When the world is thrust into turbulent times, understanding how consumers respond to uncertainty is essential for brand resilience. This report from the ARF explores enduring behavioral patterns, recent shifts in consumer expectations and actionable strategies for marketers to sustain trust and relevance in volatile times.
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On May 21, the industry’s top minds gathered in Chicago for a look at the future of retail, media, and consumer behavior and dove into the rapidly evolving role of Retail Media Networks (RMNs). Attendees gained actionable insights on the opportunities and challenges that RMNs present. Leading experts led discussions on optimizing RMN investments, navigating sales attribution complexities, adopting an "omni-normal" approach to connect with shoppers across all touchpoints, harnessing AI for brands and consumers, and more.
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The ARF Cultural Effectiveness Council's event on “Cross-Cultural Insights Strategies for 2025” brought together industry experts to discuss the evolving landscape of cross-cultural marketing in the wake of recent developments in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The four panelists – Jasper Snyder (Founder and CEO of MAPS Insights), Erika Digirolamo (Senior Director, Global Media & Analytics at Circana), Jason Klein (COO and Co-Founder of SeeMe Index), and Ola Mobolade (Chief Strategist at Omnivore) – began with brief presentations of their recent research. They then engaged in a rich round-table discussion moderated by Janelle James, Head of Cultural Intelligence at Ipsos North America and Co-Chair of the ARF Cultural Effectiveness Council. A recurrent theme was the necessity for organizations to be consistent and transparent in their DEI approaches to mitigate backlash while navigating the ever-changing demographics and consumer expectations. Additionally, the event underscored the need for brands to measure and benchmark their inclusive marketing efforts continually. The roundtable discussion also stressed that diversity is an inevitable aspect of future market compositions, particularly with Gen Z's increasing influence as consumers and employees.
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