Also see Marian’s blog posts on the Huffington Post and Forbes.com.
“Trendspotter Marian Salzman’s Top Predictions for 2017,”
Parade, Dec. 30, 2016
With razor-sharp discernment and uncanny intuition, Marian has been giving us unlikely, yet amazingly accurate predictions about “what’s next” for over two decades.
“7 Global Trends That Will Affect You Personally in 2017,”
The Huffington Post, Dec. 29, 2016
Our trend predictions for 2017 may be the most personal to date—personal as in very much pertaining to you. While the trends are global, they will be felt locally, as the overall blowback from a year of turbulent winds hits many of us smack in the face. So while marketers mine our annual trends for insights about how to sell products in ways that will tap into your psyche, you may want to see which of these actually are getting into your head and way of life, impacting your everyday, your workplace, your kids and the people you care about.
“Now That We’re All Uneasy, Let’s Get Cozy… And Other Trends for 2017,”
Forbes, Dec. 28, 2016
Trends are a little like epidemics. They happen only when large numbers of people are in close contact and things are changing fast—the way they are now. As major upheavals like the Brexit vote and the U.S. election hurtle us all toward a 2017 that could define 2016 as the year of “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet,” we will see several trends that serve as the catalysts of or the commentary on the unintended consequences of major events.
“2017 Forecast: More Anger, More Confusion and More Coconut Flour,”
iNews, Dec. 25, 2016
But if that seems a little consumer-focused, here are some insights from Marian, who takes charge of their annual gaze into the crystal ball. She has been right more often than some of her peers.
“Jane Austin: Why This Slick Bank Ad from Russia Is Industry’s Worst in 2016,”
More About Advertising, Dec. 23, 2016
A backlash against feminism has already started and is predicted to get worse in 2017, as Marian states in Havas PR’s annual trends report, “Blowback to the Future: The Trends That Will Shape 2017.”
“Consumer Trends That Will Be Hot in 2017,”
Consumer Affairs, Dec. 22, 2016
Writing in AdWeek, Marian predicts 2017 will be marked by consumers’ renewed demand for more privacy and simplicity in their lives.
“Wednesday Odds and Ends,”
AgencySpy, Dec. 21, 2016
Marian explains “Why Privacy, Gender and Simplicity Will Be on Consumers’ Minds in 2017.”
“Why Privacy, Gender and Simplicity Will Be on Consumers’ Minds in 2017: A Look at Havas PR’s Annual Trend Predictions,”
Adweek, Dec. 21, 2016
Good riddance, 2016. For many of us, it was 12 long months full of bad news, fake news and surreal news, the most controversial election anyone can remember, plus too many other highlights and lowlights to mention.
“Observer’s PR Power 50 Firms for 2016 and Insights for the Future,”
Everything PR, Dec. 20, 2016
At the bottom of this article is a chart created from the list of 2016’s Top U.S. PR firms according to the Observer. The chart lists the basic statistics of each of the agencies. But there are also some of the thoughts and observations that were listed in the article for you to ponder
“Quiz: How 2017 Are You?,”
iNews, Dec. 15, 2016
We’ve rounded up the best predictions from trend forecasters ranging from the seasoned Marian to relative newcomers like Pinterest.
“Giving Tuesday Helps Support Charities,”
Corridor News, Dec. 14, 2016
The tradition was launched in 2012, according to a press release from Marian. Havas PR North America seeks to educate organizations about Giving Tuesday, teaching them how to garner donations for a cause.
“The 50 Most Powerful Public Relations Firms in America,”
Observer, Dec. 14, 2016
Over breakfast with the Observer this summer, Marian sat back in her banquette and sighed. “I don’t know what business we’re in anymore,” she said. It wasn’t a cry for help; it sounded more like a victory lap.
