South Africa, Feb. 25 -- In many ways 2020 was a year of firsts, however, as we move into 2021, the overarching theme is that this will be the year of 'assimilation'. As people we will settle into a balance of pre- and post- pandemic behaviours and attitudes, and as brands we will need to operate with continued empathy and alertness.

Carat has released its annual 2021 Trends Report focussing on societal, tech and media trends. To look ahead to 2021, the agency took stock of 2020, looked for patterns amidst all the rapid change and disruptions, and uncovered technologies and behaviours that are becoming a part of life for more people.

"2020 was a year of great change resulting in seismic shifts in behaviour that will continue to be felt ...