To contact Jordan or other members of the youth advisory board, email them at youthadvisoryboard @ ypulse.com, or simply leave a note in the comments below.

Super Bowl Ad Roundup: The Winners And Losers Among Millennials

This year, Super Bowl ads reportedly cost companies an average of $3.5 million for a 30-second spot, but was it worth it? As a teenager that only watched “The Big Game” to see the commercials, only a dozen or so ads really appealed to me. Those select few, however, made me laugh out loud. Here are my top picks for Super Bowl commercials, and my thoughts on their ability to reach their target audience.

#7 Doritos “Slingshot”

People were still talking about this ad in school on Monday. It appeals to everyone, from mischievous little boys (who love Doritos) that now have another way to use their slingshot to older viewers who think the smiling baby is adorable.

Ypulse analysis: Doritos once again put its ads in the hands of its fans, and once again, they do not disappoint. Between the slingshot baby ad described above and the ad with the dog getting rid of the family cat and bribing the husband with Doritos, we’re not sure which was funnier. Humor still is the way to Millennials’ hearts (and stomachs?), and Doritos over the top, consumer-generated ads are something viewers look forward to every year.

#6 Skechers “Go Run Mr. Quiggly!”

The cute French bulldog, Mr. Quiggly, makes his debut in the Skechers commercial racing against greyhounds and moonwalking across the finish line, getting bonus style points in his Skechers! I think this commercial was most appealing to younger audiences that wear sneakers on a regular basis.

Ypulse analysis: Skechers are a popular street wear sneaker brand, but this ad reminds fans that they’re for running too, and pulls it off in a funny, clever way. Greyhounds might be known as the sleek speedsters, but Mr. Quiggly proves that he and other Skechers wearers can be fast and stylish at the same time. It’s a good way to position the brand for performance shoes without losing its street cred.

#5 Chevy “Sonic Stunts”

Yes, the car actually bungee-jumps, does a kick-flip, and sky dives. Need I say more? Although everyone at our “Big Game” viewing was awe-inspired, it mainly caught guys’ attention with its over-sized skateboard and rally driving theme.

Ypulse analysis: Chevy has revved up its marketing to Millennials. It is building cars with them in mind, and this commercial shows the company really does get what driving is all about for young people. Rolling down the windows, cranking up some tunes (the ad’s song, “We Are Young” by Fun. climbed to #2 on iTunes following the ad), and just enjoying a bit of freedom. Right up to the commercial’s tagline, “From your first time, to the time of your life, Chevy runs deep,” we were thinking Chevy nailed it with this ad. (On a side note, watching the OK Go music video performed in — by? — the Sonic definitely makes us want to go for a drive.)

#4 Hyundai “Rocky”

The “Rocky” theme song was definitely an attention grabber. Fans of the movie will have a special place in their hearts for this commercial. It kept me humming the theme for longer than the commercial actually aired.

Ypulse analysis: Jordan’s commentary above actually points out a shortcoming of the commercial. While viewers enjoyed the music and workers coming together to inspire one of their own, the commercial could have been for any brand. What’s memorable about it isn’t the brand, but the song. Sometimes music’s effect, particularly on Millennials, can overwhelm brand messaging.

#3 “The Voice” feat. Betty White

The four judges of “The Voice” (Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, and Adam Levine) are in a fight over the voice of an amazing mystery voice, who turns out to be Betty White. My friend, who is a cinematography guru, absolutely loved the effects in the video, and I thought it was a great, comical advertisement.

Ypulse analysis: With the number of reality singing competition shows out there, “The Voice” had to do something different to stand out. Showcasing its celebrity judges who fight for the right to train the best contestants is relevant to the show. Pulling it off in with blockbuster movie style and with a Betty White cameo will grab Millennials’ interest every time.

#2 M&Ms “Sexy and I Know It”

This video used a current song and funny characters to propel its way to the top of the Super Bowl ads. It certainly grabbed my attention, as well as the Northwestern University Kellogg School Super Bowl Advertising Review– it won the annual competition. Great ad for all ages.

Ypulse analysis: This is an example of an ad that uses a hit song to great effect. Unlike the Hyundai ad mentioned above, this M&Ms ad uses only a snippet of LMFAO’s hit, so the music doesn’t bury the message. It also helps that its referencing established characters with whom Millennials are well acquainted. Also, we love a hot girl (M&M) in hipster glasses!

#1 VW “The Dog Strikes Back”

The “doggie workout” video is top dog in my list of Super Bowl ads! It was funny, adorable, had a plot line, and an ending that tied it back to VW’s amazing “Star Wars”-themed ad from last year, creating a cultural connection. It has been hailed as the top commercial on many lists, and in my opinion, was endearing to all ages. Now that’s what I call, “Das Auto”!

Ypulse analysis: We knew that VW was going to have a dog theme with its new Super Bowl ad. We’re not sure which was better, the teaser of dogs from the “bark side” or the actual game time ad. One thing is certain, a nod to nostalgia and a throw back to simpler times resonates with Millennials.

Ypulse’s additional hits and misses:

Chevy’s “Mayan Apocalypse”: We actually laughed out loud when we saw this ad. Millennials are looking at the Mayan apocalypse like Gen Xers looked at Y2K — they’re looking forward to the date as an excuse to have a blow out party just in case the world ends. Referencing the event in an ad definitely earns Chevy some bonus points with Millennials. At first we wondered why all the survivors were older guys (hardly appealing to Millennials), but then we caught a glimpse of Chevy’s follow up that would have aired if the game had run longer, which put yet another smile on our faces as a confident young woman cruised by the guys in her yellow Camero.

