Jul 27, 2022

America is out of office

Time off for vacation or illness is up from last summer, and impacting productivity. Plus, today's inflation ads vs. those from the 1970s.

Segments From this episode

"These are not normal times"

The Federal Reserve is raising interest rates by three-quarters of a point. "Marketplace" host Kai Ryssdal unpacks the news from today’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

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Between COVID and pent-up vacation demand, absent workers have businesses scrambling

by Kristin Schwab

Jul 27, 2022

Hire more workers or do less business — the options aren't great.

Employers across industries are getting creative as more workers take time off.

Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images

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Ad spending slowdown hits tech and social media firms, but not equally

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Jul 27, 2022

While ad revenue growth is slowing down, experts don't see a decline coming.

Google is expected to comprise 30% of total worldwide digital ad revenues this year, one analyst said. Meanwhile, Snapchat and Twitter are each expected to make up under 1%.

Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

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How advertisers approached inflation in the 1970s, and how they approach it today

by Matt Levin

Jul 27, 2022

When inflation raged decades ago, some marketers saw it as an opportunity. Now, the money-saving pitch is more subtle.

"Stagflation" plagued the economy of the late 1970s and early '80s. Some marketers saw it as an opportunity to pitch brands as pocketbook friendly. Above, New York's Times Square in 1979.

Frances M. Ginter/Getty Images

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Buyers and sellers are feeling a shift in the housing market

by Savannah Maher

Jul 27, 2022

In some markets, sellers can no longer bet on multiple offers and quick deals, and buyers can afford to be pickier.

Mortgage rates have climbed, and the real estate market has cooled.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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For farmers, it's not just today's inflation that matters. It's next year's too.

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry

Jul 27, 2022

"We're wondering what this next crop year brings," said Brian Duncan. "But farmers are price takers, and that puts us in a really tough spot."

Brian Duncan at his farm in Polo, Illinois. "We have some opportunities right now," he says. "Prices are good. The challenge we have is how to keep costs in line."

Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Rififif Rococo Chris Joss

Scenic Drive Poolside

It's Only (feat Zyra) Odesza

Lovely You Monster Rally

Sun Dress Freddie Joachim

Flowers The Deli

Bus In These Streets Thundercat

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Daisy Palacios Senior Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer

Sean McHenry Associate Producer

Andie Corban Associate Producer

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer

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