Economic Recovery Index
 An Amárach Research Briefing:
 Brand Mood Edition
 March 2012




Economic Recovery Index          © Amárach Research1
The Emotional Recovery


                          We have been reporting our monthly
                          Economic Recovery Index since April 2009.

                          We set out three years ago to assess the
                          psychological impact of the recession and to
                          chart our ‘emotional progress’ towards
                          recovery alongside our ‘economic progress’.

                          Our tracking research has shown the
                          remarkable emotional strength of the Irish
                          people, who have consistently reported
                          ‘happiness’ and ‘enjoyment’ as their two most
                          frequently experienced emotions.

                          This report summarises our Economic
                          Recovery Index results from April 2009 to
                          March 2012.

                          The most recent fieldwork was conducted
                          during 19th to 24th March 2012 inclusive.


Economic Recovery Index                                                   2
Brand Moods


                          We regularly track and measure brands, customer
                          satisfaction and advertising impact for a diverse
                          range of clients.

                          One of the key measurement tasks is to measure
                          the emotional strength of the consumer-brand
                          relationship: usually in terms of a brand’s equity,
                          values and positioning.

                          But the emotional content of our brand relations is
                          also shaped by the wider emotional landscape –
                          something we have been tracking as part of the
                          Economic Recovery Index.

                          In this special issue we examine the ERI from the
                          perspective of brands, i.e.: by comparing the
                          views of consumers according to their main bank,
                          supermarket, telco, insurer, utility and newspaper.

                          We think you’ll find the results fascinating…


Economic Recovery Index                                                         3
A Matter of Measurement

   Every month we survey a representative, online sample of 1,000 adults and ask them to tell us
   which one statement ‘best describes the economic situation in Ireland right now’ (listed below)

   The consumer outlook has improved significantly since February:




                                                                         Feb’12: 0%        Mar’12: 0%




                                                                      Feb’12: 2%       Mar’12: 4%




 Feb’12: 55%   Mar’12: 43%                                       Feb’12: 18%       Mar’12: 24%




                                     Feb’12: 24%   Mar’12: 29%

Economic Recovery Index                                                                                 4
The Economic Recovery Index

     Using the answers to the question on ‘stages of recovery’ we have created the Economic
     Recovery Index, which ranges from 0 to 100 (0 = deep recession; 100 = back to peak).
     The ERI rose to 22.3 in March 2012, the highest level since August 2010:




                                                          Source: Amárach Research, March 2012
Economic Recovery Index                                                                          5
The Stages of Recovery: 1
  Perceptions of the current stage of recovery by main bank and telecoms supplier:

                                           MAIN BANK            MOBILE/LANDLINE SUPPLIER
                                                                      Vodafon
       March 2012            TOTAL   AIB   BOI   PTSB   UB      O2
                                                                         e
                                                                              Meteor eircom
   The economic
   situation in Ireland is   43%     40%   41%   49%    47%     41%     43%     43%     41%
   getting worse
   The economic
   situation is bad but      29%     31%   30%   23%    20%     28%     27%     33%     26%
   has stabilized
   The economic
   situation is bad but
                             24%     24%   24%   21%    26%     24%     25%     20%     27%
   showing a few signs of
   improvement
   The economic
   situation is getting
   better and showing         4%     4%    3%    3%     3%      4%      4%       2%      4%
   clear signs of
   improvement
   The economic
   situation is good and      0%     0%    0%    0%     0%      0%      0%       0%      0%
   almost fully recovered
   from the recession
                                                              Source: Amárach Research, March 2012
Economic Recovery Index                                                                              6
The Stages of Recovery: 2

  Perceptions of the current stage of recovery by main supermarket and electricity supplier:

                                              MAIN SUPERMARKET             ELECTRICITY SUPPLIER
                                                Dunne    Super            Electric
         March 2012             TOTAL   Tesco
                                                Stores    Valu
                                                                   Aldi
                                                                          Ireland
                                                                                   Bord Gais Airtricity

