The debate as it stands… Every day, brands sit side-by-side with social and political issues. Adverts for all kinds of consumer goods are nestled snugly around current affairs articles in newspapers; they’re played just before and after the news; while advertising billboards and protesters share the same streets. For years, the mainstream thinking has suggested that consumers really care about the ethics of a company and its social stance. Every year brands spend money on their Corporate Social Responsibility budgets (the Fortune Global 500 spend around $15.2bn a year on CSR) and this has a range of benefits beyond just the good they’re doing: employees feel like they have more purpose; and it’s been shown to make them less liable to be prosecuted for corruption. Click to view research
2017 Food & Drink Consumer Trends Report August 21, 2017 To say that food and drink is big business for the UK would be a gross understatement. The Food and Drink Federation, a UK trade body, estimates that the industry contributes some £28.2 billion to the UK economy; and across the whole supply chain it produces over £100bn in economic value each year. That’s £2,453 (...)
2017 Media Consumption Report August 31, 2017 Marketers in the UK had a media spend of £21.4bn in 2016. This was a 3.7% rise, and the 7th consecutive year of growth. Spend looks set to continue to grow in 2017 in spite of Brexit. And media spend continues to increase inn digital, with 95% of new media spend allocated to digital-mobile media (...)
Brand Intelligence in the Age of Dark Social and Bad Data August 31, 2017 A great brand raises the bar — it adds a greater sense of purpose to the experience, whether it’s the challenge to do your best in sports and fitness, or the affirmation that the cup of coffee you’re drinking really matters. Howard Shultz, Executive Chairman and former CEO, Starbucks Why start with this quote? Because (...)