The transformation from traditional media to digital streaming has fundamentally shifted how companies connect with consumers across the U.S. and Latin America. With streaming platforms offering direct insights into viewer behavior, media companies are now closer to understanding their audiences—albeit with someunique challenges. Historically, medi…

The entertainment industry is at an exciting crossroads, with increasing diversity in programming and more creators establishing their own content studios.However, it also presents significant challenges, particularly for producers and creators from underrepresented groups. As the industry has drasticallyshifted over the past few years, with stream…

The way we consume media has completely changed. Today, marketers need to be savvy in their understanding of how different audiences behave and what they areinterested in. One area seeing significant growth is musicand video content, particularly through mobile and connected TV platforms. For brands, leveraging these platforms to engage with underr…

McKinsey's fourth report in its series on the business casefor diversity reinforces the idea that companies that invest in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are more likely to outperform those that do not. Integrating DEI into the DNA of an organization is not only socially responsible but also a sound business strategy. Companies …

The pandemic didn't create new consumer trends butsignificantly accelerated existing ones. The consumer landscape is dynamic, continuously evolving as people change, societies evolve and cultures shift. Consequently, researchers must stay adaptable, embracing new methods and technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). AI enables innovations lik…

Despite gaining significant momentum in 2020 following a surge in social justice awareness, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has faced recent backlash. Yet, inclusive marketing remains essential for businesses seeking long-term success. Inclusive marketing is not just about representation. It is a strategic approach designed to build deep conn…

In this episode of The New Mainstream podcast, Mario Carrasco and Michael Roca, who currently spearheads the Cross-Cultural Center of Excellence at Omnicom Media Group, delve into the evolving landscape of multicultural marketing and media. Multicultural has shifted from a niche segment to a central focus for many brands and agencies. This change r…

Younger generations of workers have fully embraced the "work from anywhere" concept, prompting employers torethink conventional methods. With the rise of remote and hybrid work models, flexible and adaptive workspaces have become more critical than ever. The pandemic accelerated the shift towards more distributed teams, andorganizations are now adj…

Marketing is both an art and a science, shaped by the experiences and perspectives of its practitioners. Initially, multicultural marketing was considered a niche orspecialized area within broader marketing strategies. However, there has been a gradual shift towards integrating multicultural marketing into the coremarketing approach. This shift inv…

The marketing landscape is evolving, driven by the rapidly changing demographics in the U.S. Today's consumers are culturally diverse, tech-savvy, and vocal about their needs and wants. Among them, to be represented authentically in advertising. For marketers, this requires a change in the paradigm, a move beyond general marketing strategies to emb…

Black Americans, comprising about 14% of the U.S. population, wield significant economic influence, with buying power surpassing $1.5 trillion. Their culturalimpact is equally undeniable, shaping everything from music and fashion to cuisine and beyond. Yet, generally, brands fail to invest in the market research needed to truly understand the compl…

Whether refreshing an existing brand orlaunching a new one, the fundamentals remain the same— understanding the "why" behind your brand is critical to its long-term success. While logos and color palettes are often seen as the face of a brand, they are merelyidentifiers, visual representations of a brand’s ideals. But branding goes deeper than that…

Effective market research goes beyond understanding trends to identifying opportunities in the market. But many companies struggle to translate data insights intotangible financial gains. This struggle stems from a tendency to diminish the significance of market research instead of acknowledging its profound potential as a revenue generator. Failin…

Diversity isn't just about optics. Today’s consumers prioritize authenticity and base their purchase decisions on how brands show up. But authenticity does not start when the products hit the shelf. It must be woven into every stage of the go-to-market strategy, including market research – from panel recruitment and survey design toselecting modera…

Today's consumers are confidently embracing their authentic identities, and forward-thinking brands are following suit. Inclusive beauty giants like Ulta Beauty proudly defy gender norms, while others prominently feature same-sex couples and individuals with disabilities and promote body positivity in their advertising campaigns. On the flip side, …

In the dynamic landscape of sports fandom, one demographic stands out for its potential to reshape the future: young bilingualLatino fans. These individuals bring a unique perspective to sports, craving innovative ways to express their passion for the game. But that passion goes beyond the field to the experience, whether tailgating or engaging wit…

As Women's History Month approaches each year, theremarkable strides women have made in business become increasingly clear. However, despite these advancements, certain industries, such as the insights industry, continue to struggle with leadership inequities and a lack of workforce diversity. While the insights industry prides itself on understand…

The evolution of financial technology, commonly referred to as 'fintech,' has undergone a remarkable surge in recent years, empowering consumers to conduct their banking activities on their terms from any location. So high is the demand for online financial tools that banks like Bank of America, which started shuttering its drive-through teller lan…

While diversity and inclusion have recently come under fire in several industries, the expectation consumers set in 2020 for brands to be more inclusive stands. A ThinkNow study revealed that over 45% of consumers are willing to go out of their way to shop at a store they've never frequented if the brand has made a public commitment to D&I. Forty-s…

Soaring interest rates on borrowing and sharp increases infood prices have become harsh realities for many Americans. While there is speculation about inflation easing, the stark reality is that millions of Americans grapple with food insecurity. Many argue that the food system in the U.S. is fundamentally flawed. Despite boasting the world's large…

Consumers are demanding more from brands when it comes todiversity, equity and inclusion. They are tired of the social polarization surrounding DEI and how these concepts are exploited to foster division and isolation. They support brands committed to creating a culture of respect and understanding where everyone feels valued, seen and heard in the…

Americans are feeling the pinch in their wallets, with fears of a government shutdown looming and prices for everyday goods and services rising. Consumers have been on an economic roller coaster for a few years due to COVID-19, which left millions jobless, and George Floyd's murder, which sparked national protests for social justice. These events h…

Over 60% of the population has curly hair, but not everyone loves their curly locks. Cultural norms in the U.S. tend to equate attractiveness and professionalism with straightened hair, while natural coils are often stigmatized as too ethnic and unprofessional. There is a hierarchy of hair texture, with straight hair sitting at the apex. Consequent…

Mainstream media often focuses on the economic and racialdisparities that plague Black communities, and brands misunderstand and misrepresent Black Americans in advertising. Despite this, BlackAmericans are a resilient consumer group with $1.6 trillion in purchasing power and undeniable influence on American culture. But reducing Black Americans to…

The workforce is evolving, and with it, expectations of companies to be more inclusive in their hiring and retention practices. Younger generations, particularly Gen Z, are entering the workforce with a strong sense of self-confidence and a clear idea of what they want in a work experience. They are willing to pass on a job, even if it pays well, i…