World News Consumer Insights

Implications - As brands across industries move to focus on creating innovative promotional campaigns that captivate consumer attention amid an increasingly cluttered marketing climate, several airlines are launching features and campaigns that contribute to a brand's storytelling efforts while also drawing attention to new services designed with contemporary consumer values in mind. An efficient means of reinforcing brand values in a memorable and highly shareable way, this shift highlights the covert marketing tactics that are necessary when appealing to discerning consumers weary of being marketed to.

Implications - Some argue that the punitive process involved in today's imprisonment often inhibits inmates' personal growth and rehabilitation, forcing them into an environment where they are treated poorly and receive inadequate guidance and treatment. To combat this, some prisons are introducing new processes and concepts -- whether it pertains to the prison's environment, disciplinary processes or new opportunities for inmates to learn and apply new skills -- to improve a prisoner's lifestyle and help them become members of society once again.

Implications - In some countries, patriotism has increased significantly due to the recession; in the UK, army recruits went up 25% from 2008 to 2009. Despite globalization and the embrace of all cultures, patriotism is on the rise, and people are once again eager to flash pride for their countries.

Implications - Nuclear energy is an innovation that people the world over are both afraid of and intrigued by. With talk of the Middle East and Korea investing in nuclear power, and safety regulation upgrades in the US, thoughts of potentially destructive energies have generated a deep fascination with nuclear energy.

Implications - As governments in countries like Iran shut down the media and ban Internet access, web-savvy activists are turning to social news networks to deliver the real story firsthand. Advertisers are beginning to capitalize on the protest theme as they recognize the ability to reach a larger audience with a stronger trust factor.

Implications - In 2008, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were the most publicized couple in Hollywood, leading to a $20 million incentive for the first photograph of their babies. This points toward the trend of celebrity by ménage. The next wave of celebrity babies and children will inspire new trends.

Implications - Generally disastrous phenomena like earthquakes are considered tragedies, but China’s earthquake managed to arouse compassion and creativity, as seen in the art forms below. With the use of the internet, natural disasters are helping to bring people together from around the world.

Implications - On March 29, 2008, over 50 million people voluntarily shut off their lights for 60 minutes. The WWF Earth Hour initiative had participants in 370 cities in 25 countries turn off all electronics as a collaborative visual statement to express the care people share for the planet.

Implications - Instead of hiring staff photographers, several leading newspapers and magazines are turning to photo sharing sites like Flickr to obtain their images. Flickr members are the new photojournalists as news and entertainment sources are turning to people who are already there to shoot their photos.