Big day yesterday! Jack Mackinnon, M.Ed. and I presented America Now 2027 at Sir
By Nataliemgriffith · October 30, 2026 · Curated by George's Blog
Big day yesterday! Jack Mackinnon, M.Ed. and I presented America Now 2027 at SiriusXM, exploring what brands need to know to better engage—and support—American consumers in the year ahead.
I believe Katya S. first put words to our “pruning to planting” metaphor, and it captures this moment beautifully.
When the constant notifications, AI slop, pressure to optimize every part of your life, and demands to buy the next thing collide with a daily life that feels harder by the day, something has to go.
Consumers are reaching that point. They’re asking, “How much of this do I actually want?” And they’re cutting back on the content, purchases, and commitments that take more than they give. Brands included.
But pruning creates room for something worth keeping. That’s where the opportunity for regrowth begins.
We explored three ways brands can earn that place in 2027:
• Quiet Competence: Make everyday life easier, and deliver on your promises.
• Deeper Lore: Respect and reflect the care, effort, and passion people put into what they love.
• Pointless Play: Bring people some joy without giving them another goal to achieve.
The brands that earn a place will understand the value of a supporting role, and avoid those pesky pruning shears.
BIGGEST thank you to my team, especially Elizandra Granillo-Espinoza and Lauren Goldberg for bringing this work to life, to SiriusXM for hosting us and to everyone who joined the conversation!
#CulturalFluency #CulturalIntelligence #ConsumerInsights