This document discusses how peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms are disrupting the travel industry. It outlines various P2P services focused on hospitality, experiences, transportation, and social connections. While some traditional players view P2P as competition, the document argues they could embrace it by partnering with these startups, launching complementary services, or taking inspiration from what consumers like about P2P's authentic local experiences and ability to connect and share. It also notes that P2P appeals most to millennials but could attract other generations, and that established brands have strengths around trust and convenience that P2P lacks.
In our latest trend report, we take a look at travel, focusing on how mobile devices, real-time connectivity, social networking and the growing expectation of instant gratification are reshaping the travel experience.
For this report, we interviewed travel experts and influencers and conducted quantitative surveys in the U.S. and the U.K. using SONAR™, JWT’s proprietary online tool.
This year's Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity touched on a range of buzzworthy topics, from artificial intelligence to new media to gender equality. Here's our roundup of key takeaways and analysis from the event.
Womenomic Luxury, Cognitive Technology, New Wave Boomer Beauty—just a few items from our Future 100 list of what’s next in the year ahead.
It’s a wide-ranging compilation that reflects developments surfacing across sectors including technology, retail, food and beverage, travel, sustainability and luxury. The list also includes new types of goods or businesses, new behaviors and ideas with the potential to ladder up to bigger trends.
This report outlines 10 of the most compelling macro trends identified today—trends whose impact will be felt in 2015 and beyond as they continue to unfold, the ones shaping societal mood, behaviors and attitudes. This report explores where these trends stand now and where they’re headed, with insights gleaned from a J. Walter Thompson MEA survey of consumers across six key regional markets and a spectrum of industry experts and innovators.
Brandhome goes to the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity every year to check out the new trends, brands, technologies, meet interesting people and learn from masterminds all over the world. We gathered all our insights from 4 busy days in one handy presentation. Don't hesitate to post any additions in the comment section below.
In January 2016, a team of J. Walter Thompson Company researchers spent 10 days in Cuba interviewing more than 40 Cubans about their lives, the economy, and opportunities as relations with the United States improve. The result is The Promise of Cuba. Here we offer a free excerpt of the full 78-page report.
For more information visit http://www.howcoolbrandsstayhot.com/trends
Enjoy the inspiration!
Early 2014, five trend watchers teamed up to share their views on the consumer and societal evolutions for 2014 and beyond. In this brand-new consumer trends paper, we gathered 5 paradoxical trends defining the consumer of today and of the future:
1. Learn from Joeri Van den Bergh how global brands such as Heineken and Renault are using serendipity in their advertising.
2. Find out from Steven Van Belleghem how companies benefit from the abundance of useful information to predict consumer behavior.
3. Follow Tom Palmaerts to experience four possible cloaking channels: de-facing, de-sharing, de-leting and the dark web…
4. Discover with Sven Mastbooms how existing business models are under pressure due to the consumers’ urge to take a quicker, easier and cheaper shortcut to the solution.
5. And finally tune in to Herman Konings to find out how consumers are taking control of their own health.
In our ninth annual report, we see how consumers are both welcoming and resisting technology's growing omnipresence in our lives. For many, technology serves as a gateway to opportunity and an enabler of hyper-efficient lifestyles, but those who are most immersed are starting to question its effect on their lives and their privacy. One result is that more people are trying to find a balance and lead more mindful, in-the-moment lives.
Our forecast also puts a spotlight on the growth of immersive experiences; the accelerating shift to a visual vocabulary; the new appeal of imperfection; and the rise of telepathic technology, which will enable brands to better understand minds and moods and react in a very personalized way.
The full report-in which we cover each trend in detail, highlighting what's driving the shift, how it's manifesting and what it means for brands-is available at www.jwtintelligence.com
In our latest trend report, we take a look at travel, focusing on how mobile devices, real-time connectivity, social networking and the growing expectation of instant gratification are reshaping the travel experience.
For this report, we interviewed travel experts and influencers and conducted quantitative surveys in the U.S. and the U.K. using SONAR™, JWT’s proprietary online tool.
This year's Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity touched on a range of buzzworthy topics, from artificial intelligence to new media to gender equality. Here's our roundup of key takeaways and analysis from the event.
Womenomic Luxury, Cognitive Technology, New Wave Boomer Beauty—just a few items from our Future 100 list of what’s next in the year ahead.
It’s a wide-ranging compilation that reflects developments surfacing across sectors including technology, retail, food and beverage, travel, sustainability and luxury. The list also includes new types of goods or businesses, new behaviors and ideas with the potential to ladder up to bigger trends.
This report outlines 10 of the most compelling macro trends identified today—trends whose impact will be felt in 2015 and beyond as they continue to unfold, the ones shaping societal mood, behaviors and attitudes. This report explores where these trends stand now and where they’re headed, with insights gleaned from a J. Walter Thompson MEA survey of consumers across six key regional markets and a spectrum of industry experts and innovators.
Brandhome goes to the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity every year to check out the new trends, brands, technologies, meet interesting people and learn from masterminds all over the world. We gathered all our insights from 4 busy days in one handy presentation. Don't hesitate to post any additions in the comment section below.
In January 2016, a team of J. Walter Thompson Company researchers spent 10 days in Cuba interviewing more than 40 Cubans about their lives, the economy, and opportunities as relations with the United States improve. The result is The Promise of Cuba. Here we offer a free excerpt of the full 78-page report.
For more information visit http://www.howcoolbrandsstayhot.com/trends
Enjoy the inspiration!
Early 2014, five trend watchers teamed up to share their views on the consumer and societal evolutions for 2014 and beyond. In this brand-new consumer trends paper, we gathered 5 paradoxical trends defining the consumer of today and of the future:
1. Learn from Joeri Van den Bergh how global brands such as Heineken and Renault are using serendipity in their advertising.
2. Find out from Steven Van Belleghem how companies benefit from the abundance of useful information to predict consumer behavior.
3. Follow Tom Palmaerts to experience four possible cloaking channels: de-facing, de-sharing, de-leting and the dark web…
4. Discover with Sven Mastbooms how existing business models are under pressure due to the consumers’ urge to take a quicker, easier and cheaper shortcut to the solution.
5. And finally tune in to Herman Konings to find out how consumers are taking control of their own health.
In our ninth annual report, we see how consumers are both welcoming and resisting technology's growing omnipresence in our lives. For many, technology serves as a gateway to opportunity and an enabler of hyper-efficient lifestyles, but those who are most immersed are starting to question its effect on their lives and their privacy. One result is that more people are trying to find a balance and lead more mindful, in-the-moment lives.
Our forecast also puts a spotlight on the growth of immersive experiences; the accelerating shift to a visual vocabulary; the new appeal of imperfection; and the rise of telepathic technology, which will enable brands to better understand minds and moods and react in a very personalized way.
The full report-in which we cover each trend in detail, highlighting what's driving the shift, how it's manifesting and what it means for brands-is available at www.jwtintelligence.com
China’s brands haven’t yet made a notable impact on the global consumer market, but will that change in the near future? Before the country can develop a cohort of strong brands, its marketers will have to remake what “Made in China” means to consumers. A leading crop of Chinese brands are already chipping away at some of the key factors standing in the way of global success as China actively seeks to export more than just the rest of the world’s manufactured goods.
This report details the external and internal factors hindering the efforts of Chinese brands to take root in developed markets. It also details some of the strategies that prominent brands, from Lenovo and Li-Ning to Haier and Huawei, are deploying to knock down these roadblocks.
JWT: The Future 100 - Trends and changesFilipp Paster
The Future 100 takes a snapshot of emerging trends for 2017, spanning culture, tech and innovation, travel and hospitality, brands and marketing, food and drink, beauty, retail, health, lifestyle, and luxury.
As we look ahead to 2017, markets are confident, even though assumptions have been questioned and narratives overturned. Amid the massive shifts that are sure to follow, there’s never been a more important time for brands to keep tabs on forecasts and emerging consumer behaviors.
HUMAN DIGITAL is our trend report #6. Although it is about digital, it is not about the jargon, like “personalisation,” “real-time,” and “co-creation.” It is about natural human instincts to improve the standards of their living... this time digital living.
Some trends might have already been captured in other markets. This trend report is about the Middle East, so as always we apply a strict rule: if we don't find numerous local examples, it is not a trend.
No guts, No glory: 5 steps to become a brave new marketerJoeri Van den Bergh
Our world is changing rapidly. Technology is developing faster than ever. Information is shared and made available everywhere.
This InSites Consulting marketing paper on Generation Y is based on interviews with 21 global marketing executives from various industries (such as Converse, Heineken, Abercrombie & Fitch, BBC, Microsoft, Reckitt & Benckiser and many more) and it offers a 5step plan for marketers to improve their marketing towards the demanding Gen Y customers.
Y&R once again sent some of its brightest minds to the interactive portion of the annual event and here’s what they had to say about the trends at the intersection of technology and advertising, and what they mean for brands today.
6 Key trends that every brand and every marketer should follow from this year Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The trends where chosen based on the award winning campaigns and some talks and seminars.
The digital age disrupted the music world, ushering in a new era for fans, artists, retailers and other key stakeholders. This year, we got a clearer glimpse of what the second decade of digital music will look like—and it’s quite different from the first in many ways. In our Things to Watch: Music Edition, we chart what’s changing from both a macro and micro perspective.
Short listed as the only in-house entry to make the top 10 finalist list.