    The economic situation in
                                43%     38%      46%     38%       57%     42%       43%        44%
    Ireland is getting worse

    The economic situation is   29%     31%      29%     19%       21%     27%       28%        32%
    bad but has stabilized
    The economic situation is
    bad but showing a few       24%     25%      21%     34%       18%     25%       25%        20%
    signs of improvement
    The economic situation is
    getting better and           4%      4%      2%       7%       2%       4%        3%        3%
    showing clear signs of
    improvement
    The economic situation is
    good and almost fully        0%      0%      0%       0%       0%       0%        0%        0%
    recovered from the
    recession


                                                                 Source: Amárach Research, March 2012
Economic Recovery Index                                                                                   7
The Stages of Recovery: 3

  Perceptions of the current stage of recovery by main insurer and daily newspaper:

                                          HEALTH/LIFE INSURER                DAILY NEWSPAPER
                                                                                            Irish
                                                                  Irish    Irish   Irish
         March 2012             TOTAL   VHI   Liberty   Aviva
                                                                   Life   Times    Indo
                                                                                            Daily
                                                                                            Mail
    The economic situation in
                                43%     34%    45%      31%       44%     34%      39%       46%
    Ireland is getting worse

    The economic situation is   29%     32%    28%      29%       28%     34%      32%       24%
    bad but has stabilized
    The economic situation is
    bad but showing a few       24%     29%    20%      35%       21%     25%      21%       27%
    signs of improvement
    The economic situation is
    getting better and           4%     4%     4%        3%       4%       6%       6%       3%
    showing clear signs of
    improvement
    The economic situation is
    good and almost fully        0%     0%     0%        0%       0%       0%       0%       0%
    recovered from the
    recession

                                                                Source: Amárach Research, March 2012
Economic Recovery Index                                                                                8
Recovery Outlook 1

   % of Irish adults who agree with each statement:




                                                      Source: Amárach Research, March 2012
Economic Recovery Index                                                                      9
Recovery Outlook 2

   % of Irish adults who agree with each statement:




                                                      Source: Amárach Research, March 2012
Economic Recovery Index                                                                      10
Recovery Outlook 3

   % of Irish adults who agree with each statement:




                                                      Source: Amárach Research, March 2012
Economic Recovery Index                                                                      11
Financial Sentiment Indicators

      % of Irish adults who agree with each statement: March 2010, 2011, 2012 & February 2012



          Impact on:
          •Spending
          •Saving
          •Debt
          •Borrowing




Economic Recovery Index                                      Source: Amárach Research, March 2012   12
The Mood of the Nation 1


         Did you experience any of these feelings a lot of the day yesterday?
         % saying Yes: April 2009 to March 2012




                                                        Source: Amárach Research, March 2012
Economic Recovery Index                                                                        13
The Mood of the Nation 2

        Did you experience any of these feelings a lot of the day yesterday?
        % saying Yes: April 2009 to March 2012




                                                         Source: Amárach Research, March 2012
Economic Recovery Index                                                                         14
Changing Moods: 1
 Did you experience any of these feelings a lot of the day yesterday?
 % saying Yes: March 2012

                                        MAIN BANK             MOBILE/LANDLINE SUPPLIER

                                                                    Vodafon
       March 2012         TOTAL   AIB   BOI   PTSB    UB      O2
                                                                       e
                                                                            Meteor eircom

      Enjoyment           57%     54%   54%    60%    67%     59%       57%   54%     56%

      Happiness           55%     53%   55%    55%    60%     56%       52%   60%     52%

      Stress              41%     44%   39%    38%    44%     37%       42%   43%     42%

      Worry               34%     35%   31%    38%    37%     30%       34%   34%     30%
      Anxiety             28%     29%   26%    27%    25%     28%       27%   27%     28%
      Boredom             25%     28%   24%    23%    26%     25%       23%   30%     22%
      Pain                21%     20%   19%    27%    21%     22%       20%   19%     18%
      Sadness             19%     19%   19%    20%    22%     17%       19%   23%     22%

