- It’s no secret that Millennials are nostalgic for the 90s with ‘retro’ TV shows and fashion (making a comeback. But how are brands making the most of it? Some are cashing in on bringing back certain styles with an updated flair, blending modern technology with retro accessories — like a handset for a cell phone, and introducing 90s attitude in current media) (Fast Company)

- Check out this infographic about the social media scene (in China. With the “great (fire) wall” that bars young people from the social sites popular in the U.S. and other countries, Chinese youth have adopted copycat sites. The most common way they log on? Cell phone! Although social media has been part of some pretty powerful movements, its real power is creating local change, according to one expert) (Derek Baird) (PSFK)

- Chances are, you’ve done your share of shoe doodling (or you know someone who has. Now Vans is turning that talent into a money making opportunity for crafty students who can submit their shoe designs for a chance to win $50,000 for their school’s art program. Break out your markers and get sketching) (IHeartDaily)

- Teens love texting, and they even read texts from brands (according to DoSomething. The challenge with text message marketing, however, is that it’s not social; teens don’t forward or share texts the way they do messages on Facebook or Twitter. The lesson here? Pairing text messaging with complementary social marketing gets the best results) (Mashable)

- ‘Dance Academy’ is sure to get high marks (when it debuts on Nickelodeon, paired with an digital fan experience including bonus videos, texts, and online messages from the stars. The show centers on a young girl following her dream to become a ballet dancer. In other TV news, “Smash” and “The Voice” scored massive ratings following heavy promotion during the Super Bowl) (Kidscreen) (THR)

- We’re bummed that we don’t live in North Platte, Nebraska (to have seen this awesome, irreverent ad for Old Milwaukee featuring Will Ferrell air during the Super Bowl. We think it might just top a lot of Millennials’ list for best ad of the game…if they’d seen it) (Business Week)

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.

- Verizon and Redbox are ready to take on video streaming services (including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon with an upcoming subscription system for online and mobile viewing. Between their online offerings — which claim to be more affordable than any other service — and the kiosks to rent physical DVDs, we don’t think Millennials, or anyone, will want to pass this up! Speaking of movies, Millennial films ruled the box office this weekend with “Chronicle” raking in $22 million — largely due to its social media push — and Daniel Radcliffe’s “Women in Black” close behind with $21 million) (Fast Company) (Hollywood Reporter) (Chicago Sun Times)

- Millennials are worried about their money and claim that they want to steer clear of the stock market (with fully 40% saying they’ll never invest in stocks, yet their actions prove otherwise…at least among those with an employer-sponsored retirement plan. We wonder if this is just a lack of knowledge on their part) (WSJ, reg required)

- Are We There Yet? (National Geographic Kids is launching a Web based reality show of that name for kids by kids where pairs of young siblings travel and educate viewers about different countries and cultures. We think this is a cool way for children to learn about the world! But that’s not all for National Geographic; it’s also releasing a series of apps called “Live and Learn: Animals” for preschoolers to learn about nature) (Voxxi) (Kidscreen)

- As bloggers are increasingly influential (they’re moving from the front rows of fashion shows to the catwalk with the first all blogger fashion show debuting at NY Fashion Week! The runway show, organized by Polyvore, features some of the most influential fashionistas on the Web. In other fashion news, as prom season approaches, Nickelodeon star Victoria Justice, the new spokesperson for Donate My Dress, reminds girls to give their old special occasion dresses to those in need. You can also do good by working with Glamour Gals, an organization that brings generations together as teens give elderly women makeovers) (Refinery29) (Yahoo) (Shine)

- As accepting and progressive as some Millennials are (this story shows us that anti-gay groups still exist and bullying is most certainly a problem for today’s teens. But as Gen Y knows, “it gets better,” and we’re glad that MTV is airing a special with Dan Savage to further highlight this campaign) (Rolling Stone…thanks to DeBaird for the tip!) (MTV)

- There seem to be trailers for everything these days from movies and TV shows (to games and books, but the latest clip is for um, a magazine article. Will digital promos be the way to save print?) (NY Times)

- According to the rumor mill, Amazon is opening its first physical store (in Seattle which is said to be modeled after Apple. We really hope this is true!) (TechCrunch)

- Toms has a limited edition pair of shoes that are covered with pink hearts. Nothing says you care like giving a pair to your bf/gf and to a kid in need!

