchpoint; and a brand’s performance during those interactions has a huge impact on customer relationships. Researchers found that those brands that communicate with them, rather than at them, build long-lasting emotional connections with consumers. Here, we look at the human characteristics consumers look for in brands and how consumer experience can impact business outcomes.

This may come as a surprise, but social media is no longer purely “social.” Researchers found that activities are increasingly centered around content, news, entertainment, and brand discovery rather than friends and family connections. Here, we learn how and why the shift is occurring.

Food trends come and go, but as tastes change, so do the needs of consumers. The shift to a wellness-focused lifestyle has resulted in a more mindful approach to food. Consumers are re-prioritizing how and what they eat and the need for reassurance about the safety of food has led to an increased demand for ethically and environmentally sourced products. As consumers seek out healthier food and beverages, brands will have to consider how they position their products and understand what claims are most important to consumers.

A growing body of evidence reveals that consumer purchase decisions are linked to corporate values. Researchers found that 87% of consumers say they would purchase a product because a company advocated for an issue they care about, and more than three quarters would refuse to purchase a product if they found it supported an issue that was contrary to their beliefs. As brands are increasingly expected to take a position on social or political issues, they must be careful to choose positions and causes that authentically align with their practices, or risk being perceived as inauthentic.

Generation Z isn’t your typical generation of teens. Instead of following trends, they set them; they’re media savvy, sophisticated, and acutely attuned to marketing hype. To win GenZ, brands must be clear about what they stand for, build trust, and provide opportunities for engagement and co-creation. Here, we look at who they are, their social media preferences, and how brands can connect with these 80 million consumers who influence nearly $4 billion in discretionary spending.

Years ago, consumers would visit an average of five auto dealerships before purchasing a car. Today, they visit an average of two. Even before consumers sit in the driver’s seat, they’ve already spent hours researching auto brands online. And, by the time they reach the dealer, most have already decided on a brand, or more specifically, a model.

Anyone who follows the world of professional sports can see that the landscape is changing - and rapidly, at that. Audiences like Millennials have come of age and, with that, are wielding their purchasing power. The way that they consume sports is changing, too, with many eschewing cable television for direct-to-consumer offerings and mobile apps.

By 2019, the Millennial population in the U.S. will exceed any other generation in the nation. Although they are often stereotyped as self-obsessed and fiscally irresponsible, Millennials are, in fact, thriftier and more concerned about their financial wellness than their predecessors were at the same age.

While other platforms may be losing users (we’re looking at you Facebook and Twitter), Instagram is in high-growth mode. Between 2017 and 2020, Instagram is expected to grow its user base by almost 7% to reach 95 million users in the U.S. alone. Moreover, researchers found that Instagram users are more engaged and actively follow brands on the platform.