M-Health is a unique opportunity for organisations and causes if the technological barriers are understood and overcome. We have pushed this campaign to go beyond a data heavy or wearable response to a globally comprehensive campaign. We present a new advantage to mobile previously undiscovered. Taxonomy of mobile. The battery symbol represents a universal icon that close to 9 billion device holders on the planet understand. They know, that as time passes, energy, functionality and battery fades. We are using this iconic image to enforce a time critical action that like mobiles, young children need play. In line with the brief, we expand this natively mobile idea to include an emoji equation. The emoji’s break-through language and literacy barriers and provide ‘one-glance’ understanding of the need for multi sensorial play. We encourage participants of the campaign to engage with the emoji on their own social posts and photo uploads. This way early and natural adopter’s act as brand carriers for the UNICEF message to a wider audience. We offer a non-technical solution designed to provide access across all bandwidths. Designing a bold photographic print, user-interactive digital campaign and fully immersive 360 video to ensure the longest possible duration of views. We take this time to thank UNICEF and Cannes Health Lions for the opportunity to work on this brief. UNICEF. CHARGING CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT.
At Cheil MENA, our observation skills, trendspotting and pattern recognition are MADE IN THE REGION. Although we keep track of global trends, we don’t copy them. Instead, we develop our own collection of trends that are happening in the MENA region. Right here. Right now.
Today we are witnessing a social transformation. Our diverse and infinitely surprising region is moving from a thirst for fame towards making a difference. Instead of exhibiting narcissism, people are displaying humanity through more empathy, spirit of togetherness, and investment in emotional and physical wellbeing of the communities.
These are exciting times for experiential marketers. With the rapid advancement of emerging technologies, now more than ever marketers are harnessing the power of a brand's physical presence. Check out AMP’s perspective on the experiential landscape for 2016 and beyond.
Consumerism in the Millennial Age White PaperOneSpace
Ensure relevancy and long-term success by better connecting with your millennial customers.
In no generation is the aftermath of the recession more pronounced and ingrained than in millennials. As a result, today’s businesses are faced with a considerable shift in consumer priorities.
In this white paper, you’ll learn:
-How post-recession consumers differ from their predecessors
-What the “sharing economy” is
-How the concept of value has shifted
-How to adapt your marketing strategies to better reach millennial consumers
Redefining Customer Expectations: 5 Trends for 2017BrandSquare
Five big trends are redefining customer expectations in 2017 and point the way to what your customers will want next. Brands that understand these trends can stay ahead of accelerating expectations and discover opportunities to innovate.
Maxwell Luthy, Director of Trends and Insights at TrendWatching, covers tomorrow’s consumer landscape.
Watch the entire webinar here: http://videos.brandsquare.com/watch/F3nXUFF7VQFTMdCaBfAwie
Matt Bell, Head of Digital Strategy at MEC UK, gathers inspiration from outside the big 'hero' wins of Cannes Lions and asks marketers and agencies some key questions that are raised by the trends….
China’s brands haven’t yet made a notable impact on the global consumer market, but will that change in the near future? Before the country can develop a cohort of strong brands, its marketers will have to remake what “Made in China” means to consumers. A leading crop of Chinese brands are already chipping away at some of the key factors standing in the way of global success as China actively seeks to export more than just the rest of the world’s manufactured goods.
This report details the external and internal factors hindering the efforts of Chinese brands to take root in developed markets. It also details some of the strategies that prominent brands, from Lenovo and Li-Ning to Haier and Huawei, are deploying to knock down these roadblocks.
JWT: The Future 100 - Trends and changesFilipp Paster
The Future 100 takes a snapshot of emerging trends for 2017, spanning culture, tech and innovation, travel and hospitality, brands and marketing, food and drink, beauty, retail, health, lifestyle, and luxury.
As we look ahead to 2017, markets are confident, even though assumptions have been questioned and narratives overturned. Amid the massive shifts that are sure to follow, there’s never been a more important time for brands to keep tabs on forecasts and emerging consumer behaviors.
HUMAN DIGITAL is our trend report #6. Although it is about digital, it is not about the jargon, like “personalisation,” “real-time,” and “co-creation.” It is about natural human instincts to improve the standards of their living... this time digital living.
Some trends might have already been captured in other markets. This trend report is about the Middle East, so as always we apply a strict rule: if we don't find numerous local examples, it is not a trend.
No guts, No glory: 5 steps to become a brave new marketerJoeri Van den Bergh
Our world is changing rapidly. Technology is developing faster than ever. Information is shared and made available everywhere.
This InSites Consulting marketing paper on Generation Y is based on interviews with 21 global marketing executives from various industries (such as Converse, Heineken, Abercrombie & Fitch, BBC, Microsoft, Reckitt & Benckiser and many more) and it offers a 5step plan for marketers to improve their marketing towards the demanding Gen Y customers.
Y&R once again sent some of its brightest minds to the interactive portion of the annual event and here’s what they had to say about the trends at the intersection of technology and advertising, and what they mean for brands today.
6 Key trends that every brand and every marketer should follow from this year Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The trends where chosen based on the award winning campaigns and some talks and seminars.
The digital age disrupted the music world, ushering in a new era for fans, artists, retailers and other key stakeholders. This year, we got a clearer glimpse of what the second decade of digital music will look like—and it’s quite different from the first in many ways. In our Things to Watch: Music Edition, we chart what’s changing from both a macro and micro perspective.
Short listed as the only in-house entry to make the top 10 finalist list.
M-Health is a unique opportunity for organisations and causes if the technological barriers are understood and overcome. We have pushed this campaign to go beyond a data heavy or wearable response to a globally comprehensive campaign. We present a new advantage to mobile previously undiscovered. Taxonomy of mobile. The battery symbol represents a universal icon that close to 9 billion device holders on the planet understand. They know, that as time passes, energy, functionality and battery fades. We are using this iconic image to enforce a time critical action that like mobiles, young children need play. In line with the brief, we expand this natively mobile idea to include an emoji equation. The emoji’s break-through language and literacy barriers and provide ‘one-glance’ understanding of the need for multi sensorial play. We encourage participants of the campaign to engage with the emoji on their own social posts and photo uploads. This way early and natural adopter’s act as brand carriers for the UNICEF message to a wider audience. We offer a non-technical solution designed to provide access across all bandwidths. Designing a bold photographic print, user-interactive digital campaign and fully immersive 360 video to ensure the longest possible duration of views. We take this time to thank UNICEF and Cannes Health Lions for the opportunity to work on this brief. UNICEF. CHARGING CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT.
At Cheil MENA, our observation skills, trendspotting and pattern recognition are MADE IN THE REGION. Although we keep track of global trends, we don’t copy them. Instead, we develop our own collection of trends that are happening in the MENA region. Right here. Right now.
Today we are witnessing a social transformation. Our diverse and infinitely surprising region is moving from a thirst for fame towards making a difference. Instead of exhibiting narcissism, people are displaying humanity through more empathy, spirit of togetherness, and investment in emotional and physical wellbeing of the communities.
These are exciting times for experiential marketers. With the rapid advancement of emerging technologies, now more than ever marketers are harnessing the power of a brand's physical presence. Check out AMP’s perspective on the experiential landscape for 2016 and beyond.
Consumerism in the Millennial Age White PaperOneSpace
Ensure relevancy and long-term success by better connecting with your millennial customers.
In no generation is the aftermath of the recession more pronounced and ingrained than in millennials. As a result, today’s businesses are faced with a considerable shift in consumer priorities.
In this white paper, you’ll learn:
-How post-recession consumers differ from their predecessors
-What the “sharing economy” is
-How the concept of value has shifted
-How to adapt your marketing strategies to better reach millennial consumers
Redefining Customer Expectations: 5 Trends for 2017BrandSquare
Five big trends are redefining customer expectations in 2017 and point the way to what your customers will want next. Brands that understand these trends can stay ahead of accelerating expectations and discover opportunities to innovate.
Maxwell Luthy, Director of Trends and Insights at TrendWatching, covers tomorrow’s consumer landscape.
Watch the entire webinar here: http://videos.brandsquare.com/watch/F3nXUFF7VQFTMdCaBfAwie
Matt Bell, Head of Digital Strategy at MEC UK, gathers inspiration from outside the big 'hero' wins of Cannes Lions and asks marketers and agencies some key questions that are raised by the trends….
The New American Dream: Why People Are Choosing to RentSuong Nguyen
As more people choose to rent apartments over buying homes, North American Properties - Atlanta (NAP) has released “The New American Dream” SlideShare that looks at who the new renter is, what factors are contributing to this trend and what it means for the future of multi-housing. NAP first became interested in studying this phenomenon after receiving a flood of inquiries for its luxury rental property, Haven, at Avalon, a $600 million mixed-use development opening Oct. 30 in Alpharetta, Georgia.
Organic results are disappearing, replaced by Knowledge Graph, direct answers, new ad hybrids, and more. How can SEOs be ready for Google in five years?
Micro Expressions are brief, involuntary facial expressions shown on the face of humans according to emotions experienced.
They occur when a person is consciously trying to conceal all signs of how he or she is feeling, or when a person does not consciously know how he or she is feeling.
In this deck, a brief history of micro expressions is introduced, along with a detailed analysis of the 7 universal facial expressions that could be found in almost anyone walking on this Earth.
The aim of this list of programming languages is to include all notable programming languages in existence, both those in current use and ... Note: This page does not list esoteric programming languages. .... Computer programming portal ...
