Sentient Insight: the business blog for consumer psychology and consumer marketing

Sentient recently partnered with Schneider Associates to conduct the Tenth Annual Most Memorable New Product Launch Survey. The results of this study have been published in USA Today and can also be accessed at MMNPL. Despite the large number of new products launched in 2011, there were a few that were especially memorable to consumers. Kinect for Xbox 360 topped the list, with 27 percent of Americans identifying it as one of the most memorable products of 2011, though the Nintendo 3DS and 2011 Chevrolet Volt were not far behind, tying for second place. Interestingly, memorability of new products this year was dramatically lower than that of 2010, with the Apple iPad being voted as most memorable in 2010 by 42 percent of Americans.

The November First Command Financial Behaviors IndexTM reveals increased feelings of financial security during the holiday season this year as evident from holiday spending. The Index, commissioned by First Command and conducted by Sentient, examines financial behaviors, attitudes and intentions among U.S. consumers ongoing since February 2008.

Despite low mortgage rates, the October First Command Financial Behaviors IndexTM reveals that many Americans are not taking advantage of this opportunity to refinance their mortgage because of the continued economic instability. The Index, commissioned by First Command and conducted by Sentient, examines financial behaviors, attitudes and intentions among U.S. consumers ongoing since February 2008.

The AMA’s 2010 Marketing Research Conference in Atlanta theme was “Unfiltered Perspectives. Unexpected Opportunities.” This conference provided an opportunity for both suppliers and clients to hear about specific case studies from many industries—including CPG, restaurants and consumer electronics—and also to hear about research industry trends.

Paranormal Activity. Everyone has heard of it, most people have seen it, but how has it been so successful? It started as a low budget horror film, shot for only $15,000, and has turned into the most profitable film of all time, grossing more than 100 million dollars in the US and Canada alone. Oren Peli, the writer and director, initially got the idea for the film after he moved into a suburban house with his “then” girlfriend, Toni Taylor. When they began hearing noises at night, Peli got the idea to set up a camera at night to see if they caught anything interesting on film—this, then, turned into Paranormal Activity.

With the unemployment rate approximately ten percent, companies are forcing workers to take unpaid time off—a furlough. Having employees take vacation without pay allows the company to wait out the storm. Essentially, costs are cut while the number of employees remains the same—in a way. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, 2.3 million individuals above the age of 16 who were previously full time workers have been forced to take part time positions (Ortiz). Companies such as British Airways are asking workers to take “voluntary” unpaid time off, while other businesses have announced mandatory furloughs.