New Global Study from BBMG and GlobeScan Details Five Marketplace Shifts Toward Authenticity, Wellbeing, Sustainability and Social Purpose
NEW YORK, 6 October 2015 – Despite profound economic, political and social challenges around the world, a rising generation of Aspirational consumers is optimistic about the future and sees brands and free market capitalism as a force for positive change, finds a new global study by BBMG and GlobeScan.
According to the report, “Five Human Aspirations and the Future of Brands,” Aspirationals are more likely than any other consumer segment to “believe the world is going in the right direction” (49% Aspirationals, 40% Global Public), and that “our children and grandchildren will have a higher quality of life than we do today” (56% Aspirationals, 48% Global Public).
This sense of optimism includes a belief in their power to influence corporate behavior, with nearly eight-in-ten Aspirationals saying, “as a consumer, I can make a difference in how a company behaves” (78% Aspirationals, 68% Global Public).
“In an emerging 21st century, a generation shaped by 9/11, perpetual wars, economic crises and environmental threats is experiencing an equal and opposite reaction toward generosity, creativity, collaboration and caring,” says Raphael Bemporad, Co-Founder of BBMG. “Aspirationals are defined by an innate sense of optimism and a belief that everyday actions when joined with the actions of their peers can make a positive difference in the world.”
The 2015 Aspirationals study is based on telephone interviews with 22,000 consumers across 22 countries as well as consumer ethnographies in the United States. The report features new consumer insights on capitalism, climate change and corporate expectations as well as five global trends that are shaping business strategy and consumer behavior.
The report finds that more than twice as many Aspirational consumers want to improve free market capitalism rather than replace it, with 55 percent of Aspirationals saying that “free market capitalism has some problems, but these can be addressed through regulation and reform” (51% Global Public), compared to 22 percent who believe that “free market capitalism is fatally flawed, and a different economic system is needed” (22% Global Public). One-in-ten Aspirationals (13%) say “free market capitalism works well and efforts to increase regulation will make it much less efficient” (13% Global Public).
Similarly, Aspirationals match the general public in believing that companies should be responsible for creating positive impact by “ensuring products are safe and healthy” (74%), “providing fair wages to all employees” (72%),“not harming the environment” (70%), “ensuring a responsible supply chain” (69%) and “treating employees fairly” (66%). Aspirationals are more likely than the global public in their expectation that companies should “support charities and community projects” (60% Aspirationals to 57% Global Public), “reduce human rights abuses” (56% to 54%), “help reduce the rich-poor gap” (55% to 52%) and “solve social problems” (53% to 49%).
“Aspirationals’ propensity for brand love and loyalty comes with new expectations for corporate purpose, responsibility and behavior. They expect brands to lead with their values and meet higher standards for health, safety, fairness and social impact in ways that drive progress for people and positive impact for the world,” says Mitch Baranowski, Co-Founder of BBMG. “With the Aspirationals, brand leaders now have an opportunity to leverage sustainability and social purpose to drive relevance, relationships, loyalty and business growth.”
“The Aspirational generation isn’t defined by age, but rather the desire for their actions to meet their needs, have a positive impact on others and connect them with an ideal or community that’s bigger than themselves,” says Chris Coulter, CEO of GlobeScan. “Representing more than one-third of the global adult population, Aspirationals are connecting the right thing to do with the cool thing to do, creating new possibilities for brands, business and society.”
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Methodology
The Aspirational segmentation explores the intersection of consumer needs, desires and shopping behaviors with social and environmental beliefs, values and priorities. The segmentation reveals a spectrum including highly committed Advocates (26% of consumers globally in 2015), style and social status-seeking Aspirationals (39%), price and performance-minded Practicals (25%) and the less engaged Indifferents (10%).
Aspirationals 2015 data is based on GlobeScan’s annual Radar survey of the global public. It includes representative samples of around 1,000 adults per country in 22 countries. This includes some urban-only surveying in certain developing countries. Interviews were conducted both face-to-face and via telephone between December 2014 and March 2015. The global survey data was supplemented by consumer ethnographies performed in the United States by BBMG in April and May of 2015.
For more information, images or a spokesperson please contact:
- Robin Miller, Manager, Communications and Digital Media, GlobeScan
Email: Robin.Miller@GlobeScan.com
Mob: +1 647 528 2767
- Raphael Bemporad, BBMG
Email: rbemporad@bbmg.com
About BBMG
BBMG is a globally recognized brand and innovation consultancy dedicated to creating brands of enduring value. We design brands and re-engineer brand experiences to drive growth and positive social impact.
For more information please visit www.BBMG.com