      Anger               16%     16%   15%    16%    16%     14%       15%   18%     16%

      Fear                 9%     11%   5%     11%    10%     6%        9%    11%      8%

                                                            Source: Amárach Research, March 2012
Economic Recovery Index                                                                            15
Changing Moods: 2
 Did you experience any of these feelings a lot of the day yesterday?
 % saying Yes: March 2012

                                          MAIN SUPERMARKET              ELECTRICITY SUPPLIER

                                            Dunne    Super            Electric
         March 2012        TOTAL    Tesco
                                            Stores    Valu
                                                               Aldi
                                                                      Ireland
                                                                               Bord Gais Airtricity

      Enjoyment             57%      57%     59%     66%       47%      57%      54%        59%

      Happiness             55%      56%     56%     61%       47%      53%      54%        59%
      Stress                41%      40%     44%     37%       50%      40%      42%        42%
      Worry                 34%      35%     31%     30%       39%      33%      34%        36%
      Anxiety               28%      28%     24%     24%       34%      25%      32%        29%
      Boredom               25%      23%     25%     32%       28%      25%      24%        28%

      Pain                  21%      19%     25%     15%       24%      22%      17%        22%

      Sadness               19%      20%     17%     19%       25%      19%      19%        21%
      Anger                 16%      14%     14%     10%       26%      16%      17%        15%

      Fear                   9%      7%      6%       7%       16%      9%       13%        6%


                                                             Source: Amárach Research, March 2012
Economic Recovery Index                                                                               16
Changing Moods: 3
 Did you experience any of these feelings a lot of the day yesterday?
 % saying Yes: March 2012
                                        HEALTH/LIFE INSURER               DAILY NEWSPAPER
                                                                                          Irish
                                                               Irish    Irish   Irish
        March 2012         TOTAL     VHI   Liberty   Aviva
                                                                Life   Times    Indo
                                                                                          Daily
                                                                                          Mail
      Enjoyment             57%     58%     62%      59%       55%      55%     52%       61%

      Happiness             55%     57%     56%      67%       55%      53%     53%       51%

      Stress                41%     41%     49%      35%       40%      36%     38%       48%

      Worry                 34%     30%     33%      38%       30%      30%     32%       43%

      Anxiety               28%     29%     29%      26%       24%      29%     28%       38%

      Boredom               25%     26%     24%      24%       18%      21%     26%       27%

      Pain                  21%     22%     20%      15%       23%      16%     25%       29%

      Sadness               19%     16%     21%      20%       15%      19%     19%       24%

      Anger                 16%      11%    18%      14%       18%      14%     17%       22%

      Fear                   9%      7%     10%       9%       7%       7%       9%       17%

Economic Recovery Index                                    Source: Amárach Research, March 2012   17
Brand Hope


                          The March results for the Economic Recovery
                          Index signal a strong improvement, consistent
                          since the start of the year.

                          This is a hopeful indicator of better things to
                          come for Irish marketers and brand owners.

                          The key message is that not all customers are
                          ‘equally’ emotional – our findings in the briefing
                          show extraordinary and significant differences
                          between customers of competing brands in
                          relation to their perceptions of the wider
                          economy, and their daily emotional experience.

                          Those brands seeking to benefit from a
                          sustained improvement in consumer sentiment
                          would be well advised to ensure their brand
                          emotions are congruent with the increasingly
                          positive emotions evident in the wider
                          consumer population.

