Culture on The Findings Report

The Reality of Writing

Fri, 26 May 2023 07:52:00 -0700

Last Sunday I sat in a full house to enjoy an organ recital. It wasn’t at a quaint local church but at Walt Disney Concert Hall, one of Los Angeles’s most popular concert venues. The work was a new concertante by Essa-Pekka Salonen, Conductor Laureate of the LA Philharmonic. Based on the standing ovations that spontaneously commenced upon its completion, I’d say the audience was impressed. I know I was.

In a day and age when artists like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are filling arenas on highly successful tours, it seems counter-intuitive that there would be much of a market for classical music, let alone works featuring pipe organs. Yet, classical music is having a moment. Writing for The New York Times, Maureen Dowd reported last week that attendance at classical music venues around the country has been on the rise since restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic subsided. The demand has been so significant that Apple recently released a “brand-new standalone music streaming app designed to deliver the listening experience classical music lovers deserve.” It should also be noted that my concert experience was in the same venue where a recent attendee of a Tchaikovsky concert reportedly enjoyed a very-audible orgasm. To paraphrase an over-used Mark Twain quote, reports of classical music’s demise are greatly exaggerated.

Introverts

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0800

We use a variety of words to describe personality, but one of the most frequent constructs is the introvert/extrovert dimension. There are many misconceptions about introversion. Some hold the trait to be synonymous with loner, shy and withdrawn. The truth paints a different picture. Recently, many opinion leaders have argued that interviews get short shrift in the workplace even though they are frequently unheralded peformers and creative leaders.

In this edition of the podcast, bestselling author Matthew Pollard argues that have an edge in sales and marketing. He shares his own story overcoming his insecurities to become a sales leader. Then, Justine Cassell shares another perspective on personality, and reveals why artificial intelligence might one day opt to be shy in order to interact with us and help us become more social.

Men 2.0

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0800

A year after the Harvey Weinstein scandal and the groundswell behind #MeToo, many experts are turning their attention to our cultural attitudes about masculinity. What does it mean to “be a man” and how do our answers to this question encourage harmful behavior? More explicitly, how is advertising and media helping or hindering our progress.

In this extended edition of the podcast, actor/writer Michael Iam Black joins us to discuss his forthcoming book, A Better Man, which is written as a letter to his son, and aims to reframe our thinking about masculinity. We also talk to Gary Barker, the founder and Director of Promundo, a nonprofit advocacy group that conducts global research and programs about manhood. Lastly, we interview Linda Tuncay Zayer, a professor and researcher at Loyola University. She shares insights from over a decade of research on advertising and media professionals, and their hidden biases about portrayals of men in media.

Trust

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0800

We’ve got trust issues. Trust is one of the characteristics many brands use to differentiate themselves from competitors. But consumer trust is in decline. 2018 may go on record as one of the low points for trust in government, media and business. What’s the solution? Does trust matter anymore?

Ben Boyd, Edelman’s Chief Client Strategy Officer, joins us to share insights from the latest edition of the Edelman Trust Barometer. The report is in its 18th year and depicts a challenging scorecard for the state of trust across the globe. Then, we chat with Kent Grayson about his work disaggregating the components of trust.

Nostalgia

Tue, 27 Nov 2018 09:03:00 -0800

Once considered a contagious malady, nostalgia is a powerful emotional force with proven psychological benefits. Music, in particular, is a potent nostalgia delivery device and in this episode of the podcast we talk to three experts about why nostalgia and music go well together and how to use them effectively to persuade and delight your audiences.

Music marketing maven Jesse K discusses the latest throwback trends and how many music artists are leveraging multiple media to amplify nostalgic effect. Researcher Rob Kozinets shares insights from his studies on retro subcultures and the boundaries of consumer tolerance for brands and beloved memories. And psychologist Petr Janata unpacks how nostalgia affects our brain and the scientific reasons behind its unique power to revive our memories and animate our bodies.