Go Daddy’s “Body Paint”: It’s time for Go Daddy to try something new. Sure, sex sells, but the same gimmick over and over gets old after a few years. We doubt even teenage boys paid much attention to this ad.

Pepsi With Elton John & Melanie Amaro: What was going on here?! Elton John is his legendary self and “X Factor” winner Melanie Amaro does an amazing job reprising Aretha Franklin, but aside from the celebrity appeal, this commercial does nothing for us. It’s as if Pepsi took a bunch of things that it thinks Millennials enjoy, threw them in a blender, and poured out this ad, tossing in Flava Flav as the cherry on top. Nothing about the self-indulgent king forcing others to sing for their survival is entertaining, aspirational, or enjoyable.

Audi’s “Vampire Party”: Okay, so Team Edward may not be big fans of this ad, but we think it still wins over Millennials when their cultural touch points make it mainstream. This ad was probably intended for parents who are tired of their teens’ addiction to Twilight, but there are plenty of young people out there who are tired of the vampire vs. werewolf saga. Anyone want to put a side bet on seeing zombies in a Super Bowl ad next year?

About Jordan

Jordan Orris, 17, is an aspiring political writer, blogger, and analyst. She is a senior in high school, and has been published in The Las Vegas Sun. Jordan’s most significant accomplishment was serving as a United States Senate Page for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in the Summer of 2010. She served the State of Nevada as Miss Nevada’s Outstanding Teen in 2009, making state-wide appearances to gubernatorial and mayoral offices, civic organizations, philanthropies, and schools. Her personal platform during her year reign was SERVE: Sacrifice, Empathy, Relationships, Values, and Empowerment, and she has advocated community service programs to members of the Nevada State Legislature. Jordan also founded her school’s first online literary publication, GVoice, which receives hundreds of hits each day, and is a creative outlet for literary expression at her high school.

To contact members of the Youth Advisory Board, you can email them at youthadvisoryboard @ ypulse.com, or simply leave a note in the comments section below.

YAB Review: Skyrim

What was the biggest draw?

All my friends were talking about “Skyrim” even before it came out. Even some of my friends who normally never play video games posted facebook statuses about it. That made me curious if it would live up to the hype.

How’d you get the game?

I found it on Amazon.

What’d you expect going in? How much did you know beforehand?

I didn’t really know that much about the game, other than it is a role playing game (RPG) that takes place in a medieval world. I had played “Oblivion,” which was the proceeding game in the Elder Scrolls series, so I knew that it would be an “open world” RPG that lets the player choose to spend time following a main quest, doing side quests, or just exploring.

Describe the set up…

Like previous Elder Scrolls games, “Skyrim” is set in a vast medieval kingdom. Almost every aspect of the player’s experience is customizable, from the character’s gender, race, and appearance, to what quests to undertake. The story begins with your character on their way to be executed for being mistaken for a member of the rebel group the Stormcloaks. Right as the executioner is about to cut off your head, a ferocious dragon attacks. This allows your character to escape with either a member of the rebel Stormcloaks or an Imperial soldier. With a civil war consuming the land, the side to which you swear allegiance to affects the quests you go on and the eventual ending of the game. After fighting off another dragon, you learn you are the last Dragonborn, a dragon hunter who can defeat Alduin, a dragon god of destruction that will eventually destroy the world.

Although the main plot-line is an important aspect of the game, it’s not necessary to complete it. “Skyrim” is non-linear, and a player can spend many hours exploring, crafting new items for characters, completing side quests, and developing skills without ever touching the main quest-line.

The world of “Skyrim” is filled with interesting characters who are glad to tell you their life stories, and traversing the world is fun on its own. One of my favorite parts of the game is stealing from a variety of locations, such as pubs, castles, shops, and, of course, stables, because horses are expensive. Just like in the real world, you can get caught, but you can always bribe a guard to let you off with a fine.

When you are ready to battle, there are many options outside of the main questline. You can join various guilds, including a group of mercenaries, a mage guild, and a mysterious group of assassins called The Dark Brotherhood. These groups all contain unique settings, characters, and quest-lines. You may be sent to battle a ferocious dragon, assassinate a target, or kill a bandit king. The game’s combat system is not out of the ordinary for an action RPG, but unlike in traditional games where you choose a class, you can combine abilities to create a unique character that suits your play style. My character uses elemental and healing magic, but also is a powerful warrior and a skilled blacksmith. This keeps combat interesting, even in a game that can last hundreds of hours.

How’d it look? Any advertising?

“Skyrim” features top-notch graphics, and every detail of its medieval world looks realistic. One of the game’s best features is the variety of environments to explore. As your character traverses the vast world of “Skyrim,” you’ll encounter snowy mountains with dynamic snowfall, meadows filled with various plants and animals, dark and foreboding dungeons, and charming villages. Even the interiors of the buildings reflect their functions and look unique. The pubs are filled with bottles of alcohol, bread, and even a guest room where your character can spend the night. Whiterun Castle looks majestic from the outside, but it is also furnished with ornate decorations and hosts a variety of servants who interact with your character. The realistic world of the game makes it all the more engrossing, and it’s one of the features that makes “Skyrim” so addictive.

