What do the biggest moments of 2024 look like in stats? At OnePulse, we were there to catch every reaction––from the highs, the lows, and the “Wait, what just happened?” moments across pop culture, business, politics, and everything in between. Here’s the story of the year, one Pulse at a time.
January
The year kicked off with the Stanley Cup craze, but 78% of Americans shrugged it off as just a passing trend. Speaking of trends, kids calling parents “bruh”? Yep, it happened to 44% of moms and dads. While 36% rolled with it, 51% were less than impressed with the bro-level treatment. Now onto brews, 38% leaned toward Dry January while 37% preferred a Damp January. While some fads faded, Applebee’s sparked curiosity. Its $200 “date night” deal got 67% believing subscription dining could work for other restaurants too. Streaming also kept the ball rolling in sports, half of fans said they’d watch WWE Raw on Netflix.
February
Do Americans believe in brand love at first sight? 52% said YES! Hallmark and Nike are some of the names sweeping consumers off their feet. Big changes hit the media world after Vice Media’s layoffs, with 45% thinking other digital companies might follow suit. Meanwhile, on Pinterest, badminton fashion had a moment with 46% embracing the trend. More in fashion, Boss’s hologram campaign left 45% feeling that it lacked a personal touch. And in a time of rising prices, bananas stayed appealing, with 3 in 5 saying they found themselves buying more. Over in the plushie world, things got heated; 54% backed Build-A-Bear’s Skoozher design, while 46% stayed loyal to Squishmallows.
March
The Thwaites Glacier meltdown had 7 in 10 worried, underscoring growing concerns about climate change. Offering a glimmer of hope, over half (53%) believed Earth Hour could inspire real change. More on change, Oscar Mayer went plant-based with NotHotDogs and NotSausages––43% thought it was a great move. California’s proposal to ban snacks like Flamin’ Hot Cheetos had a crunchy reception with 44% opposing it. Over in social media, Reddit’s IPO lit up conversations; 44% were eager to invest, though 36% hesitated due to concerns about privacy, monetization, and cultural shifts. On the financial front, almost half (49%) saw the $8 cap on credit card late fees as a win for consumers.
April
Board games proved that kidulting is still going strong, with 47% calling them their favorite collectible. On the flavor note, Oreo’s sweet-and-sour gamble didn’t pay off; only 22% were excited about the Sour Patch Kids flavor, while 44% gave it a solid “yuck.” Similarly, Velveeta’s Gold hair dye didn’t spread much love. Cheese belongs on pasta, not in hair, according to many (76%). And remember the viral photo of Zuckerberg’s new look? It left 56% scratching their heads, asking, “Who’s this guy?”. On a more serious note, the plan to limit forever chemicals in water left 56% feeling somewhat safer, but for 27% it made no difference.
May
How trippy was it when ChatGPT used Scarlett Johansson’s voice? It felt like Her the movie was coming to life! Not everyone was on board though. 42% opposed AI mimicking celebrity voices, while only 20% supported it. Another shake-up: Red Lobster left fans feeling salty, with 47% upset about the closure of 99 locations and 23% VERY disappointed. Many saw it as a sign of trouble for casual dining chains. While Red Lobster scales back, Welch’s is shaking things up. Its fruity, boozy cocktail launch thrilled 60% and had 48% wanting more household brands to dive into the alcoholic drink game. Apple’s Crush ad stirred up controversy—23% felt it hurt Apple’s image, while 42% said it didn’t change their opinion. Overall, 3 in 5 said they support thought-provoking campaigns, even if they stir up backlash.
June
McDonald’s tried to tackle rising costs with a $5 meal deal, winning over 43%. Still, 67% were frustrated, and 39% wanted more value options. While McDonald’s dealt with critics, IKEA was scoring points with employees. Higher salaries, flexible hours, and childcare subsidies earned praise from 87%. Meanwhile, food safety concerns bubbled up. Over half (53%) were worried about titanium dioxide in foods, while 34% wanted more information. But on a reel-ly bright note, family-friendly blockbusters stole the show, with 3 in 4 Americans thrilled to see these films making a big-screen comeback. Speaking of catchy hits, over 1 in 4 couldn’t help but hum Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso (because let’s face it…I’m working late ‘cause I’m a singerrr 🎶).
