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the New Normal #3 – shifting values

Posted on by Gemma T in economy, recession, trends

In my last (at least for now) series of observations about the New Normal, we come to consumer values. Yes, I know there’s an online movement to eradicate the term ‘consumer’, but to be honest I’ve yet to hear a better alternative – ‘commonalities among people generally, who aren’t customers, but then again might be … Continue reading the New Normal #3 – shifting values →

The New Normal #2 – if it moves, research it

Posted on by Gemma T in clients, economy, recession, research, trends

So, after looking at the New Normal of measuring client’s bravery and budget we move on to part two – attitudes towards market research. Desk research tools like TGI and Mintel are becoming increasingly unhelpful as we slide deeper into this recession.  Data that was collected twelve or eighteen months ago in happier economic times … Continue reading The New Normal #2 – if it moves, research it →

the New Normal – measuring how far client’s bravery (and budget) will stretch

Posted on by Gemma T in brands, clients, economy, Marketing, recession, trends

Firstly, apologies for the lack of activity here in the last week or two, the result of being manically busy at work combined with a horse-so-lame-it-has-to-go-to-the-horse-hospital crisis. Anyway. I’ve been thinking a lot about what is the New Normal, by which I mean what has shifted as a resulted of the downturn economy, but isn’t … Continue reading the New Normal – measuring how far client’s bravery (and budget) will stretch →

Green shoots, or are we looking at a W shape recession?

Posted on by Gemma T in economy, recession

A couple of the other owners at the yard where I keep my horse are lawyers and on Friday evening they were talking about how busy their case load suddenly was.  It’s the same for me – some big and lucrative projects seem to have just appeared out of thin air. But I’m not prepared … Continue reading Green shoots, or are we looking at a W shape recession? →

a shelved history of packaging design

Posted on by Gemma T in design

I was standing in my dad’s garage this week, staring at his Shelves of Stuff which (since he hasn’t moved house for 35 years) offer a great history of design in DIY and car care product packaging. The Mobil de icer and Holts tyrewall black packaging are so retro that they actually look fresh, clean and … Continue reading a shelved history of packaging design →

insight has to come from an interesting idea

Posted on by Gemma T in Planning

Since work seem to have woken up to the fact that I can string sentences together in a relatively coherent written form, I have become Insight Led Think Piece Mailer Woman. Pulling together interesting trends, anecdotes and research feedback to come to an 800 word point of view about a given topic or trend is … Continue reading insight has to come from an interesting idea →

Crafting nostalgia for traditional skills

Posted on by Gemma T in trends

The theme of home crafts making a comeback keeps popping up at work.  Using newly-acquired but very traditional skills to create unique items for yourself or your home seems to be enjoying a real revival. I don’t think its just that we’re all feeling the economic pinch or cocooning madly, there does seem to be … Continue reading Crafting nostalgia for traditional skills →