Consumer Confidence Plunges As Pols Teeter On Cliff by Thom Forbes

As politicians fail to get real about fiscal cliff negotiations, consumer fears about the impact of the impasse -- including an imminent 2% hike on taxes deducted from their paychecks -- is evidently hitting home. The Conference Board reported yesterday that its Consumer Confidence Index fell to 65.1 in December from a downwardly revised 71.5 in November, representing the lowest level in four months. ...Read the whole story

  • food Kraft Launching 40+ New Products by Karlene Lukovitz

    Kraft Foods Group is kicking off 2013 by announcing more than 40 new products. This marks the first comprehensive product launch announcement since Kraft became an independent public company in October. Kraft has grouped the innovations (some of which were introduced into stores in late 2012) into general areas of focus reflecting the desires of today's consumers: Bold flavors; flexible eating patterns; simpler product recipes; and customization. ...Read the whole story

  • automotive Association of Global Automakers Reads The Tea Leaves by Karl Greenberg

    Michael Stanton, president and CEO of the Association of Global Automakers (rebranded as Global Automakers) took the podium at last week's meeting of the International Motor Press Association in New York to talk about the view from Washington, DC. The organization is the Washington voice for around 13 import-brand automakers, making up about 40% of the market here. ...Read the whole story

  • technology DirecTV Ups Rates, Blames Program Fees by Wayne Friedman

    DirecTV says its programming fees will rise sharply -- by nearly 10% this year. In that regard, it will be raising prices to consumers to help defray these costs. In a message to its customers, the satellite TV program distributor says retail prices will climb 4.5% starting in February. DirecTV big package "Premier" will now carry a $124.99-a-month price tag. Its now named "Ultimate" package is $77.99; "Xtra" is $70.99; and "Choice" is $64.99. ...Read the whole story

  • electronics 23% Uptick In E-Book Readers by Mark Walsh

    If you made the switch from print books to e-books this year, you're not alone. The proportion of Americans 16 and older who read e-books increased to 23% from 16% in 2012, according to new data from the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project. At the same time, the share of those reading print books in the 12 months ending in November fell to 67% from 72%. ...Read the whole story

  • Ad Turkey: 2012's Most WTF Spot by Barbara Lippert

    There's a stilted, "Twilight Zone"-ish vibe to the opening of this commercial, as if the viewer somehow broke through the time/space continuum to find herself ... ...More

trends Lucky Thirteen: Trends For 2013 by Robert Passikoff

As everyone knows, the number 13 holds great symbolism. For marketers and brand managers who want to look beyond the horizon, we have identified 13 ... ...More

insight 'Consumer' Is A Four-Letter Word by Kent Valentine

By focusing not on what someone wants to buy, but on who they want to be, we can create a more powerful bond with customers. ... ...More

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