ISA’s VP of Demand, Adriana Hemans, Will Lead Mentorship Workshop for Cannabis Entrepreneurs

As part of Arcview’s Mentorship Workshop, Hemans will share data and insights about the cannabis industry.

June 16, 2021, Los Angeles, CA — Insights firm ISA announced today that their VP of Demand, Adriana Hemans, will lead a live event titled Define and Align Your Data for Success, presented by Arcview’s Women’s Inclusion Network (WIN). Hemans will lead the interactive workshop and share data and insights developed by ISA’s dedicated cannabis research division. The content is aimed at helping cannabis entrepreneurs grow their businesses by identifying market opportunities and understanding their target audience. The 60-minute program was designed exclusively for WIN members and will take place Monday, June 21, at 2 pm PST and 5 pm EST. Attendees can register here.

 

“I’m thrilled to be involved in Arcview’s mentorship workshop,” Hemans commented.  “The mentoring program goes hand-in-hand with ISA’s interest in empowering women and expanding opportunity in the cannabis industry.  I believe that the openness and flexibility are the strengths of this program.  We feel that this offers participants the chance to develop in a relaxed, yet professional, setting.”

 

During the session, Hemans will share new research about emerging trends shaping the cannabis industry. Attendees will learn how consumer feedback can be harnessed to develop personalized marketing strategies. Additionally, the session will explore how consumer data and analytics can provide directional support for new product development. Hemans will offer a sneak peek of a yet-to-be-released cannabis consumer segmentation study and introduce the audience to the six key consumer personas driving the growth of the cannabis industry. 

 

Adriana Hemans leads ISA’s cannabis research division. Under her direction, ISA emerged as an early leader in cannabis consumer research. Their cannabis-focused product offering includes the CANNApinion Poll, a bi-monthly survey of 1,000 US cannabis consumers developed as a low-barrier-to-entry product for emerging brands. In 2021, ISA launched the first cannabis consumer research panel, The Green Time. ISA is the first insights firm to conduct an in-home usage test with cannabis products containing THC and the first to conduct cannabis consumer research using their proprietary insight community platform, icanmakeitbetter.

 

For more information on the Mentorship Workshop or to register, please click here.

SoapBoxSample Helps Riverside County Gauge the Spread of COVID-19

Antibody Study Shows COVID-19 May Have Infected 5.9% of Riverside County Residents, to Date

August 3, 2020, Los Angeles, CA — In an effort to understand and slow the spread of COVID-19, SoapBoxSample partnered with Riverside University Health Systems to test a representative sample of Riverside County residents for the presence of COVID-19 antibodies in their blood. The study was unique because it included adults and children aged 5 and older. This test was administered to 1,726 county residents to gain a more accurate picture of the spread of the virus in Riverside County.

Based on the county’s study, officials estimate there have been between 118,000 and 175,400 infections in Riverside County. On the low end, that would be 235% higher than confirmed case totals; on the high end, it would mean a confirmed infection prevalence that is 431% higher than the county’s current total number of confirmed cases. Riverside County has about 2.5 million residents.

SoapBoxSample recruited a random sample of Riverside residents through their proprietary sampling techniques, designed to ensure reach and diversity. Study participants were included via invitation only. Residents were not allowed to volunteer to be a part of the study, so that health officials could obtain a representative sample of the community, which is a critical component of the study. The study showed a positivity rate of nearly 6%, and officials used that percentage to estimate how many residents likely had the virus by applying the positivity rate to the overall population. These results emphasize the need to practice safe social distancing by wearing face masks and keeping 6 feet of distance from others.

“It is an honor to work on such impactful point-in-time research. We are incredibly proud of the work we’ve done here, assisting Riverside County with understanding the true spread of COVID-19 within their community. We will continue to partner with county officials, medical professionals, scientists and epidemiologists. We have a lot to learn about antibodies beyond just the prevalence.” said Jacqueline Rosales, SoapBoxSample COO.

“We continue to learn new information about coronavirus, and this survey adds important research to the growing knowledge of COVID-19,” said Riverside County Board Chair and Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez.

