Technology

DDB Worldwide Launches First-of-its-Kind “Feels Barometer” to Harness Emotion as the Next Frontier in Creating Competitive Advantage for Brands

Published

1 year ago

February 5, 2025

NEW YORK, Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In an era of algorithms, data overload, and advertising that often leaves audiences numb, DDB Worldwide is taking a stand for emotion with the launch of the Feels Barometer—a first-of-its-kind global tool designed to measure, decode, and harness human feelings at scale.

“We are in a crisis of marketing effectiveness,” said Tomas Gonsorcik, Global Chief Strategy Officer at DDB Worldwide. “Brands are spending more but moving people less. The Feels Barometer is our antidote to the ‘meh-ification’ of advertising. If, according to pioneering behavioral psychologist Daniel Kahneman, 95% of decisions are emotionally driven, then why are so many brands still treating feelings as an afterthought? This tool isn’t just about understanding people better—it’s about making brands unignorable by creating work that moves people deeply and memorably.”

The Feels Barometer, created in partnership with insights agency TRA, leverages cutting-edge projective techniques. Here’s an overview of the research behind it:

Insights from 8 leading global experts in emotions and psychology, including renowned authors, neuroscientists, and anthropologists.140+ hours of in-depth qualitative research with participants from diverse cultures, providing rich, human-centered insights.Surveys of over 16,000 individuals across eight countries (United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Brazil, Sweden, France, Germany, and Australia), ensuring a comprehensive data set.100 real-life emotional triggers ranging from personal experiences like a tech-free family dinner to broader societal shifts such as AI’s impact on the workplace.Going beyond simple positive-negative sentiment analyses, the research captures the texture of feelings—intensity, cultural nuances, and even sensory associations like color, shape, and temperature.

The study uncovered both global emotional trends and the significant regional nuances that shape behavior. While universal insights, such as the global appeal of “getting a good deal,” emerged, the Feels Barometer underscores the importance of tailoring campaigns to resonate within specific cultural contexts. By aligning with the unique emotional drivers of diverse audiences, the Feels Barometer empowers both global brands navigating local markets and single-market brands to better understand the shared values and distinctions across subcultures and demographics.

Here are some insights our research uncovered:

The joy of finding a good deal rivals that of life’s biggest milestones. That’s right—securing a discount triggers an emotional spike comparable to birthdays or promotions. AI sparks as much existential dread as it does excitement. People are deeply divided on whether technology is liberating or terrifying—and that tension is a goldmine for brands willing to engage with it authentically. Nostalgia isn’t just a trend—it’s an emotional powerhouse. Across markets, looking back at the past brings comfort in uncertain times, making “retro-fication” one of the most potent creative levers available today.

“As creatives looking to connect brands with people in the most meaningful ways, we are constantly looking to better understand how people feel. Feel about the world, their lives, and the brands that should serve them. The Feels Barometer supercharges our ability to understand the deepest emotional insights and how people genuinely feel about the things that matter most to them. Simply put, it’s a game changer for us,” said Chaka Sobhani, Global President & Chief Creative Officer, DDB Worldwide.

The Feels Barometer will be integrated into DDB’s strategic and creative process globally, as part of DDB’s proprietary AI tool stack – RAND DDB, helping brands design campaigns that don’t just attract eyeballs but capture hearts. DDB’s clients will have access to deep-dive reports, interactive workshops, and bespoke applications of the tool tailored to their industry.

In the battle for consumer attention, the most valuable real estate isn’t a media buy—it’s a lasting emotional memory. The Feels Barometer is here to help brands claim their share of heart.

To learn more about DDB, visit us online at DDB.com or follow us on LinkedIn for more Feels Barometer insights.

ABOUT DDB WORLDWIDE   
At DDB Worldwide (www.ddb.com), we believe in the unreasonable power of emotional creativity to move people, business, and culture. As one of the world’s leading advertising and marketing networks, we combine creative excellence with strategic effectiveness to deliver measurable business results.

