Product search in 2024 is evolving into an immersive experience—hence Google's adoption of the term “SGE” (Search Generative Experiences) for their new strategy. In recent years, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies have dramatically altered the product search landscape. Traditional methods of discovering and buying products have transitioned into highly personalized, efficient, and engaging experiences. This briefing delves into the pivotal ways AI and new technologies are reshaping product search and outlines the strategies brands must adopt to navigate these transformative shifts.

The burgeoning loneliness epidemic, escalating polarization, and pervasive feelings of uncertainty have thrust the quest for belonging to the forefront of human needs and has created key dilemma for organizations to solve. The good news is that organizations across the public and private sectors wield significant influence in impacting an individual’s sense of belonging within diverse communities. In this briefing, the sparks & honey team will explore the cultural landscape connected to belonging to surface current initiatives that organizations and individuals are deploying to cultivate a sense of belonging. We will also uncover the predominant barriers to belonging and various strategies organizations can implement to create meaningful impact.

Climate change and extreme weather events are putting increased pressure on both civil society and the private sector to integrate a climate adaptation mindset in the development of vital infrastructure. From advanced materials capable of withstanding extreme conditions to smart grids that adapt to energy demands in real-time to green infrastructure that enhances biodiversity while protecting urban areas, this sparks & honey briefing will spotlight the pioneering technologies ushering a new era of infrastructure. Join us for a discussion that not only showcases how these infrastructure innovations are reshaping industries, influencing insurance models, and altering consumer expectations but also emphasizes a shift toward a future where infrastructure is designed with adaptability, resilience, and sustainability at its core.

The pervasive uncertainty that arose during the peak of the pandemic has more recently been fueled by global conflict, social tensions and market disruptions. Uncertainty has become both ever-present and ever-evolving. In 2024, against the backdrop of inflation and economic turbulence, consumers are grappling with shifting dynamics and mixed economic signals in their day-to-day lives. This begs the question: What can brands do to stay relevant and competitive as consumers are making tough spending choices in this time of rising costs and economic uncertainty? In this briefing, the sparks & honey team will delve into the today's economic drivers, explore new consumer behaviors and attitudes connected to uncertainty, and offer insights into the actions organizations should consider.

Which foods will be all the rage in 2024? In this briefing, we’ll look at foods that are set to have their moment, from whole cacao, to faux fish, to clean caffeine, new players are set to reshape people’s relationship with food.

In this briefing we’ll explore not only the new drivers of nostalgia but also the new attitudes, applications, utility, innovations, cultural contributions and even key ‘watchouts’. This briefing is for any brand or marketer, as well as any consumer who is interested in a forward-looking analysis of our obsession with the past.

In an age where traditional measures of wealth are increasingly questioned, join our briefing as we dissect modern definitions of wealth beyond monetary value and explore how diverse perspectives are reshaping our understanding of abundance. From social capital to the value of knowledge, discover the intersection of technology, sustainability, well-being, etc. in redefining wealth for a more inclusive and personally fulfilling future.

The streaming wars of the past years have raised the bar for engagement, as consumers are inundated with content from both big box studios and smaller creators. To remain profitable, many studios are relying on proven IP, churning out reboots, sequels, and remakes. But many viewers are experiencing franchise fatigue and craving unique content. What if entertainment brands measured the success of content based on more than short-term performance indicators and gave creators the freedom and flexibility to produce more original content?

Philanthropy has witnessed transformative change over the last several years, amidst consumer economic anxiety, new demands for transparency, generational nuances ranging from Boomer wealth transfer to new Gen Z giving patterns and other drivers. Traditional giving models are being rethought, and new tools and methods are presenting big questions. From increasingly impactful technologies like AI to new people-powered models like giving circles, we are in the early stages of a great leap forward towards the future of philanthropy.

