sparks & honey Briefing | 04.18.2024
Climate change and extreme weather events are putting increased pressure on both civil society and the private sector to integrate a climate adaptation mindset in the development of vital infrastructure. From advanced materials capable of withstanding extreme conditions to smart grids that adapt to energy demands in real-time to green infrastructure that enhances biodiversity while protecting urban areas, this sparks & honey briefing will spotlight the pioneering technologies ushering a new era of infrastructure. Join us for a discussion that not only showcases how these infrastructure innovations are reshaping industries, influencing insurance models, and altering consumer expectations but also emphasizes a shift toward a future where infrastructure is designed with adaptability, resilience, and sustainability at its core.
sparks & honey Briefing | 04.11.2024
Which foods will be all the rage in 2024? In this briefing, we’ll look at foods that are set to have their moment, from whole cacao, to faux fish, to clean caffeine, new players are set to reshape people’s relationship with food.
sparks & honey Briefing | 04.02.2024
The streaming wars of the past years have raised the bar for engagement, as consumers are inundated with content from both big box studios and smaller creators. To remain profitable, many studios are relying on proven IP, churning out reboots, sequels, and remakes. But many viewers are experiencing franchise fatigue and craving unique content. What if entertainment brands measured the success of content based on more than short-term performance indicators and gave creators the freedom and flexibility to produce more original content?
sparks & honey Briefing | 03.28.2024
Philanthropy has witnessed transformative change over the last several years, amidst consumer economic anxiety, new demands for transparency, generational nuances ranging from Boomer wealth transfer to new Gen Z giving patterns and other drivers. Traditional giving models are being rethought, and new tools and methods are presenting big questions. From increasingly impactful technologies like AI to new people-powered models like giving circles, we are in the early stages of a great leap forward towards the future of philanthropy.
sparks & honey Briefing | 03.21.2024
What are the tangible skills that generative AI will bring to the creative workforce in 2024?
Let’s imagine that Generative AI had a resume, what skills would be listed? What roles would they be best suited for within your creative agency? This briefing will focus on the impact of generative AI in the changing landscape of the creative service industry. We will look at how AI is pitching creative ideas, generating reports, and more, to strategize the most effective response for creative service firms, and the implications for employment and product quality.
From Crisis to Care: Navigating Gen Z Mental Health Challenges | Briefing
Awareness if the Gen Z mental health crisis has spurred historic funding from governments, non-profits, and brands over the past five years. Yet, the harsh reality of the crisis persists with 49% of Gen Z struggling to find mental health resources and 1 in 4 reporting a mental health decline in 2023. In this session, the s&h team will delve into the barriers preventing Gen Z from accessing appropriate care, such as therapist availability, affordability, and cultural competence, while also exploring the role of emerging technologies, social ecosystems, and generational differences in mental health discourse and treatment.
sparks & honey Briefing | 02.29.2024
Gen Z have grown up in a world of seemingly unlimited choice – and it's impacted how they align their loyalty to brands. The traditional market strategy of providing additional value in exchange for consumer allegiance is less effective for a generation well-versed in dupes, the resale market, and brand callouts online. In this briefing we'll explore what it takes for a brand to inspire loyalty – from Gen Z values alignment to rethinking the value proposition and customer appreciation.
sparks & honey Briefing | 02.15.2024
From the Super Bowl and the Olympics to Fashion Week and Art Basel — attention-grabbing tentpole events are shifting in 2024 to align with emerging expectations. In this briefing, the sparks & honey team will discuss the now and next of cultural moments and unpack how savvy brands are showing up in this evolving landscape.
sparks & honey Briefing | 02.13.2024
The U.S.economy has a new star: women. New buzz words like “girl economy” are taking over the news and social conversation, with many saying the ’internet’ is a girl’s world. Underneath the pinks shades of barbiecore, girl-math, and swiftie’s friendship bracelet social feed lays a solid foundation impacting this cultural shift and what and how we consume.