“PR Predictions for 2017 from the ‘Maven of Madison Avenue,’”
Observer, Dec. 14, 2016
No one in the industry has a crystal ball. In fact, PR Week polled 22 industry pros the week of the presidential election, and not a single one of them predicted Donald Trump’s victory. But perhaps the closest thing we have to an industry soothsayer is Marian, whose annual Trendspotting reports provide clairvoyant peeks into business, cultural and social shifts.
“Giving Tuesday Helps Support Charities,”
The University Star, Dec. 13, 2016
The tradition was launched in 2012 according to a press release from Marian. Her company seeks to educate organizations about Giving Tuesday, teaching them how to garner donations for a cause.
“Echo Chambers, E-Tailing to Trend in 2017,”
O’Dwyer’s, Dec. 2, 2016
Marian and her team have released their annual forecast called “Blowback to the Future: The Trends That Will Shape 2017.” It covers everything from relationships to technology to how we’ll dress and eat.
“Schrodinger’s Press Release: Its Role in Influencer Marketing,”
Business 2 Community, Nov. 29, 2016
Also this year, Forbes once again questioned the status of the press releases in Marian’s “Is the Press Release Dead or Alive?”
“Take Time to Pay It Forward on #GivingTuesday,”
Soapb!x, Nov. 29, 2016
“The beauty of this campaign is that it has no boundaries,” said Marian. “Even as it grows more massive, it remains easy to make it your own.”
“RI’s $5 Million Tourism RFP Sparks Questions,”
GoLocalProv, Nov. 28, 2016
“The RFP is extensive and multifaceted and we are still walking through the nuance. As of now, we are probably going to apply from some portion of the business,” said Marian. “The budgets are what they are—the challenge is to deliver results within those budgets. Again, this is the norm in our business.”
“Holidays About to Begin: Which Retailers Stand to Gain?,”
Zacks.com, Nov. 18, 2016
As revealed by Marian on the final day of Retail’s BIG Show 2016, there are two trends that are here to stay. The first is the growing uneasiness in everyone’s lives and the second is an addiction to the tech world. With these trends ruling the minds of people, it is essential that retailers innovate new ways to make life easier for consumers and complement their digitized ways.
“Barnacle Parking Enforcement Latches onto Havas PR,”
O’Dwyer’s, Nov. 18, 2016
Havas PR North America has been named agency of record by Barnacle Parking Enforcement. The company’s Barnacle device attaches to an illegally parked vehicle’s window so it can’t be driven… Havas PR has been handling roll-out in several pilot cities and will do a full launch in the first quarter of 2017. “The product sells itself—it is so creative and straightforward and well-named,” Marian said.
“#TrumpWins! Has Brand America Invited Trouble,”
The Economic Times, Nov. 16, 2016
#Elections2016 and #TrumpWins have put a dent, or 10, on Brand America. Marian believes “we are damaged at home and abroad, and also in our confidence in one another.” Adding, “how we think it pays to be American is shot.” Probably with a shotgun bought at the neighborhood Wal-Mart.
“How Advertising Failed Hillary Clinton,”
Campaign US, Nov. 9, 2016
“She focused us on the glass ceiling, and I believe the Trump organization sold us a world that is rose-colored,” Marian said. “The glass ceiling ended up feeling self-serving.”
“Why Nothing Matters More in PR than Creativity,”
D&AD, Nov. 1, 2016
Following the introduction of the new D&AD Professional Awards category for PR, Marian offers some award-winning creative PR examples and tips. She explains why, in the ever-changing landscape of creative communications, PR matters.
“Las Nuevas Tendencias del Consumo,”
Forbes Mexico, Oct. 19, 2016
Watch Marian speak at the Forbes Economia 3.0 conference in Mexico.
“Dear Millennials, Experiences Are Still Liabilities,”
Rich Dad, Oct. 18, 2016
There is even an air of moral superiority among those that live this way. As Marian writes for Forbes: “Shop till you drop.” “He who dies with the most toys wins.” “Greed is good.” Those credos seem as dated now as leg warmers and John Hughes films. They seem like relics not just from the ’80s but also from an ancient civilization. It’s hard to believe that people said them (even ironically) in our lifetime.
