Brands are speaking — but their customers are not always listening. In today’s attention economy, people are exposed to more messages across more channels than ever before, while at the same time filtering harder, trusting less, and gravitating toward interactions that feel authentic.

On 4 Sep 2025, Blackbox hosted the Brand Leaders Brunch: The Insight Disconnect, where 50 senior decision-makers came together to ask: In the attention economy, how do we keep research meaningful? Leading the discussion were Mansi Trivedi, who heads strategy and insights across APJ at Transmission; Jessalynn Chen, Managing Director of Labbrand Singapore with expertise in brand innovation and cultural fit; and David Black, founder and CEO of Blackbox Research. Together, they unpacked why attention isn’t really shrinking, why “trust” is too vague to act on, and why senior executives will never fill your survey — surfacing 7 key shifts every leader should know to turn feedback into genuine dialogue.

Singapore’s healthcare model has long been admired for its balance — but that balance is shifting. Rising costs, confusing policy terms, and recent controversies like Great Eastern’s hospital access pause have shaken public confidence in private health insurance.

This report unpacks the cracks in the current system — revealing how protected Singaporeans really feel, what they understand (or don’t), and where trust is faltering.

Surveys and interviews have long been staples of market research, but as audiences evolve, so must our methods. This article examines the strengths and limitations of both approaches and explores how emerging AI alternatives like Blackbox Dialogue enhance data quality, respondent experience, and research efficiency, by combining the best elements of surveys and interviews.

Discover how Chinese lifestyle brands are winning over young Singaporean women.

Based on in-depth interviews, this report reveals shifting perceptions of “Made in China” and what’s driving trust, relevance, and growth — from quality and culture to localisation. A must-read for anyone tracking consumer trends and brand strategy in Southeast Asia.