- Our fashion obsession, Of A Kind, just announced a Valentine’s-appropriate edition release: a sweetheart tee that gives a little nod to 80s style. Better get it now before it sells out!

- Etsy is an endless source of gift ideas and DIY inspiration. We swooned over this vintage Valentine’s Day card notebook that made us want to be in third grade again. Worried that it won’t ship in time? This is one crafty idea that would be easy to make at home.

- If our list is any indication, girls seem to rake in more gifts on V-day than guys do. Urban Outfitters has a few items that would work for either a gf or bf gift, but guy-specific gifts are rare. Aside from a few red items — shoes, shirts, and hats — there’s this somewhat NSFW tee from the men’s department that we suppose could be considered a Valentine’s item…

- And if you’re spending the day solo, Time Warner Cable has you covered with a month-long Ryan Gosling marathon! Hey girl, if you’re single you shouldn’t feel left out..

Martine Reardon is promoted to Chief Marketing Officer at Macy’s. She had been EVP Marketing there. (Via Ad Age, reg required)

Disney makes some executive moves: Sean Cocchia is promoted to the new position of SVP/Business Operation and GM, Disney Channels Worldwide; he was most recently SVP and GM, Radio Disney. Phil Guerini is upped to VP and GM, Radio Disney; he was most recently with Walt Disney Records and Disney Parks & Resorts. (Via Cynopsis)

Dan Shepherd joins Hachette Children’s Books as Deputy Managing Editor, a newly created position within the company. He was Group Sales Director for Penguin Children’s Books UK. (Via The Bookseller)

Chris Mohney joins Tumblr as Editor-In-Chief of its new news project. He comes from Blackbook where he was VP of Content. (Via NY Observer)

Jessica Bennett is named Executive Editor at Tumblr. She had been Senior Writer and Editor at Newsweek/Daily Beast. (Via Mediabistro, reg required)

Denise Kovac is named as Marketing Director of Baby Genius Entertainment, the company behind the Baby Genius line of music and education-based products and characters. She was most recently President of Bay Street Brands. (Via Kidscreen)

Matt Dentler is named Indie Film Partner Manager for iTunes. He was most recently Head of Content for Cinetic Rights. (Tracking Board)

Sumiya Nowshin joins Tor/Forge Books as Marketing Manager. She was most recently Associate National Accounts Manager at Random House Children’s Books. (Via Publishers Weekly)

Elizabeth Bewley has been promoted to Senior Editor for Little, Brown Children’s Books. She joined their Poppy imprint in 2008. (Via Publisher’s Lunch)

- Considering how influential bloggers are (it’s no surprise that Tumblr wants to highlight users’ content, and will soon do so via an official Tumblr news site! A team of writers will cover the top stories from the Tumblr world, making it easier for readers to discover the latest trends and key interests among the site’s bloggers. In other social media news, check out this infographic that highlights how colleges and universities are using social media to enhance education and connect with students, as well as how they can improve their digital strategies) (NY Times, reg required) (Mashable)

- Many Millennials are disheartened to discover that having a college degree (doesn’t mean they’ll get a job with an annual salary or benefits. Instead, in today’s tough job market, they’re lucky to be paid $10 an hour. Major companies are even laying off full-time employees to hire temporary or hourly workers. College students are struggling financially too, and some are even making use of food-stamps if they work 20+ hours a week and meet the income limits) (Forbes) (Consumerist)

- We can’t wait for the Superbowl this Sunday (mostly because we’re excited to see all the creative ads that engage viewers. Speaking of which, here are five lessons from Frito-Lay’s Chief Marketing Officer, Ann Mukherjee, about how Doritos successfully turned over it’s whole marketing campaign to its young fans) (Co.Create)

