While consumer confidence is showing signs of an uptick, retailers are remaining cautiously optimistic for a decent holiday season. The National Retail Federation has projected holiday sales (sales made during November and December) will fall by a modest 1% this year. Clearly a projection in the upward direction would be preferable, but in these times, […]
Our study on the new frugality in America, commissioned by our client First Command Financial Services, has been picked up by the media recently in their continuing coverage of the subject (CNN story here; CSM here.). The question of whether frugality will last or whether it’s simply a recession strategy that will fade as the […]
As a qualitative researcher who has conducted literally hundreds of focus groups, interviews and ethnography studies, I’m used to the aftermath of my job: after spending time with a stranger discussing their emotional attachments, decision-making process, and personal values, I can’t help but feel a letdown when I’ve gotten all the data I need and […]
What do you think? Inspiring? Believable? Long overdue or timely?
As a former contractor for GM, I have good friends and colleagues at all levels of the company, and I want them to do well. I was happy to see the ad, which conveys a realistic sense of how GM needs to be thinking and what they need to do next. Regardless of how long it took them (and yes, I think it took too long; they’ll have a hard time claiming ‘progressive’ as a brand value ever again) – these efforts portray a company that is deeply ingrained in America’s psyche and one that is a vital part of America’s brand. What do you think of the effort?