The Ultimate Guide to Creating Visually Appealing ContentNeil Patel
From videos to infographics, I’m constantly leveraging visual media.
Can you guess why?
It’s because these visual content pieces are generating more backlinks than any other form of content I publish, which—in the long run—helps increase my search engine rankings and overall readership numbers.
So, how do you create these visual masterpieces? Well, this infographic should help you.
The travel industry is undergoing rapid change, driven by factors ranging from the rise of Millennials to the burgeoning sharing economy. Huge has identified eight key trends changing the way we travel.
Future Traveller Tribes 2030 by AmadeusDavid Vicent
Amadeus Study about the future traveller tribes and its needings. 2030 Scope. Many social changes, technologies as added value and authentic experiences as lovemark products. #Tourism #Forecast #Marketing #Segmentation
In 2014, they are looking at 14 trends they think it will drive travel industry and consumers this year and beyond. Design, user experience, data, and ease of travel will define travel trends in 2014, and the14 trends reflect that.
Skift Report: 14 Global Trends That Will Define Travel in 2014Rafat Ali
At the start of 2014, we’re looking at 14 trends we think will drive travel industry and consumers this year and beyond. Design, user experience, data and ease of travel will define travel trends in 2014, and our 14 trends reflect that.
Summarized 36 startups in the world deploying "Sharing Economy" For instance, Airbnb, UBER, Wework and other companies are of the material with detail explanation.
Tourism and the Sharing Economy: Policy & Potential of Sustainable Peer-to-Pe...Lausanne Montreux Congress
This report focuses on one disruptive force in the tourism industry: the emergence of peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation. P2P accommodation occurs when individuals off er, in exchange for money, a room or an entire house for short-term accommodation. The rapid growth of this new product is shaking up the hotel industry and creating a new way to travel and interact with a destination and its community. The objectives of this report are to investigate the opportunities and challenges that P2P provides in developed and emerging destinations and to off er a set of recommendations to better use this new business model for sustainable and inclusive tourism. The report also sketches a research agenda for the near future. This report is written for destination managers,
policymakers, and World Bank Group staff involved in the design and management of tourism operations. It is based on desk research, interviews with digital platform managers, and an in-depth study of the case of Jamaica.
The future of travel is sharing - Benita Matofska at #OgilvyLabDay TravelDOUP Limited
Benita Matofska, founder of The People Who Share believes the future of travel is sharing. She takes a look into how the sharing economy is transforming travel and beyond.
Presented on 6th July at Ogilvy Labs' future of travel event at Sea Containers.
A presentation on a new travel app proposal made by Indraneel Dey, VIT Vellore, during a marketing internship done under the guidance of Prof. Sameer Mathur, IIM Lucknow
China Outbound — a trend report from The Innovation Group at J. Walter Thompson — explores the fastest-growing group of global travelers and what it means for your brand.
Chinese international travel has tripled in the last 10 years to 130 million trips in 2017, with affluent, increasingly adventurous consumers setting the pace of travel retail, hotels and hospitality.
Traditional molds are changing. Singles, younger generations, and those from smaller cities are traveling, making this cohort a powerful, and moving, target.
Our report unearths the new motivations and aspirations behind Chinese travel and identifies 12 emerging types of Chinese travelers, from medical tourists to women travelers to foodies and adventure seekers. There are also filial travelers, treating their aged parents to an overseas holiday, and geopolitical travelers, who are inspired to visit places along the One Belt, One Road network of trade routes in the region.
Free sample from a new report from J. Walter Thompson’s Innovation Group, which tackles one of today’s most explosive consumer sectors: health. “The Well Economy” comes at a time when the definition of “health” is expanding rapidly—as are the industries that cover it. What does it mean to be well? How are health and wellness brands evolving? And most importantly, how can brands reach consumers in this space?
It’s a new era—welcome to the Control Shift. Exchanging data for utility, people are delegating an increasing amount of control over their lives to technology. Brands can capitalize on this societal change by positioning themselves as trusted partners and fostering consumer empowerment.
Frontier(less) Retail—an Innovation Group report created in partnership with WWD, the leading fashion, beauty and retail authority—reveals a retail landscape that has become borderless, blurred and amorphous.
Consumer expectations are becoming limitless—whether it’s instant delivery, intuitive commerce or compelling store experiences. Interfaces for retail are moving beyond the smartphone into our home environments, and the digital and physical worlds are blurring in new ways.
It’s a new era—welcome to the Control Shift. Exchanging data for utility, people are delegating an increasing amount of control over their lives to technology. Brands can capitalize on this societal change by positioning themselves as trusted partners and fostering consumer empowerment.
Once dominated by a largely young consumer base, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is at a demographic tipping point. This executive summary version of Generation BOLD, an Innovation Group MENA report, looks at over-50s in the region, who are reinventing cultural preconceptions about aging and retirement.
A geração Z brasileira – a que sucedeu os millennials e hoje tem entre 12 e 19 anos de idade – cresceu dentro do período mais próspero da história brasileira. Isso diferencia bastante seus integrantes em comparação aos da mesma geração nos Estados Unidos e no Reino Unido, que até agora têm vivido a maior parte de suas vidas dentro de uma economia prejudicada. Graças à internet e à globalização, a cultura teen global está mais homogênea hoje do que jamais já esteve – mas a geração Z brasileira, no entanto, tem uma perspectiva única.
Brazil’s generation Z has been shaped by the country's spectacular economic rise in recent years, as well as its persistent social inequality. The latest report from the Innovation Group at J. Walter Thompson Intelligence covers emerging trends across technology, media, retail, beauty and more for this generation that represents more than $35 billion in annual spending power and almost 17% of the population in Brazil, one of the world’s most important emerging markets. For the full report, visit www.jwtintelligence.com
Natural is back—As anxious consumers reject an industrial system that appears increasingly toxic and damaging to health, they are turning toward natural products as a solution. Raised on digital culture, they no longer see nature and technology as mutually exclusive, and are combining the best aspects of both to build New Natural lifestyles.
Meet generation Z, the 12- to 19-year-old cohort, who care deeply about ethical consumption, are the most progressive generation to date, use digital technology more than any previous group, and are set to change the world with their optimism and ambition.
This is an executive summary of the report. To purchase the full 79-page report, visit www.jwtintelligence.com.
This year’s SXSW Interactive was bigger than ever, with over 33,000 attendees and hundreds of panels and events. Our latest report explores key themes from the ballooning festival, from innovations in sustainability to the new frontier of artificial intelligence and virtual immortality. The report features on-the-ground insights, brand examples and interviews with experts from tech and academia.
The payments and currency systems are on the verge of disruption. Payments are getting digitized and going mobile, wearable and biometric, while the rise of cryptocurrencies is prompting new ideas about what currency can be. Millennials, not wedded to the status quo when it comes to money, will drive this shift. This report takes a look at the myriad new ways to pay and how the concept of currency is evolving to encompass everything from bitcoin to social media shares. We also spotlight how disruption is opening the way for new players to act as middlemen between consumers and their money, along with results of a survey exploring U.S. and U.K. consumer attitudes toward payments and currency.
Note: This is an abridged version of the 62-page report. Go to JWTIntelligence.com/trendletters to download the full report at no cost.
The notion of family is rapidly evolving, but many brands aren’t yet portraying the new reality of today’s families or fully speaking to their needs. Marriage is no longer a given in many parts of the world, nor are children; at the same time, gay couples are embracing these milestones as attitudes and laws change. Meanwhile, as people live longer, more are forming new families in later decades, and households are expanding to include multiple generations. On the other end of the spectrum, more people are living in households of one, forming families out of friends or even treating pets as family. This report spotlights what’s driving these trends, supporting data and examples of how marketers are responding.
Among some of the world’s top corporate leaders, there’s a growing understanding that traditional business models—built on the presumption of unlimited and cheap natural resources—must be reworked for 21st century realities. The circular economy represents a markedly different way of doing business, replacing established practices like planned obsolescence with new approaches to generating profits. This report examines how brands from Puma and Ford to Ikea and Starbucks are becoming more circular, why this concept is gaining more adherents now and implications for brands. The circular economy is an important topic not only because the approach is far better for the planet but also because tapping into its principles may well be essential to long-term competitiveness.
This is an abridged version of the 124-page report. Go to JWTIntelligence.com/trendletters to see the full report, including recommendations for brands
JWT’s third annual report on trends in the mobile sphere spotlights key themes that came out of this year’s Mobile World Congress, Consumer Electronics Show and South by Southwest Interactive, and builds on trends spotlighted in previous reports. The report covers significant drivers and manifestations of these developments, and their implications for brands. “10 Mobile Trends for 2014 and Beyond” is based around on-the-ground research at the MWC in Barcelona and SXSW in Austin, as well as desk research and insights gleaned from interviews with several mobile experts and influencers.
With thousands of sessions, a packed exhibit hall floor, hundreds of party and networking opportunities, and dozens of ancillary activities, this year’s SXSW Interactive, which took place March 7-11 in Austin, Texas, was a place ripe for curiosity and exploration. To paraphrase one panelist: SXSW is a living, breathing manifestation of the Internet and culture.
This report highlights 10 overriding themes from the 21st annual festival, based on on-the-ground reporting, input from JWT and Digitaria colleagues in attendance and secondary research.
Edible Packaging, Heads-Up Movement and Haptic Technology—just a few items from our annual list of 100 Things to Watch for the year ahead.
