Category Archives: Consumers

FROM BROCCOLI TO ONLINE INSIGHTS

by Josh Kimball
Each year, Iconoculture throws a consumer insights extravaganza-cum-raging poolside sleepover. This year’s Iconosphere is just months away — it takes place in L.A. May 17-19 — so around here, the research is flying.
One of the ways we’re trying to better understand consumer mood and motivation is through social media research. I’ll be co-presenting [...]

U.S. Latinas bearing recession’s brunt with lower pay, more fiscal responsibility

by Rocio Zamora Arzola
WHAT’S HAPPENING

U.S. Latinos are being hit hard by the recession. Hit harder: U.S. Latinas. For one, they’re making less in comparison to all U.S. men: In 2007, Latinas earned just 62 cents for every dollar men earned (TrinityTripod.com 2.16.10). And in Latino households, they’re responsible for more than [...]

Maya & Miguel encouraging kids to eat healthy, get active

by Abelardo de la Peña Jr.
WHAT’S HAPPENING

Childhood obesity is a big problem with Latino kids: 22.1% of Mexican American boys, for example, are obese, compared to 18.5% of black boys and 17.3% of white boys (CDC.gov 10.20.09). Enter popular PBS KIDS GO animated characters Maya & Miguel, encouraging children to eat [...]

Using mobile tech and social media to increase census awareness among Latino youth

by Rocio Zamora Arzola
WHAT’S HAPPENING

Looking to include as many people from hard-to-count communities, the U.S. Census is partnering with Voto Latino and civil rights org MALDEF to use mobile technology and social media to reach Latino youth.
The goal: to improve Latino youth’s awareness of and access to accurate, bilingual information about participating in the census [...]

MUST-SEE 3-D?

by Robert van Alstyne
At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, the funky iPod cases and ever-skinnier laptops ceded the spotlight to 3-D TVs. Multiple consumer electronics players (Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba, LG) unveiled the first wave of flatscreens to bring Avatar-style wonderment into the home. Those prone to premature proclamations about the death of 2-D TV, however, [...]

Pulling out the card: Latinos using credit for necessities

by Abelardo de la Peña Jr.
WHAT’S HAPPENING

Another recession situation: Latinos are pulling out the credit cards more often for everyday necessities, but also worrying about not being able to pay down the debt, according to a National Council of La Raza report (ChicanoNews.net 1.19.10).
The report, based on findings from focus groups conducted in Chicago, Atlanta, [...]

TILL GREEN DO US PART?

by Sarah Fazio
What’s good for the earth isn’t always fun for your dinner party — hosting green friends can sometimes feel more like a guilt trip than a pleasure cruise. And the pressure from the environmentally sensitive Joneses is well documented. But now greener-than-thou tension is moving from interpersonal to intimate with reports of a [...]

KangoGift: Instant presents over the phone

by Nissa Hanna
WHAT’S HAPPENING

Beta site KangoGift is now providing the hookup for what might be called presentexting. The service lets gift givers send text-message (SMS) vouchers for real presents.
KangoGift (located in Cambridge, MA) is currently only partnering with businesses in Harvard Square; though they hope to eventually roll out to other areas.
The gift [...]

THE NEW HEROES

by Stefania Revelli
No one can argue the talent of today’s pro athletes, but unless you’ve been hiding in a golf hole, you’ve also been a victim of Fan Letdown, otherwise described as a disappointing scandal that knocks your favorite sports star down from hero status. And what better place to revisit the definition of a [...]

After Katrina, an organization bridges Latino struggles and success

Abelardo de la Peña Jr.
WHAT’S HAPPENING

Before 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans’ Latino population hovered around 3%; it’s now around 4.5%, according to a 2008 census survey (CNN.com 8.19.09). The nonprofit Puentes (Bridges) New Orleans, founded in 2007, helps established and newly arrived Latino residents in the rebuilding city, bringing visibility to their struggles and success.
The [...]

AFTER THE DISASTER

by Abelardo de la Peña Jr.
Before the holidays, my wife and I traveled to New Orleans to visit family. We’d never been before, and the city didn’t disappoint. For the most part, 2005’s Hurricane Katrina seemed long ago and far away. Yet we were stirred by the sight of hundreds of still-vacant and gutted homes [...]

Stanley looks to make it big with Latino builders

by Rocio Zamora Arzola

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Tool manufacturer Stanley Works is hammering home their commitment to Latino construction workers through the “Hazla en Grande” (Make It Big) campaign. The campaign’s foundation: a series of educational bilingual resources tailored to build the skills and knowledge of Latino builders, who represent about 20-25% of the total construction workforce (IndDist.com [...]

Podcast: Happy New Year?

Derek Stubbs and Hans Eisenbeis discuss MoveYourMoney.info, the Credit CARD Act, and health insurance reform.
Download the podcast here:
Happy New Year?: Bottoms Up Podacst #32
34 min., 57 sec.

Podcast: CES 2010 First Impressions

Consumer Strategists Andrew Hawn and Nancy Robinson share insights from CES 2010.
Download the podcast here:
CES 2010: First Impressions
28 min., 58 sec.

Cellphones are the key to 2010 hotel check-ins

by Stefania Revelli
WHAT’S HAPPENING

A French-based company called OpenWays is linking up with hotel locking systems to launch “Crypto Acoustic Credentials,” a series of ringtones designed to act as hotel room access keys. When a preassigned tone is played, a microphone identifies the guest and unlocks the door.
The technology is compatible with all phone-service providers and [...]