Three Lessons to Learn from GM

The fact that we might be able to learn a thing or two from GM is proof that even dreadfully dire situations can be salvaged. Sure, $50 billion in government loans helped a little, but a retooled marketing strategy has hastily pulled the company out of the ditch during this not-so-sound phase of modest economic [...]

The New Normal

My colleague, Katy Miller, and I attended the 29th Annual Economic Outlook Conference last week at the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business. We attended last year as well, just as the economy began to diabolically unravel, and as Riggs Partners began to offer commentary through this New Economy Consumer blog.
Last year’s [...]

The Power of Simplicity

The second in a series analyzing seven new economy trends

“Let’s make it more complicated.” In 20 years as a creative director, I don’t believe I’ve ever uttered that sentence to my team or to a client. So it seems a little silly to spend time and energy writing here about the need to keep your communications simple.
Except that [...]

How do you like them musical Apples?

“Give me what I want and let me be on my way.”
More and more consumers are echoing this statement as the economy continues to struggle. Americans are no longer willing to pay for the whole pie when all they really want is a slice.
It’s all about options, options, options at a cost that is up [...]

Reading the Mind of the New Economy Consumer

Trying to understand the consumer in this new economy can take you in a number of different directions. What are people looking for? What are their priorities? Will consumers be taking a more common sense, old-fashioned approach when making purchasing and even lifestyle decisions?
Many businesses are viewing decreases in consumer activity and the relationship to [...]

The Repentant Consumer

We all know the economy is the monster birthed by the oil giants, financial industry, insurance kingpins, and every other human being who ever dared to sport a pinstripe suit. The MAN has done it to us, once again.
Boo. Hoo.
Did THE MAN force us to create our own personal artic air mass with the touch [...]

Choice and the American Sacrament

“I am somewhat tenderly distrustful of the things I wish for.”
- Montaigne, Essays
Copacabana was playing overhead as I waited in the checkout line at a pharmacy down the road from my house, my new toothbrush in hand. The woman in front of me shifted her weight from her left foot to her right foot, re-folded her [...]

Investing vs. Spending: Moving Forward in the New Economy

Pretty, shiny, sparkly. It’s all too easy to get caught in the game of keeping up with the Joneses in today’s society.  Everywhere you look, the media is constantly promoting aspirational lifestyles that are unrealistic for the average person to maintain. But, we still watch, we still want. We still buy.
Over the last decade, society [...]

New Economy Consumer Trends Localism

A rediscovery of, and intentional support of, all that is available where we live, work and play; an embracing of the diversity and options we hadn't noticed; a return to family (redefined); a focus on "home"

reducism

A distinct and intentional move away from excess, although not counter-cultural; the casting off of that which is superfluous; a focus on purity, essence; making-do, but with high standards for aesthetic design and functionality

Considerism

Supreme homage to value, redefined; every action an investment, whether time or money; the death of impulse / birth of comparative study; choice as a primary concept

D.I.Y.ism

Self-empowerment(!) creating a markedly different sense of control; an attraction to that which is experiential (and valuing the experience); creativity, renewed; the anti-immediate gratification movement

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