Affluent Population Grows Larger, Wealthier, and More Engaged with Media
Digital Media Use Grows Sharply, But Largely Supplements – Rather than Replaces – Traditional Media Use
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Ipsos also announced today that the study, formerly known as the Mendelsohn Affluent Survey, is being re-branded as the U.S. component of the Ipsos Affluent Survey, which details the lifestyles and media habits of high-earning individuals in 51 countries. According to Yannick Carriou, Global CEO of Ipsos MediaCT, “The Ipsos Affluent Survey delivers an unprecedented global perspective on the most important consumers of a wide range of goods and services, offering clients a worldwide platform for Affluent media planning and consumer insights not available anywhere else.”
Other findings from the 2013 Ipsos Affluent Survey USA reaffirm the power of the hard copy print publications in Affluent lives. As in 2012, 81% of Affluents read at least one of the 142 reported print publications (135 magazines and 7 national newspapers); coupled with the growth of the Affluent population, the number of Affluents who read a print publication rose to more than 50 million. The total duplicated average-issue audience (AIA) is more than 207 million, a figure that declined 2.4% from 2012.
The study reports that print readership skews significantly higher among Affluent Women, Ultra Affluents ($250K+ HHI) and Wealthy consumers ($500K+ HHI). For example, Affluents read 16.7 issues from 7.4 different titles, but Ultra Affluents read 22% more titles (9.0 vs. 7.4) and 29% more issues (21.6 vs. 16.7). The skews are even more dramatic among Wealthy consumers, who read 45% more titles (10.7 vs. 7.4) and 62% more issues (27.0 vs. 16.7) than Affluents. Compared to Affluent men, Affluent women read 16% more titles and 17% more issues.
While Affluent print readership remains pervasive, Affluent enthusiasm for digital media and mobile devices continues to grow sharply. For example, among Affluents…
- Smartphones: 63% now own a smartphone, up from 55% in 2012 and 45% in 2011.
- Tablets: 41% now own a tablet, up from 26% in 2012 and just 9% in 2011.
- Internet: As in previous years, virtually all Affluents (99%+) use the Internet. Hours online in a typical week rose to 41.6, up from 37.4 in 2012; Affluent Millennials (those aged 18-31) average 52.7 hours online weekly, up from 42.4 in 2012. Several websites related to entertainment, shopping, travel and social media showed significant growth in Affluent visitors.
- Magazine/newspaper apps: 6.9 million Affluents have downloaded a magazine app, up 47% from 4.7 million in 2012; 8.5 million Affluents have downloaded a newspaper app, up 21% from 7.0 in 2012.
(Click to enlarge image)
For more information on this news release, please contact:
Stephen Kraus, Ph.D.
SVP, Chief Insights Officer
Audience Measurement Group
Ipsos MediaCT
(415) 293-9711
Steve.Kraus@ipsos.com
For more highlights from the Ipsos Affluent Survey USA please view our webinar:
America's Affluent TODAY: New Insights From Our Annual Tracking Survey
About the Ipsos Affluent Survey USA
Formerly branded as the Mendelsohn Affluent Survey, The Ipsos Affluent Survey USA has heritage of industry leadership that dates back 37 years. With 4,000+ individual users from 400+ subscribing organizations, the study is widely recognized as a definitive source of information about the lives, lifestyles, purchase patterns and media habits of Affluent Americans. Among other uses, it serves as a currency study for Affluent print advertising – the agreed-upon source of audience measurement data used by agencies, advertisers and media companies in negotiating the cost and placement of advertising. The 2013 Ipsos Affluent Survey USA was conducted from March through July, and has a sample size of 13,348 adults living in households with at least $100,000 in annual household income. The survey uses a random probability sample drawn from address-based sample frame as well as other rigorous methodologies to ensure the results are projectable to the population of America’s 62.5 million Affluents. Roughly 20% of U.S. households, Ipsos analyses show that Affluents garner 60% of U.S. household income, and hold 69% of U.S. net worth.
The Ipsos Affluent Survey provides a global perspective on Affluents in 51 countries. It combines the resources and insights of industry leading studies around the world, including the studies previously branded as the Mendelsohn Affluent Survey (USA), PAX (covering Asia Pacific), and EMS (covering Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East).
About the Audience Measurement Group of Ipsos MediaCT
The Ipsos Affluent Survey USA is produced by the Audience Measurement Group of Ipsos MediaCT. Led by a team of senior professionals, the Audience Measurement Group is recognized for its expertise in Affluent lives, lifestyles and media use. Ipsos MediaCT specializes in the intersection of media, content and technology.
About Ipsos
Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. In October 2011 Ipsos completed the acquisition of Synovate. The combination forms the world’s third largest market research company.
With offices in 85 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across six research specializations: advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, public affairs research, and survey management.
Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.
Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of €1,789 billion (2.300 billion USD) in 2012.
Visit www.ipsos.com to learn more about Ipsos’ offerings and capabilities.