Bottom line, what’d you think?

“Skyrim” is probably the best game of the year, and certainly the most addictive one. It’s vast and gorgeous world, customizable characters, and the sheer number of plot-lines to follow makes it immersive and keeps players coming back for more. Unlike other RPGs, it’s unique combat system keeps it from getting boring, and the variety and realism of its environments keep it from feeling repetitive. “Skyrim” is the best open world RPG on the market as of now, and I’d recommend it to anybody, even people who usually don’t play video games.

About Julia

Julia is a freshman in high school in Claremont California. A self proclaimed Otaku (anime obsessive person) she strives to complete her immersion into the world of Japanese pop culture. In between school and homework she watches the latest Japanese anime on the internet, reads manga, plays video games, and practices Japanese. Though she is not a fabulous writer by nature, Julia does enjoy writing fan fiction related to said interests and occasionally immersing herself in online role-play sessions. In addition, she loves mashing up anime and game clips into anime music videos which she posts on YouTube, participating in her school’s debate team in novice LD, and of course reading. Julia is incredibly excited to be on the Youth Advisory Board, and able to express her opinions, which she has plenty of.

Youth Culture: Profile Of A Chinese Millennial

China is growing up. Fast. The economic and cultural influence radiating from this nation of 1.4 billion people is not something to be overlooked. A growing middle-class is significantly increasing consumption of Western products. But will companies listen to what their new customers want? As the East and West collide, marketers must pay close attention to what consumers are saying. The “Made in China,” label isn’t a bad thing; just ask Lenovo or Li Ning. I sat down for a frank interview with a friend of mine (who wishes to remain anonymous), a native of Taizhou, China, to talk about China’s development over the years. As a Chinese Millennial, she has seen the country transform from the world’s factory to a world superpower.

Where do you live now?
Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China.

Where is your hometown?
Taizhou, Jiangsu Province, China.

How has China changed in the past 10 years?
I think China’s change has come through the development of the economy and education system, as well as environmental changes.

For example, when I was in elementary school 10 years ago, very few people had cell phones. Back then, color television was just becoming very popular. Things were cheap, the sky was blue, and the air was clean. Now, cell phones are everywhere, most people are going to college, things are getting expensive, and pollution is very bad. But, development is positive, especially in the coastal areas of China, people are really having a good life.

What are you most proud of about China?
The culture and history. I’d say there’s nothing in the world that can make me more proud than being Chinese. I think that’s also why people think China is attractive. In fact, I am not sure if Western people understand our culture. Thousands of years of culture exist under my skin and in my DNA from when I was born, and that will never change. For example, we’ve never used traditional characters for writing (such as Macau and Hong Kong S.A.R. or Taiwan), so we don’t know how to write them, however we can read them! I listen to American music, I watch American movies, I speak English, but at the same time, I think Beijing opera is so cool, some Chinese movies are deep, and Chinese is the greatest language in the world. So I am proud, it’s not about the country, not about the government, not about the people, just because China is more than those to me, and it has made who I am.

What do you think of American movies and music?
I think they are so cool! You can see my music player, it’s full of American music, and if you ask what my favorite movies are, I would say most of them are from America. I like to call them some sort of “American culture,” well, at least for me.

What do you think of American products? Like Nike or Apple? Do you like them better than things like Li Ning and Lenovo?
Well, I think they are good, and the truth is they are very popular in China; people love to have Nike and Apple products. Some others they also like include M.A.C, Coach, and Northface. In terms of comparing Nike and Apple to Li Ning and Lenovo, I think Li Ning and Lenovo are for people who are not that rich. There are lots of rich people in China, however there are also lots of ordinary and poor people, too. So I can’t say I like either one more. If I had enough money, I’d buy lots of Coach bags, and I would buy an Apple computer instead of an HP which I’m using right now. It doesn’t mean our products aren’t good, I wear Li Ning, too, and think it’s good, so I think it just depends on what level of consumption you are at.

Do you think it is more important for people to learn English or Chinese?
For Chinese people, if we want to go around the world, we definitely should learn English. It’s more like a basic skill to survive now. However, if you are interested in China, you should learn Chinese. First of all, it can get you money if you do business with China. Second, you would love this wonderland, and the nice people. Third, I believe you will never regret to have had China in your life.

What is your “dream” job?
(Translated from Chinese)
I want to help people suffering from disasters and hardship.

Where is your “dream” job?
Maybe I will go somewhere in the world besides China.

What do you think is difficult for people your age in China?
I think finding a good job that earns enough money to buy things such as a house and car… That’s the only thing that most people are concerned with now. Based on the situation in China right now, I’m looking forward to seeing some reform from the government, and that’s what the country needs most.

About Bryan

Bryan graduated this year from the University of Kansas with a degree in Communications Studies. Bryan recently returned from China, where he studied at Nanjing University. He has held multiple internships while in college, in fields such as advertising and market research. In the past, he has been a contributing writer for AOL. His freelance work in digital strategy has helped develop a successful online presence for numerous brands. Although his plans after graduation are yet to be determined, he hopes to return to China, where his passion for the latest technology and his keen insights on trends will make him a valuable asset. Learn more about Bryan from his website, http://bryanjspencer.com, or by following him on Twitter @bryanspe.

To contact members of the Youth Advisory Board, you can email them at youthadvisoryboard @ ypulse.com or simply leave a message in the comments.

