2009 May/June

The proliferation of instant communications, and the Internet in particular, has made the world a much smaller place, and transformed us into information junkies. We have come to expect constant connection and immediate response.

Fewer homes sales, mortgages and dropping residential equity has taken its toll on bank lending. In recent weeks, however, lower interest rates have created a boom in refinancing current home loans.

Marketing expert Marti Barletta focuses on the huge and growing purchasing power of women in their prime year, who influence trillions of dollars in consumer buying decisions.