International
London to Singapore in 13 hours by plane (or 13 milliseconds by fibre optic cable). Ever-faster transport and communications systems are blending the world into a complex, dynamic, never-sleeping market.
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International
- October 2011
High cost of living
Various factors come into play when countries consider healthcare reform. An overall picture highlights a few factors that countries should take into account.
- August 2011
The Revolution will not be televised…
The call for changes in the Middle East reached a breaking point earlier this year as the public – both young and old – took to the streets and demanded rulers step down. This could not have been achieved without the help of social media.
- July 2011
The brand game
Our love of sports leads brands to build a symbiotic relationship with sporting events in the hope that people will channel some of their fanaticism to the brands supporting the events.
- July 2011
Banking on the net
Continued security risks online can deter banking there. But unlike in the past, advanced technology is continuously pushing us forward. And who can resist, when the convenience it brings outweighs the cost?
- May 2011
The Emission Mission
Despite the growing concern for the environment, it’s not easy to market green vehicles. The job to increase the public’s perception of going green needs the combined efforts of government, manufacturers and market demands.
- April 2011
Hammering at the ceiling
The playing field is still far from level when it comes to gender in the workplace. While some places have seen an upswing, a surprising number of industries are still considered boys’ clubs
- February 2011
Cosmetic changes
As environmental concerns become more and more mainstream, the cosmetics market is showing some interesting new trends. Now, some of the fashion industry’s biggest names are taking the initiative by going green.
- February 2011
Does time really equal money?
The culture of working long office hours differs from country to country, but do more hours always mean better productivity?
- November 2010
Collect and go
Prior to the boom of social media such as Facebook and Twitter, group online shopping in Asia was never that popular. But with internet evolution and consumer sentiment rebounding collective buying is gaining full force to offer consumers more value for their money.
- November 2010
India: Where to now?
It's easy to have a changing relationship with India – people love its colourful culture and rich heritage but lament about its infrastructure that is struggling to keep up with the country’s rapid economic growth. Find out more about Synovate's research in this area, commissioned by Businessworld magazine.
- November 2010
Who’s the boss?
It's widely accepted that the strength of the relationship between a person and a brand or business is influenced by many factors, including planned communications such as advertising. Other factors such as consumption experience, incidental communication and competitor activity also play their part. Within this mix of influences, some believe that the role of the CEO or other leaders can be pivotal. Synovate conducted a quantitative study with 100 adults in the US looking at this very issue.
- September 2010
Get mobile
The theory of evolution is a simple one: adapt to your environment, or die. Right back when the world was nothing more than a glorified ice-cube, man was able to adapt to his surroundings and survive. We now try to make it in a global business network, and to do this we need to be adaptable and innovative. And this is where a new iPhone webpage for Toyota executives comes in.
- September 2010
The evolution of loyalty
Ensuring loyalty to a brand has become increasingly complex as new approaches and online technological platforms change the dynamics of company-customer interaction, and businesses explore various new ways of communicating with consumers.
- August 2010
Into the wired
Heading into the great outdoors used to be about getting away from it all, facing nature head on and enduring – even relishing – all the hardships that came along with it. While the latter is still partly true (we still face nature head on, but we've found ways to make the hardships less… hard), today’s outdoor enthusiast can (and oftentimes does) stay just as connected with the world as they would in a downtown net café.
- August 2010
Desktop destroyers
It’s clearly the age of mobile technology in which laptops, notebooks and the recent advent of hybrid tablet devices like the iPad, of which 3 million were sold within the first 80 days of its US launch, appear to be ruling the IT roost. With tablets estimated to account for 23% of all US PC sales by 2015, and sales of mobile PCs estimated to account for over 68% of all PCs sold worldwide by 2014, the writing seems to be on the wall. Are the days of the desktop, the predecessor of these new fangled devices, literally numbered?
- August 2010
Magic Mushrooms
Mushrooms aren’t known to inspire the most exciting of dialogues (except perhaps among chefs), but to the numerous fans of solar energy, the growing legion of wave farmers, and the squadrons of Don Qui-eco-xotes tilting about their windmills, the humble fungus could make a significant mark in cleaning our environment and providing alternative energy sources.
- August 2010
Obesity: A weight on your mind?
For many countries around the world, summer is in full force. This means lighter clothing and perhaps a holiday involving swimwear of some sort. Weight and body image questions inevitably arise as people prepare to expose the seasonally unexposed and Synovate seeked to find the answers in its third Infact Obesity.