YAB Review: Unbroken by Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato is one of those celebrities who managed to fly under the talent radar for a few years, often blown off as being “another one of those Disney stars.” Then, last year, she was all over the media, not for her acting or singing, but for having a bit of a breakdown and entering rehab. A situation like that, with everyone making judgments, is enough to make anyone want to give up. However, Demi handled the situation with such grace and strength, becoming a role model for teens across the globe, and writing for Seventeen to reach out to teens, that her talent is no longer hidden behind her Disney fame.

What was the biggest draw? Are you a fan?

My first reason for purchasing the album was that I wanted to show my support for Demi. I am continually amazed by how she handled having her personal details and problems splashed all over TV and magazines. But she wisely used the experience as an opportunity to get help and become a role model for other teens facing similar issues.

Prior to purchasing the album, the only song I had heard was “Skyscraper,” seeing her performance on the VMA’s. It quickly became my favorite song — I loved how raw and emotional it was and I was hoping for a CD full of similar songs.

How did you buy album?

I pre-ordered the physical copy from Amazon.

What were you expecting? How did it measure up?

As I said, I was hoping for an album of songs similar to “Skyscraper.” I was expecting the majority of the tracks to be about her struggle and really represent the past year of her life.

The album ended up being the opposite of what I was expecting. My first thought while listening was “…what is this and why did I spend my money on it?” but that quickly turned into “Maybe this isn’t so bad,” and finally into me blaring the album and singing loudly while I drove around. Only one song, “For the Love of a Daughter” had the same emotion and honesty of “Skyscraper,” while most of the other songs felt like they were well on their way to being the next dance party hit. However, I think every song on the album is catchy and worth listening to.

I felt like the album showcased Lovato’s true talent and range of abilities with the songs varying from powerful ballads like “Skyscraper” to her R&B and hip hop inspired collaborations with stars like Jason Derülo and Iyaz. I fully expect this album to be the one that further propels Lovato’s career as she earns her place next to Rihanna and Britney on the charts (and I hope that she is able to maintain her dignity and continues to be a role model as it happens.)

Favorite tracks?

“Skyscraper” — This is easily my favorite song on the entire album, and the one that hooked me in the first place. It is definitely Lovato at the top of her talent, and the music video for it is absolutely stunning.

“Give Your Heart a Break” — One of my favorite relationship songs on the album. It’s fun but not over-the-top cheesy, and just a good song over-all.

“You’re My Only Shorty” (ft Iyaz) — At first, I found this song annoying. But soon I found myself singing the lyrics in my head, and now I can’t get it out of my head. It is my favorite collaboration on the album, and I can see this one hitting the Top 20 sometime.

Overall? Live show?

Overall, Unbroken is definitely worth buying. It’s a strong album, and fans of Lovato’s previous albums and new fans alike are definitely going to love it.

I hope she comes somewhere near my town on her tour because I would love to see her live. Her performance on the VMA’s was fantastic, and I know she’ll put on a great show. Plus, it’s guaranteed to be a fun night dancing to songs like “You’re My Only Shorty” and “Who’s That Boy.”

Demi Lovato is definitely the new popstar to watch.

About Skyanne

Skyanne Fisher was the girl skipping school in fourth grade to stay home and write. Now in high school, Skyanne still spends most her time writing. She also reviews books and writes for her school paper. She’s obsessed with foreign cultures, loves cities, and can’t stand small towns. It’s her goal to be fluent in multiple languages and she hopes to major in writing at Columbia College Chicago. In the mean time, she spends her time daydreaming about the days when she’ll be traveling the world.

To contact Emily or other members of the Youth Advisory Board, simply leave a note in the comments below, or email youthadvisoryboard @ ypulse.com.

Dealing With Digital Drama, A Universal Problem

“Did you see Lindsay’s Facebook page?” My sister’s eyebrows were up as though she couldn’t believe what she had seen.

“No,” I said, diving for the nearest computer. “What’s up?”

“You’ll have to see for yourself.”

I logged onto Facebook and clicked onto Lindsay’s wall. “I’m loving all my free time on spring break,” she had written as her latest status update. I knew that she wasn’t enjoying it as much as she proclaimed. She was struggling to get along with her mother, and had come to me several times for help. Still, it was nice that she was trying to be cheerful.

The comments beneath that status update, however, were not cheerful.

“I hope you’re using your free time to help out your mother. You shouldn’t be refusing to help around the house!” wrote a woman who was close friends with Lindsay’s mom and had heard her side of the fights.

Beneath it, one of Lindsay’s friends had retaliated, “Lindsay is doing the best she can!”

It went back and forth then, with two Facebook friends of Lindsay’s taking her personal issues and making them public. Nasty words were spoken on both sides. It was dreadful.

I called Lindsay up. “Do you know what’s on your Facebook page?” I asked her.

She didn’t. She had been gone for the afternoon, which was all it took for a full-blown Facebook brawl to develop. After filling her in I said, “You need to get on Facebook as soon as you can. You need to delete it.”

She agreed, and I hung up the phone with a sigh of relief. “Lindsay is going to delete the cyberbullying on her wall,” I said to my sister.

“What?” she said. “That wasn’t cyberbullying, was it?”

I had to stop and think. Was it cyberbullying? No one was sending anyone death threats, but then again, what I had seen certainly wasn’t appropriate Internet behavior.

