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.
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Out With (Some) Old, In With (Some) New: The State of the Media in 2024
How we consume media and who we trust is integral to the actions we take. But just like our decisions, it’s always changing – especially in 2024. As news and streaming continuously evolve, it’s more imperative than ever to understand how people view and interact with media, and what it means for the future.
The Most Anticipated Recession of All Time? Think Again
2023 was full of economic uncertainty, through global conflict, supply chain and inflation woes, and a struggling job market. The beginning of the year signaled “the most anticipated recession of all time” and left consumers scrambling. Now? Conversations around a recession seem out of sight as economists re-chart our financial paths.
The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same
Each year, The Ehrhardt Group and Causeway Solutions create the Gulf South Index Fall Update—delving further into our data to see how people in the Gulf South and nationally are feeling compared to the beginning of the year. The headline for the fall? Change is afoot, from public sentiment on the economy to spending and technology.
Making Our Time Count
We’re already making end-of-year plans when it feels like 2023 just got started. Instead of asking where the time went, it’s much more interesting to ask: what have we been doing with our time? Who and what are we interacting with? What time do we value most? Are we happy with how we’re spending our time?
How Do Consumers Stay Cool in the Heat?
Labor Day may have come and gone, and summer might be winding down, but those of us down here in the Gulf South know that summer heat probably isn’t going anywhere—at least as soon as we’d like. After a summer of record-breaking temperatures all over the country, it’s only natural to wonder how all of our behaviors are impacted.
Pack Light, We’re Not Staying a While
Travel is back in full swing for the summer, whether you are having your best year yet or working hard to make ends meet. According to the 2023 Gulf South Index by The Ehrhardt Group and Causeway Solutions, 24% of Gulf South respondents and 29% of national respondents plan on spending money on a vacation this summer, compared to 23% for both groups last year.
The Case for Normal America
In a world with 24/7 access to not only the media but also each other, our lives seem to exist in the extremes. On a scale of one to 10, most public issues are treated as an 11. The biggest personalities and loudest voices dominate the virtual world – which feels more like the real world now.
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