Marketers, Social Scientists Run out of Letters
As the first Baby Boomers start to collect Social Security, marketers and social scientists are turning their attention to the next rising generation: Generation (you guessed it) Z.
A bunch of "experts" are already making huge generalizations about the 11 and under set. I'm not interested. I do, however, find this hilarious:
Members of Generation Z (those born since 1996) are the children of Generation X (those born between 1965 and 1977), and they are expected to be the most technically savvy group in history. This is a group that is growing up with high-speed Internet connections and wireless technology.Capturing the attention of the now elementary and pre-school consumers in the years to come will require more creative, subtle and technologically advanced approaches by advertisers, Lavigne said. Generation Y (born between 1978 and 1995) is just starting to procreate, but it's unclear how that generation will be labeled.
I'm gonna go out on a limb here, but how about we take a cue from Microsoft Excel and call them Generation AA? Ugh.
If I was a member of Generation Y, I'd be pissed. At least Generation X has a meaning. Naming the next generations "Y" and "Z" is just lazy. Damn slackers.
I like the names William Strauss and Neil Howe came up with much better: the Millennial Generation and the Homeland Generation. At least they have a chance in hell of meaning something to those kids, rather than just being a reflection of generations past.
As an aside, think of your favorite President. Chances are that you'll share the same Strauss & Howe generational type. Washington is my man, and sure enough, we're both Nomads, Washington being a member of the aptly named "Liberty Generation".
Posted by at October 22, 2007 10:28 PM
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| # October 24th, 2007 8:43 AM BVBigBro |
| I like how they have created a 12 year generation. Seems to me they are likely twisting things to fit bad data and bad generalizations. |