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Articles by Tom Hedges
AI in Search: Changing Trends In Search Engines
If you look back at the version of the internet that rallied the dot-com boom in the nineties, it’s a bit of a shock. Pre-social media, pre-streaming services, pre-personalization. In many ways, our lives were much simpler. Today though, our preferences have shifted. We want fast, personalized, and accurate information, on whichever platform we choose to find it. We want it on our phone and other devices, and to use text or images to find whatever information we’re looking for.
Future of VR: Understanding what consumers want from virtual reality in 2024
“Virtual reality is a medium for the extension of body and mind… constructed by the senses and only exists in the minds of users.” You may be thinking this sounds revolutionary, right? But it was actually published all the way back in 1993 by Frank Biocca and Mark Levy. The point we’re making is, like most technology that makes major waves in the news, virtual reality isn’t really a new concept at all.
Why so serious? - MediaCat
The slapstick viral video of the poor woman who gets her coat caught in shop shutters and gets lifted up. The ‘oh no’ moment when the BBC newsreader was caught sticking her fingers up live on air. The new Shreddies (WTF?!) breakfast affirmations commercial. An ongoing eight-year slow recall chuckle to the ridiculousness of the Boaty Mc Boat Face story. My four-year-old son’s persistent use of ‘vomick’ to mean vomit.
Waning veganism, brands, and flexitarians
Veganism was all the rage in the late 2010s. New brands were popping up on supermarket shelves, and in January 2020, we saw the peak in Google search interest for vegan food in the UK. So what happened? In 2020 Veganuary smashed its sign-up record with 400,000 registrants, beating the record from the previous year. But since then things have started to drift out of favour.
Where do we go from here?
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Wellness Trends To Have On Your Radar In 2024
What does wellness look like to you? Maybe it’s cycling to the shops rather than driving, taking the stairs instead of an elevator, or swapping an alcoholic drink for a non-alcoholic one on a weekend. Recent years have forced consumers to rethink their approach to health and wellness. As lifestyles have become more home-based, many consumers are taking control of their health by tracking it, becoming more conscious of their decisions when it comes to their physical and digital wellbeing.
Social media habits in South East Asia
Should you be targeting consumers on social media? Well, the answer is likely yes, but if you don’t think you should, at least you’re here to understand why you might. Nailing a social media strategy goes beyond identifying where your target audience spends their time online. It involves recognizing the unique cultural dynamics that shape social media habits, which in markets like South East Asia (SEA), are very distinctive.
New Year’s Resolutions Trends To Know For 2023
Some interesting and unfamiliar resolutions have made the headlines in 2023. A number of consumers are taking the focus off themselves by making resolutions for their pets or the planet, while others are being kind to themselves or performing daily acts of joy. The resolution mindset is always changing. People are increasingly aware of the pressures they’re facing, with many choosing to cut themselves some slack and chase progress rather than perfection.
This Is Virtual, This Is Me
increase in teenagers who play Roblox since Q1 2021 Roblox has seen some of the biggest growth of any game played by kids in the US. Year-on-year, the number playing is up 56% among gamers aged 8-11, and 54% among teenagers. It’s little surprise brands are investing early and investing big in Roblox experiences and assets, fighting for the attention of this generation. But their intentions must be genuine, as this audience is not only highly engaged, but value-focused.
6 Eye-Opening Event Trends Happening In 2022
On the hunt for the event industry’s agenda in 2022? We’re serving up the hottest event trends roaring through the world right now – grab your ticket and read on. The cost of living crisis is becoming ever harder to avoid. Consumers are feeling the pinch and looking to cut their spending, but they still want life’s little indulgences and the chance to go out and enjoy themselves. So much so that the fastest-growing planned purchase year-on-year is concert tickets.
What Is Driving The Automotive Market? - GWI
Every now and again, a slow-burning trend picks up speed and accelerates. That’s exactly what’s occurring with electric vehicles, but it’s only one of the trends that we’re seeing in the automotive world. The secondhand car market is at record highs in some countries, in part, due to delays in new cars coming off the production line.
Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In Sports
Sports help many of us understand our bodies, thoughts, and keep in touch with the rest of the world. They stir the emotions, allowing for brand affinity to develop, and form strong ties with supporters. In recent years, the sporting scene has shifted dramatically. Off the back of government and community demands for good governance, integrity, and equality, offering safe, fair, and inclusive sporting environments is no longer a goal. It’s a must.
Casting Insight On Foreign Language Media
In 2020, Parasite became the first foreign-language winner of Best Picture at the Oscars. It represented a milestone in Korean culture becoming more embedded in the West, something helped along the way by BTS, “Gangnam Style”, and most recently, Squid Game. Helped by media platforms with global distribution – and renewed calls for diversity and inclusion – consumers are getting more comfortable with content from overseas.
Why Sustainability Is On Trend
Sustainable fashion is a term that’s difficult to avoid, largely due to the size of the fashion industry’s impact on the climate. The lack of traceability makes it hard to put an exact figure on it, but McKinsey estimates it to account for 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. To put this in perspective: the fashion industry creates the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions as the countries of France, Germany, and the UK combined. Safe to say it’s significant.
You, Me, And My Avatar In Web3
The vision of the metaverse is to create a virtual world that’s welcoming to people of all backgrounds. One that connects people and opportunities across borders, and creates new forms of entertainment. No “true” metaverse exists yet, but consumers and brands are exploring and experimenting in online gaming spaces like Roblox, Fortnite, and The Sandbox. Together, they’re helping us understand what the metaverse could eventually be, and its huge disruptive potential.
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