In the highly sentimental world of fashion, emotions serve as the threads that weave together the intricate tapestry of consumer behavior. From the thrill of self-expression to the confidence of style mastery, understanding the emotional journey of fashion consumers is paramount for brands seeking to captivate hearts and closets alike. In this discussion the sparks and honey team will unravel the emotional nuances that drive purchasing decisions, shape brand loyalty, and define individual identities in the brick-and-mortar boutiques and the emerging world of spatial computing that bridge the physical and virtual touchpoints.

What are the tangible skills that generative AI will bring to the creative workforce in 2024 Let’s imagine that Generative AI had a resume, what skills would be listed? What roles would they be best suited for within your creative agency? This briefing will focus on the impact of generative AI in the changing landscape of the creative service industry. We will look at how AI is pitching creative ideas, generating reports, and more, to strategize the most effective response for creative service firms, and the implications for employment and product quality.

Hosted by Gender Fair, the Lilly Social Action Campaign, and sparks & honey, this Equal Pay Day panel session will bring together advocates, experts, and community members to shed light on the enduring significance of Equal Pay Day and to explore avenues for further action. Against the backdrop of Lilly Ledbetter's courageous battle for justice, we are reminded of the pervasive nature of pay inequity and the urgent need for systemic change.

Awareness if the Gen Z mental health crisis has spurred historic funding from governments, non-profits, and brands over the past five years. Yet, the harsh reality of the crisis persists with 49% of Gen Z struggling to find mental health resources and 1 in 4 reporting a mental health decline in 2023. In this session, the s&h team will delve into the barriers preventing Gen Z from accessing appropriate care, such as therapist availability, affordability, and cultural competence, while also exploring the role of emerging technologies, social ecosystems, and generational differences in mental health discourse and treatment.

With 2023 turning out to be what Fast Company calls a “tumultuous year for ESG”, many businesses and business leaders are taking a step back to ponder the next chapter of corporate purpose at-large. Corporations are questioning which sustainability-minded investments they should be making to transform operations and supply chains, people leaders are expanding their DEI lens to seeding a broad culture of meaningful belonging, and topics like data security, employee mental health management and tangibly connecting purpose to business performance are but a few of the issues now gaining momentum in the larger corporate purpose conversation. This Culture Briefing will explore what’s next for corporate purpose in the year ahead.

Gen Z have grown up in a world of seemingly unlimited choice – and it's impacted how they align their loyalty to brands. The traditional market strategy of providing additional value in exchange for consumer allegiance is less effective for a generation well-versed in dupes, the resale market, and brand callouts online. In this briefing we'll explore what it takes for a brand to inspire loyalty – from Gen Z values alignment to rethinking the value proposition and customer appreciation.

In the next decade, rapid economic development from emerging markets like India, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and the UAE will give rise to new players that will bring their own nuance and influence to the global beauty economy. Join us as we explore how the rise in cultural capital from these future beauty epicenters will shed light on emergent consumer challenges that have yet to be addressed by current market solutions and pave the way for new ingredients, innovations, and drivers of prestige.

In this briefing, we’ll unpack how some of the biggest influences in F&B are reshaping the industry. From the Ozempic’s affect to Gen Alpha food and drink preferences to the impact of greedflation, this briefing will help F&B brands to strategize for disruptions in the coming year.

Rafael has spent 27+ working in the gaming space as a developer, creative director, and studio lead. He is a noted speaker in areas from spatial computing and the metaverse to the history of the internet and evolution of software and hardware. He is also deeply invested in the impact of creating more equity within the gaming industry. During this fireside chat we'll discuss a range of topics from how studios need to integrate more diverse perspectives into the development of games to the issue of diversity within the AI community.

From the Super Bowl and the Olympics to Fashion Week and Art Basel — attention-grabbing tentpole events are shifting in 2024 to align with emerging expectations. In this briefing, the sparks & honey team will discuss the now and next of cultural moments and unpack how savvy brands are showing up in this evolving landscape.

The U.S.economy has a new star: women. New buzz words like “girl economy” are taking over the news and social conversation, with many saying the ’internet’ is a girl’s world. Underneath the pinks shades of barbiecore, girl-math, and swiftie’s friendship bracelet social feed lays a solid foundation impacting this cultural shift and what and how we consume.