Letter from our healthcare industry lead
In our 2024 outlook for the healthcare industry, Slalom shared our profound optimism in the path toward person-centered care. We predicted a slow but steady workforce recovery, advancements in hybrid care delivery, and new value creation from large, local datasets, leveraging AI to solve complex problems in a way that has not been technologically available until now.
We also challenged healthcare leaders “to systematically evaluate, and where appropriate, regenerate everything” from coverage policies to models of care.
No one could have predicted the turmoil we experienced in 2024. The nation halted to refocus on what we already knew: The US healthcare “system” is broken. We have a profound and unprecedented opportunity to make healthcare work for everyone.
Our 2025 outlook focuses on pragmatic opportunities to address barriers in our healthcare system—realistic solutions that can improve access to care, reduce burdens on the healthcare workforce, and create a more resilient and outcomes-driven healthcare industry.
As we look forward, our new challenge to Slalom employees, customers, and partners is to lead with courage. Historian Yuval Noah Harari writes that “creativity is often defined as the ability to recognize patterns and then break them.”
It takes courage to break long-standing patterns and drive systemic change. This is our tipping point. Let’s get started.
Sincerely,
Meera Kanhouwa, MD, MHA, FACEP
Global Industry Lead, Healthcare
Media’s next act: Streaming impacts continue to redefine the landscape as AI adoption heats up in 2025, pushing media and communications leaders to make bolder moves.
The streaming revolution continues to transform media as AI and 5G spark innovation. Companies are striving to enhance customer experiences, adapt to new tech, and seize emerging opportunities.
Amid declining subscriber numbers and mounting cost pressures, media and communications companies are racing to innovate. The transition from traditional cable bundles to diverse streaming services has pushed many to consolidate and elevate customer experiences. In fact, Forbes Home reports 99% of US households subscribe to at least one streaming service. According to research analysts Moffett Nathanson, the US pay-TV sector lost 4 million subscribers in the first six months of 2024. “This marks the tenth consecutive quarter of double-digit declines,” wrote analyst Craig Moffett. “It is becoming increasingly clear that there is no longer any floor.”
Major communications players like Charter Communications, Comcast, and Verizon are under immense pressure from disruptors such as 5G and satellite internet providers, prompting strategic mergers and alliances to stay ahead. AI-driven enhancements, modernizing legacy systems to meet the evolving customer demands, and maximizing efficiency to allow for new product innovations are leadership focus areas.
Globally, the communications industry is navigating a complex landscape, from high wireless costs in the US to regulatory challenges in Europe. Companies are betting on low-latency networks to revolutionize sectors like autonomous vehicles and smart city infrastructure, ushering in a new age of safety and innovation. Media companies are turning the corner on streaming profitability in part by returning to their advertising roots and continuing to explore new bundling solutions to retain subscribers while keeping a lid on development costs. Simultaneously, AI is set to redefine advertising and customer engagement, offering unprecedented opportunities for personalization to drive engagement.
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Top trends in media & communications
As 2025 unfolds, media and communications leaders have an exciting path forward: using emerging technologies to build deeper, more engaging connections with audiences.
Media and communications leaders have a unique opportunity to capitalize on emerging trends that reshape how audiences connect, engage, and remain loyal. Generative AI is transforming content creation, enabling companies to deliver immersive, personalized experiences at scale. At the same time, data-driven approaches are giving brands unprecedented insights into customer behaviors, making it possible to craft experiences that resonate deeply across sectors—from streaming and gaming to live entertainment and telecommunications.
Beyond engagement, operational efficiency and connectivity are crucial to staying competitive. Converged connectivity is blending wired and wireless networks, paving the way for seamless interactions across platforms and creating new revenue opportunities, particularly as demand for real-time, immersive experiences grows. Operational optimization is also top of mind, as companies streamline workflows and leverage real-time data to ensure agility and responsiveness in an industry that thrives on immediacy.
By investing in these transformative technologies, organizations can elevate their brand presence and capture new opportunities. Slalom media and communications consulting is here to help you embrace these advancements and the power of a data and AI-driven enterprise. Together, we can build a future where every interaction is meaningful, and every connection is lasting.
Contributors: Josh Buchholtz, Jason Inskeep, Rio Longacre, Anthony Marquardt, Kevin McClelland, Russell Norris, Rob O’Sullivan, Bharath Parthasarathy, Steven Polster, Arya Sundar, Michael Vos, Jun Whitehead