Pets

Fri, 23 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0800

We’re in the midst of a new type of baby boom. Call it the pet boom. Some experts suggest that there are more pets in American households than children. The market certainly supports this findings, as the pet care industry continues to grow. What’s driving the trend?

In this special Black Friday edition of the podcast, we explore the key drivers of the Pet Boom and also the attitudes and behaviors of its most ardent participants. Portfolio manager Dan Miller joins us to share facts and figures behind the market, as well as learnings from the businesses who are gaining the confidence of pet parents. Then celebrity pet manager Loni Edwards sits down to share insights from the pets who are influencing our decisions. And actress Renée Felice Smith walks us through the joys and challenges of being a very dedicated dog mom.

Middleborns

Tue, 20 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0800

American families are getting smaller. Since the 1970s the average American family has shifted from three or more children to two or less. Which raises the interesting question: what happens to culture when there are fewer middle children. The middle child has prevailed as the most reliable narrator in many novels, television shows and movies, but will their reign last when fewer people can relate?

In this episode of the podcast, we talk with writer Adam Sternbergh about his fascinating article in New York Magazine: “The Extinction of the Middle Child." We also talk to Dr. Catherine Salmon, a psychologist who studies birth order, among many other nuances of family dynamics. Through it all, we reveal the many reasons why middleborns make the world better and why Americans need to preserve their legacy.

Generations, Part 2

Tue, 13 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0800

We continue our two-part series on American Generations and our interview with bestselling author Neil Howe. In this installment, we dive deep into the two dominant generations in American culture today: Generation X and Millennials. Howe analyzes the psychological and sociopolitical factors that shaped the worldview of each generation, while Molly and Larry make a case for their respective generations.

Guests

Neil Howe

Neil Howe is the Demography sector head at [Hedgeye Risk Management](https://app.hedgeye.com), an independent financial research firm. Howe is a renowned authority on generations and social change in America. An acclaimed bestselling author and speaker, he is the nation's leading thinker on today's generations—who they are, what motivates them, and how they will shape America's future.

A historian, economist, and demographer, Howe is also a recognized authority on global aging, long-term fiscal policy, and migration. He is currently a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the Global Aging Institute, both in Washington D.C. Howe has co-authored numerous studies for CSIS (including the Aging Vulnerability Index and pioneering studies on pension reform in China and South Korea).

Generations, Part 1

Tue, 06 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0800

Generational labels are typically eye-rolling buzzwords thrown about in marketing conversations, but the labels are connected to a bigger model of consumer behavior. Much of that model was pioneered and evangelized by Neil Howe and the late William Strauss. In the first of a special two-part edition of The Findings Report podcast we sit down with Neil Howe to frame up the essentials. What is generational marketing and why does it matter at all?

More Than a March

Sun, 21 Jan 2018 20:11:00 -0800

Yesterday, millions of women gathered in cities across America to march together for social change. The second annual Women’s March occurred after a year that shocked us and reminded us of the gender-based imbalance of power in our culture. If there is a silver lining, it may be that 2017 will go down in history as a cornerstone year for women—a year when the issues could no longer be ignored.

Femvertising

Tue, 16 Jan 2018 00:02:00 -0800

Fearless Girl was the darling of the 2017 advertising awards shows. It rode a new wave of feminism that spanned from the Women’s March to the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, leading Time Magazine to declare “The Silence Breakers” as the annual person of the year.

In this episode of The Findings Report Podcast we delve into female-forward marketing strategies. From Dove’s Real Beauty campaign to Always Like A Girl, we dissect the initiatives that succeed in forging a connection with women. And … those that don’t.

Blame it on the Clown

Tue, 16 Jan 2018 00:01:00 -0800

IT was one of the biggest hits at the box office in 2017. The reinterpretation of the Stephen King classic also became one of the highest grossing horror films of all time. And it enjoyed a particularly strong draw from younger audiences.

