Butter is back

Data is more than just numbers on a page. It augments every aspect of what we do: what stories we tell, what arguments we make, and what insights we have. Every day, we share a number—a number that has little meaning when isolated, but when given context, connects the dots in our constantly changing world.

Butter is back

October 19, 2017

There may have been a lull in butter consumption post-WWII due to shortages and revealing diet research, but butter is back in fashion. New strides in the butter and margarine production industry, combined with revisions to 1980s health research, have brought butter back on the charts. 2017’s butter consumption will likely land at 10% higher than the previous year, revealing something about the volatility of public perception and its potential impact on industries.

The rise of the repost

October 18, 2017

But that doesn’t mean that they’re not consuming. Many public figures or users’ contacts repost and share enough news that the majority of users feel sufficiently caught up without actually reading the news. That’s why reposting is increasingly important for marketers, particularly when trying to reach younger demographics.

Depends which way you look at it

October 17, 2017

The phenomenon is so prevalent that it now has a name: “Second-Screening.” Gen Z-ers (ages 16-20) around the world are overwhelmingly using two electronic devices at the same time and, for the mobile-native cohort, it’s no surprise that their go-to “second screen” is a mobile device. Activities that dominate Second-Screening include social networking, messaging, and gaming, as well as emails and product research. This trend can be seen around the globe, with 81% from Asia Pacific, 74% from North America, and 76% from the Middle East and Africa engaging in the behavior. Whether this indicates low attention spans (for which the generation is often criticized), or high propensity for multi-tasking (for which they are lauded), remains to be seen.

When video games become a sport

October 16, 2017

The competitive gaming market is growing into a lucrative field with the NFL and NBA also hopping on board with their own eSports teams. Although its current market demographic consists of young, digitally-minded males, it may soon be on its way to the mainstream.

Putting your money where the music is

October 13, 2017

The rise of music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music is so recent that even two years ago, this number was only 9.1 million. After facing declining worth from shrinking retail sales, the music world meets this new trend with a warm welcome, as it can now thank streaming services for bringing in over 60% of its revenue.

Dr….Who?!

October 12, 2017

Science fiction may not be grounded in reality, but its impact on viewers’ perception of the world is very real. According to a Pew Research Survey, most Americans think entertainment shows either help or do no harm to their understanding of science. Those working in the field are torn between encouraging enthusiasm for their work and curbing unrealistic expectations and stereotypes about science that are perpetuated by entertainment media.

The cost of an English Breakfast

October 11, 2017

Under Brexit conditions, the UK might have to adhere to the WTO (World Trade Organization) rules, meaning that tariffs on some products would be much higher than if they were trading with the EU. Depending on how trade negotiations during Brexit unfold, the classic, world-renown English Breakfast might become more of an expensive luxury.

Facing up to biometrics

October 10, 2017

The technology has been gaining buzz as facial recognition ID becomes a feature of many smartphones on the market. While consumers have expressed doubts about the privacy implications of facial-recognition technology, a forecast by Acuity Market Intelligence suggests that all smartphones will have some type of biometric technology by 2019 and, by 2020, wearables and tablets will follow suit.

Alexa, tell me a story

October 9, 2017

This is just a dent in Amazon’s workforce, but it’s still more than several tech startups combined. Amazon has dedicated some serious resources to building outtheir Alexa team, leaving us wondering about what the company sees as the future of voice-activated digital assistants.

Happy Birthday, Instagram!

October 6, 2017

This goes hand in hand with the fact that, as of April, 70% of U.S. companies are using Instagram for marketing in 2017. This is the first time they’ve edged out Twitter as marketing platform of choice. Instagram has been keeping up with trends by incorporating the story to their experience and allowing the “swipe up to see more” feature to take users offsite. As they roll into their 8th year as a platform, we can’t help but wonder what else they’ll introduce…

Ferdinand Magellan, care to comment?

October 4, 2017

This sum will help pay for his plan to launch satellites into space to observe the Earth and prove that it is, indeed, not round. “Flat Earthers,” as they’re called, are contributing to his cause and sharing the fundraiser on social media.

Coming soon to an Oktoberfest near you…

October 2, 2017

Year after year, the festival lasts from mid-September to early October and, beer and frankfurters aside, Oktoberfest is a gold mine of consumption for Munich. It attracts about 7.2 million visitors in just over two weeks, and sells 7 million liters of beer, 550,000 pieces of chicken, and that’s just the start. Though the event originated in Munich, it has inspired spin-offs in cities around the world.

Name that logo

September 29, 2017

And other famous logos didn’t prove much easier. In a study called Branded in Memory, Signs.com asked 156 people to draw the logos of several recognizable brands and assessed the rate of accuracy. A few factors were at play: level of intricacy (i.e. there’s a crown on the Starbucks’ mermaid’s head?), whether the logo has changed (i.e. Adidas changed its logo from the trefoil to the bars), or if the brand is associated with a specific symbol (i.e. the famous Burger King crown is, in fact, not in its logo). After collecting the drawings, the study superimposed some of the drawings over the actual logos to see what the famous brands woul look like. The results, while comical, leave a lingering message for marketers hoping to leave an impression.

Excuse me, but do you happen to know the time?

September 28, 2017

(Credit: Hodinkee)

Why is it so expensive, you ask? Well, it’s legs can be adjusted for optimal viewing and it’s considered a “rotating escapement timepiece” that features a weighted minute-hand, meaning it rotates 360 degrees every hour. It’s also aesthetically impressive, as it resembles an agile octopus, yet is still very sturdy and technical. Bloomberg, for one, can’t decide if it’s “creepy or incredible.”

Home is where the Millennials are?

September 27, 2017

Millennials—the largest living generation—are also living at home for longer than their parents ever did. This could mean that whenever the kids finally decide to flee the nest, their sheer size combined with the value placed on being a homeowner could have a serious effect on the housing market, according to Goldman Sachs.

Creativity + New Reality is tomorrow!

September 25, 2017

Tomorrow, over 400 people will gather to learn about the latest developments and capabilities of augmented reality and the digital realm, and how they play into our lives, careers, and well-being. The 18 speakers at this year’s Creativity+ symposium come from many backgrounds and are prepared to discuss a myriad of subjects. If you aren’t making it to London, tune in here for updates and lifestreams.