Gulf South Index
Built from research, local perspective and decades of regional experience, the Gulf South Index helps leaders better understand the people, trends and decisions shaping our region.
Get Insight. Stay Ready.
Sign up to stay up to date on trends and topics shaping the Gulf South.
Are the Kids Alright? A Deep Dive Into America’s Youngest Generations
Remember when the world was fascinated with millennials and avocado toast? Or when “OK Boomer,” referencing post- World War II babies, became viral shorthand for intergenerational frustration? You might not, but for years, American culture has been shaped, and often judged, through the lenses of generational identity. Here at the Gulf South Index, we’ve always focused on these generational divides – and as our daily cultural landscape continues to change, we’re especially tuned in on the youngest generations: who are redefining norms, embracing technology and grappling with challenges unique to their time.
THE THRILL IS GONE: 2025 GULF SOUTH INDEX, DOWNLOAD NOW
“Consumers are just really pissed off about the world” – Claudi Sahm, former economist at the U.S. Federal Reserve We’ve used this quote quite a bit in the last couple of years to describe the mood of the general public. Partly because it gets people’s attention. Primarily because it’s true. We’ve tried to temper the public’s “pissed off” attitude with a vision that if we take a collective breath, we can find common ground as consumers and as citizens.
Marc Ehrhardt on The Newell Normand Show
Marc Ehrhardt, President of The Ehrhardt Group, once again visited The Newell Normand Show on April 7th to discuss our Gulf South Index State of the Media 2025 findings. From information overload and waning trust in the Gulf South, Marc shared the outlook of our media landscape in 2025, how consumers are getting their news and how they feel about it.
The Game isn’t Changing. It’s Changed. The State of the Media in 2025.
Whether you wake up for the 5AM news or check the X app the minute you open your eyes, it’s hard to avoid the modern malaise we all face: information overload. The news is everywhere we turn – but the stories are no longer the only thing changing all the time. It seems every day there’s a new source to gather information from, new people on our screen telling us what they think, and new decisions to make about how we digest all this information.
The Sky is Green. IT’S GREEN!!! What We Learned in 2024
A few weeks ago, I attended a meeting to inform a group of neighbors about a potential real estate project. Nearly all of the residents in attendance were hot to express their concerns about the future of a nearby green space before even learning about the project’s details. At one point, the speaker asked neighbors if the green space – which up until recently had sporadic operating hours, a lack of security, evidence of on-site drug abuse and marginal upkeep – was the best green space in the city.
Marc Ehrhardt on The Newell Normand Show
Marc Ehrhardt, President of The Ehrhardt Group, stopped by The Newell Normand Show on February 17th to discuss the findings of the first edition of the 2025 Gulf South Index by The Ehrhardt Group and Causeway Solutions. Marc and Newell discussed the impact of social media, the always-changing news and trends landscape and consumer sentiment going into 2025.
In It For the Long Haul: 2025 At A Glance
2025 hit the ground running early this year. From senseless tragedy to unprecedented weather, January 2025 almost feels like it’s been a whole year by itself. Every January, when the Gulf South Index team sits down to write our first article of the year, we think of emerging trends, events on the horizon we’re looking forward to and the general sentiment of consumers entering a new year.
Campaigning for Our Attention: The (Updated) State of the Media in 2024: GULF SOUTH INDEX
Being a consumer in 2024 is synonymous with being online. Sometimes, it feels like our phones are listening to us. Sometimes, we can’t seem to escape the technology bubble we’ve gotten ourselves into – a bubble we often share with people and brands trying to monopolize our time and money. It can be overwhelming. However, there may be a way out…
Stay Ahead of What's Moving
Understanding this region takes time, attention and perspective. Let us help you navigate uncertainty and take action.