In the last year and a half, the COVID-19 pandemic has infiltrated nearly every facet of life. Events were no outlier. In the United States, when the initial outbreak occurred in March/April 2020, a significant portion of the country went into quarantine or began sheltering in place. This resulted in shuttered businesses, events postponed for the foreseeable future, and social distancing measures. 

What pops up when you refresh your Instagram feed? Scrolling through the app used to consist of looking at static images and reading the caption underneath.  There was no need to have your volume on. Now, marketers have to work harder to capture their consumers’ attention.

Content has shifted from static images to animated graphics and video, often accompanied by audio.  The shift towards audio/video on Instagram was even cemented by Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri. In June 2021, Mosseri announced that Instagram “is no longer a photo sharing app.”  While Instagram once appealed to just one sense--sight--it now appeals to two. 

Experiential marketing is in a constant state of evolution, and few people have their finger on the pulse quite like Max Lenderman. With a myriad of experience building purpose-centric marketing campaigns that help companies create meaningful relationships with consumers,  Max  demonstrated the value of empathy in marketing campaigns, making brave decisions, and not merely keeping an  eye on the future of the industry, but helping to craft it. 

At this time last year, families with children across the United States were preparing for a school year unlike any other. With classes being conducted remotely, getting technology and work station setups in place was the top priority. This year, it appears that a return to in-person schooling is in order. As families ready themselves for a return to school that more resembles years past, what will their shopping lists look like?

Born from 1997-2012, the oldest of Gen Zs are entering adulthood. With this generation accounting for almost a quarter of the United States population and an ever-increasing amount of spending power, brands need to pay attention. How have Gen Z attitudes and behaviors been shaped by the pandemic over the past year? Learn more in the infographic below.

With summer now in full swing, travel is on the agenda for consumers across the globe. In fact, research from YouGov indicates that 77% of global consumers are planning to travel in the next 12 months. While this is welcome news for the travel and hospitality industries after the losses suffered during the pandemic, the reality is that some consumers are much more eager to venture out—and apt to spend—than others.

Though non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have been around for years, they’ve seen an enormous boost in awareness and popularity in 2021. This is due to a confluence of factors, including the normalization of cryptocurrency, advances in blockchain technology, and heightened consumer demand in the wake of the Wall Street Bets saga.

The event industry demonstrated its resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic by shifting online—despite having little experience draw from, in many cases. As the world continues to recover from the pandemic and consumers receive vaccines, it's important to blend digital and live experiences to meet the needs of your audience.

According to Automotive News, brands could launch as many as 65 electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States between now and 2024. This rapid shift from OEMs not only reflects the government’s desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also shows just how far consumers have come on the subject of electric vehicles. In fact, according to the Electric Vehicle Sentiment Survey from CarGurus, 52% of US car owners expect to own an EV within the next ten years—quite the jump from just 34% in 2018.

With many consumers shut out from their favorite indoor activities over the past year, the outdoor industry saw a huge boost in participation. From walking and jogging to bicycling and kayaking, consumers turned to the outdoors for some exercise, a change of scenery, and a mental health boost. And, much to the delight of the outdoor industry, many of these consumers were trying activities after a long lapse or for the very first time.