After Trump Win, Ad Agencies Admit They're Clueless On How To Market To Midwest Consumers

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-11-21/after-trump-win-ad-agencies-admit-theyre-clueless-how-market-midwest-consumers

In the wake of Donald Trump’s election as U.S. president with a wave of support from middle American voters, advertisers are reflecting on whether they are out of touch with the same people—rural, economically frustrated, elite-distrusting, anti-globalization voters—who propelled the businessman into the White House. Mr. Trump’s rise has them rethinking the way they collect data about consumers, recruit staff and pitch products.

“Every so often you have to reset what is the aspirational goal the public has with regard to the products we sell,” said Harris Diamond, McCann’s CEO. “So many marketing programs are oriented toward metro elite imagery.” Marketing needs to reflect less of New York and Los Angeles culture, he said, and more of “Des Moines and Scranton.”

Will This Take Markets To The Brink & Bring Consumers To Their Knees?

http://kingworldnews.com/will-take-markets-brink-bring-consumers-knees/

Everything Popular Is Wrong: Malinvestment and Consumers

http://mises.org/daily/6769/Everything-Popular-Is-Wrong-Malinvestment-and-Consumers

Gallup Economic Confidence Index Plummets To August 2010 Level As Poverty Effect Laps Wealth Effect

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/gallup-economic-confidence-index-drops-august-2010-levels

On the other hand, American consumers face several major challenges. Soaring gas and food prices not only reduce disposable income but also discourage additional spending as the cost of necessities increases. Global events, continued political battles about the budget in the nation's capital, and a weak, if modestly improving job market add to consumer uncertainties. As a result, it is not surprising that consumer confidence plummets even as Wall Street continues to do well.

However, if consumers continue to lack confidence and spending doesn't increase, it is hard to see how the U.S. economy can continue its modest improvement. In turn, it would seem Wall Street and Main Street will have to align at some point going forward. Either Wall Street will prove right and economic conditions on Main Street will improve or the reverse will prove to be the case.