- July 2010
A brand new day
After the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by countries around the world as a standard accounting language, companies were required to value brands that they own, and to disclose this in their annual financial statements. Now another sea change is here as a new ISO standard (ISO 10668) provides guidance on how companies measure the monetary value of their brands.
- July 2010
Don’t worry, be happy
Nearly two years after the global recession sent shockwaves around Asian markets, consumers in Asia appear to have put recessionary fears firmly behind them and are anticipating a period sustained economic growth.
- July 2010
Wheels on fire
That the Tour de France rivals the football World Cup for Europeans' affections reflects the Tour’s status as the world's greatest example of events-based marketing and one that will truly astonish any marketer unfamiliar with the history of the race.
- June 2010
Ready for kick-off
The 2010 FIFA World Cup kicks off in South Africa on 11 June, signalling the first African hosting of a major football tournament. According to a study by Synovate, South Africans are more than ready to show the world their enthusiasm. Here are the some of the key findings from the study.
- June 2010
The right chemistry
After decades of bad press for their attitudes concerning profits over social responsibility, the pharmaceutical industry faces a challenge from within. Is this the change we’ve been waiting for?
- June 2010
Building the hits of tomorrow
New music artists are achieving their dreams of stardom, including great sales, fans, hitting the charts and critical success, all without the marketing support of a major record label. How are they doing it? We find out in part two of a music investigation, with a focus on the role brands are playing.
- June 2010
Green Lean Machines
Hybrid cars that run on a combination of petrol, electricity and/or bio-fuels are no longer novel. Discover more about this, and other innovations to hit the motor industry this year. The developments may have the power to make the auto industry greener and cleaner.
- May 2010
In too deep?
Three-dimensional images have been a part of photographic history since the very early days of image reproduction, but the technology is now at point where electronics manufacturers feel confident about taking it to the mass home market. With everything from the World Cup to Avatar being presented in 3D, are consumers ready to take the plunge?
- May 2010
Building the hits of tomorrow
New music artists are achieving their dreams of stardom, including great sales, fans, hitting the charts and critical success, all without the marketing support of a major record label. How are they doing it?
- May 2010
The new experience of luxury
‘Luxury’ is perhaps the most overused term in the marketing industry’s vocabulary, selling everything from hotels to toilet paper. However, because the globe’s richest are today able to afford most things material, their focus has moved towards using their money to discover otherwise unobtainable experiences and adventures.
- April 2010
Over the counter products: A healthy perspective?
It is no secret that the greatest wealth one can have is their health. Synovate's latest survey on attitudes towards over the counter medications suggests that many of us are more than aware of this.
- March 2010
The relocation of luxury
Asian consumers account for half of the US$80 billion global luxe industry. China’s luxury market is growing so rapidly that it will become the biggest in the world within four years and in India there are three-month waiting lists for items with the “right” label attached.
- February 2010
Be your own boss
As the economic crunch continues to cause companies to downsize, an increasing number of people are choosing to take the entrepreneur route – swapping a corporate cubicle for a home-office.
- February 2010
Tooling up for risk management
Risk management is on the tip of everyone’s tongue these days as brands look for ways to recover post-recession. Synovate’s Dr Stephen Popiel muses on how and when research can help you identify and address risks before they hit your bottom line.
- February 2010
Music trends rocking fans across the world
Almost one in five music fans ‘will do anything’ to meet their idols, and many are happy to view ads and even share their personal information for access to free music, according to a new study from Synovate.
- January 2010
Green sells
As Brazil goes from strength to strength, environmentalists have been concerned about the potential damage, but new data shows Brazilians are more concerned than anyone about the impact of consumer behaviour on the environment.
- January 2010
Who’s spending, who’s not and why not?
The global financial crisis has impacted customers with varied effect. Some countries have suffered more than others and companies must examine who their clients are and target new consumer categories and markets.
- December 2009
DigitALL in sight
Synovate's global media and advertising study showed that the internet is now edging out TV as the world's favourite medium. But don't take this to mean that other media like print and radio don't still have a place in people's hearts.
- October 2009
Money matters
People have changed a great deal since the global financial crisis hit. Some use more cash, some less. Many use less credit, but there are still many signing up for it. A Synovate survey reveals who's doing and thinking what.