That’s part of the problem; we see inappropriate Internet behavior all the time. Our liberal Facebook friends begin to argue with our conservative ones, using one of our innocent wall posts as a springboard. People troll our Youtube pages saying nasty, crass things about our videos. Someone anonymously comments on our blog, heavily bashing its content. What do we call this rude behavior? Is it bad enough to be labeled as cyberbullying? If not, what is it?

When I first read that Seventeen and ABC Family were teaming up on a campaign called “Delete Digital Drama,” it was like a lightbulb went off in my head. Maybe the Internet drama I faced on a regular basis wasn’t cyberbullying, but that didn’t make it okay. As Ann Shoket, Editor-in-Chief of Seventeen said, “The idea behind Delete Digital Drama was to start with the smallest drama and squash that, so it never escalates.”

I talked to my social-media savvy mother a few days later. “Have you ever been cyberbullied?” I asked her.

“I don’t think so,” she replied.

“Have you ever run across digital drama?”

She thought a bit. “Yes, actually, I guess I have.”

“I think I prefer the term ‘digital drama’ instead of ‘cyberbullying’ for the Internet rudeness I run across,” I said.

My mom agreed, “Cyberbullying sounds so…fifteen year old girl in New York City.”

The thing is, there are probably fifteen year old girls in New York City who are getting Facebook messages telling them that they are fat and useless and better off dead. It seems so far removed from me though. It’s hard to connect that kind of tragedy with the insensitive people I regularly run across online.

“Did you see the comment on my latest blog post?” My mom asked me about a week later, the tone in her voice indicating that it wasn’t a very nice comment.

“Delete it,” I said.

“Just read it first,” she pleaded with me. I read it. The anonymous commenter had told her that she was mean and insensitive to the people she wrote about. “It’s no wonder your book sales are down,” he or she said.

“Delete it,” I said again.

“But do you think they have a point?”

Maybe they did have a point, but they were also verbally attacking my mother. And so, I gave her my digital drama speech. “If they had a legitimate concern about the content of your writing they could have called you. They could have at least sent you a nice email. What they did was just plain mean. You have to let them know, let everyone know, that you won’t allow stuff like that on your blog.”

My mom deleted the comment. Even though Internet rudeness is everywhere, affecting everyone who uses the Internet, she wasn’t going to allow anonymous people to use her blog to say mean things.

“For us, the Delete Digital Drama campaign is effective because it’s addressing an issue that is relevant to both ABC Family’s Millennial audience and their parents,” said Danielle Mullin, VP Marketing for ABC Family. “It’s a topic that’s universally relatable.”

And it is. I can relate to it. My mother can relate to it. But even more importantly, we can do something about it, something that will keep it from developing into drastic cyberbullying. We can delete it.

About Emily

Emily is happiest when she is drinking tea and reading a book in a sunny room. She is twenty years old and currently a freshman in college. Majoring in communications and minoring in elementary education, Emily also loves to write books, make short films, and design clothes on the side. She is obsessed with modifying and embellishing thrift store clothes. Her first book, titled “Emily,” was published in 2009, and she hopes to publish more books in the future. Emily is easy to spot…if you look in a room and see someone drinking tea and writing snail mail to her friends, that’s her!

Kids’ Fast Food Habits: A Vicious Cycle?

The criticism of fast food companies — of their products and their marketing strategies — has increased yet again this summer. Industry players, such as McDonald’s, have responded in force, reducing caloric content or creating new company guidelines for children’s meals. These changes could have a significant impact on children and adolescent consumption habits, and by extension, obesity. But while some new regulations could have a significant impact on calories, saturated fat, or sodium content of products, many seem like a smoke-and-mirrors distractions from what consumers will really order. Children and young adults seem unconcerned by “healthiness” of a fast food restaurant, so are these industry changes for real or just for show?

In July, McDonald’s reduced the calorie and fat content of their Happy Meals, added fruit, and introduced an option to request veggies instead of fruit, and the feedback has been positive. Other changes, however, such as the new standards required by the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initative (comprised of giants including Burger King, PepsiCo, and Kellogg) have elicited skepticism. The latter named regulations that require, among other things, for participating chains to have at least one children’s menu item under 600 calories. Some responders have speculated whether such rules are “pre-emptive moves” against governmental action, or whether they will realistically affect a child’s fast food consumption habits.

“Millennials” are enormous consumers of fast food; about 20% of them consume fast food every other day. Advertisements for food products high in calories and sugar specifically directed toward youth spend $1.6 billion per year on marketing in the U.S. alone, according to a study at the Yale Rudds Center. This adds up to an average of 5,500 junk food ads viewed per year, per person, whereas ads for healthy food items are seen but 100 times per year.

As a business strategy, it’s difficult to criticize this imbalance because it appears to reflect young adults’ preferences. A recent study by consulting firm L.E.K. found that healthier fast food brands that perform well with the general population — such as Subway — do not perform as well with Gen Y consumers, who prefer instead Chipotle or Panda Express (ranked 1 and 2, respectively). The study concluded that Gen Y is less concerned about health and quality ingredients than are older generations. Here’s the question, though: are the unhealthy advertisements just reflecting what consumers want, or are they actually driving these generational differences?

