Millennial Parents Tighten Holiday Budgets
A new survey by NMI of 1,000 U.S. Millennial parents (ages 28–44) finds that 63% say their holiday shopping budgets are tighter this year — yet 75% are still willing to pay extra for convenience. The study reveals mounting stress over finding the right gift, long store lines, and managing budgets.
Time and convenience are top of mind for this group. A large majority (87%) say the best shopping experiences allow them to “pay and leave quickly.” 80% would like more time-saving perks such as digital wallets, one-click checkout or contactless payments. More than half (52%) struggle to find time even to shop online. As a result, many are turning toward thrifting or DIY gifts (64%), and 44% say they’ve taken on side jobs this season just to cover gift costs.
The report also segments Millennial parents into distinct shopping personas based on income, parental status, and priorities. For example: “Efficiency Elves” (typically dads or higher earners) prioritize speed and tech-friendly checkout; “Holiday Hustlers” (often single parents or those earning less than $75,000 annually), feel the most financial strain and rely heavily on discounts, DIY gifts, or second jobs; and “Tradition Treasurers” (often partnered or older Millennials), value the in-store experience, festive ambiance, and supporting local small businesses.
Learn more here.
Marriott Bonvoy & AEG Expand Global Live-Entertainment Partnership
AEG and Marriott Bonvoy have signed a multiyear renewal of their global partnership, which first started in 2013, to now cover venues, festivals, sports and live entertainment on three continents. The renewed deal deepens the focus on music, increases international reach, and aims to deliver a more seamless “fan journey” by integrating ticketing and travel through AXS, AEG’s global ticketing platform.
Under the agreement, Marriott Bonvoy remains the exclusive hotel and hotel-loyalty partner for flagship AEG venues such as Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and Mercedes‑Benz Arena in Shanghai, while keeping its role at The O2 in London and Uber Arena in Berlin. The renewal also expands to music-festival staples, including Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Stagecoach Festival, All Points East, and Rock en Seine.
Beyond lodging, the updated partnership integrates ticketing and travel — AXS-ticketed events will appear directly on Bonvoy’s travel and experiences pages, and when fans purchase concert or event tickets via AXS, they’ll receive hotel suggestions from Marriott properties nearby.
Learn more here.
P&G’s Cascade Partners with Feeding America to Celebrate 70 Years
Cascade, the dishwasher-detergent brand from Procter & Gamble, is celebrating its 70th anniversary by teaming up with Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief network, to help provide up to one million meals to families in need. Customers who download a coupon for $1 off Cascade Platinum Plus, the brand will donate 10 meals to Feeding America.
The effort reframes Cascade’s long-standing role in family mealtime routines: for decades, the brand has delivered reliable dish cleaning to free up time for shared meals and memories. Now, Cascades aims to extend that legacy beyond the kitchen by supporting food security and community well-being during a time when many families face hunger.
Through this collaboration, Cascade reinforces its commitment to caring for households not just with trusted cleaning products, but with tangible social impact. Consumers get a discount on their purchase, and by doing so, can contribute directly to Feeding America’s efforts to feed families.
Learn more here.