“What’s Next for Next-Gen PR Pros? Hashing It Out in a Twitter Chat,”
PR News, Oct. 14, 2016
In her recent article for PR News, Marian mused on these changes and looked ahead to PR’s future. She has reason to be reflective: Havas PR North America just celebrated its 40th anniversary.
“Miami Ad School Racial Unity Contest Open for Public Voting,”
Campaign, Sept. 26, 2016
Judges often had personal reactions to the ideas. For instance, in evaluating a video series, “Color Conversations,” in which friends try to air out uncomfortable race-related topics without judgment, Marian said in submitted comments, “It made me sit up and ask myself, ‘Have I listened? What questions should I ask?’” The work helped her “realize that part of our challenge in these turbulent times is to listen better and hear clearly. I can imagine user-generated content adding a lot to this campaign,” she added.
“Male Grooming Terms Decoded,”
AskMen, Sept. 26, 2016
The term metrosexual officially became a mainstay in pop culture dialect when acknowledged as the “Word of the Year” in 2003. Now it’s progressed into what exclusive groups consider the ubersexual—a grooming audience better known as non-conventional men who bear spruce-ish qualities, while maintaining their brutish charm. Think of it as the quasi-metrosexual. The co-author of The Future of Men, Marian has gained credit for the term, bringing light to a new generation of groomists.
“Future Internet Commerce Focus on Åhaga,”
Boras Tidning, Sept. 22, 2016
(Translated to English) Marian was one of several experts who had been invited. She says that the store, as we know it today, is moving away. The buying of goods will, in the future, altogether move into the net. The only thing you will do in the store is try on clothes and get help from staff, whose only job is to give you a great experience, she says.
“10 Reasons to Discuss the Economy 3.0,”
Forbes Mexico, Sept. 22, 2016
(Translated to English) 2. Consumer Trends. Who is really the consumer? It is estimated that the millennial generation will be the queen of consumption, but at a time where robots make investments, we ensure that future purchases will be governed not by an algorithm. The challenge of reaching the consumer becomes increasingly complex. Marian will share with our audience the key trends.
“’Tasteless’ Mattress Ad Is Latest 9/11-Themed Promotion to Spark Backlash,”
The Guardian, Sept. 11, 2016
The discussion of 9/11 and marketing is still fresh, and a Texas mattress store is causing an uproar with their latest ad. With a promotion beginning with “What better way to remember 9/11 than with a twin towers sale?” surely experts will be giving their two cents. Marian has been asked once again on her feelings regarding branding and 9/11. See what she has to say.
“Stephanie Agresta Cofounds Strategic Advisory Firm for Women Entrepreneurs,”
PR Week, Sept. 9, 2016
Speakers will include Halogen Ventures general partner Jesse Draper, Ellevest CEO Sallie Krawcheck, BlogHer cofounder and chief community officer of SheKnows Elisa Camahort Page, Zuckerberg Media CEO Randi Zuckerberg and Havas PR North America CEO Marian Salzman.
“The Tacky Practice of Using 9/11 to Market Consumer Goods Backfires Yet Again,”
The Washington Post, Sept. 8, 2016
With the 15th anniversary of 9/11 soon approaching, many Americans are now reflecting on the day that changed the world forever. With plenty of tributes coming in through television programs and social media, many feel that some marketers are jumping on the bandwagon too aggressively. When it comes to 9/11, should companies embrace it or avoid the anniversary altogether? Read the article to see what advice Marian has to give.
“Take 2: Firms Working on Renewed RI Tourism Campaign Get Extensions,”
Providence Journal, Aug. 22, 2016
That’s based on research by Meltwater, which the state will pay up to $18,000 to conduct independent audits of how its marketing efforts are working, said Marian in an interview after the meeting.