- October 2009
Happy with home-grown
In booming middle class India, brands don't get ahead by being "foreign" or from the "West" – home-grown, or at least adapted, brands are far more likely to appeal to India’s proud professional classes.
- October 2009
‘Checking out’ global grocery shopping
Most of us do it. Some of us reluctantly, some of us with a sense of anticipation and pleasure. Grocery retailers need to take into account myriad attitudes and approaches and make the experience satisfying for customers.
- September 2009
New Russians, new chic
In the fourth-largest luxury market in the world, Russians are voting with their wallets for sophistication and national heritage as showiness starts to fade into the background.
- September 2009
Mobiles a ‘remote control’ for life
Mobile Intelligence expects that 70% of all people will own a mobile phone by the end of 2010. Marketers need to understand how people use their phones, how they feel about them - and what they want more of.
- August 2009
Boot-cut beats black tie
“Jeans are the new lipstick,” says Synovate UK CEO and luxury retail expert Jill Telford. In a recession, some lower expenditure, high pleasure items like denim jeans sell just as strongly as they do when times are good.
- August 2009
Life exists after the credit crunch
People are slowly regaining their positive outlook on the economy, becoming more optimistic for themselves and their country's economy. You can also get a sense that if habits were going to change, they already have.
- July 2009
Is ‘green’ set to drive the car industry?
If money were no object would you buy the gobsmackingly powerful, gorgeous sports car or a green ecofriendly car? Surprisingly, Synovate found that six in ten people would choose a green car instead of their dream car.
- July 2009
Motormouth
Infact spoke with Scott Miller, CEO Synovate Motoresearch and Car Lover, after another hectic day of researching and talking about cars; he was revved up enough to indulge in even more car talk...
- June 2009
A matter of taste?
You eat a huge greasy hamburger for lunch then carefully crunch on a few lettuce leaves for dinner. You go for a run and light up that cigarette as you recover. Strange? Not really. Perhaps not ideal behaviour... but it is surprisingly normal.
- June 2009
Chewing the fat
In:fact spoke with two individuals about how they manage their health and what they do well and what they don't, whether it's plenty of exercise but too much smoking or business trips interfering with personal health plans.
- April 2009
The hotel experience
Ask any regular traveller and they probably have a hotel-from-hell story and (hopefully) a hotel-from-heaven counterpart. Whether travelling for pleasure or business, the place where you park your head at night can make or break the experience.
- March 2009
Trends with nine lives
The past is cooler than ever, and every industry looks back to previous trends to find inspiration for future ones. What was once outdated is now kitsch, what was once “so last season” has now become collectible.
- March 2009
Drawing insight from social networks
The communities on social websites such as MySpace and Facebook represent a tremendous opportunity for researchers to become involved in, participate in, observe and analyse thousands of conversations.
- March 2009
The green commandment
The right car, the right food, the right travel arrangements, the right soap, the right bag when you go to the supermarket – living green can be overwhelming but that isn't necessarily deterring consumers.
- March 2009
Here comes the silver market
The silver market is generally considered to be consumers over the age of 50 – a huge market that is growing rapidly due to simple demographics: people all over the world are living longer.
- March 2009
Luxury goes back to its roots
In the midst of a global recession, luxury is returning to its roots: the ordinary purchases of extraordinary people. Ultra rich consumers are not afraid to spend millions on just one more private jet, yacht, or mansion.
- March 2009
Material girls or money managers?
What roles do women around the world play in their household finances? Do they feel in control of their own cash? How many women believe they are financially independent? Are women better with money than men?
- February 2009
Building a recession-proof brand
In times like this, brands should show what they're made of. Some will fall, some will survive and others will thrive. To make sure your brand is one of the winners, you need to know what people are doing, feeling and buying.
- December 2008
Passionate about professions
Much of who we are is tied up in what we do in the hours from nine to five (and often way beyond). Asking someone what they do for a living is often our first question. So what are people's gut reactions when you tell them what you do?
- November 2008
Men: Beauty or brawn, or both?
Synovate took a long, lingering look at male beauty in 12 markets across the world, speaking with nearly 10,000 people about beautiful blokes and what makes them that way. We discovered cultural differences as well as some surprises.
- August 2008
Social networking myths and facts
Synovate spoke with over 13,000 respondents in 17 markets around the world to find out who's connected and who's not, as well as attitudes and online behaviours. Some of what we found surprised us...
