According to the 2008 biennial news consumption survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, audiences for most traditional news sources have steadily declined, as the number of people getting news online has surged. 15 Sep 2008
According to a recent survey from the Association of National Advertisers in the US, 53% of marketers from a broad cross-section of categories and industries expect their advertising budgets to be reduced in the next six months as a result of the tough economic climate, and 87% of those polled are already being challenged to find cost savings or reductions within current marketing and advertising efforts. 11 Sep 2008
Research just released in the United States indicates that if you want potential cunstomers and clients to respond to your email marketing campaigns, keeping it short and sweet is the route to go. 8 Sep 2008
In the United States, high fuel prices have affected the buying trends of parents of school-going children. The trend could well repeat itself here in SA, come 2009. 5 Sep 2008
The digital video recorder (DVR) has become a must-have appliance, according to a survey released by NDS, a digital pay TV technology solution provider. More than 70% of consumers who currently own a DVR told surveyors that they could not live without it. 4 Sep 2008
USA: More than a third of mainstream consumers over the age of 30 experience deep frustration associated with their cell phone's interface according to a study revealed yesterday by Bowen Research, a firm that researches and evaluates consumer attitudes and behavior about high tech products, software and electronics. 29 Aug 2008
Worldwide sales of mobile phones reached close to 305 million units in the second quarter of 2008, a 11.8% increase over the second quarter of 2007, according to Gartner, Inc. Sales of mobile phones in the mature markets of Western Europe and North America slightly recovered after a difficult start. Western Europe reached close to 42 million units while North America surpassed 44 million units in the second quarter of 2008. 27 Aug 2008
The spending power of middle and upper-class consumers has plunged while lower-class consumers have more spending power, research by Cadiz shows. 22 Aug 2008
USA: It's rare to see Google command anything less than a large presence in just about any given e-business study these days, and the latest annual American Customer Satisfaction Index (ASCI) from the University of Michigan is no exception: ACSI scores for e-business rose 5.5% to 79.3 on ACSI's 100-point scale. That jump can largely be attributed to Google's own 10% climb to a score of 86. 21 Aug 2008
In my last Metrics Insider column, I wrote about the question of how advertising works. The column generated some great comments, and I got some very thoughtful responses via email. This week, I want to revisit the topic, and perhaps amplify a few points. 20 Aug 2008
How economically viable are the outlying regions of Richard's Bay and Empangeni in Zululand? The Newspaper Advertising Bureau (NAB) commissioned Freshly Ground Insights (FGI) to take a look at grocery shoppers in Zululand's eSikhawini, Ngwelezane, Nseleni and Macekane and found that they all travel to the centres to shop - most often to Sanlam Centre in Empangeni. The study also found that Spar is the number one grocery store for these shoppers. 19 Aug 2008
According to a leading US-based research company, Market Data Retrieval (MDR), which carries out research into direct sales and marketing solutions, educators in the US are a market that sales executives should target. 19 Aug 2008
Have you been bumped from a flight? Belittled by a hotel clerk? Or stewed in a doctor's waiting room? Then Rupert Barkoff wants to hear all about it. 18 Aug 2008
While many retailers around the world are suffering from deteriorating consumer confidence, there is one channel of retail that will continue to boom. According to the latest report from Verdict Research, a Datamonitor company, retail sales at airports will grow by 11% in 2008 to $30bn (about R235bn), making it the fastest growing channel of retail after the Internet. 18 Aug 2008
In previous columns, I have tried to show how branding and search can work together, but this time, I'd like to start from the opposite end of the spectrum: our brand relationships, from a memory retrieval perspective. 15 Aug 2008
The opening of four major shopping malls (Protea Gardens, Baramall, Jabulani and Maponya) in Soweto since 2005 has changed the entire shopping landscape and experience of Sowetans. With further retail development being planned as part of the Orlando eKhaya entertainment and business development project, past shopping behaviour trends of Sowetans to shop outside the area are bound to change. 14 Aug 2008
With the introduction of more and more new information sets characterised as media research (Google Ad Planner) and other data sets that people are using as surrogates for research (log files/Google Analytics), it seems an appropriate time to talk about research and proper use of same. 13 Aug 2008
As the economy weathers day after day of choppy economic news, consumers are cutting back on away-from-home consumption of wine, beer and spirits. New research from The Nielsen Company and Bevinco reveals that on-premise sales of alcoholic beverages have been considerably impacted by the declining economy. 8 Aug 2008
EcoUnit, the rewards program connecting consumers with environmentally-responsible products and services, has announced the results of its "Consumer Awareness" survey which was sent to its members in July 2008. 6 Aug 2008
Restaurants and clothing stores will bear the brunt of consumer angst, a survey by Virgin Mobile has revealed. 5 Aug 2008
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