What Is a Millennial?
There is not one simple definition, so there is not one simple strategy to reach them, and connect.
The 37-Year-Old Millennial Is…
Everything you’d expect from a millennial — and in some cases more.
Moosylvania has been evaluating millennial consumers for 5 years. Each year, we ask about values — how they view themselves, how they connect with brands — and what emotions their favorite brand evoked in the last 30 days.
When we started the group was 13-33. We now have a group that is 17-37. (We define Millennials as a 20-year generation, born in 1980.)
Most marketers have pre-conceived notions of younger Millennials: obsessed with themselves. But what’s up with the older group?
What drives them? Hello — they’re 3 years under 40.
This year, we decided to parse the data by 17-27/28-37 to see how they feel — what their habits and responses were by decade.
The interesting thing is that in many instances, they are more connected — more involved and more socially conscious that younger Millennials.
A few observations…
Each year, we provide 36 attributes, and ask our 1,000 respondent panels how they would best describe themselves.
Many of these attributes remain constant — but we can see consistency for younger and older Millennials on:
– love my gadgets 55/54%
– positive attitude 51/50%
– self-directed 59/56%
– always on mobile 37/37%
One slight variation:
– free-spirited 63/44%
It’s still a Top 5 attribute — and the only chink in the armor on their personal description. They’re just a little less free-spirited.
Moving on to time spent a day, reading, looking at social media
– 58/63%
Time spent creating or posting content:
½-2 hours a day
59/61%
So now we’re seeing a greater compulsion to use their phone — create content — check email — look for information. Which is exactly what marketers need.
Even more so: we need consumers to share content they like. And we won’t be disappointed with the "older Millennial."
When we presented this statement:
I am willing to share/report brand content that I like, older Millennials held their ground:
Agree 48/53
Strongly Agree 25/23
The good news is that with most of the data in our survey, we can find older Millennials defining themselves as brand champions.
Creating loyal consumers is our mission, and we’re seeing it come to life in many ways with this cohort.
Shift Your Way of Thinking About Marketing
From the auto industry to tech, indeed, the era of Marketing Warfare is done. It’s time to adopt a new mindset and shift your way of thinking. Regardless of industry, I suggests you print these tips. Post them by their desk. Go back to them as often as they can. They are:
• Begin with the consumer’s POV every time. Every single time.
• Build your activations and programs around your consumers (not your brand)!
• Be ready for change every day. (The market place is evolving and marketers need to keep up)!
• Give attention first. Then worry about getting it.
• Nurture your brand advocates. Word of mouth is your most powerful weapon.
About the Author: Norty Cohen is CEO and Founder of Moosylvania, the ad and creative agency well-known for their sought-after annual research and data on the Top 100 global brands. Cohen shares his insights and research at events throughout the US every year, however, for the first time, he is publishing his research in the book, The Participation Game, which examines how and why consumers adopt brands. Cohen can be found on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. Copies of The Participation Game may be reserved at https://theparticipationgame.com/about/ and is available on Amazon.