National Research Group

🌟 Celebrating Connection at AdWeek! 🌟   To wrap up Advertising Week New York 2024 yesterday, NRG's Fotoulla Damaskos had the pleasure of moderating the panel “The Power of Passions: The Future of Brand Engagement.”   We were joined by industry leaders Aarti Bhaskaran from Snap Inc. and Jennifer Friedlander from Screenvision Media, who shared insights on how platforms like Snapchat are reshaping brand engagement by tapping into consumers’ love for movies, sports, and music.   The discussion highlighted the power of passion areas and fandoms in creating authentic connections between consumers and brands. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s not just about reaching consumers during key moments; it’s about engaging with them where they are, where they discover, and where they share their experiences —on the platforms that capture their attention.   Moreover, we explored the concept of "eventizing" an experience, expanding beyond the single moment in time. By creating ongoing narratives and engaging touchpoints, brands can become an authentic participant in the experience from beginning to end, fostering a meaningful connection that creates passionate brand advocates.   Let’s continue to push the boundaries of brand storytelling and connection. Reach out to inquiry@nrgmr.com to learn more.

📣 NEW REPORT: The rise of shadow AI in enterprise organizations Our latest report, "Out of the Shadows," dives into how businesses are grappling with the growing challenge of unauthorized AI use within their organizations. With 73% of US companies now using AI in some capacity—a new phenomenon has emerged: shadow AI. This unsanctioned use of AI tools is creating unprecedented security vulnerabilities and reputational risks, while simultaneously driving grassroots innovation. Our research reveals a complex landscape where organizations are walking a tightrope between security and agility, with some embracing a "restrict by default" approach while others opt for a more permissive "approve by default" model. How can organizations strike the right balance? What strategies are proving most effective in harnessing the potential of AI while mitigating its risks? Download the full report at https://lnkd.in/eNKAivbx or reach out to inquiry@nrgmr.com for a personalized walkthrough with our team of AI and enterprise technology experts. #ShadowAI #GenAI #AIResearch #InnovationManagement #Cybersecurity

🎙️Tune in to The Town for key insights on masculinity in entertainment   Earlier today, Fergus Navaratnam-Blair, Research Director at NRG joined Matthew Belloni on The Town podcast to unpack our upcoming whitepaper on the portrayals of masculinity and male role models in entertainment.   In this episode, Fergus and Matthew dive into how different forms of media influence young men's perceptions of masculinity. They explore the impact of diverse male role models and discuss the urgent need for the entertainment industry to address contemporary discussions around gender identity; providing actionable insights for studios looking to create aspirational male characters.   The study will be coming out soon—reach out to our team at inquiry@nrgmr.com to get the early scoop!   🎧 Get your headphones ready to listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/e5fJRwsa   This is a conversation you won't want to miss!   Puck The Ringer #Masculinity #RoleModels #Entertainment #TheTown

🎉 A fantastic evening at Advertising Week New York! 🎉   Our special event with LinkedIn at the Empire State Building last night brought together an impressive group of industry leaders, representing some of the most influential organizations across media and tech. The conversation was both insightful and forward-looking, thanks to the contributions of everyone in the room.   A special shoutout to Allyson, LinkedIn’s Global Director of Consumer Insights, for setting the stage for us all to create important connections. There’s always something special about meeting in person and deepening relationships alongside the virtual realm of LinkedIn.   To learn more about the research that fueled "Leading in the Digital Age", please check out https://lnkd.in/gPYFS6_c.

On Monday, NRG leaders Grady Miller and Vita Molis will join Allyson Hugley from LinkedIn for an in-depth discussion on "Leading in the Digital Age."   This exclusive event alongside Advertising Week New York will cover how today’s top brands navigate the intersection of public discourse and marketing strategy, all while maintaining authenticity and building trust with their audiences.    Reach out to inquiry@nrgmr.com for more information and stay tuned for insights from this dynamic discussion, featuring speakers shaping the future of digital leadership.

📱NEW DATA: Did you know? While 6 in 10 smartphone users have tried AI-powered apps, only 24% use them regularly. However, 57% expect their AI usage to increase in the next year. As brands like Apple and Google continue to push the boundaries of AI in mobile devices, there’s a growing opportunity for app developers to engage users more deeply with AI-powered features. Curious about the future of AI in mobile apps? Our latest study “Even smarter phones?” uncovers key insights to help you stay ahead of the curve and maximize AI's potential in the mobile space. Don't let your AI strategy go to voicemail! Click here https://lnkd.in/exBj8_TV to read the full article or reach out to us at inquiry@nrgmr.com to upgrade your approach. ------------------------ This data comes from a study of 1,024 US smartphone users, aged 18 to 64, conducted in September 2024. Participants for this study were selected and weighted to reflect US census data in terms of age, gender, and ethnicity.

🎉 Join us at Advertising Week New York! 🎉 Next week on Thursday, 10th October from 9:30 – 10am, NRG's Fotoulla Damaskos will moderate “The Power of Passions: The Future of Brand Engagement”. Featuring Snap Inc.’s Aarti Bhaskaran and Screenvision Media’s Jennifer Friedlander, this panel will explore how platforms like Snapchat are reshaping brand engagement by tapping into consumers’ love for movies, sports, and music. Discover how aligning with passions can build authentic connections, boost loyalty, and turn everyday users into brand advocates. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eJpiVsay and don’t miss out! #AWNEWYORK24 #AdWeek #BrandLoyalty #ConsumerPassions #Snapchat #ScreenvisionMedia #PassionDrivenMarketing

NEW DATA: Did you know? 40% of gamers think that AI should be more regulated in the gaming industry than it is today. As AI's role in game development expands, so does the call for clearer guidelines. A significant portion of gamers are advocating for increased oversight in AI implementation within the gaming industry. This reflects a growing awareness of AI's potential impact on game creation, player experiences, and industry professionals. How can the industry navigate these challenges while maintaining innovation? Power up your strategy and reach out to us directly at inquiry@nrgmr.com to explore the full findings and insights. ---------------------- This data comes from a study of 1,009 regular PC/console gamers (i.e. gamers who play PC and/or console games on at least a weekly basis), conducted online in August 2024. Participants for this study were selected to be demographically representative, in terms of age and gender, of US gaming audiences, based on prior NRG profiling work. #AIRegulation #AIinGaming #GameDev #TechEthics #GamingRegulations

🚀 Big news in the Stagwell family! 🚀 We're beyond excited to share that National Research Group will be joining forces with our fellow Stagwell agencies to lead creative campaigns for none other than Adobe! As the research partner in this global partnership, our chief role will be providing upstream research and insights to inform global strategy and creative development. This collaboration marks an incredible opportunity to join forces with 72andSunny, Movers+Shakers, Code and Theory, and Locaria to shape the future of Adobe's Digital Media business. Together, we’ll help Adobe push boundaries and empower creators everywhere, driving innovation for one of the world’s most iconic brands. To learn more about the partnership, check out https://lnkd.in/e2aNRG2m #NRG #Stagwell #Adobe #CreativeExcellence #Collaboration 

A big congratulations to Paramount Pictures for their Gold win in the Sports, Media, and Entertainment category at the Advertising Research Foundation (ARF)'s David Ogilvy Awards for Mean Girls! 🏆 NRG’s Vita Molis had the honour of presenting an award at the ceremony and earlier in the day co-presented the session “Creative Authenticity: Empowering TikTok Creators for Brand Impact” with TikTok’s Nora Vulaj at the ARF Creative Effectiveness Conference. Their session explored how brands can collaborate with creators to achieve full-funnel success through authenticity and creative freedom. Check out some highlights from the event 👇