In reality, it’s probably a bit of both — I don’t usually like fast food and even I love Chipotle — but it presents a worrying picture for the future. Young adults are plagued by certain advertising that tells them (especially girls) to be trim and healthy — yet they are equally, if not more so, followed by messages about fast-food options that seem cooler, tastier, and more youthful than the healthier quick serve fare that performs well with the older population. There is only so much criticism we can throw at fast food companies: the sad truth is, they appear to be giving us — in advertising and in food choices — exactly what we want. Time will tell whether the recent initiatives will make a difference in consumption habits, but perhaps the true change needs to be on a psychological level, convincing Millennials and their younger peers that that healthiness could be cool, too.

About Camilla

Camilla Nord is in her final year at Oxford University, where she has been studying physiology and psychology since she moved from Washington, D.C. She also grew up partly in Budapest, Hungary, and lived in Kathmandu, Nepal in her very early years. When she’s not writing essays, she is probably painting, practicing Bikram yoga, and thinking about manatees. When she IS writing essays, her favorite part of the brain is the basal ganglia, and her favorite neurotransmitter (those chemicals that shoot around the brain sending signals) is dopamine. The recent involvement of neuroscience techniques in product development and marketing has driven her interest in Ypulse, coupled with a lifelong love of writing — and, of course, a healthy obsession with pop culture.

To contact members of the Youth Advisory Board, email them at youthadvisoryboard @ ypulse.com or simply leave a note in the comments.

A Magical, Musical Summer

Everyone looks forward to summer for different reasons: relaxing in the sun, building their college applications, traveling or catching up on some reading. This summer, I couldn’t wait to slip on some rain boots and shorts and head over to the Gurten Festival, the biggest summer music festival in Switzerland. My hometown doesn’t have the luxury of big artists coming over every week like in London and New York; rather, it’s a little quiet on the music scene.

I like many different kinds of music, and my iPod is one of my best friends. Europe is known for its spectacular summer music festivals, and when I saw that some of my favorite bands were heading to Gurten in Bern, I couldn’t resist going for the first time. The Script, Angus and Julia Stone, Arctic Monkeys, Jamiroquai, The Ting Tings, Kaiser Chiefs… They would all be there for three days of non-stop concerts on a hill with people from all-over (though mostly from Swiss Germany).

More than 20,000 people gathered this year for a special mix of the top hits, indie singles, and rock anthems. It had everything a festival usually has: port-a-potties, world food booths, camping, a few dance tents, huge stages, clothing shacks, too many mosh pits, and many happy fans dancing around. My group (3 other girls and I) had a very fun, exciting, and safe time. We would go down on the trolley every night to our hotel (too much mud to sleep on the festival grounds), and return around noon the next day. We wouldn’t usually have to wait more than 15 minutes for anything, and were able to enjoy a wide variety of music. While fans went really wild to some electronica or drum and bass (The Bloody Beetroots and Pendulum), they also calmly enjoyed Julia Stone’s stage presence and The Script’s best love songs. The Ting Tings electrified the public; Jamiroquai put on a unique show. There were even autograph lines for some bands (The Script? Quite friendly!) and good recycling opportunities (bring back a plate, get a dollar!). There was something for everyone.

A European music festival is every teen’s dream — and I think it’s definitely something one should experience at least once in a lifetime. The Gurten Festival went green, and had great music as a soundtrack. It was clean, safe, and enjoyable. While the crowds were big, they weren’t too huge or dangerous. What more could a teenager want?

After that, I was looking forward to my second time at Warped Tour. I had enjoyed The All-American Rejects, Sum 41, and Motion City Soundtrack last year at the Nassau Coliseum outside NYC, and expected this year to be as fun. Big surprise when we got there at noon-ish? We had missed Simple Plan since they had played in the morning, and Sum 41 wasn’t coming. And there went 100% of my musical interests for that day.

My friends and I stayed until the end and celebrated our last time at Warped. The one act that impressed me was the finale, A Day To Remember. By then, the crowd was pretty excited. Maybe we were too old to appreciate the other bands, maybe it wasn’t as magical as last summer, maybe the bands weren’t our favorites, maybe it was too hot… But the whole experience (the crowds, the bands, the set-up) seemed to fall flat this time. It’s true that this summer was way too hot in the U.S. (just ask Kings of Leon, who also canceled their tour), but I was still disappointed overall. Compared to Gurten, Warped just wasn’t IT. They were totally different experiences. Then again, how can one day of music compete with a whole music festival? There were benefits to both of them, and I have enjoyed both at least once.

As the summer concert season comes to a close, here are my final thoughts… I wish there were more European-style festivals in the U.S (I’m still dreaming of going to Coachella one day!). Warped was a great idea, but maybe it’s time for the show to evolve to stay connected with the youth crowd.

The music industry is obviously changing — we hardly ever buy CDs anymore and do most things online, but there is one thing that will always remain the same: listening to your favorite song, while the artist is singing his/her heart out right in front of you. That magical experience will always bring you goosebumps and will always be more special than listening to a recording.

About Caroline

Caroline is an American student in eleventh grade in Geneva, Switzerland and enjoys it a lot. This year will be her second year serving on the Youth Advisory Board, which she loves because she’s currently an international student and she likes keeping up with the numerous U.S. trends in various departments. Between YAB, sports, school (as well as traveling, trying to master several languages, spending a lot of time on the computer, writing long papers, music and watching American TV), she doesn’t have a lot of time on her hands, but always finds time for the two passions she’s always had: reading and writing.

