Future forward practices for connecting deeply with the Modern Family Unit by translating needs and trends into new business opportunities
May 10-12, 2010
Chicago, IL

The Institute for International Research is excited to announce that production of the YMME AND KMME PRESENT: Create NEXT NOW conference s underway. We will be reviewing presentation submissions until September 21st – space is limited so please submit your ideas TODAY! This three-day event is the destination for those looking to reach all segments of the modern, young family – moms, dads, kids, tweens and teens. Showcasing what’s next in these markets in terms of shopper behavior, interests, and the latest in market research, marketing, trends and innovation, the conference will bring together corporate best practices and gurus to facilitate understanding and connecting with these focused segments.

Your Opportunity
We are currently recruiting corporate practitioners to share unique ideas, perspectives and case studies related to future trends. Got a good story to tell? Have a provocative perspective that needs to be shared? I’m interested in hearing from you.

Session topics include but are not limited to:
• Youths and Parents: Shopping Habits and Behaviors
• Trends in the Future of Social Media
• Integrating New Trends into Traditional Products to Grow Your Brand
• How is the Family Dynamic Changing?
• What’s New in Green?
• Parent to Friend: The Changing Parent/Millennial Relationship
• Cutting Edge Trends: What’s Next?

Submission Guidelines & Deadline
For consideration, please e-mail Amy Kritzer at akritzer@iirusa.com with the following information by Monday, September 21st:
• Proposed speaker name(s), job title(s), and company name(s)
• Contact information including address, telephone and fax numbers and e-mail
• Title of presentation
• Brief overview of the presentation (1 paragraph plus 3 – 5 key audience “takeaways): Please write this with the knowledge that if your proposal is selected, this description will be printed in the brochure
• Previous conference presentations and/or brief speaker biography

Due to the high volume of responses, we are unable to respond to each submission. All those selected to participate as speakers will be notified shortly after the deadline.

Thank you for your interest in Create NEXT NOW!

All the best,
Amy Kritzer
Senior Conference Producer
Marketing and Business Strategy Division
Institute for International Research
akritzer@iirusa.com

This goes to show you that teens are using these technologies, but they are more fickle and don’t tend to stick to one type of network. Just like how they helped grow MySpace and Friendster, but then soon moved over to Facebook. Marketers will have to understand this concept fully before trying to reach teens on Twitter.

Warner Bros. says the “Potter” movies have become more grown-up in order to follow the narrative of the books and to appeal to an audience that’s getting older. Nearly a decade has elapsed since the “Potter” producers cast an 11-year-old Daniel Radcliffe in the pivotal role of Harry. “As the characters and storylines of the Harry Potter films have matured, our marketing materials have followed suit,” says a studio representative. (A 2006 survey found that the average age kids started reading the series was 9 and that nearly 60% of kids aged 9 to 11 had read it.)

Read the full article here.

According to Reuters,

During its brief history, Atomic had modest success with pictures such as “28 Weeks Later,” which grossed $45 million domestically, and “The Hills Have Eyes 2.” But it fell short with such recent films as “The Rocker,” “Miss March” and “12 Rounds.”

Is more bad news for the youth movie industry to come? Could marketing differently saved this unit?

What do you think of the match up? Has the success of Twilight, Gossip Girl and dare we say the Jonas Brothers brought a renewed interest in teen centered television? We’d like to hear your thoughts.

Could this generations reading habits be switching mediums? The article states that many readers have turn to social networks and fan fiction relating to their favorite books online.

What does this mean for marketers?  The two series mentioned above clearly have kids reading, but also have movies and huge internet followings.  What does this say about marketing to the younger generations?  Will not only marketing for the publishing industry have to change?

Meredith from Ypulse goes on to discuss how the “spoiled brats” label of Gen-Y may soon be gone altogether from the next generation. What are your thoughts?

Are you seeing apps as a way to market to your target audience?