- It’s a little troubling to see that today’s teens can’t answer basic questions about American history, politics, and geography (which isn’t a good sign for the next generation of leaders. However, in other ways, Millennials have proven that they’re ready to lead. They work together as they share and receive information with peers, valuing one another’s perspective, strangers’ opinions, and more) (Huffington Post) (MediaPost)

- Tween girls are a key consumer of makeup (and we’re not just talking about lip gloss. They’re too young for the grown up brands their moms and sisters use, but they want to experiment with style. Brands like GeoGirl and Material Girl are just right for them — and their budgets. Drug stores and mass merchandisers are also taking notice, selling more beauty lines specifically for young girls. Heck, there are even salons and spas just for tweens!) (MSNBC)

- Millennials have their own perspectives on the world, and industries are changing to be more Millennial-friendly — and now religion (might be the next to get the message. Jeff Bethke, a 22-year-old spoken word artist, made a YouTube video titled “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” and quickly garnered 17 million hits and thousands of comments. He presents a critical view on organized religion compared to the messages of Jesus and how churches have lost their authenticity, which is so important to his generation. As one person expressed in the comments, many other young people likely share his sentiment) (CBS) (Daily Beast)

- Yesterday we featured the best YA books of the year, and today, we give you the best children’s books (for younger, middle, and older kids. Did your favorites make the cut?) (ALSC)

- And now for a little Friday fun… (you’ve probably seen the new trailer for “The Hunger Games” but what about for “The Hunger Pains?” The parody video has us LOLing as we wait for the real movie to come out. And we can’t forget the hilarious parody video of Twilight’s “Breaking Dawn: Part 1” expressed entirely through song. Trust us, you’ll be laughing too, even if you’re not a Twi-hard!) (Entertainment Weekly) (Teen)

Editor, Homepage at MTV Digital
Industry: Online
Location: New York, NY
Description: MTV Digital is looking for an Editor/Producer to run the day-to-day production of the MTV.com homepage. The ideal candidate will have a strong editorial sense of the MTV brand and voice, possess top-notch copywriting skills, and love all things music and pop culture. The Homepage Editor/Producer is responsible for the daily curation and production of the MTV.com homepage and related digital “front doors.” The Editor/Producer produces all promotional assets, including image selection, copywriting, curation of content mix, and publishing of assets. The position collaborates very closely with the Design and Photography departments to execute promos, and relies on near-daily interfacing with site producers and editors to gather assets and determine appropriate messaging. (More via Mashable)

School & Library Marketing Manager at Penguin Young Readers
Industry: Publishing, Marketing
Location: New York, NY
Description: Penguin is currently seeking a School and Library Marketing Manager to be responsible for planning strategic marketing campaigns, overseeing print and online advertising, and managing the creation and distribution of the department’s promotional material. Responsibilities include: developing and executing creative marketing plans for key titles; overseeing strategic print and online advertising to reach the maximum number of librarians and educators; creating and managing promotional materials; planning and managing advertising and promotion budget; and supervising a department coordinator. (More via Bookjobs)

Director of Business Development at TRU
Industry: Market research
Location: Chicago, IL
Description: TRU is looking for a Director of Business Development for its Custom Group, which specializes in research among tweens, teens, and twenty-somethings across sectors including tech, fashion/retail, CPG, media, and social/ government. Custom-research opportunities emanate from existing clients of TRU’s syndicated and custom research offerings, as well as through pure new business development approaches. This role will require a mix of “hunter” and “gatherer” practices with a skew towards a gathering approach. (More via LinkedIn)

Copywriter at Uproar!
Industry: Marketing
Location: New York, NY
Description: Uproar! is the kid-centered marketing agency that ignites the youth market with inspired creative fueled by passion, enthusiasm, and insight, and it is hiring a mid-level copywriter to work on a national blue chip toy account. The Copywriter’s primary responsibilities are creating copy solutions for his or her clients while maintaining the integrity of the overall strategy. Additional responsibilities include: actively participating in concept development sessions with Art Director partner; taking complete ownership in developing and producing innovative concepts that solve clients’ problems; writing distinctive copy as required, with close attention to strategic accuracy and original style; assisting with the production of printed materials, including rewriting or re-paragraphing copy as required for photographic sessions to assure continuing creative excellence and accuracy; and more. (More via Ad Age, reg required)