Economic Recovery Index                                                        18
If you are a brand owner featured in this
 report, and would like a free briefing on the
      emotional wellbeing of your brand as
uncovered by our Economic Recovery Index,
                 then call us on
               01 410 5200

                and ask for:
      Mark Nolan Managing Director
  or Michael McLoughlin Chief Executive
        or Gerard O’Neill Chairman

      We’d be delighted to talk to you.
About Amárach Research

We are an independent market research
agency, providing a full range of research
services to our Irish and international clients.
Our team of 30 research & support staff have
worked with most of Ireland’s top 200
companies. Every year we survey over
100,000 people at home and abroad, as well
as running hundreds of focus groups.

Our experienced team of directors and
executives manage online, face-to-face and
cati surveys; as well as qualitative research
including focus groups, in-depths and
ethnographic studies. We also offer a unique
field-only service to universities and
international agencies.

Amárach Research is proud to be:
Trends Report




Call us on 01 410 5200 if you want your business to
             bounce forward to success.

                e. info@amarach.com
                 w. www.amarach.com
              b. www.amarach.com/blog
          t. twitter.com/AmarachResearch

Amárach Economic Recovery Index March 2012

  • 1.
    Economic Recovery Index An Amárach Research Briefing: Brand Mood Edition March 2012 Economic Recovery Index © Amárach Research1
  • 2.
    The Emotional Recovery We have been reporting our monthly Economic Recovery Index since April 2009. We set out three years ago to assess the psychological impact of the recession and to chart our ‘emotional progress’ towards recovery alongside our ‘economic progress’. Our tracking research has shown the remarkable emotional strength of the Irish people, who have consistently reported ‘happiness’ and ‘enjoyment’ as their two most frequently experienced emotions. This report summarises our Economic Recovery Index results from April 2009 to March 2012. The most recent fieldwork was conducted during 19th to 24th March 2012 inclusive. Economic Recovery Index 2
  • 3.
    Brand Moods We regularly track and measure brands, customer satisfaction and advertising impact for a diverse range of clients. One of the key measurement tasks is to measure the emotional strength of the consumer-brand relationship: usually in terms of a brand’s equity, values and positioning. But the emotional content of our brand relations is also shaped by the wider emotional landscape – something we have been tracking as part of the Economic Recovery Index. In this special issue we examine the ERI from the perspective of brands, i.e.: by comparing the views of consumers according to their main bank, supermarket, telco, insurer, utility and newspaper. We think you’ll find the results fascinating… Economic Recovery Index 3
  • 4.
    A Matter ofMeasurement Every month we survey a representative, online sample of 1,000 adults and ask them to tell us which one statement ‘best describes the economic situation in Ireland right now’ (listed below) The consumer outlook has improved significantly since February: Feb’12: 0% Mar’12: 0% Feb’12: 2% Mar’12: 4% Feb’12: 55% Mar’12: 43% Feb’12: 18% Mar’12: 24% Feb’12: 24% Mar’12: 29% Economic Recovery Index 4
  • 5.
    The Economic RecoveryIndex Using the answers to the question on ‘stages of recovery’ we have created the Economic Recovery Index, which ranges from 0 to 100 (0 = deep recession; 100 = back to peak). The ERI rose to 22.3 in March 2012, the highest level since August 2010: Source: Amárach Research, March 2012 Economic Recovery Index 5