To contact members of the Youth Advisory Board, email them at youthadvisoryboard @ ypulse.com or simply leave a note in the comments below.

Back-To-School Stress: Students Are Under Academic Pressure

As the summer winds down, I can’t say I’m exactly excited to start the new school year. While this might be a normal sentiment among teenagers, I’m a bit more reluctant to return to school this year than in previous years, mostly because of rumors I’ve heard about how rigorous and stressful junior year is, and because I decided to take a heavier course load than I usually do. Just like many of my friends, I’m willing to endure some stress and difficulty in exchange for a better chance of being accepted into a “good school.”

At the end of last year, one of my friends wrote in my yearbook, “Enjoy your free time while you still have it!” That’s the common sentiment among many high-achieving students I know. Junior year is extremely stressful due to the difficulty of balancing many extracurricular activities with a rigorous course load. Many students in my social group will do almost anything to get into a top school. And getting into one of these schools only gets harder every year, though there are theories that many colleges are actually becoming less selective. Colleges may be taking on more students, but more students are applying to top schools. For example, in 1980 Harvard accepted 16% of its applicants, but the acceptance rate for 2010 was only 7%.

This trend doesn’t apply only to the most prestigious universities. So-called “second tier” colleges have also become dramatically more competitive. School guidance counselors talk with students about their expectations and what is realistic, so most are prepared, to some extent.

Even though students might be realistic about their prospects of getting into an elite school, parents sometimes aren’t. As private admissions advisor Carolyn Lawrence noted in The New York Times article above, “My sense is that parents are a lot more concerned with how the name is going to look to neighbors and family members, and there is a real sense among parents that it’s almost embarrassing if your child has to settle for a lower-level school.” This can cause extra stress because many high school students are very influenced by their parents’ viewpoint on colleges and don’t want to let them down.

I’ve noticed this among students in my school in the way they react to news about where our older friends are going to college. It’s a common classroom topic. When I mentioned to a friend that a student in my debate class would be attending UPenn in the fall, another student sitting across the table from me was extremely impressed. We started talking about other seniors and where they would be going. When I mentioned a friend was going to Swarthmore — also a very selective school — the student sitting across from us wasn’t particularly impressed because she hadn’t heard of it.

There’s social pressure among students to go to “good schools” that have name recognition or, at the very least, to apply to such schools. I’m less concerned about going to the “best” school and more concerned about going to a school that’s right for me. Many students apply to schools without knowing if they’ll be a good fit just because of the name.

Unfortunately for students, some parents will push their children to meet the incredibly high standards of “the best” schools, only adding to their stress levels. One of my friends was shocked that my parents don’t get upset if I don’t get perfect grades because they know I work hard and do my best. I have plenty of friends whose parents do get upset, and this can make high school an incredibly stressful experience. One of my friends stays up all night to study for exams, because her parents would be extremely upset if she didn’t get straight “A”s.

Although some colleges and counselors will tell students that extracurricular involvement isn’t crucial, many students’ parents also push them to be involved outside of school to the point where it can be detrimental to their mental health. I interviewed a friend about how her parents feel about academics and extracurriculars. She told me, “I was forced to play piano every day as a kid, and I play tennis for three hours a day now. I had no friends, because studying was more important.” She doesn’t enjoy playing tennis and talked to her parents about quitting, but they won’t let her go to summer camp if she quits, so she’s staying on the team.

Clearly not all stories are this dramatic. I have many friends whose parents only want them to try their best, and I think that’s much better than pushing children to their limits. It’s important for students to do well in school, but not to the point that they’re so stressed out or studying so much that it ruins their social lives, which could also have detrimental effects into adulthood. Spending all day studying might prepare a student for standardized tests, but that “skill” is less useful after college graduation, and such a lifestyle doesn’t foster the innovation and social skills that are needed in the work world. Balance is important, so even though I’m taking five weighted classes, I’m not taking six APs or going for an IB diploma like some of my friends.

There are some students who can deal with a stressful schedule — I have a friend who had an extremely rigorous course load during high school, and she was completely fine, despite also being debate captain and Key Club president. She’s attending Harvard on a full-ride scholarship and loves it there, so this approach does work for some people. However, not everyone can handle that much work and responsibility at a young age. I think students should decide for themselves what they can handle in terms of classes and extracurriculars, based on what is best for them. Parents should have a say, too, but not to the point where they’re being ridiculous and only causing their children to be stressed out. Students shouldn’t strive for a “C” average and skip extracurriculars entirely, but parents pushing their children to the other extreme can be just as bad.

I am glad that I’m only taking challenging classes in the fall and have a lighter load in the spring. Like many of my overachieving friends, I’m motivated to do well in school so I can reach my goals in life. Even if some students’ parents push them, many students also push themselves, sometimes to the point where it’s stressful. I think it should ultimately be up to the students to determine how much stress they can take. Even though I’m a little stressed out about going back to school, in the end it was my decision, and I think a little stress is worth getting into a school I’ll love for four years.

About Julia

Julia will be a junior in high school in Claremont California. A self proclaimed Otaku (anime obsessive person) she strives to complete her immersion into the world of Japanese pop culture. In between school and homework she watches the latest Japanese anime on the internet, reads manga, plays video games, and practices Japanese. Though she is not a fabulous writer by nature, Julia does enjoy writing fan fiction related to said interests and occasionally immersing herself in online role-play sessions. In addition, she loves mashing up anime and game clips into anime music videos which she posts on YouTube, participating in her school’s debate team in novice LD, and of course reading. Julia is incredibly excited to be on the Youth Advisory Board, and able to express her opinions, which she has plenty of.