July
Excitement for the Olympics was off the charts, with 4 in 5 planning to tune in. Beyond the sports, 7 in 10 thought the athletes’ outfits could inspire fashion trends. Adding to the Olympic buzz, nearly half (49%) loved seeing Snoop Dogg involved in the action (LA Olympics, we’re ready for you!). Not every idea got a gold medal, though. Edibles mimicking snack packaging had 82% calling it a serious issue. And Over in NYC, the plan to fight rats with wheelie bins rolled out, but most (31%) thought it was just a “trash band-aid” solution. On a more unexpected note, a major Windows glitch gave 39% an unplanned day off, while 61% powered through. As businesses recovered, President Biden’s mix-up—calling Zelenskyy “Mr. Putin”—grabbed headlines, with nearly half (48%) calling it a “very big deal” in global diplomacy.
August
Liquid Death and Yeti turned heads with their casket cooler, with 69% saying its bold marketing sets it apart from other brands. While Liquid Death went for shock value, Airbnb tapped into nostalgia with its Polly Pocket-themed house, which drew 39% interest and had 46% saying nostalgia drives their purchases. 7-Eleven shook up fall flavors with its Pumpkin Spice Slurpee, but while 39% think it could compete with Starbucks’ PSL, 61% remain skeptical. And speaking of seasonal twists, Halloween got a sunny makeover with Summerween parties––3 in 10 were all in.
September
Disneyland’s price hike didn’t sit well; 56% said it was too expensive. Meanwhile, Costco’s fee hike didn’t faze 57% of members, who called it fair after seven years. Matcha stayed a favorite year-round for 65%, loved for its taste, health benefits, and energy boost. TikTok Shop gained ground, with 2 in 5 making a purchase, though the majority said discounts were a must. While TikTok Shop gained buyers, Amazon gained opinions about office life. 26% supported the idea of returning to the office, but most preferred a WFH setup(37%). As for Campbell’s, they stirred the pot with a bold branding move. Dropping Soup had 36% calling it a mistake, while 42% were unfazed.
October
Mountain Dew is done with the abbreviation, and while 2 in 5 welcome the switch back to “Mountain Dew” from “MTN Dew,” nearly half (48%) sheepishly confessed they hadn’t noticed the abbreviated branding in the first place. Meanwhile, Dr Pepper proved it’s more than just a mysterious flavor, claiming the top spot among soda lovers with 37% of the vote, edging out Coca-Cola (32%) and Pepsi (19%). As for America’s iconic fries, they’re losing a bit of their golden allure—65% are scaling back due to rising costs. Subscription services continue to frustrate, with 92% finding cancellations a pain. However, a new “click-to-cancel” rule is winning over 82%. On the topic of life adjustments, 2 in 5 Americans say they’re spending more time at home since the pandemic, enjoying the comfort and avoiding awkward social encounters.
November
Trump’s return has 47% feeling good about the economy, but only 1 in 4 believed Elon Musk could improve government efficiency. Meanwhile, JD Vance made history as the first millennial vice president, sparking mixed—but mostly positive—reactions. A controversial court ruling legalizing political betting stirred debate, with 21% in favor but 46% worried about its impact on democracy. Tariffs on American-made goods got solid support from 6 in 10, though 41% were nervous about higher prices. And in a wilder twist, a bunch of lab monkeys pulled off a daring escape, leaving nearly half of people suspicious that something more was at play. On a sweeter note, McDonald’s finally got the green light to fix its ice cream machines, and 69% are ready for a steady flow of McFlurries!
December
The month served up some colorful insights. Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse, got the thumbs-up from most (76%) people, calling it earthy and calming. On not-so-calm news, TikTok’s possible ban had folks split, but the real takeaway? Nearly half (43%) weren’t sure what would happen. Meanwhile, over in Springfield, The Simpsons teamed up with the NFL scored a win with 49% loving the idea. And Spotify Wrapped? They nailed it, with 85% saying it mostly or totally got their music taste right. Best of all, 2024’s favorite moments were about family (25%)—milestones, reunions, and time with loved ones—followed by personal achievements (20%) and unforgettable travels (15%). From trendy colors to connections, December was anything but boring!
What a year it’s been—packed with twists, turns, debates, and plenty of surprises. Here’s to another year of Pulsing, and uncovering the stories and insights that shape our world.
Who knows what 2025 has in store? Let’s find out together!