- July 2008
Is ‘green’ the new black?
The second annual Synovate and BBC World News climate change study showed that more and more people are concerned about climate change (72% across the globe and as high as 88% in Spain).
- June 2008
What would you do to be beautiful?
Beautiful things give us great pleasure. Art, music, landscapes... it goes without saying. But where do we stand on beautiful people? It's a tougher proposition because, frankly, we're not all 'Brangelina' or Aishwarya Rai.
- May 2008
Global healthcare survey looks at patient power
From doctors' waiting rooms to 'Dr Google', homeopathy to homemade remedies, healthcare has many different guises around the world. With economic and cultural factors shaping healthcare attitudes and behaviour, this sector can be seen as a microcosm of society.
- April 2008
Living the fast, young life in Asia
Multi-tasking, media-rich lifestyles are the norm among 8-24 year olds in Asia, with these on-the-pulse consumers fitting 38 hours of activities into every 24 hour period.
- March 2008
Cents and sensibility: Global attitudes to cash
Whether you have a lot of it or a little; whether you think it buys happiness or is simply a necessary evil; whether you are a marketer, or consumer (or both!)... money is universal.
- February 2008
Jeans joys and denim blues
Originally, jeans were sturdy, practical items made to withstand hard work and wear and tear. These days they are near-ubiquitous global fashion items, found in most wardrobes of the world.
- January 2008
Fast food addiction, obesity and other weighty issues
From obesity to home gyms, from fast food addiction to herbal supplements, Synovate today released data that shows that across the world people have conflicting attitudes and behaviours when it comes to managing their weight.
- November 2007
The Olympics… Greatest show on earth?
With the countdown clock in Beijing registering 254 days to go, the eyes of the world are swinging towards China and the 2008 Olympic Games. The Games are arguably one of the most important global events for marketers...
- October 2007
Democracy doesn’t always get the vote
Synovate, together with BBC World, recently explored attitudes towards democracy in a global survey spanning 15 markets on five continents and discovered that more than half the respondents believe that terrorism can destroy democracy.
- September 2007
Smokers and non-smokers agree
As smoking bans continue to make headlines, findings from Synovate's latest survey show that 80% of respondents in 15 countries are in favour of such bans, primarily because of the positive influence these are perceived to have upon public health.
- September 2007
China’s pre-Olympics pulse
Brands have spent mega-millions on legitimate sponsorship deals to secure their connection to the Olympic Games. How is all this affecting the grass roots population of China? To be brutally honest, very little!
- September 2007
The fantasy is reality
Forget about fantasy sports being a pursuit solely covered by a small group of fanatics, it boasts a range of sponsors including Barclays, Budweiser, Coca-Cola and Toyota.
- September 2007
The Olympic ringmasters
Exciting the public should be a breeze, but that's not always the case with the greatest show on earth. It's not easy to keep the public happy, but in every host city there's a team of people geared up to do just that.
- September 2007
The marketing marathon
Massive marketing campaigns for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing have been in place for several years, but it's only recently that companies have begun splashing their logos on billboards and products across China.
- September 2007
Capturing the world’s attention
Seven years in the making and billions of dollars spent in preparation, the 17-day Summer Olympic Games draws millions of overseas fans to the host city and is televised to billions.
- September 2007
Olympic sponsors vie for China’s passion
Big name sponsors are spending heavily on the 2008 Olympic Games. But are the Chinese paying attention?
- September 2007
Lording the Olympic rings
Running the Olympics is tricky business. On the one hand, the organisers want to reach every corner of the globe. On the other, they need to keep the Olympics' proprietary insignia away from unauthorised users.
- August 2007
Brands taking Asia by storm
Almost four billion of the world's people call it home. Its affluent and middle class consumer base is growing faster than any other across the globe. And brands, both local and global, are fighting for their place among its markets.
- July 2007
Latin American elites are big spenders
Affluent consumers and business executives in Latin America are world citizens and have similar purchasing power to elites in developed markets and want the best products and services that global marketers can offer.
- June 2007
Grappling with gratuities
How much should you tip? The inevitable question heard at the end of many restaurant meals was asked of consumers across the globe, with the most common answer being between 10 and 15 percent of the bill.
- May 2007
Music 2.0 is here
Music is mid-revolution. It's a quiet revolution but a sure one. While marketers and industry experts spend time debating the impact of new technologies, Asia's youth are simply using them... or are poised to do so.
