Media Industry and Consumers Archives

Media Industry and Consumers

A graphic showing two people looking at a projection of charts and graphs.

Audience
Media Industry and Consumers

Evaluating how advertising researchers study practitioners

Although the body of advertising research is wide, some experts worry that it is oversaturated with studies focused on consumer perceptions and behaviors, while studies on advertising professionals are underrepresented.

Posted: Tuesday April 7, 2026

Unprecented Times, phrase in wooden alphabet letters isolated on yellow background.

Media Effects
Media Industry and Consumers

A new study offers insight into how brands manage their image during times of crisis

In March 2020, people around the world retreated to their homes for the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we adapted to our new conditions, staying inside for several weeks, advertisers also had to adapt to the unique situation. Between March 2020 and July 2021, hundreds of pandemic-themed ads were created, using messaging like “we’re all in this together” or “these are unprecedented times.” Now, more than five years after the initial lockdown, ads like these give researchers the opportunity to examine impression management strategies during times of crisis, and a new study out of UF does just that.

Posted: Tuesday December 2, 2025

A collage of microphones and newspaper clippings.

Communication and Technology
Media Industry and Consumers

New Worlds of Journalism Study sheds light on the state of journalism around the world

The field of journalism is in a constant state of change, always adapting to new technologies and shifts in culture and public opinions. Since 2007, the Worlds of Journalism Study (WJS) has dedicated itself to tracking these changes by creating a comprehensive report on the state of journalism around the world, with the aim of keeping journalists informed on trends within the field. In October 2025, wave three of the Worlds of Journalism Study was published, with researchers from over 120 countries showcasing their findings.

Posted: Thursday November 13, 2025

Yuan Sun points at a photo of coffee beans on this study's mocked-up website while Yang Feng looks on.

AI
Communication and Technology
Media Industry and Consumers

Generative AI may help turn consumers into active collaborators and creators, study finds

In the advertising world, generative AI is transforming the way brands connect with consumers, turning audiences from passive viewers into active creators who can shape and personalize campaign content.

Posted: Tuesday October 28, 2025

Media Industry and Consumers
Trust

Personalized Ads: Friend, Foe or Creepy Stalker?

Personalized ads based on data gathered online are becoming the norm. Does being upfront about data collection make people more comfortable with online behavioral advertising, or does it just remind them of how much they’re being tracked?

Posted: Tuesday January 28, 2025

Media Industry and Consumers

How Neoliberal Ideas Shaped Public Service Announcements: A Three-Decade Analysis

While traditional advertising is considered a function of capitalism, public service announcements have long been considered a function for the public good. But new research reveals how neoliberal ideology has increasingly infiltrated even these public-interest messages.

Posted: Tuesday December 31, 2024

Media Industry and Consumers
Trust

All Media Trust is Not Created Equal

Distrust in “mass media” is high. But a vast majority say that their local journalists are doing a good job of reporting news in their communities accurately.

Posted: Thursday October 31, 2024

Audience
Media Industry and Consumers

Beyond the Binge: Making Sense of How Consumers Choose Subscription Streaming Services

Subscription streaming service customers are not necessarily looking for the“best” service, but rather how they curate their services into repertoires, “an exquisite selection of services that satisfy their content needs for a reasonable price while avoiding streaming confusion (uncertainty about where to access the content) and fatigue (too many options).”

Posted: Thursday October 24, 2024

AI
Communication and Technology
Media Industry and Consumers

Pixels vs. People: The Battle for Consumer Trust in Influencer Marketing

New research examines the effectiveness of virtual influencers compared to humans in affecting brand attitudes and purchase intentions and found that, while virtual influencers are not yet ready to replace human influencers, they are carving out their own niche.

Posted: Friday August 16, 2024

Cultural
Media Industry and Consumers

Multiracial Families in Advertising: Exploring the Impact on Emerging Adult Consumers

A new study sheds light on how emerging adult consumers respond to advertisements featuring multiracial families and the factors that influence their attitudes and purchase intentions.

Posted: Friday May 17, 2024

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