Grant Thornton recently conducted a poll of CFOs in this country to find out what big businesses plan to spend on in 2025. Data is from the 226 US Finance Chiefs polled recently.

The banking industry interface between customer and bank continues to move more onto the mobile platform as new data shows a majority of US adults under 35 do their mobile banking, mainly by way of a mobile app associated with their bank. According to September, 2024, data from FICO, 60% of adults aged 18 to 24 and 62% of adults aged 25 to 34.

Sales data released from the American Pet Products Association, Americans are putting their pets first and not cutting back much at all. Big pet supply and pet food giants like Chewy and others had huge years in sales growth in 2024, and the new forecast suggests that the industry should expect continued growth with a 3.2% increase in spending w/ sales expected to rise to $157 billion in total sales in 2025, up from 152 billion in 2024. In spite of economic and financial concerns that are curtailing consumer spending 77% of respondents in the survey say the economy has not and will not affect their commitment to owning and caring for their pets.

2025 Digital media trends study just released by Deloitte; social video platforms offer a seemingly endless variety of free content algorithmically optimized for engagement in advertising, and it's working. The report states that it's resulting in social media platforms now drawing over half of all US spending.

While consumers are driven to go beyond loyalty these days as a result of supply chain issues, inflation, and price sensitivity over the last five years, other reasons for declining loyalty are due in large part to intense competition, as well as increased discounting.

US Census Bureau reports that the threats of tariffs, government shutdowns, and mass firings of government workers have sparked more economic uncertainties for Americans over the past month which has triggered a pullback in consumer spending w/ only a slight increase month over month in February over January.

Is marketing work becoming more marginalized and homogenized? Are we losing touch w/ what it means to be successful with our creative work? In an age when AI is even becoming a creative force in the creation of content in business today, it's important to foster the human element in all of this. One of the hallmarks of small businesses is that they tend to be more creative and more human when doing their work. And wouldn't it be shame if we lost that?

Monica Longoria, head of Marketing Insights at LG Ad Solutions, says this about the study's results. While secondary screens like mobile devices remain integral to shopping and the broader advertising ecosystem, it's clear consumers want more when it comes to TV, and emerging technologies are set to drive this next wave of innovation, eliminating friction and paving the way for a more seamless, intuitive, shoppable TV experience.

Inc 5000 ranks the fastest-growing companies by industry, metro area, revenue, and number of employees, and it also highlights women and minority-run companies. If you've got a fast-growing privately held business, one that can demonstrate dramatic growth over the last three years, you need to apply.

The deadline to apply to the Inc 5000 at the preferred rate is next Friday, March 21st at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. Simply go to inc.com to get your application started now.

A study from the Kaplan Group makes clear just how popular having a side hustle is. According to the study, 5 it's pet sitting, 4 lawn care, 3 photography, 2 landscaping. And at number one, it's drop shipping. Notably, three of the top five landscaping, lawn care, and pet sitting fall under the category of home services highlighting the continued demand for businesses that enhance the home aesthetic and maintenance.