- April 2007
Flying higher
Turning a national brand into a global brand is a tough business - just ask any airline. As long as existing regulations deny airlines the commercial freedom enjoyed by other industries, this seems unlikely to change.
- April 2007
Big national brands
These five brands have made quite a name for themselves in their local markets. Now, they are setting their eyes on the world, looking to expand their operations to all parts of the globe.
- April 2007
Climate change and consumer behaviour
Climate change is news all over the world. You only have to pick up a newspaper or stand by the water cooler to know it's a hot issue. But will all this talk lead to changing consumer behaviour?
- February 2007
Teaching children financial responsibility
The vast majority of American parents expect their children to do chores for their pocket money, while more than half of parents in Cyprus teach their kids about the stock market, reveals global market research company Synovate.
- January 2007
Desperately seeking love online
A Synovate survey reveals a fairly even match between those who think online dating is a great way to meet people and those who think it is a waste of time but shows large disparities among levels of use and comfort between different nationalities.
- December 2006
Do motorsports rev up brands?
More than one-third of motor racing fans would be influenced by a manufacturer's success on the racing circuit when buying a car or motorcycle, according to a recent global study by Synovate.
- November 2006
Insight into low income consumers
Low income consumers in the world's emerging markets want many of the same things out of life and the same quality in their products as middle class consumers and differ mainly in their purchasing behaviour.
- November 2006
Silent, but deadly
Hepatitis B is a liver disease that primarily affects Asians. But growing rates of migration and travel may change that. Without increasing awareness, Hepatitis B will continue to kill – silently.
- November 2006
Mexico’s home run
The dream of owning a home – once denied to millions of Mexicans – is becoming a reality thanks to government support, a stable economy and new mortgage programs from domestic and foreign banks.
- November 2006
Capitalism calling
The rapid spread of mobile phones in South Africa is enfranchising people who were once excluded by spurring entrepreneurialism in rural areas and encouraging foreign direct investment.
- November 2006
Breaking Away
Since Poland joined the European Union, some 300,000 Poles have registered to live and work in Britain, one of the three countries with an open door policy. Why is this extraordinary migration taking place, and what effect is it having on the economy at home?
- November 2006
Thailand - no longer on a shoestring
A new, three-year marketing campaign, “Thailand Unforgettable,” aims to lure high-end travelers and niche holiday-makers to a country known more for backpackers, hostels and rock-bottom prices.
- October 2006
Coffee culture: a global phenomenon?
Consumers the world over are highly in favour of coffee giants and the vast array of choices they offer. However it's clearly a trade-off between enjoyment and principles for many.
- September 2006
Travel stoppage
The new restrictions at airports will deter some consumers from air travel but it's the ongoing threat of terrorism that will have a greater effect on their travel habits, according to a new survey by Synovate.
- August 2006
Digital manners in Asia
Sixty percent of Asian consumers are unable to live without their mobile phone and two thirds of Asians believe digital devices should come with user etiquette manuals, according to a Synovate survey.
- July 2006
GM Foods: Fright or delight?
Basic familiarity with genetically modified foods varies considerably across markets and, among people familiar with GM foods, opinions are equally diverse, a Synovate study found.
- June 2006
World Cup 2006
Brazil are the overwhelming favourite to win the 2006 World Cup, a recent Synovate survey has found.
- June 2006
Living with - or without - technology
Almost half of us think new technology looks cool even if we don't understand it, according to a recent Synovate survey.
- May 2006
Alternative engine technology
Despite record oil prices in most countries and concerns about global pollution levels, awareness and adoption of alternative fuel engine technologies are fairly low, according to a recent Synovate survey.
- April 2006
With age comes beauty
Nearly 40 per cent of men in 12 key markets think older women were just as attractive as their younger counterparts, found a a recent Synovate survey of seniors aged 55 or older.
- April 2006
Is employee loyalty declining?
Forty percent of employees think it's no longer possible to be as loyal to a company as in the past, with the French - at 56 percent - expressing the highest such sentiment, a recent Synovate survey has found.
- April 2006
Beauty at any age
MTV booty-shaking minx or Catherine Deneuve? In a recent Synovate survey of seniors aged 55 or older, there is no contest - nearly 40 per cent of men in 12 key markets said older women were just as attractive as their younger counterparts.