Our effectiveness is reflected in industry recognition, including 2023 Global Network of the Year by Cannes Lions, D&AD Agency Network of the Year (2021–2023), and #2 in the 2024 Effie Global Best of the Best. We have also ranked as a Top 3 Global Network on WARC for 13 of the last 16 years.

With 140 offices in 60+ countries, we partner with leading brands such as MARS, McDonald’s, Molson Coors, Volkswagen, Amazon, Unilever, JetBlue, Adidas, PlayStation, and the U.S. Army to build meaningful consumer connections that drive sustained growth.

Founded in 1949, DDB is part of Omnicom (NYSE: OMC).

Contact
Press@ddb.com

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Technology

Fairway Home Mortgage Earns Prestigious USA TODAY Top Workplaces Award For 6th Consecutive Year

Published

13 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

Fairway CEO Steve Jacobson Named #1 Leadership Award Winner of Companies With 2500+ Employees

MADISON, Wis., April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fairway Home Mortgage announced that it has earned the prestigious 2026 USA TODAY Top Workplaces award. This is the sixth year in a row Fairway achieved this honor.

The award honors organizations with 150 or more employees that have created exceptional, people-first cultures. This year, more than 40,500 organizations were invited to participate. The winners are recognized for their commitment to fostering a workplace environment that values employee listening and engagement. USA TODAY showcased the winners at the National Awards Summit in Nashville. Watch the video of the event here.

“Being recognized with this award reflects Fairway’s commitment to bringing our people together face-to-face,” said Fairway’s CEO and Founder Steve Jacobson. “Companies are better when their people are around each other. People need each other and they learn from each other, and we’re very intentional about creating opportunities for in-person collaboration at Fairway.”

Jacobson demonstrated that in-person collaboration when he traveled to Knoxville this week with Fairway Senior Vice President Dan Richards to spend time with one of Fairway’s branches and their local real estate partners. “We engaged in real conversations about the market, discussed what people are seeing on the ground, and talked about how Fairway keeps showing up for clients,” said Richards. “It’s a reflection of the same hands-on approach that has defined Fairway’s culture for more than two decades.”

“To be named a Top Workplace for six consecutive years speaks to Fairway’s leadership, our mindset, and the empowerment of our staff,” said Fairway’s Chief People and Engagement Officer Julie Fry. “Our strength isn’t just what we offer employees. What sets a top workplace apart is the daily commitment to people—prioritizing connection, valuing contributions, and creating an environment where employees feel energized to serve because they feel valued first.”

The winners are determined by authentic employee feedback captured through a confidential survey conducted by Energage, the HR research and technology company behind the Top Workplaces program since 2006. The results are calculated based on employee responses to statements about Workplace Experience Themes, which are proven indicators of high performance.

“Earning a USA TODAY Top Workplaces award is a testament to an organization’s credibility and commitment to a people-first culture,” said Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage. “This award, driven by real employee feedback, is more than just a recognition — it’s proof that your employees believe in the organization and its leadership. Job seekers and customers look for this trusted badge of credibility and excellence. It signals a company that values its people, and that kind of culture resonates in today’s competitive market”

About Fairway Home Mortgage
Madison, WI- and Carrollton, TX-based Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation (NMLS #2289) is a full-service mortgage lender licensed in all 50 states. Fairway is the #2 overall retail lender in the U.S.

About Energage
Making the world a better place to work together.™
Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 20 years of culture research and the results from 30 million employees surveyed across more than 80,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.

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SOURCE Fairway Home Mortgage

Technology

LifeWave’s “Code of Creation” Debuts at Sold-Out Beverly Hills Film Festival

Published

13 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

DRAPER, Utah, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LifeWave®, a global leader in wellness technology, premiered its “Code of Creation” documentary to a sold-out audience on April 15, 2026, at the 26th Annual Beverly Hills Film Festival in Los Angeles. Held at the world-renowned TCL Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, one of the most iconic and historic venues in the entertainment industry, this festival is recognized globally for showcasing leading independent films.