It’s a wide-ranging compilation that reflects developments surfacing across sectors including technology, television, food and spirits, retail, health care and the arts. The list also includes new types of goods or businesses, new behaviors and ideas with the potential to ladder up to bigger trends.
Note: Please download the report for fully functioning links.
“Retail Rebooted” bundles three trends JWTIntelligence has outlined in recent years that spotlight how retailers are evolving for an increasingly sophisticated digital and data-centric world: Retail As the Third Space, Predictive Personalization and Everything Is Retail. We’ve updated and revised these trends since their initial publication.
The report also maps out 20-plus Things to Watch in Retail, spotlighting a range of developments, from innovative business models to shifting consumer behaviors to the latest tech developments.
This report is the result of quantitative, qualitative and desk research conducted by JWTIntelligence throughout the year. It includes input from experts and influencers in retail and data from a survey JWTIntelligence conducted in the U.S. and the U.K. in November 2012, using SONAR™, JWT’s proprietary online tool.
It’s only in the last few decades that cheap and easy alternatives to the post have proliferated, radically reshaping the way in which we correspond. But postal services are here to stay. We still need packages delivered, for one thing, and we’re also developing a greater appreciation for the act of sending and receiving physical mail.
“The Future of Correspondence” assesses the role of mail in the digital age, delving into the rise of “slow communication” and the fusion of digital and physical. It examines what’s driving these developments, the ways in which they’re manifesting and what they mean for marketers. The report also spotlights eight innovative direct mail campaigns and takes a look at how email is evolving, the advent of delivery lockers and new approaches to stamps and addresses.
This report is the result of quantitative, qualitative and desk research conducted by JWTIntelligence throughout the year. For this report, JWTIntelligence interviewed relevant influencers and experts, and surveyed 1,200 adults aged 18-plus in the U.S. and the U.K. from Feb. 1-4, 2013, using SONAR™, JWT’s proprietary online tool.
Download the full report at www.jwtintelligence.com
How To Change Name On Volaris Ticket.pdfnamechange763
How to change name on Volaris ticket? This is one of the most common questions asked by travelers flying with Volaris Airlines. The mentioned details can help you with your name rectification on the airline ticket. If you are still facing difficulties call the consolidation desk at +1-800-865-1848.
Exploring Montreal's Artistic Heritage Top Art Galleries and Museums to VisitSpade & Palacio Tours
Montreal boasts a vibrant artistic heritage, showcased in its top art galleries and museums. From the expansive collections at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts to the cutting-edge exhibits at the Musée d'art contemporain, discover the city's rich cultural landscape. Experience dynamic street art, indigenous works, and contemporary pieces, reflecting Montreal's diverse and innovative art scene.
Discover the wonders of the Wenatchee River with a variety of river tours in Monitor, WA. Whether you're seeking thrilling whitewater rafting, peaceful kayaking, family-friendly float trips, or scenic sunset cruises, there's something for everyone. Enjoy fishing, wildlife spotting, bird watching, and more in this beautiful natural setting, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and families alike.
Its running cost is among the diverse vital aspects you must consider before buying an electric scooter. Calculate the cost of getting e-scooter charge for your regular usage to calculate its economic efficiency, similar to people who investigate the mileage of petrol or diesel-driven scooters.
The Cherry Blossom season in Hunza begins in the second week of March and lasts until the end of April, varying with altitude. During this enchanting period, tourists from around the world flock to Hunza Valley to witness its transformation into a vibrant tapestry of white, pink, and green. The valley comes alive with cherry blossoms, creating a picturesque and mesmerizing landscape that captivates visitors.
About the Company:
The Cherry Blossom season in Hunza starts in the second week of March and extends until the end of April, depending on the altitude. During this enchanting period, tourists from around the globe travel to Hunza Valley to witness its transformation into a vibrant tapestry of white, pink, and green. The valley comes alive with cherry blossoms, creating a picturesque and mesmerizing landscape that captivates all who visit. For the best experience, join Hunza Adventure Tours, the top tour company in Pakistan, and immerse yourself in this breathtaking seasonal spectacle.
BTW UK Visa Application Process, Uk Visa complete guide, Uk Visa fees, requirements and application process. Know all about uk visa and best way to apply for the uk visa. Get to know about the requirements that allows you for the faster visa appliaction. BTW UK Visa Application Process, Uk Visa complete guide, Uk Visa fees, requirements and application process. Know all about uk visa and best way to apply for the uk visa. Get to know about the requirements that allows you for the faster visa appliaction. BTW UK Visa Application Process, Uk Visa complete guide, Uk Visa fees, requirements and application process. Know all about uk visa and best way to apply for the uk visa. Get to know about the requirements that allows you for the faster visa appliaction. BTW UK Visa Application Process, Uk Visa complete guide, Uk Visa fees, requirements and application process. Know all about uk visa and best way to apply for the uk visa. Get to know about the requirements that allows you for the faster visa appliaction. BTW UK Visa Application Process, Uk Visa complete guide, Uk Visa fees, requirements and application process. Know all about uk visa and best way to apply for the uk visa. Get to know about the requirements that allows you for the faster visa appliaction. BTW UK Visa Application Process, Uk Visa complete guide, Uk Visa fees, requirements and application process. Know all about uk visa and best way to apply for the uk visa. Get to know about the requirements that allows you for the faster visa appliaction. BTW UK Visa Application Process, Uk Visa complete guide, Uk Visa fees, requirements and application process. Know all about uk visa and best way to apply for the uk visa. Get to know about the requirements that allows you for the faster visa appliaction. BTW UK Visa Application Process, Uk Visa complete guide, Uk Visa fees, requirements and application process. Know all about uk visa and best way to apply for the uk visa. Get to know about the requirements that allows you for the faster visa appliaction. Get information in this PDF and simplyfy your visa process.
The Power of a Glamping Go-To-Market Accelerator Plan.pptxRezStream
Unlock the secrets to success with our comprehensive 8-Step Glamping Accelerator Go-To-Market Plan! Watch our FREE webinar, where you'll receive expert guidance and invaluable insights on every aspect of launching and growing your glamping business.
How To Talk To a Live Person at American Airlinesflyn goo
This page by FlynGoo can become your ultimate guide to connecting with a live person at American Airlines. Have you ever felt lost in the automated maze of customer service menus? FlynGoo is here to rescue you from endless phone trees and automated responses. With just a click or a call to a specific number, we ensure you get the human touch you deserve. No more frustration, no more waiting on hold - we simplify the process, making your travel experience smoother and more enjoyable.
MC INTERNATIONALS | TRAVEL COMPANY IN JHANGAshBhatt4
Experience the world with MC Internationals travel and tourism. From foreign getways to cultural concentration, we tailor unforgettable journeys for every traveler. Let us turn your dream into reality and create lasting memories. Explore with us today. #TRAVEL,COMPANY #BEST,TRAVEL,COMPANY #VISIT,VISA #EMPLOYMENT,VISA #STUDY,VISA #HAJJ,AND,UMRAH
London Country Tours, the foremost travel partner offers customized Stonehenge tours from London coming with private tour guides and direct access to the inner circles. Visit: https://www.londoncountrytours.co.uk/tour/tours-to-stonehenge-oxford/
LUXURY TRAVEL THE ULTIMATE TOKYO EXPERIENCE FROM SINGAPORE.pdfDiper Tour
Get off on the most luxurious Tokyo itinerary from Singapore. Experience Tokyo’s sophisticated modernism and rich tradition with first-class travel, sumptuous lodging, fine food, and special tours. Savor the finest that this energetic city has to offer for an experience that will never be forgotten.
During the coldest months, Italy transforms into a winter wonderland, providing visitors with a very unique experience. From the Settimana Bianca ski event to the lively Carnevale celebrations, Italy's winter festivities provide something for everyone. Enjoy hot cocoa, eat hearty comfort foods, and buy during winter deals. Explore the country's rich cultural past by participating in Settimana Bianca, and Carnevale, sipping hot chocolate, shopping during winter deals, and indulging in winter comfort foods. Visit our website https://timeforsicily.com/ for more information.
4 DAYS MASAI MARA WILDEBEEST MIGRATION SAFARI TOUR PACKAGE KENYABush Troop Safari
Join our 4-day Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration Safari in Kenya. Witness the incredible wildebeest migration, enjoy exciting game drives, and stay in comfortable lodges. Get up close and personal with one of nature's most amazing exhibits! Book Your Safari Today at - https://bushtroop-safaris.com/
Antarctica- Icy wilderness of extremes and wondertahreemzahra82
In this presentation, we delve into the captivating realm of Antarctica, Earth's southernmost continent. This icy wilderness stands as a testament to extremes, with record-breaking cold temperatures and vast expanses of pristine ice. Antarctica's landscape is dominated by towering glaciers, colossal icebergs, and expansive ice shelves. Yet, amidst this frozen expanse, a rich tapestry of unique wildlife thrives, including penguins, seals, and seabirds, all finely attuned to survive in this harsh environment. Beyond its natural wonders, Antarctica also serves as a vital hub for scientific exploration, providing invaluable insights into climate change and the Earth's history
Discover Palmer, Puerto Rico, through an immersive cultural tour that unveils its rich history and vibrant traditions. Experience lively festivals, savor authentic cuisine, and explore local markets. Visit historical landmarks, museums, and stunning colonial architecture. Engage with friendly locals, enjoy live music, and hike scenic nature trails, all while participating in cultural workshops and discovering unique artisan crafts.