Director, Corporate Partnerships at Save the Children
Industry: Non-Profit
Location: Westport, CT
Description: The primary purpose of this position is to increase revenue by developing new corporate partnerships and overseeing the development and stewardship of corporate partners to maximize value from these companies in support of Save the Children’s domestic, international and Alliancemember programs. In concert with the Associate Vice President, the Director will position Save the Children as the global leader in corporate sector engagement and deliver on revenue goals through engagement with external partners and internal stakeholders. The Director will lead development of partnership plans that will consist of marketing, communications, cause-related marketing, employee engagement, and other key strategies and tactics. The Director will be responsible for maximizing a portfolio of corporate relationships through the development of strategic engagement plans. He or she leads a team that is committed to significant revenue growth per annum. (More via Idealist)

- We got chills watching the latest trailer for ‘Hunger Games’ (which is far more action-packed — including a few scenes from the arena — than what we’ve seen so far. The trailer will run during the Super Bowl pre-game show. As if the movie release couldn’t get any bigger, we also learned that the film is being remastered for a super-sized one-week limited run in Imax theaters) (BuzzSugar) (THR)

- Millennials’ paths to careers aren’t anything like the direction previous generations have taken, which is why Millennials are ignoring the advice of their parents, redefining what it means to go to work, and measuring personal happiness in unique ways. They’re even trying to reinvent how they pay for college coming up with tithing programs and other ideas. Whatever criticism older generations have for Millennials, they can’t say they lack creativity) (Forbes) (Time)

- We’re even more excited to watch MTV’s new series, ‘I Just Want My Pants Back,’ (after reading this interview with director Doug Liman about his passion for youth culture, picking the right New York neighborhood for broke 20-somethings, and his view of young people as being “at a crossroads that has an infinite number of pathways.” Speaking of MTV programs to look forward to, the network will debut an It Gets Better special with Dan Savage and, in the spirit of the project, special messages from Vinnie Guadagnino, Zachary Quinto, Chaz Bono, and more) (NY Observer) (MTV)

- Disney is targeting moms and families with young children (with its new cell phone being released in Japan in partnership with DoCoMo. The Disney Mobile phones feature favorite characters and come stocked with exclusive extras, including original wallpapers, special apps and games, and access to Disney Cinema, which streams Disney movies to the phone for free. Phone owners are also reported to get some benefits at Disney parks. We know a few fans in the U.S. who would love this phone…) (Japan Times)

- Even little kids can ‘Be Big’ by learning how to help others (as part of Scholastic’s “Be Big In Your Community” Contest that encourages kids to learn about Clifford’s Big Ideas — share, play fair, have respect, work together, be responsible, be a good friend, help others, be truthful, be kind, and believe in yourself. Along with the fourth annual contest, Scholastic also researched how kids and teens think about volunteering, how often they get involved, and what they think of Clifford’s Big Ideas) (HandsOnNetwork) (Scholastic)

- This video of a five-year-old girl talking about brands and trademarks (says a lot about kids’ impressions of brands: the Starbucks logo = coffee, McDonald’s logo = french fries, and the Apple logo = the awesome Apple store. Even preschoolers know a lot about brands) (Trendera)

- We’re one of Google+’s 1 million users! (Add us to your circles for all the latest Ypulse news…)

GET READY for the Millennial Mega Mashup presented by Ypulse and IIR, May 7-9, 2011 in Miami, Florida! More details below…

Featured Events

February

Online Marketing Summit
Date: February 6-10
Location: San Diego, CA
Cost: $2195 for an all-access pass; $795 for a one-day pass
Description: Online Marketing Summit is the premier global educational event for marketing professionals. Join over 1,500 of your marketing peers as they share ideas, hear from expert practitioners, and learn best practices in the areas of: Social Media, Demand Generation, Search, Email, Analytics, Mobile, Integrated Marketing and more. Events include hands-on training workshops, one-on-one personalized labs with experts, thought-leadership presentations, and peer-to-peer collaboration. More

