Nivea and consumer research authority Iconoculture continue their study, the «Nivea American Mood Monitor» by releasing the results of their latest research on happiness. In advance of the start of summer, sunshine and warmer days, Nivea and Iconoculture share their findings on what makes the American consumer happy.

At the beginning of the year, Nivea began a research project designed specifically to gauge and track current and emerging trends that reflect consumer behavior and mood, along with the emotive drivers and values behind these trends.

In February, Nivea, the brand that brings people together through touch, released its first set of survey results on the mood «love» and «romance» in time for the Valentine’s Day season. As a company that values the importance of human connections, Nivea finds it essential to understand what drives consumers’ moods throughout the year for a better understanding of how to develop products and marketing plans.

The new phase of study shows that people are by and large as happy, or happier than they were two years ago. In fact, one-third said that they’re happier today than they were in the past, despite socioeconomic woes. What creates happiness is a state of mind and not a thing. The main sources of happiness come from relationships and life milestones.

«We are happy to share with everyone the results from our second round of research for the ‘Nivea American Mood Monitor’ initiative,» said Nicolas Maurer, Vice President, Marketing, Beiersdorf Inc. «Our research shows, happiness can be spread from person to person through small, sometimes seemingly meaningless acts or things that can change a mood or make people feel happier; a memorable song, a pleasant smell or a sunny day can all enhance someone’s happiness.»

A similar study has been recently conducted by Coca-Cola.