SoapBoxSample attracted attention from the local and national news media last March when the results of their serosurveillance study of Los Angeles County was released. The study, which tested 863 LA County residents, revealing a positivity rate of 4.06%, was conducted in partnership with the University of Southern California and the Los Angeles Department of Health. SoapBoxSample recruited the participants, developed the research instrument and designed the results portals, where residents learn the status of their tests. Read the full article in the Journal of the American Medical Association here.

Business Insider Showcases COVID-19 Antibody Research by SoapBoxSample

SoapBoxSample’s Antibody Study Gets Featured

In an article published on May 22, 2020, Business Insider highlighted the COVID-19 antibody research conducted by Los Angeles-based insights firm SoapBoxSample. Business Insider is a well-respected business news media outlet focusing on tech, finance and American industries.

Article Excerpt:

“In mid-April, Los Angeles tried to understand the scope of the COVID-19 pandemic by asking hundreds of residents to get drive-through blood tests. The results found that estimated infection rates were “28 to 55 times higher” than the number of officially reported cases, but that the virus was also probably much less fatal than previously thought. These tests were the product of an unusual collaboration between the LA County Department of Public Health, the University of Southern California, and 50-year-old consulting firm LRW Group.

LRW Group is best known for consumer sentiment research that clients like Google, Facebook, Disney, and Starbucks never publicize. For example, when an auto company wants to let people test drive a new model and weigh in, or a household goods company needs to see how consumers respond to the smell of a new fabric softener, they often hire LRW Group’s consumer research division SoapBoxSample, according to president Jeff Reynolds.”

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SoapBoxSample’s COVID-19 Antibody Research Featured in the Journal of the American Medical Association

SoapBoxSample Assisted with the Ongoing COVID-19 Antibody Research

Groundbreaking COVID-19 antibody research from SoapBoxSample was featured in the Journal of the American Medical Association, published May 18, 2020. The Journal of the American Medical Association is a peer-reviewed medical journal published 48 times a year by the American Medical Association. It publishes original research, reviews, and editorials covering all aspects of biomedicine. The study reviewed in this article was the pilot wave of a research initiative conducted in partnership with the University of Southern California and the LA County Department of Public Health. SoapBoxSample assisted with the ongoing research engagement to test Angelenos for COVID-19 antibodies in their blood. By launching this critical study, researchers and public officials hoped to get closer to answering the question of when society could “get back to normal.” SoapBoxSample designed the research instrument and recruited 865 Angelenos for the initial pilot test. Subsequently, 1015 additional Los Angeles County residents were recruited for wave 2. SoapBoxSample’s expertise in reaching diverse multicultural audiences, and deep roots in the LA community allowed them to efficiently contact and recruit participants. Antibody testing is ongoing in LA County and SoapBoxSample continues to provide data for this important research initiative.

Article Excerpt:

“Inadequate knowledge about the extent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic challenges public health response and planning. Most reports of confirmed cases rely on polymerase chain reaction–based testing of symptomatic patients. These estimates of confirmed cases miss individuals who have recovered from infection, with mild or no symptoms, and individuals with symptoms who have not been tested due to limited availability of tests.

We conducted serologic tests in a community sample to estimate cumulative incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, as serologic tests identify both active and past infections.”

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Study Reveals Americans Polarized by Recent COVID-19 Protests

While the majority disagree with the protesters message, 83% support their right to protests

April 29, 2020, Los Angeles, CA —SoapBoxSample released new data today about Americans’ views of the anti-quarantine demonstrations that took place in recent weeks across more than a dozen states in the U.S. The protests that were held in places such as California, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, sparked a range of emotions among U.S. citizens. As part of their ongoing research initiative to measure the impact of COVID-19 on the lives of Americans, SoapBoxSample polled 400 U.S. residents from across the nation on April 22, 2020.  The data revealed that while the majority (62%) disagree with the protesters’ messages, 83% support their right to demonstrate.

The government’s handling of the COVID-19 response is shaping up to be one of the most divisive issues in American politics. Survey data from the Pew Research Center gathered prior to the COVID-19 outbreak (January of 2020) revealed climate change and gun control to be the top two issues that the American public is most divided on. Six out of ten Americans are in agreement with the statement that climate change is a major threat, and six out of ten Americans are in favor of stricter gun control. The preliminary, quick turnaround, survey data from SoapBoxSample showing that Americans’ sentiments about the protests are split by the same ratio (six out of ten) indicates that the question of when to reopen the economy may be among the most divisive topics in American politics today.