Intelligence Group Trend School
Date: February 7
Location: New York, NY
Cost: $2,500
Description: Every quarter, the Intelligence Group brings its industry-leading Cassandra Report to life in this intimate, interactive, daylong immersion into youth culture and social trends. We go beyond what’s happening with young consumers by delving into why they’re acting, and reacting, the way they are. Our Los Angeles and New York Trend Schools will take aim at Digital Media and Technology, the uncommon and unpredictable force that is driving so much of Gen Y’s ever-changing consumption behavior. More

Social Media Strategies Summit
Date: February 7-9
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Cost: $1,795 and up for the full conference; $495 and up for workshops
Description: Social Media Strategies Summit has six tracks, each outlined to focus on a particular industry. Each track includes sessions focused on the following categories: Corporate Case Studies; Community Engagement and Customer Service; Measurements, including analytics, ROI and tools; Sales Approach; Legal Risks & Strategies; and Marketing Strategies & Tactics. If you or your team are responsible for your company’s branding, marketing, strategy development, monitoring, customer relations, community engagement, public relations, media sales, business development, or legal, or you are the Chief Executive, Chief Marketing or Chief Branding Officer this summit was designed with you in mind. More

Kidscreen Summit 
Date: February 7-10
Location: New York, NY
Cost: $1,395
Description: A key event in the kids’ entertainment industry for executives, producers, creators, distributors, retailers, licensors, marketers, digital media content creators, and distributions to learn about issues relevant to the field. Moreover, attendees will learn about current market needs, opportunities, and challenges, interact with other leaders, and build their businesses. More

Media That Matters Summit
Date: February 10-11
Location: Washington, DC
Cost: Contact Media That Matters Summit
Description: This year’s theme, “Storytelling across Platforms,” focuses on today’s evolving media world in which publics can engage with creative projects across platforms such as radio, the web and mobile devices, as well as film and TV. More

Toy Fair
Date: February 12-14
Location: New York, NY
Cost: n/a
Description: The 109th annual American International Toy Fair is the largest toy and youth product marketplace in the Western Hemisphere, bringing together more than 1,100 exhibiting manufacturers, distributors, importers, and sales agents from around the globe to showcase their toy and entertainment products. From classic toys to interactive entertainment and everything in between, the Toy Fair playground includes: action figures and dolls, games and puzzles, construction toys, arts and creative activities, earth-friendly products, bicycles, tricycles and ride-ons, radio-controlled vehicles, infant and preschool toys, cars, trucks, and trains, puppets and plush, audio and video cassettes, computer software and video games, playground and sporting equipment, Halloween, Christmas, books, stationary, party supplies, and much more. More

March

Media Summit
Date: March 7-8
Location: New York, NY
Cost: n/a
Description: The international conference on media, advertising, television, broadband, social media, mobile, cable & satellite, publishing & magazines, radio, news media, motion pictures, and marketing. More

SXSW Interactive
Date: March 9-13
Location: Austin, TX
Cost: $950 (early bird discounts available)
Description: An incubator of cutting-edge technologies, SXSW Interactive features five days of compelling presentations from the brightest minds in emerging technology, scores of exciting networking events hosted by industry leaders, and an unbeatable line up of special programs showcasing the best new websites, video games, and startup ideas the community has to offer. From hands-on training to big-picture analysis of the future, SXSW Interactive has become the place to experience a preview of what is unfolding in the world of technology. Join us for the panels, the parties, the 15th Annual Interactive Awards, Startup Village, ScreenBurn at SXSW, the SXSW Trade Show and, of course, the inspirational experience that only SXSW can deliver. More

Mobile Marketing Conference
Date: March 19-21
Location: Miami, FL
Cost: $2,495 – $3,490 (plus early bird registration discounts)
Description: The Mobile Marketing Conference will unite today’s pioneering marketers on a quest to uncover the value of the mobile medium as an “always on” channel to engage consumers and convert mobile interactions to transactions. Featuring a robust agenda of real world case studies shared by clients themselves, this program has co-created by practitioners, mobile experts and visionaries in order to be truly reflective of the industry’s immediate learning goals. Best in class case studies will be presented by Intercontinental Hotels Group, Gap Inc, Pandora, Taco Bell, Google, The Wharton School, Intuit, Time Inc, Allergan Pharmaceuticals and more! More

