Max S.’s Post

It’s always exciting to be back in the greatest city in the world, even if it’s for less than 48 hours. #notatourist

Economic indicators are largely positive - so why are consumers so glum? Blame it on vibenomics. Consumers are still shell shocked by the pandemic, living in the past and feeling their feelings. What needs to happen for the vibes to get good again? #consumerinsights #vibenomics

Happy Father’s Day to my fellow dads out there! I’m celebrating by taking the kids to the pool, doing some cherry picking and watching Italy’s first game of Euro 2024 in our matching azzurri kits. 🏊🍒⚽️🧑🧑🧒🧒 How are you all celebrating?

I love receiving Google Trends in my inbox every day. Today's top searches focused on differences between Gen Z and Millennials, including "why does gen z look older than millennials" (didn't know that was a thing!) but also a topic that's been the subject of many debates in my household recently: 🤔 Why does Gen Z hate the thumbs up emoji?!! Google's AI overview provides a great summary based on social media posts, but when asking 2,500 consumers directly (split 50/50 by age group), Suzy found that only 4% Gen Z interpret the thumbs up emoji as sarcastic (vs 3% of Millennials). So perhaps we're not so different after all, us Millennials and you "zoomers". Most importantly, I think this highlights the importance of not taking the vocal minority on social media posts as the truth (no matter how important or trivial the subject matter), but to have conversations with real people, look at multiple sources of data and take a step back to see the full picture. P.S it's not lost on me that any likes I get on this post may be sarcastic 👍 #consumerinsights #genz #thumbsup

In the golden age of marketing, performance storytelling is key. This week Chime CMO Vineet Mehra joined Matt Britton on The Speed of Culture Podcast to discuss why there's never been a better time to be a marketer, and what big brands and DTC companies can learn from each other. #marketing #consumerinsights

Perhaps we have grown accustomed to being nickeled and dimed for certain purchases, but consumers have had enough. The following strategies can have a positive impact on brands: 🔎 Transparent Pricing 😍 Loyalty and Rewards Programs 📣 Advocacy for Fair Pricing 🎓 Educational Campaigns Ultimately, what's better: increasing top line sales today or retaining loyal customers for the long run? #consumerinsights #transparentpricing

Gen Z's bank accounts are taking a hit between inflation, rent increases and mounting debt. This will undoubtedly have effects on the economy - particularly luxury and non-essential goods - but it can also spell opportunity for savvy companies that are able to listen and pivot to meet this generation's needs. Goods and services that stand to benefit from a shift in consumption habits: ✅ Affordable Luxury and Premium Experiences: Gen Z might still seek out 'affordable luxury'—lower-cost items that offer a sense of indulgence or uniqueness. Brands that offer premium experiences or products at a more accessible price point could attract this demographic. ✅ Financial Management Tools: Products and services that help manage finances, such as budgeting apps, financial planning services, and affordable financial advisory services, could see increased demand. These tools can help Gen Z manage debt and plan for financial stability. ✅ Subscription Services: Subscription models that provide value and convenience, such as streaming services, subscription boxes for food, personal care products, and even clothing rentals, might be more appealing as they offer controlled spending with a flat monthly fee. ✅ Secondhand and Resale Markets: Thrift stores, consignment shops, and online platforms for secondhand goods may become more popular as young consumers look for ways to save money while still enjoying shopping. ✅ Education and Skill Development: With the high cost of traditional education paths, there may be increased interest in alternative learning platforms that offer certifications, online courses, and skill-building experiences at a lower cost. ✅ Health and Wellness Products: Despite financial constraints, Gen Z has shown significant interest in health and wellness. Affordable products and services in this category, including mental health apps, fitness equipment for home use, and wellness subscriptions, can be very appealing. ✅ Home Cooking and Meal Kits: With dining out being more expensive, products that facilitate home cooking, such as meal kits, affordable gourmet ingredients, and cooking gadgets, might see a boost. ✅ Eco-friendly and Sustainable Products: Gen Z is also known for its strong values around sustainability. Products that are eco-friendly and promote sustainable practices might resonate well with this demographic, especially if they are also cost-effective in the long run. ✅ Digital Entertainment and Gaming: Affordable digital entertainment options, including video games, online movies, and eBooks, offer value and escapism without the need for high spending. Want to explore these areas further with consumers? Reach out to me to ask Suzy. #consumerinsights

Ways that Puma spoke to me in my youth: 🏎 Ferrari sponsorship ⚽ Maradona AND Pele endorsements (Whaaaaat?!!!) 🎤 Korn collab Today, they're showing up for consumers in their new virtual squares - the metaverse and Roblox. Since 1948 Puma has maintained its role as a cultural icon through a deep understanding of its target audience and how to create meaningful touch points in their lives. Listen to the latest episode of The Speed of Culture Podcast for more insights on how PUMA Group continues to push the envelope.

Big news for travelers. The most interesting part for me is the right for travels to reject an offer for travel credit and demand a cash refund. As a consumer, I love this. But as a business person I wonder what kind of operational and financial issues this will cause for airlines, so I asked 500 travelers on Suzy for their opinions. Unsurprisingly, 74% prefer cash refunds. Probing deeper with those who prefer cash - here's some of the things that would persuade them to take the travel credit: ✅ Higher monetary value in the credit vs the cash refund (20-30%) ✅ Longer date ranges to rebook ✅ Discounts on future flights ✅ Deals on hotels ✅ Upgrades on future flights ✅ Extra airline miles ✅ Lounge access ✅ Better seat selection ✅ Complimentary food / drink ✅ Travel insurance My takeaway: this challenge could ultimately become an opportunity for savvy airlines that know their customers and have built a strong partnership program around their brand. This brings to mind Alicia Tillman's chat with Matt Britton on The Speed of Culture Podcast about how Delta Air Lines has built a lifestyle brand. Personally, I'd take the lounge access. How about you? #travel #consumerinsights