3. 3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The world is on the move: 2012 saw a record-breaking 1 billion international travelers, according
to the U.N. World Tourism Organization. But while international travel continues to grow at a
steady pace—with 4% growth worldwide last year and a slightly lower forecast for this year—the
category is in flux.
One disruptive force will be the peer-to-peer marketplace. While P2P companies may be
expanding the market for travel, services like Airbnb are also putting the squeeze on traditional
service providers. For an overview of this new sector, we spotlight 20-plus services focused on
P2P hospitality, experiences and transportation. And with the peer-powered economy about to
reach critical mass, we look at how established brands can maintain their ground or even find
new opportunities.
Another macro trend starting to reshape the travel sector is the rise of hyper-personalization:
Today’s travelers expect highly personalized experiences and customer service—thanks in part to
the rise of customization and personalized suggestions online—and the industry is starting to
deliver on this expectation, armed with Big Data and insights gleaned from social media. We look
at some ways in which brands are fine-tuning offerings around individual customers, and what
this development means for marketers.
4. 3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
We also take a look at Millennial travelers, whose adventurous and social approach to travel is
already influencing the travel industry in a number of ways. Plus: a wide-ranging rundown of
Things to Watch in travel, from Holographic Concierges to Transient Hotels.
Note: This report builds on our ―Rebooting Travel‖ report from 2011, which focuses on the tech-
enabled traveler. That report examines how the smartphone is coming to replace guidebooks and
maps, serving as a one-stop shop that connects travelers with their surroundings, each other and
travel brands; how today’s hyper-connected and mobile-enabled vacationers are sharing in real
time, which amplifies the experience and enables easy bragging; and how vacationers are
increasingly seeking to de-tech, putting aside technology as part of their break from day-to-day
life. Find it via the trend reports page at JWTIntelligence.com.
5. 3
METHODOLOGY
This report is the result of quantitative, qualitative and desk research conducted by
JWTIntelligence throughout the year.
It includes data from a survey we conducted in the U.S. and the U.K. from Nov. 9–19, 2012, in
which we polled 1,016 adults aged 18-plus (519 Americans and 497 Britons). Data are weighted
by age and gender (in some cases, calculation of averages based off reported frequencies may
not add up due to this weighting).
It also includes input from three experts and influencers in the travel, investment and marketing
sectors.
*See Appendix to learn more about these experts and influencers.
6. Image credit: Vladimir Yaitskiy
PEER-POWERED
TRAVEL
As the peer-to-peer marketplace expands in size and scope—moving beyond
goods to a wide range of services—it will increasingly upend the hospitality,
tourism and transportation industries.
7. PEER-POWERED TRAVEL
3Cooperative Consumption
Social media
The Trust Economy
Economics
Millennials
Distrust in institutions
Craving authenticity
DRIVERS
Back in ’99, we [at Half.com]
were trying to start up an
easier way for people to buy
and sell used books, music,
movies and games to each
other. No one thought it would
ever work. … What’s different now is that
there are billions of people online, and
they’re organizing and connecting and
engaging through social media, and that
changes everything. And it unleashes a lot of
opportunity and a lot of companies.‖
—CHRIS FRALIC, partner, First Round Capital
11. This movement is being driven
by an interest in supporting
local communities and artisans,
and knowing more about the
people behind the things we
buy. It’s a shift away from the
mass-market efficiency, ease and low-cost
mindset that has dominated the past couple of
decades. Life came in a more packaged form—
everything from food to your vacation.
Increasingly, people want to experience the
unique gems [while traveling].‖
—VIPIN GOYAL, co-founder and CEO, SideTour
PEER-POWERED TRAVEL
Cooperative Consumption
Social media
The Trust Economy
Economics
Millennials
Distrust in institutions
Craving authenticity
DRIVERS (cont’d.)
12. Peer-to-peer lodging companies are challenging traditional hotels by offering a wider variety of
accommodations—from a couch to a room to full homes—at generally lower prices. Couchsurfing,
initially run as a nonprofit, launched the idea of strangers hosting travelers nearly a decade ago.
MANIFESTATIONS: P2P hospitality
Claims to be the European
leader in private short-term
rentals, having recently
acquired Airbnb rival
iStopOver.
Connects travelers looking for
accommodations with people
who have rooms, apartments or
homes (and houseboats and
treehouses) to rent.
Enables people to rent their
backyards as what it calls
―micro-campsites.‖
The Craigslist of travel connects
hosts with travelers looking for
a free bed or couch.
An Airbnb imitator and one of
the largest European players in
this space.
PEER-POWERED TRAVEL
13. Peer-to-peer lodging companies are challenging traditional hotels by offering a wider variety of
accommodations—from a couch to a room to full homes—at generally lower prices. Couchsurfing,
initially run as a nonprofit, launched the idea of strangers hosting travelers nearly a decade ago.
MANIFESTATIONS: P2P hospitality (cont’d.)
Marketplace for vacation
home rentals, connecting
travelers with homeowners
and property management
companies.
A gay-friendly version of
Airbnb, for hosts who are gay
or welcoming of gay visitors.
Caters to mid- to high-end
business travelers looking for
alternatives to traditional
hotels. Properties are
―professionally managed.‖
PEER-POWERED TRAVEL
14. A crop of startups promise travelers a local’s-eye-view of a city or an otherwise unique experience.
MANIFESTATIONS: P2P experiences
Founded by a Japan-born
entrepreneur (the name means
―to be a guide‖ in Japanese),
Shiroube connects anyone
interested in acting as a travel
guide with travelers looking for
personalized tours.
Offers offbeat experiences
around the world: e.g.,
members have booked stays
on Alcatraz Island in San
Francisco and a fishing trip
in Fiji with a local king.
Promises ―amazing experiences that can’t be found
anywhere else‖: e.g., hire a former CIA disguise
technician for a crash course in creating disguises or
sit in on a professional break dancing practice session.
PEER-POWERED TRAVEL
Focuses on experiences offered by
―real people,‖ who are encouraged to
monetize their expertise for a
reasonable fee and advertise their
activities through social networks.
Relies on a network of ―Soul
Mates‖ to advise travelers on
the best places to visit, eat,
drink, etc.
15. Shared transport covers everything from cars to boats and planes. In some cases companies are
focused on filling empty seats (in cars, on planes), while in other cases the vehicle or boat itself is
shared. While some ride-share-service drivers are professionals, many are simply seeking to earn
extra cash, help the environment or meet new people.
MANIFESTATIONS: P2P transportation
PEER-POWERED TRAVEL
A ―people-powered transport
network‖ that matches paying
passengers with seats in cars;
pitched as a new, affordable
way to tour Europe. Members
can post how social they want
to be, from Bla to BlaBla to
BlaBlaBla.
A P2P version of Zipcar.
Members can rent other
members’ cars via iPhone or
the Web.
A P2P ride-sharing service
whose business model is similar
to SideCar’s. Accepts
―donations‖ (average amount:
$10) rather than fares from
riders.
This ―community-based, real-time
ridesharing marketplace‖ relies on
a mobile app to match people
seeking rides with those who have
extra space in their cars.
Spinlister connects riders with
bikes for rent, ―whether from
individuals or existing bike
rental shops.‖
16. Shared transport covers everything from cars to boats and planes. In some cases companies are
focused on filling empty seats (in cars, on planes), while in other cases the vehicle or boat itself is
shared. While some ride-share-service drivers are professionals, many are simply seeking to earn
extra cash, help the environment or meet new people.
MANIFESTATIONS: P2P transportation (cont’d.)
PEER-POWERED TRAVEL
Allows travelers who leave a
vehicle at airport parking to
rent it to incoming travelers.
Renters are screened, and all
cars insured up to $1 million.
One of several boat-sharing P2P
services, Boatbound is
accepting requests for early
invitations. Differentiates itself
by offering $1 million in Lloyd’s
insurance coverage. Says the
average boat owner uses the
vessel only 14 days a year.
Connects flyers with private jet
owners, operators and charters
looking to fill unused seats. In
contrast to other jet-sharing
networks, does not charge a
membership fee. People
looking to join are vetted by
customer service reps.
17. Websites like Meetup.com have established the idea of using online tools to connect like-minded
people in real life. Now, a niche set of travelers is using P2P apps, sites and services to make
connections on the go.
MANIFESTATIONS: P2P social connections
PEER-POWERED TRAVEL
Similar to KLM’s Meet & Seat: Lets
flyers upload itineraries via TripIt,
then connects users to people within
their Facebook or LinkedIn networks
who are on the same flights.
Helps users find travel partners for
long-haul or adventure trips. Travelers
list trip details and rank the excursion
on a 1-5 scale in terms of difficulty,
culture shock, remoteness and risk.
Enables women traveling alone to
meet other women (travelers or
locals) for dinner so they don’t have
to venture into restaurants alone.
Designed for users to ―share a drink with an
attractive stranger in the totally safe
environment of a public airport.‖ Member
profiles resemble dating-site profiles, but the
site says members might also meet for
companionship or simply to pass the time.
18. 3As P2P companies begin to disrupt major industries, many established players will turn to
existing laws and regulations to limit their growth. But there are alternative (or parallel)
paths that big brands can take that are less knee-jerk and more forward-thinking. For one,
they can use the emergence of this new competitive set as an opportunity to rethink how
they operate or position their B2C businesses in this growing P2P economy. And they can
examine what kinds of new behaviors and expectations the P2P model is creating among
consumers and start delivering against those.
