AUGUST 13, 2025 |
True or false? Most US consumers think businesses should take a public stance on current events. |
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TOP STORY |
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As consumers cut costs, they’re reassessing everyday expenses and big-ticket items like summer vacations. |
High-income consumers prefer air travel, but driving is the top vacation transportation for low and middle-income US consumers, according to Bank of America’s 2025 travel survey. |
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IN THE NEWS |
Perplexity makes $34.5 billion play for Google Chrome amid antitrust pressure. AI-powered search startup Perplexity, valued at roughly $18 billion, made an unsolicited all-cash offer of $34.5 billion to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, per CNBC and Reuters. Read online |
Other headlines: |
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Ad fatigue threatens brand perception in key markets and demographics. Two-thirds (66%) of consumers in the Southeast Asia (SEA) region ignore repetitive ads when they are shown on a single platform, per a report from The Trade Desk. Read online
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Gen Zers are making smart financial moves. Bank of America’s report “A Window to Gen Z’s Financial Health” looks at some of the biggest financial stressors that Gen Zers face. Read online
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Spotify looks to programmatic podcast ads to power expansion. Spotify’s push into programmatic ad buying is moving audio beyond the manual sponsorship model that’s long defined the medium. Read online | | | |
ANALYSIS |
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As consumers trim their budgets, finding cheaper alternatives is often their first move. |
Switching to less expensive brands is the most common response (28%) to potential tariff-driven price increases, per a March 2025 Collage Group study. |
Instead of pushing competitor price comparisons or discounts, paint maker Behr has launched its “DIYconimics” campaign, which aims to show consumers just what $100 worth of their product looks like. The brand tapped finance, DIY, and interior design creators to complete a paint job with the same budget and document their results. |
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PODCAST |
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In this episode, we discuss when a marketing miss helps spark conversation, if there is such a thing as bad press, and what brands should do if a campaign doesn’t land. Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow us on Instagram. “Behind the Numbers” is made possible by Awin. |
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