“Swadesh: How Nationalism Is Being Used to Fuel a New Mobocracy in America and the U.K.,”
The Economic Times, Aug. 10, 2016
‘Craft’, maker, small batch is a desired positioning and place of origin—quirkier the better—is a crucial marketing tool (read trick). Authenticity is the opposite of mass produced and in these scary times, we want something that is customized, personalized and has a strong emotional pull… Make it mine.” —Marian Salzman, chairman and CEO, North America, Havas PR
“Prop. 123 Was Only a First Step in Securing Our Educational Future,”
Arizona Daily Star, May 24, 2016
Marian, executive chair of Tucson Values Teachers, co-bylined this article with Pearl Chang Esau, president and CEO of Expect More Arizona. They believe that Arizona is still lacking in educational funds needed for salaries to attract and keep high-quality teachers in the state’s classrooms. The passage of Prop. 123 was “an important first step,” say the writers, but there is still a need to “forge a long-term solution to increase education funding that focuses on equity and excellence in student achievement.”
“Media Relations Is Not Dead Nor Is It Dying,”
Shonali Burke, May 11, 2016
Media relations, according to this blogger, is challenging and hard to measure, but it can also, she says, “establish trust” and “spike sales” and “lead to valuable partnerships.” She found a kindred spirit when she heard Marian say this at PRSA Counselors Academy in May: “If you’re not successful in media relations and focusing on it, you’re in trouble.” Read the article to find out more reasons blogger Kate Finley believes media relations is essential in today’s PR tool kit.
“Havas PR: PRWeek Global Agency Business Report 2016,”
PRWeek, May 2, 2016
“We are stronger and healthier now than we were this time last year,” said Marian in describing her agency’s strides in 2015. Among the reasons: some very big client wins and extremely successful Pittsburgh and Phoenix offices (the latter just opening in 2015). Marian said she is also planning to open an office in Texas in 2016.
“For Women in Advertising, It’s Still a ‘Mad Men’ World,” The New York Times, May 1, 2016
In light of the recent lawsuit by a female J. Walter Thompson employee claiming sexual and racist behavior against the company’s CEO, The New York Times interviewed some of the leading women in the ad industry to find out how they view the work culture and gender bias at the top. Said Marian, a former JWT employee: “The biggest learning for me in all this is, as a woman who has always been accepted, tolerated, nurtured, et cetera, I never really digested that I was the exception.”
“Why Communications Pros Need to Develop a Nose for ‘News-Fluence,’” PR News, April 25, 2016
What is news-fluence? As Marian says in this article, the short answer is “using newscrafting to create influence.” Trendspotting is a key component, she adds. But the definition and delivery of news have changed so much that PR pros need to be agile and mindful of five imperatives, including being aware of a campaign’s narrative and seeing opportunities to create news.
“Why Awards Matter to PR,” PRWeek, April 18, 2016
An excerpt from this piece written as Havas PR CEO Marian got ready for her duty as jury chair of the first-ever PR category at the D&AD Pencil awards: “Like everything, creativity in PR will continue to evolve—and we need to diversify (multicultural people, multidisciplinary minds, multigenerational offices) and dimensionalize everything (life has become 4D)—but taking stock of the industry to prepare for serving as a Pencil juror has me feeling pretty good about our creativity now.”
“Havas PR North America Celebrates 40th Anniversary,” O’Dwyer’s, April 6, 2016
Havas PR has a big year ahead as it celebrates the 40th anniversary of its founding. The agency’s teams around the country will be dedicated even more time to pro bono work than usual, with donation of $400,000 worth of professional services to charitable organizations in the local communities of each office. In addition, the award-winning agency will be publishing a book about agile PR at the end of 2016. “This is a landmark year in an extremely exciting time for Havas PR,” Marian was quoted in this article.
“Why PR Should Add Trendspotting to Their Toolkit,” CNW, March 31, 2016
Why is trendspotting an important skill for public relations professionals to have? Marian was one of two leaders of a webinar for PR Newswire that answered that question. Among the top reasons: Big businesses can forecast trends to stay tops in their industry; trendspotting can create transformative opportunities; and it will help companies and brands plan ahead, giving a competitive edge.
