American CEOs believe consumers remain engaged with media and responsive to brands, even amid economic unease, reinforcing the case for sustained advertising investment in 2026, according to a new
survey from Stagwell conducted in partnership with
The Wall Street Journal.
The survey of 100 U.S. CEOs at companies with at least 10,000 employees found that while more than 60% believe the country is on the “wrong track,” nearly three-quarters expressed confidence in the resilience of the U.S. economy. That divergence underscores a broader theme for advertisers: caution about macro conditions is not translating into retreat from consumer engagement or brand-building.