In this briefing, we’ll explore cultural elements and tensions from new family dynamic, college attendance for women to how young women in metro areas are out-earning their male counterparts and discuss what this can mean for today’s marketing stories and the next cycle of innovative products.
sparks & honey Briefing | 02.08.2024
In celebration of African Americans and the Arts this Black History Month, sparks & honey will be highlighting the influential figures who have used their creativity and resilience to drive impact across a vast array of fields and expertise. Join us in this reflection on art, resistance, and the future ahead.
sparks & honey Briefing | 01.25.2024
Integrating cutting-edge tech while maintaining the allure of luxury is a delicate dance. It’s about pushing boundaries without pushing customers away in a world where luxury is meant to be understated, timeless, manifest strong fundamentals, and avoid unnecessary frills.
sparks & honey Briefing | 01.18.2024
With the wrap of CES what key technology from the show can we expect to see land at scale in the consumer market? Where do we think these products and technologies can shape our lives and lifestyles in the coming year? Where and how should brands be tapping into these tech futures? Tune in for the cultural intel on what’s hot or what’s not in consumer electronics 2024.
sparks & honey Briefing | 01.09.2024
In this first briefing of the new year, the s&h team will unpack the major trends we anticipate will impact 2024 and discuss how organizations and individuals can future-proof themselves for the year to come.
sparks & honey Briefing | 11.30.2023
Luxury EV makers need to lead the charge in sustainable practices. In theory Luxury EVs are perfectly poised to ride the wave of eco-conscious consumerism and redefine luxury for the green generation, in practice the market if facing important challenges including the environmental footprint of battery production in the spotlight. What can be key unlocks to overcome these challenges in 2024?
sparks & honey Briefing | 11.28.2023
As we head into the busiest weeks of the year for restaurants and bars, s&h is asking bartenders and workers what's happening in the premise. We will explore cocktail, patron, and promotional trends to understand how culture is changing the way consumers drink, socialize, and plan their nights out.
sparks & honey Briefing | 11.16.2023
At the culture. code. humanity conference, Imari Oliver, Founder and CEO of Bond & Play, will sit down and interview s&h’s own Chief Innovation Officer, Camilo La Cruz, in a conversation focused on strategies to develop your culture, business, and technology “peripheral vision” and IQ to spot emerging trends and patterns through cultural movements and subtle signals.
sparks & honey Briefing | 11.14.2023
Labor workforces are going through variety of changes and considering foundational questions and challenges in 2023. Current strikes of Hollywood actors and writers are grounded in concerns and lagging agreements around the proliferation of AI, illustrating the power ofunions amidst AI-driven uncertainty, while many consider whether unions are, indeed, having a boom or if the data tells a different story. Meanwhile, labor forces in critical industries like agriculture and construction are at risk due to new, aggressive state immigration policy. It is essential to have systemic focus and action planning around the policy, economic and cultural impacts that are shaping today’s labor landscape.
sparks & honey Briefing | 11.09.2023
sparks & honey’s 3-part Beauty Briefing Series will demonstrate the power of cultural intelligence as a tool for marketers and innovators to navigate a rapidly shifting landscape and drive relevance with current and future beauty consumers.
Within the hair care space, s&h strategists will unpack changing habits, lifestyles and preferences that can drive more relevant marketing today, and detect emerging human problems, needs and wants to inspire future innovation and M&A potential.
Register now for email reminders about the upcoming briefings as well as the full recorded Briefing, key insights, and business implications of the live discussion.
sparks & honey Briefing | 11.02.2023
Generative AI has been the hottest topic of 2023, what does it mean for your 2024 strategy? Generative AI is more than a trending tool. It has and will continue to shape how consumers engage, consume, and perceive brands in the foreseeable future. In this two-part series, sparks & honey cultural strategists will unpack how Generative AI has the potential to drive consumer engagement and commercial value by unpacking consumer sentiment and barriers to adoption around generative AI, ChatGPT, and related emerging technologies and identifying the key themes and cultural territories shaping the Gen AI landscape.
sparks & honey Briefing | 10.31.2023
Revolutionary new drugs are transforming the way we approach weight loss. As we turn the page on another year and millions commit themselves to eating and drinking less, what do food, beverage, spirits, and beermakers need to know to succeed in a world that craves and consumes less?