2022 started as a year of great hope. People began to convene  again in person. Buyers and sellers were back together. Our  colleagues were back in the office, albeit just a few days a week. 

The “new normal” had started to set in. 

In the second half of the year, however, uncertainty moved in. The  war in Ukraine continues to put pressure on global supply chains  and political polarization remains at dangerously high levels, even  after the largely peaceful and uncontested midterm elections. 

Member companies are finding themselves under pressure. 

High inflation, the U.S. dollar's rise against other currencies, and  the stock market fluctuations are very real, and companies are  responding with budget freezes and layoffs. It’s a challenging and  unpredictable time.

With great challenges, however, comes great opportunities. Our  industry is resilient. Digital remains an incredibly effective way to  connect with consumers, and that’s not going to change anytime  soon. Digital marketing is not a discretionary expense for today’s  direct-to-consumer internet economy; it is a critical investment.