In this episode of The Findings Report Podcast we explore the power of fear to bring audiences closer to your brand. A stream of new academic research has shown that fear can be a useful strategy in the marketer’s playbook. We interview producer Matt Kaplan for his take on why IT and Stranger Things are such great success stories, and how marketers can better leverage investments in shock to connect with their target market. Then, we chat with researcher Lea Dunn to unpack a study she co-authored in the Journal of Consumer Research that found a curious connection between fear and consumer brand attachment.

The Thing To Fear

Sun, 13 Aug 2017 07:01:00 -0700

Throughout the 1970s and ‘80s, when I was growing up, life in the shadow of a potential nuclear war was a trope that occurred everywhere in culture. It was in music (The Clash’s “London Calling”), movies (War Games), and countless television mini-series (“The Day After,” which drew an audience of more than 100 million people when it aired on ABC in 1983). The threat of nuclear holocaust was a reality that lingered persistently in the background. We lived with it for so long that we developed coping mechanisms that allowed us to carry on. Like a case of arthritis, it always reminded us it was there, but the fear and anxiety it provoked didn’t keep us from daily life.

Symbols and Stereotypes

Sun, 09 Jul 2017 08:14:00 -0700

My professional life relies upon two human truths: the power of symbols and the influence of stereotypes. Brands, particularly logos, are symbols that are designed to activate a stereotype. For example, most people imagine the stereotype of an athlete when they are exposed to the Nike swoosh. In fact, that symbiosis is what gives the Nike brand its cachet and market value.

Yet the connection between symbol and stereotype has a dark side. A few weeks ago, the Supreme Court overruled a federal court decision on the case of Matal v. Tam. The lower court’s decision denied trademark protection for disparaging names and symbols. That decision had a ripple effect on major franchises like the Washington Redskins. Had the Court upheld the lower court’s decision, the Redskins would have lost their ability to litigate against companies that wished to copy their logo or use their brand identity without permission.

Do Brands Do Better by Going Green?

Sun, 11 Jun 2017 16:08:00 -0700

I am often asked by clients how much consumers really care about eco-friendly brands? Does going green create a real brand halo?

Environmental concerns are highly prevalent in media today, particularly in the context of climate change. In recent weeks, coverage of these concerns has dramatically increased as the Trump administration withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement. Many big brands responded immediately to the President’s action, stating their intent to follow-through with standards established by the Paris accord and to aggressively reduce their environmental footprint. So, one would guess that making such public stands has a brand benefit.

Fyre Danger

Sun, 30 Apr 2017 15:01:00 -0700

The Fyre Festival was this week’s Twitter rabbit hole. The star-crossed event was planned as a “luxury music festival” on a private island in the Bahamas. With some tickets costing more than $12,000 for a four-person package, it lured Millennials to a “better Coachella” that promised live performances by Blink-182, Skepta and Rae Sremmurd, and an abundance of exclusive opportunities to mingle with celebrities and the social media elite.

Unfortunately, when ticket-holders arrived on the island Friday morning they received a good lesson in hucksterism. The luxury glamping accommodations promised in a stream of Instagram promotions turned out to be a sad tent city, a lack of water, and uncooked cheese sandwiches. Insult turned to injury when organizers cancelled the festival out of safety concerns.

Rebooting the American Brand

Sun, 15 Jan 2017 13:57:00 -0800

I am reading The Great Gatsby to my daughter Jordan. A few nights ago, after we finished the chapter in which a drunken party-goer crashes his car in a ditch outside Gatsby’s mansion, Jordan said, “he should have taken an Uber.”

In explaining why he couldn’t, it hit me that the fictional tale of Gatsby occurred nearly 100 years ago. There’s a mental block in my head that refuses to imagine events of the 20th century being so far back in time. When I was Jordan’s age, it felt like the ghosts of the Roaring Twenties were still fresh and lively in American life, though of course they were always at least two generations behind my own.

Acts of Curation

Wed, 07 Dec 2016 13:29:00 -0800

His response was nearly instantaneous and a little off-putting. My friend knows art. He teaches it. He writes about it. And he occasionally curates it. So it was surprising when he burst into laughter when I asked what he thought about the growing brand curation trend?