  • 6.
    The Stages ofRecovery: 1 Perceptions of the current stage of recovery by main bank and telecoms supplier: MAIN BANK MOBILE/LANDLINE SUPPLIER Vodafon March 2012 TOTAL AIB BOI PTSB UB O2 e Meteor eircom The economic situation in Ireland is 43% 40% 41% 49% 47% 41% 43% 43% 41% getting worse The economic situation is bad but 29% 31% 30% 23% 20% 28% 27% 33% 26% has stabilized The economic situation is bad but 24% 24% 24% 21% 26% 24% 25% 20% 27% showing a few signs of improvement The economic situation is getting better and showing 4% 4% 3% 3% 3% 4% 4% 2% 4% clear signs of improvement The economic situation is good and 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% almost fully recovered from the recession Source: Amárach Research, March 2012 Economic Recovery Index 6
  • 7.
    The Stages ofRecovery: 2 Perceptions of the current stage of recovery by main supermarket and electricity supplier: MAIN SUPERMARKET ELECTRICITY SUPPLIER Dunne Super Electric March 2012 TOTAL Tesco Stores Valu Aldi Ireland Bord Gais Airtricity The economic situation in 43% 38% 46% 38% 57% 42% 43% 44% Ireland is getting worse The economic situation is 29% 31% 29% 19% 21% 27% 28% 32% bad but has stabilized The economic situation is bad but showing a few 24% 25% 21% 34% 18% 25% 25% 20% signs of improvement The economic situation is getting better and 4% 4% 2% 7% 2% 4% 3% 3% showing clear signs of improvement The economic situation is good and almost fully 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% recovered from the recession Source: Amárach Research, March 2012 Economic Recovery Index 7
  • 8.
    The Stages ofRecovery: 3 Perceptions of the current stage of recovery by main insurer and daily newspaper: HEALTH/LIFE INSURER DAILY NEWSPAPER Irish Irish Irish Irish March 2012 TOTAL VHI Liberty Aviva Life Times Indo Daily Mail The economic situation in 43% 34% 45% 31% 44% 34% 39% 46% Ireland is getting worse The economic situation is 29% 32% 28% 29% 28% 34% 32% 24% bad but has stabilized The economic situation is bad but showing a few 24% 29% 20% 35% 21% 25% 21% 27% signs of improvement The economic situation is getting better and 4% 4% 4% 3% 4% 6% 6% 3% showing clear signs of improvement The economic situation is good and almost fully 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% recovered from the recession Source: Amárach Research, March 2012 Economic Recovery Index 8
  • 9.
    Recovery Outlook 1 % of Irish adults who agree with each statement: Source: Amárach Research, March 2012 Economic Recovery Index 9
  • 10.
    Recovery Outlook 2 % of Irish adults who agree with each statement: Source: Amárach Research, March 2012 Economic Recovery Index 10
  • 11.
    Recovery Outlook 3 % of Irish adults who agree with each statement: Source: Amárach Research, March 2012 Economic Recovery Index 11
  • 12.
    Financial Sentiment Indicators % of Irish adults who agree with each statement: March 2010, 2011, 2012 & February 2012 Impact on: •Spending •Saving •Debt •Borrowing Economic Recovery Index Source: Amárach Research, March 2012 12
  • 13.
    The Mood ofthe Nation 1 Did you experience any of these feelings a lot of the day yesterday? % saying Yes: April 2009 to March 2012 Source: Amárach Research, March 2012 Economic Recovery Index 13
  • 14.
    The Mood ofthe Nation 2 Did you experience any of these feelings a lot of the day yesterday? % saying Yes: April 2009 to March 2012 Source: Amárach Research, March 2012 Economic Recovery Index 14
  • 15.
