Youth

Implications - The adoption of health-focused designs and programs in daycare facilities is on the rise, with specialized areas and nutritional items that adapt to the health preferences that some parents like to ensure their children are aligned with. The rise of such spaces comes in reaction to global childhood obesity rates, which fluctuate from country to country but remain on a generally upward trajectory.

Homework Question - Consider a local, national, or global issue that your brand holds strong beliefs in, and would like to resolve. How would your brand go about aligning itself with that cause? [More]

Implications - Finding common ground as squeeze generations, some members of Gen Z and Gen X have a tendency to form stronger, friend-like bonds in their parent-child relationships. This special connection has caught the attention of a select group of brands that are now leveraging this to offer co-play experiences that even further solidify this bond. By facilitating connections in this way, brands are able to develop and strengthen brand loyalty for parents and children alike.

Homework Question - Is there a way for your product or service to better facilitate personal connection in the lives of your consumers? [More]

Implications - With interactive products and services related to play or STEM-learning for kids saturating the market, smaller brands are introducing a relatively overlooked art among children – cooking. The empowerment of "kid chefs" through various tools, subscriptions and services allows for the existence of both independent learning and interpersonal bonding within families – based in the preferences of Millennial parents prioritizing individual growth in their children.

Homework Question - Conceptualize a product or service that teaches both interpersonal and independent skills. [More]

Implications - Brands begin creating cosmetic-like toiletry products for children in the hopes of generating a loyal following from young consumers. Typically adult-oriented products like perfumes are being redesigned for younger demographics, as a way for children to get a head-start on their personal brand and experiment with their personal preferences. Brands that begin to target young consumers first, are likely to remain in the consumers’ mind and therefore more likely to holster a loyal audience.

Homework Question - How is your brand pre-planning for the future generation of consumers? [More]

Implications - For companies trying to lure and retain Millennial employees, student loan repayment benefits are topical efforts that have the opportunity to encourage loyalty. This creative benefit strategy challenges the workplace stereotype that Millennials are less concerned with money and are more enticed by lifestyle-based perks. As the high cost of replacing fickle Millennial workers remains a consideration for employers and the average repayment balance for graduates continues to rise, efforts like this serve as an effective retention strategy by aligning the values of the employer and employee.

Homework Question - How could your brand establish more effective retention strategies for its Millennial employees? [More]

Implications - Whether in the form of pre-made snacks or supplement powders, protein-powered products that ensure children consume an adequate amount of energy-boosting food and drink are winning over wellness-driven parents. This progression highlights the relationship between adult and children's wellness fads, as well as the interest in child-safe healthcare products that satisfy the same expectations as products championed for their adult parents.

Homework Question - What new health ideas can you refocus in order to appeal to wellness-driven parents? [More]

Implications - Offering more than a game or activity, modern toys are doubling as unique accessories for increased functionality. From stuffed animals that transform into clothing accessories to toys that you can wear around your wrist, these examples not only speak to the need for more practical sources of play, but also to how brands are seeking to become much more ingrained in the lifestyle and routine of their consumers.

Homework Question - What unexpected features can you add to your products or services to surprise and delight your consumer? [More]

Implications - Brands are offering business models that aim to empower children, getting them involved in everything from travel planning to digital money tracking. This shift comes as Millennial parents increasingly consider independence and skill-building to be invaluable when raising their children.

Homework Question - How can your brand add value in the form of empowerment and skill-building for its targeted demographics, whether those are children or adults? [More]

Implications - Educational programs for children are now being offered in virtual formats that offer a more entertaining learning experience. This shift comes as traditional passive learning techniques are slowly phased out, to be replaced by more engaging and interactive methods. Immersive education in this form offers a diversity and flexibility for parents and children alike, as it sidesteps the physical and mental limitations of the classroom.

Homework Question - How can your brand form a product/service that overcomes consumers' limitations? [More]

Implications - In light of the movement towards healthy choices for kids, the obverse side of that development has been hyper-decadent treats. Fusing classic candy and dessert favorites with already decadent beverages like soda and milkshakes, brands offer up sweet drinks as a reward for otherwise healthy eating. Recognizing and appealing to an acceptable degree of indulgence opens up avenues for guilt-free consumption in an industry dominated by health-conscious marketing tropes.

Homework Question - How could your brand play to consumers' vices or sense of indulgence? [More]