Agency

U.S. consumers are bracing for a polarizing year in politics. From impeachment proceedings to the presidential election, emotions are high, but unemployment is low, and that appears to be the economy’s saving grace as we head into 2020. Now in its fifth year, our annual consumer sentiment report, ThinkNow Pulse™, provides insight into how Americans feel about the state of the economy, its impact on their household income, and how the political climate influences their economic outlook. We compared this year’s data with past years and found interesting shifts in sentiment among key demographics.

According to eMarketer, investment in connected TV (CTV) is soaring and ad spending will increase by double digits annually for the foreseeable future. In its just-released forecast for CTV ad spending (“Connected TV Trends Roundup,” January 2020), eMarketer estimates it will be $9 billion in 2020 and increase to $14 billion by 2023, accounting for 7 percent of total digital ad spending and 5 percent of total media spending. ANA and Innovid have recognized the rise of CTV and partnered in a new research study, “The State of Connected TV Report 2020,” which was released on January 16.  By Bill Duggan

The ANA announced that prominent marketing and media executive Nadine Karp McHugh has been named the first president of SeeHer, its industry leading movement for gender equality in advertising, marketing, and entertainment.

Acento’s board of directors announced that intercultural veteran Donnie Broxson will become Chief Executive Officer as Hispanic advertising pioneer Roberto Orci steps into the new role of Chairman, effective immediately.  Orci’s role will be to further grow the agency’s business, diversify its revenue base and build the company’s brand in the industry.  Broxson will be responsible for Acento’s overall strategic direction, operations, and client relationships with all agency departments reporting to him.

Up to 30% of consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies’ operating margins are put at risk in the US as these alliances expand their influence.

IZEA Worldwide, Inc. released the examination of earnings equality among social influencers. The report provides analysis of influencer earnings observed in IZEA’s online marketplace spanning 2014 to 2019. Data is comprised of negotiated rates between marketers and creators spanning the spectrum of micro-influencers to celebrities.

From humble beginnings of converting a small liquor store into a grocery market in 1980, a Mexican immigrant family turned their dream into an American success story. Forty years later, Northgate González Market marks a major anniversary milestone this month with 41 stores and becoming the leading Latino-themed grocery chain in Southern California.