Embrace the P2P era: Rather than fear or fight the encroachment of this new
competition, established brands can embrace this development in a variety of ways. Perhaps
the easiest is to partner with peer-powered businesses in the same or related categories.
Taking it one step further, brands can add a P2P element to their business or launch a
business line that addresses a newly created demand or challenge to their industry.
In partnering with these upstarts or launching their own version of a P2P service, established
brands can infuse freshness or modernity into their persona, broaden their appeal and/or get
an existing consumer segment to look at them in an interesting new light. Initiatives such as
this also provide the opportunity to learn more about the audience, inner workings, and
strengths and weaknesses of P2P enterprises.
WHAT IT MEANS
PEER-POWERED TRAVEL
19. 3Take inspiration from the P2P model: Whether or not brands partner with P2P services
or add P2P elements, the P2P model can suggest new, more innovative approaches: Are there
ways to take inspiration from the things consumers like most about P2P services? And are
there ways to leverage digital technologies designed to match supply with demand,
consumers’ rising trust of strangers and proclivity for sharing, micro-entrepreneurs and so
forth in order to better cater to consumers or market existing services?
For instance, P2P companies thrive on utilizing idle assets, a supply (of cars, rooms,
downtime, etc.) that can be activated at a low marginal cost and generate significant
marginal revenue. Traditional businesses can employ P2P technology to optimize existing
capacity and become more efficient.
P2P services also strip out the middlemen and/or various overhead costs, often providing
more for less. So traditional businesses will need to find ways to either do likewise or provide
lower-cost options that do away with some amenities or restrict the offering in some way.
Many businesses are built around models formulated in a pre-digital era when consumers had
very different mindsets—models that will need to be tweaked, if not shaken up altogether.
WHAT IT MEANS (cont’d.)
PEER-POWERED TRAVEL
20. 3Build in more authentic
experiences: One of the strengths of
the P2P economy lies in its ability to
deliver authenticity, local flavor and
idiosyncrasy—attributes that appeal to a
growing subset of consumers, especially
Millennials, who seek out one-of-a-kind,
share-worthy experiences and shy away
from anything that comes across as
prepackaged, cookie-cutter or too
standardized. Big brands need to look for
unique ways to build these attributes
into their services, without it feeling
forced or too inauthentic.
WHAT IT MEANS (cont’d.)
PEER-POWERED TRAVEL
Airbnb and similar services
allow for their own native
experiences, where you’re
in the fabric of the city in
a way that you’re not
when you’re in a hotel. ...
It’s kind of like the difference
between taking a plane and taking a
train: The train brings you right into the
heart of the city, and the plane puts you
into the ugliest part of the city, just
because they had to put an airport
there.‖
—LISA GANSKY, author, The Mesh: Why the Future
of Business Is Sharing
21. 3Facilitate the impulse to connect and share: Consumers increasingly are open to
trading goods and services with strangers, from lodging to meals. Brands will need to tailor
their selling strategies to accommodate this high-tech bartering culture. Hall St., for
instance, enables hotel guests to trade reservations, bypassing the hotel itself in the process
(Hall St. takes care of the changes). Hotel brands could re-insert themselves into the process
and facilitate behaviors that are already taking place, potentially winning brand loyalty.
WHAT IT MEANS (cont’d.)
PEER-POWERED TRAVEL
Image credit: Hall St.
22. 3Millennials will drive adoption, but don’t overlook their elders: As our survey
showed, Millennials are most open to and enthusiastic about the P2P marketplace. But the
market will draw in consumers across all segments. Some may be driven by the affordability,
others by the novelty aspect, others by practical concerns. In imagining beyond the P2P
early-adopter crowd, brands (both P2P and B2C) can find untapped opportunities.
Play to your strengths: For all their appeal, P2P markets have their inherent weaknesses,
including inconsistent service or quality, cloudy value propositions and the need to deal with
strangers, an issue that will continue to discomfort a significant segment of consumers.
Beyond the matter of trust, some people will inevitably feel awkward doing business with
peers. Established brands can leverage these negatives by emphasizing that working with a
more traditional, trusted business can be easier, more convenient, less awkward and even
more affordable than choosing a peer-provided service.
WHAT IT MEANS (cont’d.)
PEER-POWERED TRAVEL
23. 3Are there benefits to partnering with P2P hospitality platforms such as Airbnb?
Is there a service you can launch that addresses needs currently being fulfilled by
P2P challengers in travel?
Are there ways to take inspiration from the things consumers like most about P2P
travel services?
Since some consumers buy into P2P services for their local flavor and
authenticity, how can you play up those attributes in your brand experience?
Can you incorporate P2P technology into your model, as either an alternative or
add-on to your current business?
THOUGHT STARTERS
PEER-POWERED TRAVEL
24. 3Is there a consumer who would benefit from a P2P service but is currently being
overlooked by the market?
What strengths can you play up to differentiate your B2C brand in a positive way?
If P2P companies are directly challenging your business, what can you offer that
is not available or guaranteed through these new channels? Can you highlight
existing offerings that help distinguish your business from P2P services?
THOUGHT STARTERS (cont’d.)
PEER-POWERED TRAVEL
25. HYPER-PERSONALIZED
TRAVEL
Image credit: Porto Bay Trade
Consumers are coming to expect highly personalized services, and the
travel industry is starting to respond by fine-tuning offerings around
individual customers.
26. 3Predictive Personalization
Consumers living publicly
Impatience with Web tools
Me-centric consumers
Travel category gets tougher
Companies shift from reactive to
proactive information gathering
DRIVERS
HYPER-PERSONALIZED TRAVEL
For hotel companies, social media
has essentially become a
sanctioned form of eavesdropping. ... In
today’s social-mediated paradigm, wherein
everyone lives in public, all guests can be
treated like celebrities.”
—―What your hotel knows about you,‖
Travel + Leisure, February 2013
Image credit: Portugal2004
27. 3Predictive Personalization
Consumers living publicly
Impatience with Web tools
Me-centric consumers
Travel category gets tougher
Companies shift from reactive to
proactive information gathering
DRIVERS (cont’d.)
HYPER-PERSONALIZED TRAVEL
Image credit: Jonno Witts
28. 3Predictive Personalization
Consumers living publicly
Impatience with Web tools
Me-centric consumers
Travel category gets tougher
Companies shift from reactive to
proactive information gathering
DRIVERS (cont’d.)
HYPER-PERSONALIZED TRAVEL
Image credit: Matt McGee
29. MANIFESTATIONS: Hyper-personalized customer service/interaction
British Airways, “Know Me”: British Airways spent several years gathering
passenger data from many sources into one database before launching its
personalized-service program aimed at VIP and frequent fliers in 2012. As
examples, crew might pay extra attention to a first-time business-class
customer (demonstrating how to use the seat, for instance) or fuss over a
frequent business traveler who is on a personal trip.
—SIMON TALLING-SMITH, EVP of the Americas,
British Airways “British Airways gets more
personal,” USA Today, July 8, 2012
We put this program together so
we can demonstrate to frequent
customers that we do know them and
can anticipate their needs and deliver
the service they expect.”
HYPER-PERSONALIZED TRAVEL
Image credit: British Airways
30. Disney’s MyMagic+: The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando is rolling out
MagicBands, wristbands equipped with RFID chips. Guests using the wristbands
will be able to personalize their experience by first inputting their information
into a website or app. Then, for instance, Cinderella might say to a child, ―Hi,
Angie. I hear it’s your birthday.‖ And as guests queue up for the new Little
Mermaid ride, a robotic Scuttle, the seagull character, may chat directly with
MagicBand wearers. The wristbands will also enable ride reservations, payments
and act as keys for guest staying at Disney hotels.
HYPER-PERSONALIZED TRAVEL
MANIFESTATIONS: Hyper-personalized customer service/interaction (cont’d.)
Image credit: Disney
31. Fine-tuned dining: With the help of
software and Internet companies
such as OpenTable and Urbanspoon,
restaurants are logging detailed
data on customer preferences—
everything from food allergies to an
affinity for crushed or cubed ice.
Patrons can then have their needs
catered to without having to ask;
diners may even visit a restaurant
for the first time yet be treated like
a regular, since establishments
under the same ownership generally
share data.
HYPER-PERSONALIZED TRAVEL
MANIFESTATIONS: Hyper-personalized customer service/interaction (cont’d.)
Image credit: Urbanspoon
32. HYPER-PERSONALIZED TRAVEL
MANIFESTATIONS: Hyper-personalized customer service/interaction (cont’d.)
Luxury hotels researching every guest like a VIP: It’s long been an open secret in luxury
travel that hotels research VIP guests online to help staff recognize them and to use relevant
personal details to create ―opportunities to surprise and delight,‖ as high-end hoteliers are fond
of saying. For instance, staff at Accor hotel properties (which include Sofitel and Novotel
hotels) check public social media profiles of loyalty club members before they arrive, then
present customized gifts when they check in, such as a behind-the-scenes tour of Tru in Chicago
for a foodie guest or VIP hockey tickets for a sports fan.
Image credits: bizbuzzmedia; aprilandrandy
33. HYPER-PERSONALIZED TRAVEL
Libra OnDemand: This company provides
customer relationship management for
hospitality companies, trawling social
media data to create a ―complete 360-
degree view of each customer.‖ This
service provides hotels with ―intuitive‖
information for all clients, not just the
VIPs previously profiled via manual
searches. High-end hotels like the Surrey
in New York and the Viceroy Group have
adopted the service, as well as
convention hotels and even Red Roof Inns
and Holiday Inns.