    Changing Moods: 1 Did you experience any of these feelings a lot of the day yesterday? % saying Yes: March 2012 MAIN BANK MOBILE/LANDLINE SUPPLIER Vodafon March 2012 TOTAL AIB BOI PTSB UB O2 e Meteor eircom Enjoyment 57% 54% 54% 60% 67% 59% 57% 54% 56% Happiness 55% 53% 55% 55% 60% 56% 52% 60% 52% Stress 41% 44% 39% 38% 44% 37% 42% 43% 42% Worry 34% 35% 31% 38% 37% 30% 34% 34% 30% Anxiety 28% 29% 26% 27% 25% 28% 27% 27% 28% Boredom 25% 28% 24% 23% 26% 25% 23% 30% 22% Pain 21% 20% 19% 27% 21% 22% 20% 19% 18% Sadness 19% 19% 19% 20% 22% 17% 19% 23% 22% Anger 16% 16% 15% 16% 16% 14% 15% 18% 16% Fear 9% 11% 5% 11% 10% 6% 9% 11% 8% Source: Amárach Research, March 2012 Economic Recovery Index 15
  • 16.
    Changing Moods: 2 Did you experience any of these feelings a lot of the day yesterday? % saying Yes: March 2012 MAIN SUPERMARKET ELECTRICITY SUPPLIER Dunne Super Electric March 2012 TOTAL Tesco Stores Valu Aldi Ireland Bord Gais Airtricity Enjoyment 57% 57% 59% 66% 47% 57% 54% 59% Happiness 55% 56% 56% 61% 47% 53% 54% 59% Stress 41% 40% 44% 37% 50% 40% 42% 42% Worry 34% 35% 31% 30% 39% 33% 34% 36% Anxiety 28% 28% 24% 24% 34% 25% 32% 29% Boredom 25% 23% 25% 32% 28% 25% 24% 28% Pain 21% 19% 25% 15% 24% 22% 17% 22% Sadness 19% 20% 17% 19% 25% 19% 19% 21% Anger 16% 14% 14% 10% 26% 16% 17% 15% Fear 9% 7% 6% 7% 16% 9% 13% 6% Source: Amárach Research, March 2012 Economic Recovery Index 16
  • 17.
    Changing Moods: 3 Did you experience any of these feelings a lot of the day yesterday? % saying Yes: March 2012 HEALTH/LIFE INSURER DAILY NEWSPAPER Irish Irish Irish Irish March 2012 TOTAL VHI Liberty Aviva Life Times Indo Daily Mail Enjoyment 57% 58% 62% 59% 55% 55% 52% 61% Happiness 55% 57% 56% 67% 55% 53% 53% 51% Stress 41% 41% 49% 35% 40% 36% 38% 48% Worry 34% 30% 33% 38% 30% 30% 32% 43% Anxiety 28% 29% 29% 26% 24% 29% 28% 38% Boredom 25% 26% 24% 24% 18% 21% 26% 27% Pain 21% 22% 20% 15% 23% 16% 25% 29% Sadness 19% 16% 21% 20% 15% 19% 19% 24% Anger 16% 11% 18% 14% 18% 14% 17% 22% Fear 9% 7% 10% 9% 7% 7% 9% 17% Economic Recovery Index Source: Amárach Research, March 2012 17
  • 18.
    Brand Hope The March results for the Economic Recovery Index signal a strong improvement, consistent since the start of the year. This is a hopeful indicator of better things to come for Irish marketers and brand owners. The key message is that not all customers are ‘equally’ emotional – our findings in the briefing show extraordinary and significant differences between customers of competing brands in relation to their perceptions of the wider economy, and their daily emotional experience. Those brands seeking to benefit from a sustained improvement in consumer sentiment would be well advised to ensure their brand emotions are congruent with the increasingly positive emotions evident in the wider consumer population. Economic Recovery Index 18
  • 19.
    If you area brand owner featured in this report, and would like a free briefing on the emotional wellbeing of your brand as uncovered by our Economic Recovery Index, then call us on 01 410 5200 and ask for: Mark Nolan Managing Director or Michael McLoughlin Chief Executive or Gerard O’Neill Chairman We’d be delighted to talk to you.
  • 20.
    About Amárach Research Weare an independent market research agency, providing a full range of research services to our Irish and international clients. Our team of 30 research & support staff have worked with most of Ireland’s top 200 companies. Every year we survey over 100,000 people at home and abroad, as well as running hundreds of focus groups. Our experienced team of directors and executives manage online, face-to-face and cati surveys; as well as qualitative research including focus groups, in-depths and ethnographic studies. We also offer a unique field-only service to universities and international agencies. Amárach Research is proud to be:
  • 21.
    Trends Report Call uson 01 410 5200 if you want your business to bounce forward to success. e. info@amarach.com w. www.amarach.com b. www.amarach.com/blog t. twitter.com/AmarachResearch