Marketing Forecast from Ad-ology

August 2 2010 | Kathy Crosett

The credit card industry is recovering from serious challenges encountered in the past few years. Too many consumers loaded up on debt before the recession and many are now either working out payment plans or they filed for bankruptcy and need a fresh financial start. At the same time, the federal government passed sweeping financial reforms designed to prevent credit card companies and consumers from contributing to another economic bubble. These factors mean credit card companies will be marketing to key demographic groups to find new customers.

August 2 2010 | Kathy Crosett

Pharmaceutical companies continue to adjust their marketing strategies in response to the slow economic recovery. Most of these companies advertise both to prescribers (physicians) and consumers. In addition, pharma companies also allocate marketing budgets to specific phases of product life cycles. A survey released by Cegedim Dendrite shows how marketing expenditures in this industry will change during 2010.

July 30 2010 | Kathy Crosett

Ad-ology Research recently updated their Industry Marketing Insights report for Accounting Services. The following are the predicted Top 3 Opportunities/Challenges from the report for this industry for the upcoming 12 months:

July 30 2010 | Kathy Crosett

Earlier this month, I blogged about a MetLife report that discussed how small and medium size businesses can compete for employees by improving their benefits packages. A new study on the topic of vision benefits indicates that more insurance companies and brokers will be promoting this specialty package to employers of all sizes, as well. The report comes at a time when more employees, especially those over age 45, are reaching for corrective lenses to see what’s on the computer screen.

July 30 2010 | Kathy Crosett

Back-to-school season is right around the corner. But this year, consumers under the age of 21 might not be the only ones working on their reading, writing and math skills. The latest American Management Association survey finds that businesses require excellence in basic skills along with other competencies that fewer employees seem to have these days.

July 29 2010 | Shannon Bryant

In a time when many people feel increasingly distant from the means of production for what they eat, artisan foods carry inherent value by granting consumers an opportunity to know where their food comes from, to see the hands that made it and to understand how it is made. Powering this artisan food trend are several important drivers that revolve around local and seasonal eating, a love of handmade and authentic food, a quest for exciting new flavors, a desire to engage with food and producers, and eco-consciousness, according to a new report from the Center for Culinary Development (CCD) and Packaged Facts. “Consumers, manufacturers, and restaurant operators all recognize that artisan is synonymous with quality when it comes to ingredients and preparation,” says Kimberly Egan, CEO of CCD. “The appeal lies in the stories that connect products to consumers which in turn offer deeper meaning and connects to personal values.”