To contact members of the Youth Advisory Board, email them at youthadvisoryboard @ ypulse.com or simply leave a note in the comments below.

Making A Difference, One Person At A Time: UN International Year Of Youth

While Melanie has already provided a post on the first half of the UN International Year Of Youth culmination celebration, I wanted to let you know what happened after all of the adults left the room.

The second half of the UN Year Of Youth Culmination Celebration was the Changemakers Program, held at the French Institute Alliance Francaise. We took a bus from the UN to the Institute. When we got there, we had lunch…just us girls. Nothing fancy, but definitely tween fare: pizza, salad, chips, and lemonade or water. We had a chance to hang around a modern building on NYC’s Upper East Side, going downstairs or staying upstairs to eat and get to know the other delegates. After lunch the real fun began…

There were different stations to visit, sponsored by organizations that supported the AllyKatzz event. At each station there was an activity that we could do, helping us understand the conditions other girls face as well as how to make a positive difference in the world.

At one station, sponsored by Girl Up (a United Nations foundation), we learned that girls in countries around the world have to carry water for hours a day bringing it to their villages, which have no water supply. The girls need to leave school after the sixth grade to do these tasks simply to help their families survive. We learned how heavy water is to carry. We were each given a bucket of water to see how far we could carry it — I made it all of twelve feet!

Another activity, sponsored by Disney’s Friends for Change, allowed us to decorate a bag and a napkin. We then put a can of food and some seeds in the bag to be sent to someplace else in the world that needs it. At the Heart for Heart station, we packed a backpack with supplies for school, as well as soap, a toothbrush, a washcloth, and a blanket. That taught us that small, ordinary things can help other children around the world.

We also received the book “Cassandra’s Angel” signed by the author Gina Otto, and the book “Olivia Bouler Saving The Gulf,” written by 11-year-old Olivia Bouler, one of the ALLY Award winners we heard from in the first half of the day. Both of these books told stories of how individuals can make a change.

One thing that happened during the second half of the event that was very special to me was that I got an autograph from Caroline Sunshine, also known as Tinka from the Disney show “Shake it up”! She was really sweet and kind, and it was fun to meet her.

Overall, the event truly inspired me to help change the world. It was really fun and cool, and it made me believe that one person can help change the world to make it better, regardless of her age. AllyKatzz deserves kudos and congratulations for such a successful and inspiring event.

About Sydney

An American citizen, Sydney currently lives and studies in Canada, entering grade eight this year. She reads…a lot! The good news is that Canadians are generally polite and friendly and don’t seem to mind when she causes mayhem as a result of her nose being permanently attached to a book. That doesn’t mean that an international conflict of “War of 1812″ proportions couldn’t happen as a result of Sydney’s time in Canada. While svelte and diminutive, she’s more than capable of generating disproportionate impact…

To contact a member of the Youth Advisory Board, you can email them at youthadvisoryboard @ ypulse.com or simply leave a note in the comments.

Book Review: ‘The Cupid War’ By Timothy Carter

First Impressions?
When I heard that this book was a romantic fantasy, I wanted to read it right away. It has people falling in love without being able to be together. It is similar to “Romeo and Juliet” with the feeling that the couple could never really be together but still try to make it work. The story has romance but also plenty of adventure for those who prefer action over romance.

When were you hooked?
I liked the title of the book, and I thought that it would be about love and how hard it can sometimes be. I didn’t think that it would be about cupids fighting with depression! When I realized that it was a story told from the perspective of an actual cupid, how he became a cupid, and how the cupids are in a war against “dark forces” (depressions), I thought the idea was really creative and interesting. The author took a familiar mythical character and turned a predictable story on its head, making it even better.

Sum It Up…
When the main character, Richard, slips and falls off a bridge to his death, he has to fulfill his karma by becoming a cupid. While working on his first opportunity to help people fall in love, he notices an “old friend.” Unfortunately, this “friend” is the same person who made him want to jump off the bridge in the first place…damn!

With suspicions forming regarding his old friend, dealing with a new boss, and maybe falling for a girl with a special gift, Richard has a lot of adjusting to do. Add to this a squadron of dark mythical creatures (depressions) trying to cause people to make the same mistake that he did, and Richard’s afterlife proves more challenging than his original life.

Final Verdict?
The story is well written and includes characters that are imaginative and engaging. It is obvious that the author put a lot of thought into creating “The Cupid War.” I would have liked more description of this fantastic world: the settings and environments. Equally, more detail on what the characters looked like (aside from whether they had blond or short hair) would have made for a better mental picture of each character. But overall, I think this book was creative, fun, and definitely worth adding to a summer book list. I would recommend this book to people who like romance and adventure.

About Sydney

An American citizen, Sydney currently lives and studies in Canada. She reads…a lot! The good news is that Canadians are generally polite and friendly and don’t seem to mind when she causes mayhem as a result of her nose being permanently attached to a book. That doesn’t mean that an international conflict of “War of 1812″ proportions couldn’t happen as a result of Sydney’s time in Canada. While svelte and diminutive, she’s more than capable of generating disproportionate impact…