MANIFESTATIONS: Hyper-personalized customer service/interaction (cont’d.)
Image credit: Libra OnDemand
35. WHAT IT MEANS
HYPER-PERSONALIZED TRAVEL
Today’s traveler, accustomed to a hyper-personalized digital experience, is coming to expect
the same in real life and during their travels. While some brands have been hyper-
personalizing service for the most loyal customers for a while, the advent of Big Data tools
will help enable this to a far more extensive degree.
While Big Data has the potential to transform all industries, some analysts believe the travel
sector could feel the greatest impact, and sooner than others. Travel companies are already
armed with an array of data about their users, from VIP and loyalty programs. Yet many
travel brands are just starting to put this information to good use. Given the rise of the me-
centric traveler, companies will need to connect all the dots to create individualized
experiences.
The challenge will be to identify not only broad patterns of behavior but individual ones as
well. Once armed with these insights, marketers can then tailor offers, messaging, customer
service and more. Savvy brands will be able to address needs as they arise, perhaps even
before travelers seek solutions. This brings an unprecedented level of personal service and
attention to travelers, something they increasingly expect—but there’s a line beyond which
most will feel spooked. Marketers will need to assuage privacy concerns and show how their
use of data benefits the consumer.
36. WHAT IT MEANS (cont’d.)
HYPER-PERSONALIZED TRAVEL
Make transactions more personal: As more of our world becomes digitized, anonymous,
automated and virtual, consumers are craving a more human touch. For the travel sector, it
will be a matter of balancing technology-based solutions that help save time when it comes
to checkout, ordering, ticketing and the like with the hands-on service that make guests feel
pampered and catered to. Paradoxically, consumers are more apt to find this online—with
personalized suggestions on sites such as Netflix and Amazon—than in the real world. Most
travelers get the same generic experience as everyone else, even members of loyalty
programs. By amalgamating various data streams, travel brands can start offering the
tailored recommendations and attention that consumers take for granted online.
Using data to build consumer profiles can take the anonymity out of interactions with a
brand, improving customer service. New tool sets will help marketers expand personalized
treatment beyond loyal customers of one locale or brand—as we’re seeing with restaurants
under common ownership that pool data to offer tailored dining experiences.
37. WHAT IT MEANS (cont’d.)
HYPER-PERSONALIZED TRAVEL
Tread carefully around privacy
concerns: While travelers will come to
expect more individualized attention—
especially the youngest cohort, who
already consider personalization the
norm—they will nonetheless take some
time to adjust to the idea that marketers
know a great deal about their lives and
can predict their needs.
After British Airways announced its ―Know
Me‖ program, for instance, a slew of
consumer critics called it an invasion of
privacy, objecting especially to the
company’s hunting for online information
about users.
38. THOUGHT STARTERS
How can you use public information about your customers to create hyper-
personalized experiences?
How can you earn travelers’ trust so they are open to opting in to loyalty
programs and other means of collecting behavioral data?
Are there ways to better personalize the online experience?
What are some unique ways your brand can put data to use to make the offline
experience better for your guests?
HYPER-PERSONALIZED TRAVEL
39. MILLENNIALS
ON THE ROAD
Image credit: Lauren Manning
Millennial travelers, who have grown up in a globally connected world,
are eager to explore the globe. Known for their boundless optimism,
today’s 18- to 34-year-olds are exceptionally open to new adventures and
unique, immersive experiences, including those that may challenge their
often-limited budgets.
40. MILLENNIALS ON THE ROAD
While many can’t afford as much leisure
travel as they’d like, Millennials display
remarkable ingenuity in getting what they
want by using online deal sites,
recommendations from social networks,
travel apps and crowdsourced review
sites.
Amenities-laden hotels, at a value price,
appeal to their idea of enjoying the best
of everything—preferably tailored to their
preferences.
Image credit: SimplyLuxuryTravel
41. MILLENNIALS ON THE ROAD
They assess their experiences with an
especially critical eye, ready to share
opinions with social networks and review
sites. When these travelers have a
complaint, they’re more apt to post it on
Twitter before, or instead of, telling the
hotel manager. (Starwood Hotels and
Resorts Worldwide, among others, now
employs a team of people to monitor and
post responses to such criticisms.) In turn,
they look to social networks and review
sites for guidance.
42. MILLENNIALS ON THE ROAD
When flying for business, Millennials want to be comfortable and connected,
enabling them to be productive or entertained while en route.
Image credits: Ullisan, Tom Mascardo 3
43. MILLENNIALS ON THE ROAD
The decision-making process:
Millennials are more apt than older
generations to use mobile apps and online
aggregator sites to make travel
arrangements. These tools help them book
travel on their own terms, in a way that
fits seamlessly into their schedules.
Millennials rely more heavily on user
comments and online content when
booking travel than older counterparts.
Bad reviews from friends can quickly
come to light thanks to the social graph
laid across the Web, and this virtually
guarantees Millennials will look
elsewhere.
Image credit: TripAdvisor
44. MILLENNIALS ON THE ROAD
What Millennials are looking for: All-
inclusive package deals that provide an
upscale experience without leaving
travelers feeling nickel-and-dimed for
every little ―extra‖ speak to Millennials’
sense of value and fairness.
An offbeat place to stay found on Airbnb
or unusual activities booked through P2P
services like Vayable appeal to Millennials’
desire to avoid impersonal service and the
standard experience. The story of the
unusual trip is a prize unto itself.
Image credit: Vayable
45. MILLENNIALS ON THE ROAD
Travel brands that are addressing their needs: Brands are starting to provide
ever more options, catering to the Millennial desire for a more customized
experience.
Hilton’s luxury Conrad chain offers three
different brands of toiletries and lets guests
choose which they prefer. New hotel brands such as Moxy, a partnership
between Marriott and Ikea, and Starwood’s
trendsetting hotel chain Aloft offer style and a
scene at an affordable price.
W Hotels’ ―W Happenings‖ concert and event
series is a way for the luxury chain to become a
social destination as much as a place to stay.
Image credits: Conrad Hotels; Moxy Hotels; Virgin Atlantic
46. THINGS
TO WATCH
Image credit: Paul Lowry
Over the following pages, these 20-plus Things to Watch offer a quick
rundown of a wide range of developments in travel, from innovative tech
tools and services to new categories of hotels to the next hot vacation
theme.
47. AIRPORTS AS DESTINATIONS
3 GENERATION GO
DRIVERS (cont’d.)
Image credit: Ikea
Travelers are spending more time in
airports, and airports are providing
money-generating ways to spend that
time. USA Today reports that Vancouver is
planning a 400,000-square-foot luxury
outlet mall for its airport. Hong Kong’s
airport now has an IMAX movie theater.
Dusseldorf International Airport, includes
a pharmacy, dentist, hairdresser and
postal services at the info desk. Los
Angeles International Airport has
restaurants run by celebrity chef
Masaharu Morimoto as well as a golf
course next door. And last year, Ikea
installed a temporary family-friendly
lounge in France’s Roissy-Charles de
Gaulle Airport with comfy sofas and even
beds to nap on.
48. BYOD (BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE)
3 GENERATION GO
DRIVERS (cont’d.)
Image credit: airfax.com
With the mobile device now an Everything
Hub and content accessible through the
cloud, businesses must adapt to BYOD
culture. Airlines including Virgin America,
American Airlines and Lufthansa
are offering audio and video via Wi-Fi for
those who eschew the seat-back screen in
favor of their own. Likewise, some hotels
are enabling guests to watch pay-per-view
movies on their own devices as well as the
room’s TV; network bandwidth that can
handle guests streaming video is becoming
increasingly important.
49. CHEAP CHIC HOTELS AND HOSTELS
3 GENERATION GO
DRIVERS (cont’d.)
Image credit: citizenM
Hotel chains are taking a page from Ikea,
Target and H&M and delivering
contemporary design at a cost-sensitive
price. Starwood’s Aloft hotels helped
define the trend with open, club-like
lobbies that feature lighting changes
throughout the day, free bottled water
and fast Wi-Fi. At citizenM hotels in
Amsterdam, Glasgow and London, guests
check in at self-serve kiosks, which saves
on front-desk staff, engaging the
wandering ―ambassador‖ if they have
problems.
50. CONSCIOUS-LUXE
3 GENERATION GO
DRIVERS (cont’d.)
Image credits: The-Lane-Team; mauriciopadovani
―Eco-hotel‖ once suggested huts on the
beach in Costa Rica with no running water
or electricity. Now guests might stay at an
eco-hotel without knowing it. Take the
LEED Platinum-certified Leela Palace
hotel in New Delhi—built at a reported
cost of nearly $400 million and fit for a
maharaja—or the upcoming Singita Mara
River Tented Camp in Tanzania, built
largely of natural and recycled materials
and completely off the grid, yet is
complete with a swimming pool, other
amenities and a custom-designed solar
system for power.
51. DIGITAL-INTO-PHYSICAL POSTCARDS
3 GENERATION GO
DRIVERS (cont’d.)
Image credit: Postagram
Various services allow vacationers and
others to turn digital snapshots into snail-
mailed postcards. Tools like Sincerely’s
Postagram app and Postcard on the Run
(―Technology delivered the old-fashioned
way‖) satisfy today’s rising appreciation
for physical objects and slower forms of
communication.