“We’ve seen an unprecedented swell of emotion from the people who participate in our research studies,” said Jacqueline Rosales, SoapBoxSample COO. “While we won’t know for quite some time if the government response to the COVID-19 outbreak was effective, we can say with certainty that the American public is passionately divided on this issue, and the repercussions from this disagreement is likely to have a long-lasting impact on the American political scene.”

To further understand American’s perceptions of the protester’s intentions, SoapBoxSample asked survey participants about what they believe to be the demonstrators’ primary message. The top three causes Americans cited as the protesters’ source of discontent include: because they want to get back to work (70%), they want their individual state economy to reopen (64%), and they believe the social distancing guidelines infringe on their rights as American citizens (52%). Additionally, SoapBoxSample asked respondents about their attitudes toward the protesters themselves. A vast majority (79%) agreed with the statement that protesters are putting themselves and others in danger, and 70% agreed with the statement that protesters are wrong and should follow government guidelines like everyone else.

Americans on both sides of the issue expressed a range of emotions in response to the question – Why do you agree/disagree with the protesters? One study participant in agreement with the protests said, “The cure is worse than the problem at this point and more people are being hurt not being able to work and losing everything they have.” Another study participant who strongly disagreed with the protests exclaimed, “THEY ARE STUPID!!!!!  45000 people are dead, more are dying daily.  You open up the economy and potentially hundreds of THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WILL DIE.  And the healthcare workers and frontline workers suffer THE MOST!” While emotions on the topic of protests runs high, 98% said they have not participated in protests and don’t plan to.

 

US Residents’ Reactions to Government Response and Financial Implications to COVID-19

SoapBoxSample Releases Data on US Residents’ Reactions to Government Response and Financial Implications to COVID-19

Research study reveals an overwhelming number of Americans have financial fears as a result of COVID-19.

March 18 , 2020, Los Angeles, CA — Research firm SoapBoxSample announced today, the release of the second part of their ongoing series of polls on COVID-19. As families across the US are in the midst of self-isolation, at home quarantine, remote education and employment, SoapBoxSample launched a comprehensive research initiative designed to monitor public sentiment in the wake of the life-threatening Coronavirus.

The second survey focused on the government’s response and reaction and the financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Results from this survey revealed that just over half (51%) of Americans are somewhat or very satisfied with the government’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak.  Over the coming weeks SoapBox will continue to measure changes in public sentiment and understanding, and make the data publicly available. The goal of this initiative is to promote awareness of the virus, thereby enabling the public to make responsible and informed decisions.

“Information is changing daily,” said Jacqueline Rosales, COO of SoapBoxSample and icanmakeitbetter. “We know our staff, clients, friends and family have many concerns from health to financial impacts. Our goal is to continue providing insight on the thoughts of the American public in order to be a small part to help identify and eliminate the knowledge gaps that could potentially lead to unintentional spread of the virus.”

The second in a series SoapBoxSample’s polls on COVID-19, this study was conducted March 16 – 17 with 401 US residents (yielding a 95% confidence level, +\-5% margin of error).   This wave focused on Government and Finances.  Overall, the government was found to be doing a good job (rating of 4 or 5) as it relates to providing information in a timely manner (49% rating of 4 or 5), stressing the serious nature of this outbreak (49% rating of 4 or 5) and communicating ot the public (47%).  However, the largest segment of respondents rated the government a 1 or 2 (needs improvement) when it comes to factors related to the emotional effecs of the outbreak with 49% stating the government needs improvement in helping people feel calm and preventing public panic.

When asked about the financial impact of the pandemic, nearly all respondents (93%) are aware of the impact Coronavirus has had on the world’s financial markets.  An overhwhelming 64% either have lost money or are worried about the amount of money they’re losing in the market plunge.

As the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, the American public will be exposed to a myriad of news reports. Taking the pulse of the American public to understand what information they are retaining, and whether that information is accurate, is crucial to the US containment strategy. SoapBoxSample seeks to assist with keeping the public safe and informed, by providing this data to the public at no cost.

Parts 3 and 4 will follow in the coming days. To receive ongoing information and stats, please follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.

For more information about icanmakeitbetter and Customer Boardroom, visit icanmakeitbetter.com.