Directed by Mikki Willis, “Code of Creation” follows LifeWave Founder, CEO, and inventor David Schmidt and a team of scientists as they explore biological and mathematical patterns found in nature, including light emissions in species such as lobsters that align with numerical sequences traced back to ancient texts. The film connects these discoveries to LifeWave’s approach to health and wellness, highlighting its patented health technology designed to support the body’s natural processes and overall well-being.

Selected for the festival’s official documentary lineup, the film’s inclusion at one of the industry’s most recognized independent film festivals reflects LifeWave’s growing presence in global media and its ability to bring its story to new audiences.

LifeWave is honored to have “Code of Creation” included in this year’s Beverly Hills Film Festival and congratulates all the winners, participants, and dedicated filmmakers who made this year’s event a success. The company looks forward to continuing to share “Code of Creation” with new audiences around the world through additional upcoming film festival opportunities.

The premiere brought together filmmakers, industry leaders, and the LifeWave community for a standout evening in Hollywood, reflecting both the moment’s significance and the strong interest in the ideas behind the film.

About LifeWave:

Founded in 2004, LifeWave is a global life technology company known for its patented, non-transdermal patches and expanding portfolio of wellness innovations. With product distribution in over 100 countries, LifeWave is dedicated to helping people access the body’s natural energy through science-based technologies that support wellness at the source. For more information, visit: www.lifewave.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Jenn Jimenez | Dunn Pellier Media
jenn@dunnpelliermedia.com

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SOURCE LifeWave

Technology

In HelloNation, Behavioral Health Experts Cody Luke and David Spencer Explain Choosing a Therapist and What to Look for in Idaho Falls

Published

13 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

The article outlines key factors that support trust, consistency, and long-term mental health progress.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What should you look for when choosing a therapist in Idaho Falls? HelloNation published an article that answers this question, featuring insights from Behavioral Health Experts Cody Luke and David Spencer of Luke and Spencer Behavioral Health, PLLC in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

The HelloNation article explains that choosing a therapist is a personal decision that can shape both comfort and outcomes over time. It emphasizes that trust, communication, and consistency are essential to building a productive therapy experience.

According to the article, one of the first steps in choosing a therapist is understanding their background and training. A licensed therapist in Idaho Falls has completed the required education and supervised clinical work, but areas of focus can differ. The article notes that working with someone who understands your specific concerns can help make each session more focused and effective.

The article also highlights how different therapy styles influence the overall experience. Approaches can vary in structure, pace, and goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is one of the most widely used methods and focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns. Other therapy styles may focus more on emotional awareness or past experiences, depending on individual needs.

Another key point discussed is the importance of the therapeutic relationship. The article describes how trust, respect, and open communication between a client and therapist contribute to long-term success. Feeling comfortable and understood is identified as one of the most important factors in staying engaged throughout the process.

Practical considerations are also part of choosing a therapist. The article explains that flexible scheduling and accessibility can make it easier to attend sessions consistently. Idaho Falls therapy options that fit into a person’s routine can reduce barriers and support ongoing participation, which is often essential for meaningful progress.

The article also explores how a person’s background or stage of life can influence the therapy experience. Some therapists focus on young adults, while others work more with families or individuals navigating major life changes. Finding a therapist in Idaho Falls who understands these circumstances can lead to more relevant guidance and a stronger connection.

Cost is another important factor addressed in the article. Idaho Falls therapy services may vary based on experience, specialization, and format. Some providers offer sliding scale pricing or accept insurance, which can make mental health support more accessible. Understanding these details can help individuals stay consistent without added financial stress.

The article encourages individuals to ask questions before starting ongoing sessions. Asking about experience, therapy styles, and session structure can help clarify expectations. Taking time during the process of choosing a therapist can lead to a stronger and more effective therapeutic relationship.

The article concludes that choosing a therapist in Idaho Falls is not about finding a perfect match immediately, but about finding someone who supports your goals and helps you feel heard. With the right fit, therapy can provide structure, insight, and long-term mental health support.

What Should You Look for When Choosing a Therapist in Idaho Falls? features insights from Cody Luke and David Spencer, Behavioral Health Experts of Idaho Falls, Idaho, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative “edvertising” approach that blends educational content with storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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SOURCE HelloNation