52. THE DOCUMENTARY TRAVELER
3 GENERATION GO
DRIVERS (cont’d.)
Image credit: Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel
As more travelers chart their trips on
social sites, travel companies are starting
to make tweeting, Instagramming and
posting easier and more automatic.
Spain’s Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel lets
guests share their clubbing experience on
Facebook by scanning RFID-enabled
wristbands at kiosks throughout the
venue; the hotel is planning an upgrade
that will rely on fingerprint recognition.
53. HOLOGRAPHIC CONCIERGES
3 GENERATION GO
DRIVERS (cont’d.)
Image credit: Iberia
Aiming to offer memorable (and socially
shareable) novelty, high-tech design and
attentive customer service with no
manpower cost, travel providers are
creating digital avatars to serve as human
assistants. Starwood’s hip, affordable
Aloft-branded hotels introduced
holographic greeters/concierges in late
2011 to orient guests on hotel features
and nearby shopping and dining. Several
airports have added holographic
assistants, and Iberia has two holographic
―virtual agents‖ at its hub in Madrid to
provide information about using check-in
kiosks and boarding procedures.
54. HOPPER
3 GENERATION GO
DRIVERS (cont’d.)
Image credit: Hopper
This buzzed-about booking site aims to be
a one-stop-shop for all travel planning
needs. In development since 2007, Hopper
has raised a total of $22 million in funding
and counts a number of travel industry
heavyweights on its executive team,
including a former employee from
TripAdvisor and ex-Expedia engineers.
Built on big data and sophisticated
algorithms, the forthcoming service aims
to aggregate and catalog fragmented
travel information from across the Web to
create a discovery and recommendation
engine. Users will be able to search for all
the information they need based only on
―a vague idea‖ like ―Mediterranean
cruise,‖ according to the site.
55. HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY WORKS TO STAY FIT
3 GENERATION GO
DRIVERS (cont’d.)
Image credit: Even Hotels
The hospitality industry is rolling out new
and more varied options for fitness on the
go. The prime example is Even Hotels, a
middle-market fitness-oriented franchise
that InterContinental Hotels Group plans
to debut in New York City in 2014.
Amenities will include a large gym, guest
rooms outfitted with fitness walls and/or
exercise balls, and quick-turnaround
laundry service for gym clothes, according
to USA Today. Yoga is becoming a popular
amenity: Several hotel chains—including
Singapore-based COMO Hotels and
Resorts, Kimpton Hotels and Affinia
Hotels—offer yoga equipment,
instructional videos or classes, and more
are joining them.
56. HOTELS IN AFRICA
3 GENERATION GO
DRIVERS (cont’d.)
Image credit: Marriott
Driven largely by an explosion in business
travel to Africa, international hotel brands
are racing to expand their portfolios.
Marriott plans to open a property in
Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, in 2013 and aims
to grow its African properties sixfold by
2020. French hotel group Accor is planning
to add almost 5,000 rooms in 30 hotels by
2016, and Starwood intends to open 10
African hotels in the next three years.
57. INSTA-CATIONS
3 GENERATION GO
DRIVERS (cont’d.)
Image credit: Tambako the Jaguar
Staycations have been popular since the
2008 recession, but many of today’s
consumers—ever more budget-conscious
and overworked—will opt for quick,
affordable bursts of fun in lieu of longer
excursions or breaks. People looking to
inject fun into their lives will seek the
type of unusual one-off experiences and
mini-vacations they’ve been finding on
some deal sites, the more novel and
adventurous the better.
58. LIVE-STREAMING LIFE
3 GENERATION GO
DRIVERS (cont’d.)
Image credit: GoPro
Memories will be live-streamed in real
time. The newest super-compact video
camera from GoPro is 30% smaller and 25%
lighter than its predecessors—a big selling
point for the skiers, divers and other
extreme sports enthusiasts who love to
document their exploits—and includes
built-in Wi-Fi, enabling live-streaming of
footage. Users can also control the
camera remotely using a smartphone app.
59. NATURE AS ANTIDOTE
3 GENERATION GO
DRIVERS (cont’d.)
Image credit: Marian Berelowitz
With urbanization rising steadily—today
more than half the world’s population lives
in cities, compared to less than 40% in
1990—more people will retreat to nature
to escape the pressures, noise, pollution,
traffic and other stressors of the city. We’ll
also see this urge manifest in other ways
too, from an embrace of natural, organic
elements in décor to ever more nature-
themed entertainment programming.
60. POLITICAL VACATIONS
3 GENERATION GO
DRIVERS (cont’d.)
Image credit: Political Tours
Affluent travelers are seeking new kinds of
status trips, as embodied by Political Tours
of the U.K., which offers clients ―current
affairs at first hand.‖ This includes a tour
of Northern Ireland led by BBC
correspondents and trips to hot spots
including Georgia, North Korea, Libya and
Kosovo—many curated by political experts
with insights into the region.
61. REAL-TIME TRANSLATION
3 GENERATION GO
DRIVERS (cont’d.)
Image credit: Gizmodo
App creators are looking for new ways to
break through language barriers with
software that translates two-way
conversations in near-real time. Examples
include Jibbigo, which translates typed and
spoken words; Vocre, which can handle 36
languages; Sakhr, which translates Arabic;
and Word Lens, which translates typed
words into English from Spanish, French,
Italian and German or vice versa.
Samsung’s Galaxy S4 comes with the ―S
Translator,‖ which can translate nine
languages from speech to text or text to
speech, as well as email and text
messages.
62. RIVER CRUISING
3 GENERATION GO
Image credit: Voyages of Discovery
River cruising is slated to make a splash in
the travel industry. In 2012, for instance,
British cruise brands Voyages of Discovery
and Hebridean Island Cruises both
introduced river cruises. Other companies
are adding river cruise itineraries
worldwide, as well as new ships.
63. SET JETTING
3 GENERATION GO
Image credit: Hobbiton Movie Set Tours
New Zealand has seen a 50% spike in
tourist visits since The Lord of the Rings
debuted in 2001; now The Hobbit is
expected to bring even more travelers to
the Pacific nation. Long popular among
film fanatics, ―set jetting‖ will become
more mainstream, especially as more sites
start to tout their Hollywood connections.
As part of the promotion for 50 years of
James Bond films, the stars made
appearances at set locations around the
U.K. in 2012. In 2013, Life of Pi (filmed in
India) and The Lone Ranger (the American
West) are expected to help draw visitors to
filming locales.
64. SHOPPING HOTELS
3 GENERATION GO
Image credit: Pullman
In Middle Eastern countries including the
U.A.E., Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and
Bahrain, megamalls with hotels in them
are fueling a tourism recovery after the
Arab Spring of 2011 took a toll. A Sheraton
will open in Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates
in 2013, and the upcoming Yas Mall in Abu
Dhabi will house seven hotels.
65. SMARTER CHECK-INS
3 GENERATION GO
Image credit: Qantas
Hotels, airlines and airports are using RFID
and NFC, combined with customer
phones, to smooth and speed up the
check-in. France’s Toulouse-Blagnac
airport is aiming to use NFC to enable
travelers to ―pass seamlessly through the
airport using just their mobile phones.‖
Qantas’ frequent flyers get a RFID-enabled
card that functions as a boarding pass;
they use it to check in at a kiosk upon
arrival, then flight details are sent to
their phone. (Qantas also offers RFID-
enabled baggage tags, linking luggage
with the flier’s flight info to ensure proper
handling.)
66. TRANSIENT HOTELS
3 GENERATION GO
Image credit: Sleeping Around
These days, it’s hotels that are on the
move, not the guests. Transient, or pop-
up, hotels offer affordable rooms in prime
spots or posh lodging near seasonal events
such as music festivals. Sleeping Around, a
Belgian company, transforms 20-foot
shipping containers into luxury rooms and
transports them to cities around Europe.
67. TRAVEL BECOMES MORE INCLUSIVE
3 GENERATION GO
Image credit: Ovolo Group
All-inclusive resorts where everything is
pre-paid—activities, meals, tips, etc.—
have existed for decades. But now the
concept is expanding to a wider variety of
travel options. The guiding idea is
transparency: What you see is what you
get, and it’s all included. Cruise lines,
known for their pricey extras, are starting
to include airfare and before- and after-
cruise hotel stays in their prices, with
Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn leading
the charge. The rate at the new Ovolo
hotel in Melbourne, for example, includes
minibar items, Wi-Fi, local calls and
breakfast.
68. VIP TREATMENT
3 GENERATION GO
Image credit: JeffMaysh
As the middle market shrinks in the
developed world, more brands will find
ways to provide special service to
customers with the means or the
motivation to spend. VIP treatment is
becoming common at amusement parks,
for example, with special access passes
allowing purchasers to skip long lines.
Independent airport lounges provide a
little extra comfort to travelers with an
extra $15 to $50 to spend.
69. WOMEN-ONLY HOTEL FLOORS
3 GENERATION GO
Image credit: Naumi Hotel
With more women traveling solo, many for
business, hotels from Vancouver and
Copenhagen to Singapore and London are
reviving women-only floors, an old
concept once dismissed as sexist by the
feminist movement. These offer more
security—some hotels even require a key
card to access the floor—and add room
amenities like fashion magazines, hair
tools (curling irons, flat irons) and
additional hangers. Some hotels also
provide female room attendants and offer
networking events.