Nearly a Third of U.S. Consumers Perceive No Communication as Bad News During COVID-19 Pandemic
Study by Media Frenzy Global in partnership with Arlington Research reveals spending stops and trust is diminished when businesses go silent
ATLANTA, June 9, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In the midst of COVID-19, consumer sentiments have drastically evolved as they've become more conservative with spending and more selective on what and where to purchase. The global study, Don't Stop, The Future is Now, released by Media Frenzy Global in partnership with Arlington Research, revealed just under a third (31%) of U.S. consumers worry businesses who have failed to share any company news or content during the pandemic are in financial trouble and because of this, they likely wouldn't spend with them.
Conducted online between late April and mid-May, 13,000 respondents across generations from 14 countries were surveyed, including 2,500 from the United States. In addition to shifts in consumer sentiment, the data revealed interesting trends being experienced across the country:
● Just under half of U.S. respondents (47%) are desperate to hear about non-COVID-19 news;
● 50% of U.S. respondents surveyed agree they spend more time-consuming content than ever before
● 45% of those surveyed agree they want to be inspired by brands so they can be hopeful about the future, which ultimately inspires them to spend money with these brands when this is all over;
● 38% of Americans said their perceptions of businesses have changed;
● More than a third of respondents are concerned about their job security if their company (or employer) has gone quiet; the U.S. is among countries where agreement is highest at 35%.
"It's undeniable without a clear communication strategy, you risk consumers forming their own conclusions—and those conclusions might not even be right. Your business may be faring the storm, but if your staff and customers aren't aware and may be reluctant to place that next order for fear you might not be able to fulfill it. Likewise, if we want to restore faith in our economies, we must keep employees up to date on company news, changes and the future," says Sarah Tourville, CEO and Founder at Media Frenzy Global.
Unsurprisingly, 50% of U.S. respondents surveyed said their consumption of content increased during the pandemic when compared to before. Much of this can undoubtedly be attributed to lockdowns, with people spending the majority of their time at home surfing the internet.
The research also sheds light on topics consumers are craving. Nearly half of all surveyed (47%) agree they want to hear and read news unrelated to the pandemic, with just 20% in disagreement. This desire for non-COVID-19 news is felt across generations, ranging from 51% millennials to 43% of the 'silent generation' (those aged in their 70s and 80s).
Consumers have also indicated when businesses are communicating with them; they want to feel encouraged and heartened by their message. Over a third (35%) of those surveyed stated during the crisis, brands that inspire them and give them hope are the ones they want to spend money with in the future. This is especially true for those dwelling in larger metropolitan cities across the U.S., compared to more rural regions.
"People want news and want to be inspired. The majority of respondents who took part in our survey, of which there were 13,000 consumers from 14 countries across the world, told us how well a company responds to the coronavirus crisis will have a huge bearing on the likelihood of buying from them in the future. Do not underestimate the 'power of now.' Now is not the time to go stop your communications – the beginning is always today," concludes Paul Stallard, Managing Director at Arlington Research.
"As a company providing a full range of services to support major retailers' and brands' online business, we have experienced a significant uptick during the pandemic. Not only are people shopping and buying more online, but they are getting a more direct experience with the brands they buy. This research indicates that going silent is breaking an important connection between companies and their customers. There's a clear opportunity for companies to be generous in their communications with customers to improve brand loyalty now and in the future," says Michael Wright, VP of Marketing & Solutions at PFS.
Further findings from the survey are available in full, HERE.
To schedule an interview with spokespeople from Media Frenzy Global and Arlington Research, please contact Matthew Kaiserman at Media Frenzy Global at [email protected] or (678) 943-7408.
About Media Frenzy Global
An award-winning agency, Media Frenzy Global (MFG), grows total company value for technology companies by increasing market awareness and connecting that to revenue. MFG is the only internationally-focused boutique PR and Marketing agency in Atlanta whose sole focus is to build innovative and disruptive brands across continents. Its international cross-border expertise, diverse team, multi-award-winning campaigns, and 5-star customer testimonials make MFG a leading choice for brands seeking to tell progressive stories that connect with a multicultural and multigenerational audience. For more information on Media Frenzy Global, visit http://www.mediafrenzyglobal.com.
About Arlington Research
Arlington Research is a full-service independent market research agency. We provide clients from around the world with robust data via quantitative research, in-depth exploration via qualitative research, and audits on what's out there already via desk research. All our team are director level and focused on providing intelligent analysis and creative insight that help our clients bring their story to life. Our director-level team will design your research from sample design to final reporting. Each piece of research is reliable, robust, delivered with a quick turnaround, and analyzed to ensure the research creates maximum impact. Our scope of work is broad, and we run research for leading brands and organizations from many different sectors. We are experienced in researching hard-to-reach audiences and markets and we would love to help bring your story to life. arlingtonresearch.global
For Media Inquiries:
Matthew Kaiserman, Media Frenzy Global
[email protected]
(678) 943-7408
SOURCE Media Frenzy Global
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