Talking ‘bout my Generation

Take it from me, Archer’s young-blooded intern, making an impression on Generation Next (my demographic cohort), is neither Jello pudding nor Pillsbury apple pie.  Our attention is generally distracted, flittering between one device and the next, from one social media platform to another. We are quick to control what enters our collective consciousnesses by fast-forwarding through DVRed commercials and closing down popup windows at warped speed.

Thus, infiltrating the craniums of my generation calls for boundless and unparalleled creativity.  There are no limits with brands coloring outside of the lines of convention.  Twitter is the digital billboard of the 21^st century, with fan-followed tweeters hawking tweet space to marketers, 50 bucks a pop. FunnyorDie.com blurs the line between product placement and solid entertainment by featuring hilarious videos scripted around a particular product. Sitcoms and feature films are working with brands from the start in order to foster a more synergistic natural partnership.  Sponsored smart phone applications are the crocuses of the digital world, delightfully springing up everyplace. Even ethically questionable new kid on the block Chatroulette is garnering interest from innovative advertisers such as Travelocity and French Connection.

Then again, I don’t think that merely registering for a Facebook fan page will do your brand justice.  Interact with us. Respond to our tweets and wallposts in a way that’s transparent and we’ll trust you. Open up the blogging forum to our ideas. Hold contests on YouTube and you can bet your bottom dollar that we’ll post videos. I challenge you to come up with ideas; flag us down with your blog posts, pop-up shop, your demonstration, or your impromptu event.  Show us that we genuinely matter, crown us your brand ambassadors, and we’ll prick up our ears, open our eyes, and endorse your brand with the utmost loyalty.

By: Marissa Dubin, Intern, Archer Communications, Inc.