“How to Create Newsworthy Content with Smart Trendspotting,” PR Newswire, March 16, 2016
This list of best practices for using trendspotting in PR campaigns served as a preview to the PR Newswire webinar co-hosted by Marian. Taking strategic risks backed by research is one tip, as is looking to the future, but not at the expense of the present. The third: considering all outcomes. “Fearlessness runs in correlation to newscrafting,” says Marian. “Companies need to take risks and be fearless—but also accurate.”
“Havas PR Donating $400K to Mark 40 Years,” AZ Business Magazine, March 2, 2016
In honor of its 40th anniversary, Havas PR North America is pledging to donate $400,000 worth of time to charitable causes in the areas where it has offices, which includes Phoenix. The team based in that Arizona city will work with Tucson Values Teachers. Other offices include New York City and Pittsburgh. Says agency CEO Marian: “Every member of the Havas PR North America team will throw themselves into the efforts wholeheartedly.”
“Inside: Havas PR,” The 186, March 1, 2016
This Q&A with Marian discusses the agency’s 40th anniversary (and also the state of the Havas PR Global Collective, of which Marian serves as chair). When asked what four decades old means for Havas PR, she says: “It means history, authenticity, bruises, growth spurts, some wrinkles, and lots and lots of real-world and whole-world experience. It also means that despite all our merging and purging, reinventing and renaming, we are middle-aged with the savvy and the sass to behave more cougar than complacent.”
“What Are the Big Trends in Society and How Might They Impact Retail,” Intel, Feb. 22, 2016
During Marian’s keynote at the National Retail Federation’s Big Show, the Havas PR CEO talked about her 11 top trends for 2016 and how they will affect the retail industry. This writer summarizes five of them: Uneasy Street; Tech Addict, Control Thyself; Getting Smart; the Roar of the Cloud; and Livin’ Large No More? One tip for the first trend in the writer’s words: “[C]ustomers are now overloaded, anxious and overwhelmed, so anything you can do to gain their trust and make them feel at ease will help you build stronger connection with them.”
“Meet: Marian Salzman, CEO of Havas PR North America,” The 186, Feb. 16, 2016
“Marian leads [Havas PR North America] in deciphering what the future holds and helping craft the next headline for clients,” says this article. Here, she talks about her background as a trendspotter, the übertrend from the agency’s annual trends report for 2016, the industry’s gender imbalance, Havas PR’s collaborative working style and her expectations as jury foreman for the first-ever PR category at the D&AD Awards.
“2 Trends for Retailers to Watch in 2016,” National Retail Federation, Feb. 9, 2016
At the end of the National Retail Federation’s Big Show, Marian gave a presentation that forecast top trends for 2016 and how they’ll affect retail. This article from NRF pulled out two: a growing unease in everyone’s life and a growing tech addiction. Retailers can help customers feel less uneasy in many ways, Marian said, such as being transparent about sourcing and using simpler ingredients. In terms of today’s all-consuming technologies, they need to understand how to “successfully interrupt and complement consumers’ parallel digital lives,” sums up this writer.
“Why Nothing Matters More in PR than Creativity,” D&AD, Feb. 1, 2016
“PR used to be all about having, then selling, the idea,” says Marian in this bylined piece. “Then it evolved to be about telling the story in a compelling and believable way.” Today, she says, it’s about creativity. And to get the most creative outcomes in a campaign, Marian adds, collaboration is needed. PR is evolving, but here’s how she sees it at this moment: “The world’s 24/7, borderless communications landscape has given the good, the bad and the evil the same shot at hijacking the message. The only way the good guys can win is by out-creating the others.”
“Top Women in PR: Marian Salzman,” PR News, Jan. 26, 2016
One of many reasons Havas PR North America’s CEO was named one of the best women in the business: “Marian led the Havas PR team that partnered with the United Nations Foundation to help change the narrative around science and climate change. … Her team put climate change in the news around the world by developing media curricula and implementing them with 150-plus scientists worldwide, then connecting the scientists as local resources to comment about the report’s phases.”