Bologna Children’s Book Fair
Date: March 19-22
Location: Bologna, Italy
Cost: €25 – €60
Description: The Bologna Children’s Book Fair is the most important international event dedicated to the children’s publishing and multimedia industry. In Bologna, authors, illustrators, literary agents, licensors and licensees, packagers, distributors, printers, booksellers, and librarians meet to sell and buy copyright, find the very best of children’s publishing and multimedia production, generate and gather new contacts while strengthening professional relationships, discover new business opportunities, and discuss and debate the latest sector trends. More

Multicultural Media Forum
Date: March 21
Location: New York, NY
Cost: $425 (early bird registration discounts available); $49 for students
Description: For over 10 years, the Forum has attracted an audience of about 300 executives in television programming and distribution, marketing and advertising, and technology, as well as advertisers and the trade press. The 2012 Multicultural Media Forum explores the word “community” from various perspectives including: The Multicultural Community, as the general market shifts to become a multicultural market and how business models must adapt to remain relevant to all consumers; Communities Within Communities across all industries as companies are looking to multicultural communities for growth, not just in America’s major metro areas, but across the country; Virtual Communities and how social media—driven is by broadband and digital technologies to reshape the concept and power of community locally, nationally, and internationally; and Research Communities and how major media brands are harnessing the power of online research communities to listen to, engage with, and learn from their consumers. More

Re:Think 2012
Date: March 25-28
Location: New York, NY
Cost: $1,745 and up
Description: Continuing to explore the possibilities and opportunities afforded by dynamic technologies and new research methods, Re:think 2012 will again convene over 3,000 executives from around the globe to examine the state of advertising research — where is it now, and where is it heading? What game-changing techniques, approaches and components are on the precipice? More

PSFK Conference
Date: March 30
Location: New York, NY
Cost: $395
Description: PSFK will host its sixth annual conference celebrating new ideas. An audience of creative professionals from across advertising, design, marketing, and technology industries will listen to a mix of inspirational speakers curated by the PSFK editorial team. A diverse program of speakers bring backgrounds in art, technology, design, marketing, and media, creating an environment where disparate ideas can come together in new ways to fuel work that changes the world for the better. The conference agenda allows participants to meet and discuss with one another, together sharing and building upon the ideas brought forth from the stage. More

TEDxTeen
Date: March 31
Location: New York, NY
Cost: Free
Description: TEDxTeen has curated a lineup of international youth (sprinkled with some compelling adults) who are tackling the big questions and big problems with passion and action. What are teens across the globe doing to make a difference? You might be surprised! More

April

Sex::Tech
Date: April 1-3
Location: San Francisco, CA
Cost: $185 – $375 for professionals; $30 for students
Description: Sex::Tech 2012 brings health and technology professionals together with youth, parents, and community leaders to advance the sexual health of youth in the U.S. and abroad. Sex::Tech is the only conference event that showcases high-tech educational content (mobile, social media, Internet) developed by professionals, highlights national and local program successes, and puts youth leadership at the forefront. Conference tracks for 2012 include: Healthy Sexuality, Field Insights That Advance Sexual Health, and Grassroots Advocacy. More

Digital Kids Conference
Date: April 25-26
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $795 – $1,195 (early bird discounts available)
Description: DigitalKids promises to deliver a robust experience to participants and conference goers alike, as growth in the digital youth market continues to skyrocket. Its goal is to continue bringing to light the best practices in digital product development, marketing and business strategies to reach and engage kids and youth. Digital Kids provides companies the critical information they need to reach digital kids and connected youth through online and mobile technologies. Coverage will include social games, mobile and tablet apps, virtual worlds, social media and marketing, and more. With the participation from industry leaders worldwide, this year’s conference includes dedicated tracks on operations, safety, business, production, and market research. More

