Press Release
September 27, 2007
CONSUMERS WILL DOUBLE SPENDING ON GREEN
- New Research on Green Perceptions and Behaviors among U.S. Consumers Released by Cohn & Wolfe, Landor Associates and Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates -
NEW ORLEANS -- New findings from the 2007 ImagePower™ Green Brands Survey, conducted by WPP’s Landor Associates, Penn, Schoen & Berland (PSB) Associates and Cohn & Wolfe (C&W), were released today at the Sustainable Brands '07 conference produced by Sustainable Life Media in New Orleans, Louisiana. Following a survey conducted in April 2007, the updated Green Brands 2.5 research found that consumers expect to double their spending on green products and services in the next year, totaling an estimated $500 billion annually or $43 billion per month.
“This wave of research very clearly indicates an up tick in purchase intent for most consumers when it comes to green products and services, particularly those that are relatively simple to implement such as installing environmentally friendly lighting and upgrading to energy-saving appliances,” said Tom Agan, Managing Director of Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates.
The research also indicated that despite bipartisan sentiments on politics and religion, 90% of Americans agree that there are important green issues and problems, and 82% believe it is important for companies to implement environmentally-friendly practices.
Conducted by PSB’s Internet Surveys Groups (ISG), the survey also found that consumer perceptions of green continue to change according to various collective definitions and contribute directly to buying decisions. In early research, for example, consumers indicated a close association of the color green with environmentally-friendly products. As products and awareness have increased in sophistication, perceptions have steadily shifted to equating green to saving money and caring for self and society in 2006. Today, the Green Brands Survey finds that consumers perceive green as a direct and positive reflection of their social status, in addition to recognizing its broader value to society and the world.
“Mainstream consumers can now join celebrities in supporting good causes,” said Russ Meyer, Chief Strategy Officer of Landor Associates. “As issues continue to arise around the world, so do positive perceptions of the people who support those issues. With every cause there is opportunity to gain support through a green-savvy consumer population.”
Extending the work released earlier this year that defined five “green attitudes,” ranging from “Bright Green” to “Dull Green,” today’s findings highlight the political and emotional state of each group. Dull Green respondents, for example, who are characterized by making a minimum effort to support environmental change, prioritize crime reduction, religious organizations and healthcare as their main causes. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the majority of Bright Green respondents, or those who are doing everything they can to make a long-term impact on their environment, care most about the environment, animal rights and education. One in five Dull Greens is satisfied with the current state of the environment, while, Bright Greens remain sad and skeptical about the future outlook and one in three even feel anger about the situation.
“The value of examining the everyday lives and activities, as well as the emotions, of our green groups is that we can then adapt and refine the way in which we communicate with them to maximize relevant messages,” said Annie Longsworth, EVP and Managing Director of Cohn & Wolfe San Francisco. “What resonates with Bright Green people is very different from what rings true for Dull Greens, which presents some really exciting marketing challenges and opportunities.”
Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, Inc. conducted 803 interviews on the Internet among U.S. general population from September 7 - 9, 2007. Respondents were screened to meet the following criteria: Age 18 or over. Gender, age, and region were weighted based on US census information.
About Landor Associates
Landor Associates is one of the world’s leading strategic brand and design consultancies. Founded by Walter Landor in 1941, Landor pioneered many of the research, design and consulting methods that are now standard in the branding industry. Partnering with clients, Landor drives business transformation and performance by creating brands that are more innovative, progressive and dynamic than their competitors.
Landor’s holistic approach to branding is a balance of rigorous, business-driven thinking and exceptional creativity. Its work spans the full breadth of branding services, including brand research and valuation, brand positioning and architecture, naming and writing, corporate identity and consumer packaging design, branded experience, brand equity management, brand engagement and digital branding.
With 22 offices in 17 countries, Landor’s current and past clients include some of the world’s most powerful brands, such as BP, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Diageo, Emaar Properties, FedEx, Frito-Lay, Hyatt Hotels, the City of Hong Kong, LG Group, Microsoft, Numico, Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo and Telefonica.
Landor is part of WPP, one of the world’s largest global communications services companies. For more information, visit: http://www.landor.com.
About Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates
Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates (PSB) has nearly 30 years of experience in leveraging consumer opinion to provide clients with a competitive advantage, or more simply - providing clients with Winning Knowledge™.
PSB brings an extensive network and unique knowledge base to bear on communications issues. PSB uses experience and global reach to deliver unrivaled business and political insights.
PSB executes polling and message testing services in over 70 countries for Fortune®500 companies and major political campaigns to develop brand positioning, guide successful advertising campaigns, generate favorable publicity, and advise in crisis management decisions. For more information, visit: http://www.psbresearch.com.
About Cohn & Wolfe
Cohn & Wolfe is a strategic marketing public relations agency dedicated to creating, building and protecting the world's most prolific brands. With offices in the U.S. and Europe, the agency creates and implements powerful communications programs that help clients build their brands and their bottom lines.
The core areas of expertise include consumer, healthcare, technology and corporate communications. Cohn & Wolfe ranks number one by clients for creativity, media placement, client service, senior management and strategic counsel. Cohn & Wolfe also consistently ranks among the top "Best Agencies to Work For" in an annual, industry-wide employee survey. For more information, visit: www.cohnwolfe.com.
For More Information:
Liz Biebl
Account Executive
Cohn & Wolfe
415-365-8544
liz_biebl@sfo.cohnwolfe.com
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NOTE: A summary presentation of the survey is available to members of the media upon request.