Mark your calendars for Baal Dan Charities Networking for a Cause event in NYC on 9/25. It will be an evening filled with thought leaders, bold ideas, and valuable networking - all benefiting children in need!

As AI reshapes the advertising landscape—from targeting and media buying to concepting and creative—agencies face a choice: chase efficiency or elevate strategy. This post explores how leading shops are blending automation with emotional intelligence to create smarter, more human work that actually connects.

Curious how plush toys and pop idols became global branding phenomena? Building a Fan Base dives into the marketing strategies behind Labubu and K-Pop, revealing how storytelling, exclusivity, and community drive deep consumer loyalty. This piece offers insights for marketers looking to build emotionally resonant, fan-driven brands in an increasingly crowded landscape.

In this post, we’re recapping a few standout sessions and key themes from this year’s sold-out Quirk’s Event. From big brand insights on showing up authentically at global moments like the World Cup to thought-provoking conversations about how the meaning of “value” is changing for consumers, these sessions offered fresh perspectives and practical takeaways for researchers and marketers alike.

In this spotlight we explore how W5 crafted a custom solution that combined audience profiling, key drivers analysis, and product development research for a client looking to expand into adjacent categories with confidence.

When budgets tighten, research is often the first thing to go—but that’s exactly when brands need it most. In this post, we explore why staying curious pays off, how repurposing, playing offense, and innovating can keep you ahead of changing consumer behavior, and that smart research doesn’t have to break the bank.

In the world of consumer insights, few trends are transforming behavior as rapidly as the adoption of GLP-1 medications. For researchers and brands alike, this presents a critical opportunity to explore evolving needs through primary research—and identify new ways to stay relevant in a changing marketplace.

Clients are increasingly turning to W5 to help immerse the C-suite in the day-to-day lives of their customers—because building real empathy starts with truly understanding how people live. Check out this spotlight showcasing a recent study that does just this.

VCU Brandcenter students shook up ad norms with Ads for Rats—tiny billboards aimed at rodents that prove bold creativity can still cut through the noise. In a landscape of sameness, their playful twist reminds us that surprise and delight still matter.

Gen Z isn’t just diverse—they’re redefining what identity, ambition, and impact look like in today’s culture. This post dives into the real shifts behind Gen Z’s mindset and what it takes for brands to genuinely earn their attention (and trust).