May

Digital Hollywood
Date: May 2-5
Location: Marina del Rey, CA
Cost: $735
Description: Digital Hollywood debuted in 1990 and has from its start been among the leading trade conferences in its field with over 15,000 top executives in the film, television, music, home video, cable, telecommunications and computer industries attending the various events each year. More

Millennial Mega Mashup
Date: May 7-9
Location: Miami, FL
Cost: $2,595 – $3,595 (early bird discounts available)
Description: Join IIRUSA and Ypulse for the sixth annual Millennial Mega Mashup! It’s the only event that explores Millennial culture, how youth habits and attitudes are evolving, and what this means for your brand and business. Millennials are the largest American generation ever, wielding enormous spending power, and they’re still figuring our their brand preferences and opinions. Unlike their predecessors, this group entered the world as tech smart, media-savvy kids, and they’ve grown up expecting more from the companies and brands vying for their attention. An All-Star team of speakers from the biggest names in youth culture will fill you in on what matters most to Millennials. More

June

Book Expo America
Date: June 5-7
Location: New York, NY
Cost: See site for details
Description: BEA is the leading event in North American publishing, and it returns in 2012 with even more new and exciting features to keep pace with the industry, including a totally revamped and expanded IDPF Digital Zone, live streaming of favorite BEA events, totally refreshed BEA Education Program, and favorite and up-and-coming authors. More

American Library Association Annual Conference
Date: June 21-26
Location: Anaheim, CA
Cost: Price varies based on membership status
Description: The ALA Annual Conference is the world’s largest event for the library community. Bringing together more than 25,000 librarians, educators, authors, publishers, literacy experts, illustrators and the leading suppliers to the market, the Annual Conference gives you a once-a-year opportunity to advance your career and improve your library. More

For more coverage of youth marketing, go to the Ypulse Youth Marketing Channel.

- The Super Bowl isn’t just the ultimate sporting event, it’s the ultimate advertising (competition! This year, Google’s businesses are helping us experience it to the max with a YouTube channel created just for the occasion called Ad Blitz 2012 — blitz! get it? — and a Google+ hangout the following day to discuss all this hits and misses. Speaking of Google+, the site has reportedly just hit 100 million users) (Pocket Lint) (Mashable)

- Millennial women are social shoppers (broadcasting their opinions to help friends, family, and perfect strangers make smarter purchase decisions. They also take others’ advice, buying items they’ve heard about via social media and asking their social media friends about what to buy) (eMarketer)

- While the TV industry is struggling with young viewers, some cable companies get Millennials (and what matters to them — justice, authenticity, and connection & community — and focus network decisions based on those principles. Speaking of making moves that would excite a Millennial audience, Viacom might be willing to unbundle its cable channels, including MTV, for a la carte consumption. Such a move might stem the tide of cord cutting among Millennials who don’t see a value in paying a huge cable bill when they don’t watch most of the channels) (CableFAX) (Bloomberg)

- Nothing quite replaces a live show, but a 3D concert film (comes close. According to the rumor mill, Katy Perry is the latest pop star to embrace the big screen. Why not — we’ve seen how lucrative the genre can be with Justin Bieber’s “Never Say Never” and Miley Cyrus’s “Best Of Both Worlds”) (NY Mag)

- Another rumor caught our attention — that Barack Obama and Jay-Z (are going to do a town hall and live interview event on Vevo. All three of those (brand)names spell “Millennial coup.” After floundering a bit in Millennials’ esteem, it looks like the president is making an effort to win back their votes) (ClickZ)

- We’re looking forward to the next show from the Teen Art Gallery (which features work from talented 12-19 year olds. The project is curated and organized by a group of teen artists as well. Mark your calendars for March 29 for the Unseen Artists event) (Art Fag City)

- Millennials are spilling their innermost thought (on a University of Maryland Tumblr called TerpSecrets. Much like the Twitter hashtag #IMissThe90sBecause gave us a glimpse at Millennials’ nostalgia, this Tumblr lets us peer into what’s on their minds, from life to love to family to school) (WaPo) (Twitter) (TerpSecrets)