News tagged Data
Your Mom was Right- Turn Off the Light!
February 8th, 2012Six in ten (61%) Americans describe themselves as knowledgeable about energy issues, including sources of electrical power and energy efficiency, according to results of a Harris Poll. This is relatively unchanged since 2009 when 59% of Americans described themselves as knowledgeable about energy issues.
Knowledge Varies by Region, Gender
Energy knowledge varies by region and age with Americans in the East (67%) and West (64%) and those older than the age of 65 (65%) most likely to say they are knowledgeable. Three-quarters of men (75%) say they are knowledgeable about energy issues, while less than half (47%) of women say the same.
Most See Solar, Wind Benefits Outweighing Risks
When it comes to sources of energy, the public indicates that the benefits outweigh the risks for wind (75%) and solar power (77%). Natural gas (64%) and geothermal (52%) resonate as beneficial while there is less certainty about the benefits of nuclear (42%) and coal (38%). These views compare to 2009 when at least two-thirds of Americans said that when used, the benefits of solar (82%), wind (78%) and natural gas (66%) outweighed any associated risks.
In 2009, two in five Americans (42%) said the risks of using coal outweighed the benefits while 36% believed the benefits outweighed the risks. Further, almost one-quarter of Americans (22%) said they were not at all sure. Today, that view has not changed very much as 38% say benefits outweigh risks, but 43% believe the risks outweigh the benefits; those unsure has dropped to 19%.
In terms of nuclear power, less than half of Americans (42%) say the benefits outweigh the risks of nuclear energy while 21% are not at all sure and 37% say the risks outweigh the benefits. This poll was taken before the recent earthquake-related nuclear plant crisis in Japan. In 2009, the view on nuclear power was similar, as 44% of Americans said the benefits outweighed the risks and 34% believed the risks outweighed the benefits.
Turning Off Electricity Most Popular Conservation Tactic
Eight in ten Americans (84%) say they turn off lights and appliances when not in use to conserve energy. Americans are also replacing incandescent bulbs with fluorescent bulbs (60%), using power strips (60%), using low-wattage bulbs (56%), purchasing Energy Star appliances (53%), and reducing hot water usage (51%).
However, when it comes to more complex tasks such as weather stripping, sealing gaps and installation of products, the responses drop to between 29% and 38% for each behavior. Even fewer (11%) conduct home energy evaluations or audits. The overwhelming majority of respondents take at least one energy-conserving measure, as only 5% say they engage in none of these activities.
46% Worry about Energy
The US public is more concerned today than a year ago about “the availability and affordability of energy,” according to a Gallup poll. Forty-six percent of Americans now say they worry about this a great deal, up 21% from 38% in March 2010. Gallup historical analysis shows today’s level of concern is not extraordinary (the high in the past 10 years was 48% in 2006), but is roughly tied with other high points seen since 2001.
Sources: Harris Poll conducted February 2011; ComScore 2012
The Revenue is Falling, The Revenue is Falling (Well, Not For the Internet)
August 30th, 2010Just in case you have not had the chance to read the PriceWaterhouseCoopers’ white paper on media spending for 2010, here are a few of the highlights.
Overall, as predicted, and not a surprise to any of us, ad spending on the whole is down this year. However, when looking at the data on a media tactic level, we see differences (and in some cases significant ones) between actual results and predictions made in late 2009. Of all predictions, the most striking difference is in the actual vs. estimated predictions is seen in OOH revenues: -13% actual vs. -7% forecasted.
The other two media categories which had a 2009 revenue decline more severe than originally predicted were newspaper publishing (approximately 12% compared to a forecast of slightly more than 10%) and consumer magazine publishing (about 11% compared to a forecast of about 9%).
In contrast, most digital media categories which experienced annual revenue growth in 2009 increased more than originally forecasted. Most significantly, internet advertising revenues, which were predicted to decline about 3% in 2009, rose about 4%.
In addition, revenue growth significantly outpaced expectations in categories such as internet access (about 8% compared to a forecast slightly more than 5%) and filmed entertainment (3% compared to about 1%). The only exception was the revenue stream from video games, which only grew about 3%, compared to a forecast of about 8%. A major reason for this increase can be attributed to a number of high-profile developers delaying the release of new games originally scheduled for 2009.
Print media, on the whole, continued to lag the overall ad market in Q1 2010. Consumer Magazine spending fell 3.9% from a year ago, while Local Newspapers dropped 5.6%. There was improvement in some narrow segments, as Sunday Magazine expenditures jumped 13.7% and National Newspapers increased 9.1%, primarily from gains at the Wall Street Journal.
A Little DOOH if You Please
August 30th, 2010It seems that every year we hear “it is the year of the (insert favorite media tactic here)”! Often times these proclamations prove to be true. Now, although no one has proclaimed 2010 the year of DOOH (digital out of home), we feel the medium needs its day in the sun. To that end, over the next few weeks we will present some interesting information about the medium. Until then, may we introduce to you the four most popular (and growing) DMAs for DOOH:
• NYC
• Chicago
• LA
• Dallas
Fastest growing DOOH market you ask….Phoenix.
Excuse me Bartender, I will have 1.1% more please
August 29th, 2010As in other recessionary times, booze buying has risen over the last year. In fact according to Technomic, the predicted decline of 2.5% of on-premise sales (bars, clubs, restaurants, you know places other than in your home) for FY2010 has been updated with actual results showing a 1.1% increase.
Perhaps not too surprising is where we are enjoying a cocktail or two…or 3. Nightclub and casino sales have increased 2.1%, with hotel sales showing a 1.3% increase. With such fantastic results marketers cannot neglect on-premise marketing to engage and increase purchase intent. You know..those fun coasters, posters in the restrooms, neon signs, not to mention events and brand ambassadors…(think the Captain Morgan ladies).
Consider using these stats of a way of impressing your friends and favorite Bartender the next time you are enjoying a libation or two on-premise. Cheers!
A Little More of This… And a Little Less of That
August 29th, 2010As you know from time-to-time we like to share small bits of research to brighten your day.
With the vast richness of information that the interweb holds for us our feelings are a bit mixed to have learned that 40% of our online time in June 2010 was spent playing games, emailing and social networking. In fact these activities are increasing in popularity comparred to last year (June 2009 vs. June 2010). 22.7% of our time in June of 2010 was spent on social networking activity…up 43% from last year! That is a whole lot of chatting with past highschool girl/boy friends and asking our mom’s to remove embarrasing school photos.
And when we are not avoiding out bosses on Facebook we are playing more online games. In June of 2010 online gaming time increased 10%. The econmic sitiuation may have significant impact on these metrics. As (unfortunatly) Americans have increased time on their hands, they are turning to online for their enterainment and connecting to others.
When looking at all activities, Americans spend 36% of our online time communicating. Communication activities include instant messaging, vedio messaging, social networking, blogging and personal emailing,