- Jun 12 2020
A majority of Gen Z supports the Black Lives Matter movement and the fight against systemic racism and police brutality.
A majority of Gen Z supports the Black Lives Matter movement and the fight against systemic racism and police brutality. According to a survey from Yubo, 90% of Gen Z supports Black Lives Matter. The same poll found that 88% of Gen Z feel that Black Americans are treated differently than others, and 78% have used social media to express support for their equality. YPulse found that 55% of 16-34-year-olds have participated in #BlackLivesMatter protests or awareness—and 46% of 13-39-year-olds told us that they feel like racism is getting worse. A StuDoc report found that 44% of Gen Z have started to educate themselves on how to support anti-racism and racial justice causes. Overall, the general public opinion on Black Lives Matter has shifted significantly: by a 28-point margin, Civiqs found that a majority of Americans support the movement, up from a 17-point margin before the most recent wave of protests began. (Business Insider, NYTimes)
- Jun 12 2020
Young adults who didn’t qualify for stimulus checks are now pushing to change that.
Young adults who didn’t qualify for stimulus checks are now pushing to change that. The pandemic has taken a heavy hit on Gen Z and Millennials financially. While many of them used their stimulus checks toward essential supplies, there’s a chunk of young people who didn’t even receive the federal aid (due to the bill’s loopholes like excluding “adult dependents” that comprised of many high school and college students)—and now, they’re speaking out to get the policy changed. Some are starting online petitions through sites like Change.org, while others are contacting politicians directly. (CNBC)
- Jun 12 2020
“Elite TikTok” is full of teens “pretending” to be brands.
“Elite TikTok” is full of teens “pretending” to be brands. As several corporations face a reckoning during the current climate, TikTok users are “posturing” as retail stores and popular brands. Many users also refer to “Elite TikTok” as “Alt TikTok” or even “Retail TikTok.” Members of the group share the same interests of beans, frogs, fairy-speak, Elmo edits, and self-referential jokes. Several accounts (like @BurgerKingRetail, @walmart.department.store, @Swiffer_Official, and many more) use personified brand accounts to act out story lines, post comedy videos, participate in viral challenges and memes using “strange audio” tracks, and add lip and eye emojis to storefronts and logos to create a face. When asked the reason behind starting these types of accounts, many of the creators say it’s just a “fun creative exercise” to get into, especially during quarantine. (NYTimes)
- Jun 12 2020
The COVID era could push contactless payments into the mainstream.
The COVID era could push contactless payments into the mainstream. Because of COVID-19, many retailers are making their customers’ health and wellbeing a priority by stepping up their sanitization regimens and limiting their locations’ in-store capacities. One measure that hasn’t reached “peak usage” yet is contactless payments. But according to a report from Ingenico Group and Freedom Pay, 75% of Millennials and 70% of Gen Z shoppers are satisfied with contactless payments, with the latter group saying that they are a “must have” option for merchants. While it’s still “unclear” just how much contactless payments are gaining favor among customers in general, it’s a concept that is being weighed as lockdowns begin to lift. (Mobile Marketer)
- Jun 12 2020
The demand of diverse kids shows is growing in the U.S.
The demand of diverse kids shows is growing in the U.S. According to data from Parrot Analytics, demand for kids shows with diverse characters in the U.S. was up 58.3% in May. The top 10 most in-demand shows in the U.S. include Steven Universe (up 92% since last year), Sesame Street (53%), The Legend of Korra (174%), She-Ra and the Princess of Power (397%), Doc McStuffins, Bubble Guppies, The Proud Family, Dora the Explorer, Super Wings, and Dinosaur Train. (Kidscreen)
- Jun 11 2020
The future of CrossFit is in question in the wake of racist comments and actions from their (now former) CEO.
The future of CrossFit is in question in the wake of racist comments and actions from their (now former) CEO. After a turbulent call with gym owners in which CEO Greg Glassman stated, among other things, “We’re not mourning for George Floyd,” and a tweet making light of Floyd’s death, the brand is facing major backlash. Brands like Reebok, Rogue, FitAid, and several gym affiliates announced that they will be severing ties with the fitness company. Glassman has since announced that he is resigning and stepping down as CEO. This week, we wrote about how brands need to be self-aware of their previous track record and admit past wrongdoings to earn the respect of young consumers—and it is clear that they need to account for organizational racism in real time as well. (NYTimes, The Drum)
- Jun 11 2020
From secret apps to burner phones, the pandemic is bringing out kids’ “sneaky sides.”
From secret apps to burner phones, the pandemic is bringing out kids’ “sneaky sides.” As kids and teens continue to face social isolation and boredom during lockdown, some are finding “workarounds to parental controls on devices” to access the social media they want. Some have gotten their hands on old devices, or gotten burner phones, to download social apps. According to online monitoring service Bark, they have seen a 10% rise in alerts sent to parents regarding kid-created social media profiles during quarantines. Experts say parents’ tech restrictions and control are actually to blame for children’s tech sneakiness. They suggest that families help kids learn to use technology effectively, and even join in their “gaming and social experiences.” (WSJ)
- Jun 11 2020
FaZe Clan is releasing a new movie that will be part of an “immersive cinematic universe.”
FaZe Clan is releasing a new movie that will be part of an “immersive cinematic universe.” The popular esports team—one of the content creator collectives that Gen Z is following—is teaming up with Invisible Narratives to release a feature-length film later this year starring their own members. They hope it will be the beginning of a “FaZe Clan Universe” (think of it as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but with Twitch and YouTube stars). While there aren’t a lot of details out about the film’s title and plot, according to the group, it will be “entirely self-financed,” feature an exclusive soundtrack from Epic Records, and is expected to debut in September at a “drive-in movie premiere event” in Los Angeles. (The Verge)
- Jun 11 2020
AMC is reopening theaters in the U.S. soon, but young consumers might not be ready to go yet.
AMC is reopening theaters in the U.S. soon, but young consumers might not be ready to go yet. After months of being shut down and losing more than $2 billion in revenue, AMC announced that they would be reopening “almost all” its theaters in the U.S. this summer—just in time for the highly anticipated Warner Bros. film Tenet. But despite the new safety measures, various data shows that young consumers aren’t quite ready to go back. For instance, YPulse found that while a majority of 13-39-year-olds are eager to go back to the movies, half say that they wouldn’t attend large gatherings until a vaccine is readily available. (NYTimes, The Verge)
- Jun 11 2020
More young adults are seeking financial advice as they continue to be heavily impacted by the COVID crisis.
More young adults are seeking financial advice as they continue to be heavily impacted by the COVID crisis. According to a survey from Northwestern Mutual, 22% of Gen Z and Millennials say they’re looking for a financial advisor after getting along without one pre-pandemic, compared to 19% of Gen X. For many Millennials, the crisis could potentially further delay home ownership, especially if their employment was impacted. But YPulse’s After Corona trend report found that 25% of young consumers say owning a home has become more important to them because of the Coronavirus crisis. (Business Insider, Financial Advisor)