“Retailers Need to Pay Attention to These Trends in 2016,” Sourcing Journal Online, Jan. 22, 2016
Wearing her Providence glasses, Marian writes here how some of the trends in Havas PR’s “11 Trends for 2016” report will play out in Rhode Island. She also adds a few others, including this one: “The first woman to be elected governor of Rhode Island, Gina Raimondo, may well emerge on the national scene as the face of the next wave of powerful women. Fortune recently ran an article—‘This Governor Is Worth Keeping Tabs On’—about how the Democratic chief executive has turned the state into ‘a case study in good government.’ She’s one of a few women on my radar who I believe will become more prominent as the spotlight moves onto women.”
“What We Can Learn from Amazon Prime’s Success,” LinkedIn Pulse, Jan. 21, 2016
“With Amazon Prime, which gives you a year of unlimited free shipping in exchange for a $99 premium, shipping costs for so many purchases made online have become one less thing consumers have to worry about,” says Marian in this bylined article. Prime sold 3 million memberships during the week of Christmas, and memberships have more than doubled in the past two years, she adds. “I’m most intrigued that the membership model has been the sole reason for its popularity. … Bundles are the new black?” Click on the link above to read more, including the takeaways for retailers.
“2016 Wellness Forecast: Smart Stuff, Angry Debates and More,” Medical Marketing & Media, Jan. 20, 2016
In this bylined article, Marian talks about the wellness implications of the agency’s top trends for 2016. For its “Tech Addict, Control Thyself” trend, for example, she says, “Expect to see programs for cyber self-control becoming as common as diets and exercise plans … and expect them to have about as much effect.”
“5 Things the 2015 Retail Holiday Season Taught Us,” LinkedIn Pulse, Jan. 20, 2016
Analyzing purchase patterns is one aspect of Marian’s trendspotting habits, especially when looking at trends with a retail lens. Click on the button below to read details about these five things the retail industry can learn from the 2015 season, according to Marian: Black Friday is no longer a day—it’s an entire season; deploy big promotions strategically throughout the year; consumers would currently rather have a well-dressed home than a well-dressed body; the rules of the shipping game are changing; and not all the retail news is good news.
“Retail Is a Journey, Not a Destination—and Analytics Offer a Road Map to Profit,” LinkedIn Pulse, Jan. 20, 2016
A data-first approach is key for today’s retailers, says Marian in this bylined post. “Smart retailers of all stripes are now applying analytics to help them do any and all of the following: monitor competitors to optimize prices and inventory; forecast trends and predict demand; and master customer service and identify potential customers,” she says, ending with “yet trust your gut.”
“How Brick-and-Mortar Retailers Can Get Back in the Game,” LinkedIn Pulse, Jan. 18, 2016
Many retail stores will be closing this year, including hundreds from the biggest names, but it doesn’t mean the industry is in peril. According to Marian, it is a sign for retailers to adapt their business models as more consumers shop a combination of brick-and-mortar stores and online. Millennials are the leaders in this area (marrying the two experiences) and also in using technology during their shopping experiences to check the competition and share reviews.
“Thought Leaders on What to Expect in PR in 2016: Scope and Breadth,” Creating the Future of PR, Jan. 18, 2016
“Scope and breadth” was one of three themes to emerge in the answers of the PR thought leaders asked about the industry in the coming year. As part of Marian’s answer, the Havas PR CEO said this: “For PR pros, a faux intimacy among themselves, influencers and media personalities comes about through tech addiction and its ugly cousin, contact collection (the antithesis of experience collection, because you’re collecting folks whom you oftentimes know by name without ever getting to know them).”
“When Storytellers Become the Story: Sean Penn and Rolling Stone,” Campaign US, Jan. 15, 2016
In this opinion piece for Campaign US, Marian gives Sean Penn credit for his acting and directing chops and his work as a humanitarian in Haiti, but she says he bent—or maybe owns—the rules of journalism, as evidenced by his covert interview with kingpin-in-hiding Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. One bottom line: The media, in this case Rolling Stone, needs to be more careful to not, as Marian says, “devolv[e] into a storytelling venue that lacks all law and order.”
