In today’s tough economic times, advertisers are under increased pressure to gain market share while working with shrinking budgets. Should they cut back on media investments? How will they succeed?

No matter where one lives, going out to eat can be one of life’s great pleasures.  But what factors determine how global consumers choose restaurants? According to results from the Nielsen Global Online Survey of respondents in 52 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific, Americas and the Middle East, the prime driver is the type of cuisine, with 27 percent preferring their local cuisine over international fare.  The second most important factor is reasonably priced food (24%), although diners in several countries, notably Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Netherlands and Belgium, …

Most U.S. consumers (86%) believe the country is currently in a recession, and more than half (54%) believe it will last longer than 12 months, Nielsen reported Monday.
The findings come from Nielsen’s Global Online Consumer Survey, conducted in 52 markets worldwide between September 22 and October 6, 2008.
Only 18% of respondents said they believe the recession will be over within a year.  Younger survey participants (ages 25 to 29) expressed the least amount of confidence, with just 6% saying the recession would be over within 12 months.  Older respondents (ages 65 and older) were …