Target marketing based on age groupings is nothing new – advertising companies have been doing it for ages. However, this approach by Heineken struck me as particularly interesting from a generational perspective. The Heineken Ideas Brewery is in itself a great concept for the younger generations as it is allows consumers to share thoughts directly with the brewery and plays into the Xer and Millennial desire to be recognized as individuals with individual wants. Apparently the company wasn’t satisfied with its sales to the Boomer generation and decided to ask consumers their ideas for new products that would attract this… Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Blog, Product DesignIn a recently issued report, “Life insurers cast the net wider net for growth: Enter Gen X” the Deloitte Center for Financial Services touches on many of the reasons why life insurers should put more resources behind targeting Generation X buyers, a market segment they have typically eschewed. The report is applicable beyond the life insurance industry, however, as it hits on several of the stereotypes that have kept Gen X out of the spotlight for many professional services. Namely, they have a different buying structure and skeptical nature, which makes for a longer, less easily controlled sales process. But… Read More
Categories: Blog, Product DesignYou have to appreciate the irony of a totally younger generation communication tool being used to explain an older generation. Check out this info graphic/comic that attempts to convince advertisers and businesses that their traditional target demographics are not aligned with the actual buying power in the country today. There are so many things I love about this. As I mentioned, an info graphic is such a Gen X and Millennial way of looking at things – content may be king, but only if it is entertaining! And yet the comic styling is classic Boomer. It really is brilliant piece. … Read More
Categories: Baby Boomers, Blog, Product DesignFollowing extensive market research, Chevrolet has designed two new models just for Millennials. As we’ve noted before, Millennials have proven to be less enthusiastic about automobiles than previous generations. They put off getting drivers licenses and say they prefer other forms of transportation. To make a car that Millennials could love, GM surveyed about 9,000 of them and then factored their input into two new designs, which were unveiled last week. GM enlisted MTV’s Scratch division to identify features that would appeal to the next generation of buyers. Among other preferences, they found that they love social media and connectivity…. Read More
Categories: Automotive, Product DesignMarketers and advertisers have all the reading material on Millennials they could ever want, in the form of books, surveys, and market research. Now, a new unit of NBCUniversal called Curve Films has produced a film that documents Millennials’ outlook and position in the marketplace. The film, “Y Now,” is aimed at Madison Avenue, and distills research about Millennials into 22 minutes of interviews with 9 real live Millennials. Each interview segment is designed to represent a different stage or type of the Millennial generation from those just out of school to those who have started careers and families. It… Read More
Categories: Blog, Product DesignMillennials expect technology to do just about everything for them. They even expect it to take the place of cash in the near future, according to a Visa survey. 80% of Millennials already shop online. Another 63% uses the Internet for financial transactions. 19% use their cell phones for that purpose, too. 8 in 10 Millennials now say they expect all shopping and transactions to take place online or through technology. 73% believe that should be possible using a smart phone or other mobile device. According to the survey, only 23% of Millennials’ purchases now involve cash, a figure that… Read More
Categories: Blog, Downloadable Media, Product Design