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/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/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. http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4830 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4830#comments Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:00:24 +0000 Kathy Crosett http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=4830 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4830/feed 0 Insurance companies appear to be taking a page from food marketers’ handbook. A recent report in Youth Markets Alert describes how insurance companies are expanding their efforts to reach the youngest consumers: kids and teens. One company, American Family Insurance, is sponsoring the “Clifford the Big Red Dog Be Big” campaign while State Farm has underwritten the Nickelodeon’s “Go Diego, Go Live! Tour.” http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4816 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4816#comments Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:00:24 +0000 Kathy Crosett http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=4816 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4816/feed 1 As part of a general trend in new fiscal conservatism, consumers are paying more attention to smaller community banks and engaging with independent advisors to obtain guidance. This trend has come about as consumers seek more control over their financial destiny and hesitate to work with banks or other financial companies that have been deemed ‘too big to fail.’ The most recent Charles Schwab’s Independent Advisor Outlook Study offers a portrait of consumer sentiment and upcoming investment advisor strategies.