“Facts Are Sacred—Even for Brands—So the Rise in BS Online Should Concern Marketers,” The Drum, Jan. 15, 2016
Free speech has ultimately led to today’s state of truth under threat. Marketers especially need to be concerned, says Marian: “Those brands that have established their reputations based on trust and an intimate relationship with the consumer, built up over years and with considerable amounts of money, could … find themselves at the mercy of bullshitters, telling consumers what they want to hear rather than what’s good for them—or the truth. This threat is as real and as dangerous as that of the mass hysteria and the conspiracy theories that now abound on the Internet and on social media perpetuated by groups that want it to be true, regardless of the facts—if those facts can still be found, that is.”
“Marian Salzman on Spotting Trends and How Retailers Can Address Market Changes,” WWD, Jan. 14, 2016
“In fashion and retail,” says the introduction to this Q&A with Marian, “there are trendsetters and influencers that can shift the direction of the market by popularizing a particular look or product.” The writer talks with the Havas PR CEO about trends from her agency’s 2016 report and how they will affect retailers. One key way of dealing with customers’ growing tech addictions and general unease, for example: “Peaceful human interactions from salespeople need to successfully interrupt people’s parallel digital lives in order to distract them from their anxieties and help them focus on what the retailer has to offer.”
“The Trends You Must Know for 2016,” ITProPortal, Jan. 14, 2016
“Blame it on the various terrorist attacks over the past 15 years, the financial crisis and unemployment, the euro crisis, the refugee crisis, the obesity crisis, the media or the frantic pace of life, or maybe blame the blame culture itself. A sense of unease pervades our days right now.” That is the übertrend of all Havas PR’s trends for 2016, according to Marian. Here, she analyzes that trend and what it means to business, plus she names the other 10 trends from the agency’s annual trends report.
“The Most Important Trend to Understand for 2016,” PRWeek, Jan. 8, 2016
Marian discusses her agency’s übertrend for 2016: Uneasy Street. “Blame it on 9/11, the financial crisis, ISIS, the media, or the frantic pace of life, or maybe blame the blame culture itself,” she writes. “A sense of unease pervades most of our days right now.… We’re engaged in a constant struggle between staying in or bailing out.… This is why marketers need to understand the Uneasy Street trend, so that they can effectively recognize and fulfill opportunities as clients and their audiences strive to find peace of mind.”
“Morris Chefs, Culinary Experts Predict 2016 Top Food Trends,” Daily Record, Jan. 7, 2016
In this roundup of food predictions from local chefs, this New Jersey newspaper reports on Marian’s forecast from 2012 that “packaged snack sales would hit $77 billion by 2015. By late 2014, that number had hit $124 billion.” Also making trend news for 2016: peppers, beans, lentils and algae, more vegetables in general, cleaner ingredients, gluten-free foods, less sugar and more transparency.
“7 Food Trends to Watch For in 2016,” Asbury Park Press, Jan. 6, 2016
Asbury Park Press gathered food trend predictions from various sources, including Marian, then asked five New Jersey chefs for their opinions on each. Among Salzman’s forecasts was one from 2012 predicting an astronomical packaged snack market by 2015; her number was already doubled by 2014. Two chefs gave their thoughts on how snacking has evolved and will continue to in the future.
“Marian Salzman: What to Expect for Connecticut in 2016,” Stamford Advocate, Jan. 1, 2016
Marian pays close attention to trends in Connecticut, one of the states where she lives. In addition to looking through a Constitution State lens at some of the forecasts from her agency’s annual trends report (including unease, tech addiction, B.S. and overprotective parenting), she says that “Sandy Hook remains a sad backdrop—and a battleground.” Her prediction for 2016: “Watch safety continue to be an issue. More states will follow Connecticut’s lead in taking away guns from those who are dangerous.”