WATCH LIVE | How do you grab the attention of youth in an era of hyperconnectivity?
Practical tools for brands that are looking to reconnect with the youth
Before Covid-19 struck, good parenting advice was all about limiting children’s screen time — giving them short, discreet opportunities to spend online, whether it be on tablets, cellphones, social media or gaming.
Nearly four months into lockdown, it seems like most parents are kicking some of those rules to the curb.
With young people being isolated from their friends, not being allowed to have play dates or sleepovers, having limited engagement when they’re masked and socially-distanced in classrooms, and with extra-curricular sporting activities cancelled, how are they supposed to spend their excess time and energy?
With adults needing to remain focused on their professional workloads while working from home, more have accepted the role devices have in their households. What was once a curse is now a lifesaver.
According to Unicef, “it’s time to recognise the internet as a critical tool for children’s access to learning, play, entertainment and social interaction. In short, they might have a lot to gain from spending time in the digital space”.
For millions of South Africans however, internet access is either limited by lack of infrastructure, or the high cost of data.
Yet, it is still the social media platforms and mobile devices that are keeping people in touch. With smartphone penetration exceeding 80%, it seems that the shortest route to market (and connecting with today’s youth) is online ... provided audiences can afford to log on.
This is creating quite an exciting (but competitive) opportunity for the advertising and marketing industries, which now need to be more creative than ever in the way they grab the attention of youth in an era of hyperconnectivity.
Join the Sunday Times Gen Next digital series in uncovering practical tools that can be used to unlock commercial prospects for brands looking to re-establish their connections with the youth who are the consumers of tomorrow.
Grabbing the attention of the youth in an era of hyperconnectivity
Date: July 29 2020
Time: 2pm
Speakers include:
- Refilwe Maluleke — Yellowwood MD
- Agathe Guerrier — TBWA Worldwide global co-chief strategy officer
- Tanith Madurai — HDI JBod youth member
The 16th annual Sunday Times Gen Next Awards will take place online on August 21 2020 at 10.30am.
The Sunday Times Gen Next survey is considered the leading barometer of what SA’s youth find on-trend and aspirational, and delivers insights that are valued by brand management, advertising and marketing professionals. Sunday Times Gen Next is presented in association with HDI Youth Consultancy/Yellowwood and Shell.