Ypulse Essentials: JibJab Jr., Facebook Music Service, Creative Back-To-School Shopping Campaigns

JibJab, the company behind satircal viral videos and comical eCards (is launching an even more kid-friendly version of its popular products aptly called JibJab Jr! Within this, they’ll debut JibJab Jr. Books, an app for preschoolers that promotes reading through engaging, interactive content. The books will include musical adventures where kids can customize the characters to look like them) (Yahoo)

- Facebook is expanding yet again (but this time into music, allowing users to listen to songs directly on the site via streaming services like Spotify and Rdio Inc. Given Facebook’s push with movie streaming, the expansion into music is the obvious next step in becoming an entertainment empire, as well as maintaing its place as “the” social network. We suspect it will be a lot more successful than MySpace) (WSJ, sub. req)

- Brands are implementing creative back-to-school campaigns (in order to attract today’s high-tech teens who want shopping to be a social and exciting experience. Retailers are using check-in promotions, challenges, and virtual customization features among many other methods to appeal to Millennials. Speaking of students, Ford and ZipCar have teamed up to create Zipcar U, a rental car system on college campuses featuring Ford cars at a discount. Ford hopes that by letting students rent their cars at low prices, students will be more likely to choose Ford when they purchase a car) (MediaPost) (PSFK)

- Among the top Twitter trends in August (were some of tweens and teens’ favorite stars including Justin Bieber — who ranked even higher up that Hurricane Irene! — and the Jonas Brothers. “Jersey Shore” also made the list because of the show’s return and the Abercrombie & Fitch situation. Millennials are dominating the Twitter trends, and clearly pop culture is most important to them) (Mashable)

- It’s not a good time to be a post grad (given how hard it is for Millennials to get jobs, even if they’re highly-educated and motivated individuals. The NY Times refers to twenty-somethings as “Generation Limbo” since many have good degrees but are stuck with little job prospects. Some resort to part-time jobs that they are overly qualified for and are far removed from their desired career path. Others are on welfare, but there are the fortunate few who volunteer or take up activities to enjoy themselves while they wait out the tough times. The economy may be bleak, but Millennials aren’t losing hope)

- It seems like the licensing for the ‘Muppets’ movie (never ends with the latest being a line of Muppet-themed fur shawls and hoods — a slightly ridiculously fashion fad featuring each of the characters. We’re not sure what kid would wear fur shawls, especially for $100+, but nevertheless, we’e excited for the movie’s release this fall) (Kidscreen)

- Celebrity blogger and entertainment icon Perez Hilton released a children’s book today (titled “The Boy With Pink Hair,” about kids overcoming bullying and celebrating differences. If there was a children’s story to compliment Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” this would be it) (Entertainment Weekly)

*Editorial Note: As Labor Day weekend approaches, back to school shopping is in high gear and we’ll be exploring firsthand what this process is like for Millennials. As a result, we will not be posting our usual editorial content or essentials this Friday Sept 2. You can look forward to a special article next week featuring our findings, and syndicated research in the near future about students’ BTS shopping habits.