After the snickering subsided he explained that much of the “curation” fodder was absurd. It was, in his mind, a marketer’s Frankenstein—a morph of an ancient word into a buzzword.

And that's the way it is

Tue, 29 Nov 2016 08:25:00 -0800

In 2009 America bid a final farewell to its “most trusted man,” Walter Cronkite. Though not always liked, Cronkite was nearly always respected. He embodied a bygone era in journalism when the national news media gained consumer loyalty and credibility because of its dedicated pursuit of facts, objectivity and perspective. It was a time when the tech darling of the day (television) provided a massive platform for audiences to connect with a single, authoritative voice that helped them curate the events of the day. This loyal following crossed all generations and cast a halo on its network. If the news was on CBS and Cronkite reported it, it had a preferential seat at the table of our judgment.

System Quo

Tue, 22 Nov 2016 17:53:00 -0800

Two weeks after Americans elected Donald Trump to be their 45th President, many are still wondering how the polls got it so wrong. They question the logic of the outcome. How could a man with the highest negative opinion rating in Presidential history win the ultimate contest? Why did almost half of voters cast a ballot for a candidate who made openly misogynistic and racially divisive statements? How did a billionaire become the hero of the poor?

Nomen-culture

Sun, 30 Oct 2016 21:03:00 +0000

In 1998, the world was enamored with two rising stars named Jennifer: one had the surname of Lopez and the other Aniston. Given the celebrity imprimatur, it’s somewhat odd that 1998 would also officially mark the end of the name Jennifer on the top 20 list of baby names in the US.

To be fair, Jennifer had a great 33-year run in American nurseries. The name was a true blockbuster. From 1970-1984, Jennifer was the number one most popular name for girls in each consecutive year … by a wide margin. For example, in 1974, 63,116 baby girls (about 4% of all girls born that year) shared the name. The next most popular: Amy, with about half as many babies to its credit. Fast forward 40 years to 2015 and only 1,275 girls started life as a Jennifer, a decline so staggering one might wonder if the name should be placed on the endangered identities list.

How Google Works

Sat, 11 Oct 2014 11:16:39 +0000

There’s little doubt that Google has become one of the world’s most envied companies, largely because of its renowned culture of innovation. I had the privilege of interviewing Google’s Executive Chairman, Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg, advisor to CEO Larry Page, on their new book, How Google Works. It was a revealing conversation and the video is now available from Live Talks LA.

Lifestyles of the Rich

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:16:47 +0000

If you need more proof that consumers are demanding better values from their brands, consider this new data point from The Affluence Collaborative, a research project led by AgencySacks. 80% of affluent consumers said a brand’s promotion of its cause marketing enhances their perception of the brand, and 42% said they’d pay more for a brand based on what it gives back.

Add this to a growing stack of data. 71% of consumers say they make it a point to buy products from companies whose values match their own (Y&R, 2010). In the last year, 41% of American consumers said they bought a product because it was associated with a cause or an issue (Opinion Research, 2010).

The Dark Side

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 06:46:46 +0000

One of the most fascinating ways to study brand equity is to study the deviants—the “dark side” of branding. For anyone who thinks that a brand doesn’t have power, look no further than the Mongols, an outlawed US motorcycle gang.

The Mongols took the extraordinary step of securing a trademark for their logo. The brandmark is synonymous with trouble, so much so that the US Department of Justice successfully petitioned for, and was granted, control of the trademarked logo. As a result, the government has the right to seize possession of any item bearing the gang’s logo. The landmark case is causing a first amendment fire storm, but I think branding is the really interesting part of the story. First, you have an example of a government taking control of trademark rights and using those rights to enforce the law. Second, you have a great case of a legendary brand — a mark that is associated with a belief system that drives a narrative and a culture. It is a great example of a brand as the centerpiece of a narrative and social conflict. The brand can literally get you arrested—or at least detained.