http://www.marketingforecast.com Fast Forward Findings for Strategic Advertising+Marketing Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:30:11 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/6505 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/6505#comments Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:00:32 +0000 Kathy Crosett http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=6505 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/6505/feed 0 Small business owners have been hit especially hard by the recession. The combined effects of the credit crunch and the drop in business activity has made it difficult for SMBs to compete, especially for top talent. On top of that, many SMBs cannot afford to offer the kinds of employee benefits that their larger counterparts, companies with 500+ employees, do. http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/6561 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/6561#comments Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:24:21 +0000 Shannon Bryant http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=6561 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/6561/feed 0 Mintel Comperemedia recently found that 45% of adults with access to the Internet have bypassed their banks' online bill payment service and go directly to the biller's website instead. Twenty-two percent of online banking customers have never paid a bill online at all. The same survey found that 70% of adults who use the Internet use online banking. Another 7% have signed up for the service, but have never used it. "Despite the high penetration, banks are still eager to increase the usage of online banking," says Susan Wolfe, vice president of financial services at Mintel Comperemedia. "It's no secret that online banking creates deeper relationships between banks and customers, so banks are keen to pull in more users." Susan Wolfe adds, "offering eBills is a way for banks to ensure that customers continually return to their website and rely on the banks' services, rather than turning to other third party sources." http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/6415 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/6415#comments Tue, 20 Jul 2010 07:00:55 +0000 Kathy Crosett http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=6415 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/6415/feed 0 Few consumers enjoy the process of filing an insurance claim relating to home damage. But accidents do happen and consumer sentiment about an insurance company is closely linked to how they are treated during the claims process. J.D. Power and Associates recently surveyed consumers who filed a homeowner’s claim to determine satisfaction levels and the likelihood of renewing with the same company. The company’s findings provide insight for insurers who want to acquire new customers and retain the ones they currently have under contract. http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/6344 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/6344#comments Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:00:40 +0000 Kathy Crosett http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=6344 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/6344/feed 0 Small business lending remains constrained across the U.S. Loans outstanding in the first quarter of 2010 stood at $670 billion, substantially lower than the $710 billion level in 2008. The Federal Reserve, understanding that small businesses employ half of U.S. workers and generate an even larger percentage of job growth, has been looking into why banks aren’t lending to this crucial sector. Some analysts say businesses are being cautious and not seeking financing. Other analysts indicate that banks are being too conservative when lending to small businesses. http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/6170 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/6170#comments Mon, 28 Jun 2010 07:21:12 +0000 Kathy Crosett http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=6170 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/6170/feed 0 One of the major causes of continued market turmoil is economic uncertainty. In the extended period of uncertainty we’re now experiencing, investors have been slow to make decisions and even slower to commit capital to new projects. This hesitation is impacting the advisor-client relationship even for high level strategic financial advisors. http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/5964 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/5964#comments Wed, 16 Jun 2010 07:00:33 +0000 Kathy Crosett http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=5964 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/5964/feed 0 After widely publicized cases regarding disgruntled consumers, banks and overdraft fees, Congress passed new legislation designed to prevent abuse by financial services providers. The only problem is many consumers are not aware of the new laws. Or, if they are, consumers don’t understand the details. Findings by HarrisInteractive suggest that more banks should be engaging in marketing campaigns to educate customers. http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/5947 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/5947#comments Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:00:26 +0000 Kathy Crosett http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=5947 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/5947/feed 0 Like operators in many other industries, insurance companies are feeling economic pain. And they are looking for better ways to market and deliver their services. In large part, insurance companies across the globe are planning to move more operations online. http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/5288 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/5288#comments Fri, 16 Apr 2010 20:00:31 +0000 Shannon Bryant http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=5288 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/5288/feed 0 As in other industries, insurance companies are weighing the benefits of social media for promotion and customer interaction. A new survey from Mintel Comperemedia suggests insurers' efforts would be best spent targeting young adults, men, and high-income earners, as these groups are the most likely to already use social media for insurance research and communication. According to the survey, 20% of 25-34-year-olds and 19% of those earning $75k-$100k said they follow companies on social networking websites. Younger adults and men are also more likely than average to say they find advertising on social networking sites useful. http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/5264 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/5264#comments Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:00:14 +0000 Kathy Crosett http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=5264 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/5264/feed 0 Although the total gift card market and prepaid card market dropped in 2009, analysts expect revenue growth in 2010. The tighter credit standards are the primary drivers behind card market improvement as consumers shift to a pay-now or pay-before mindset. A Javelin Strategy & Research study suggests that marketers can increase sales by targeting specific businesses and demographics with prepaid and gift card products. http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/5058 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/5058#comments Mon, 29 Mar 2010 07:09:41 +0000 Kathy Crosett http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=5058 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/5058/feed 0 In the past few years, consumers have learned painful lessons about the need to save and invest money. But many consumers lack even basic knowledge about how to invest and what they might expect for returns. To find help, men and women of all ages are turning to new sources to gather information.