Marketing to kids, tweens & teens

SUMMARY: Giving consumers more control over the merchandise offers they get has been an effective marketing tactic for a few years now.

Still, our ears perked up when we saw the results from a teen eretailer who allows their finicky users to receive emails about only the brands they selected -- email-generated revenue jumped 318%. Plus, how they target non-responders four months later. read the complete case study

SUMMARY: The buying power of the tween market is estimated at more than $260 billion. If your company wants to reach preadolescents, our latest Special Report is for you.

We interviewed successful tween marketers to compile key information, strategies and dos and don’ts. Includes what tactics are effective to reach this demographic, what the top tween websites are and how to stay out of trouble with COPPA. read the complete article

SUMMARY: "Over 3 in 5 Tweens agree that toys are necessary to have fun (62%)." "For Tween girls it is important that toys are fun (88%), easy to use (78%), and makes them use their imagination (69%)." "For Tween boys it is extremely/very important that toys are fun (93%), makes them use their imagination (66%), and are challenging (61%)." view the complete research record

SUMMARY: More than 600 marketers from 19 countries are in New York today and tomorrow dissecting the hottest fad around: virtual worlds.

Why are the likes of IBM, Toyota, Dell, Coldwell Banker, Starwood Hotels and MTV Networks diving headfirst into this new channel? Are there enough users to merit the attention it’s getting? Do consumers mind seeing marketing messages?

We got the low-down from two experts and a pair of virtual-world marketers for the most up-to-date analysis of where the medium is and where it’s headed. Plus, results from a recent campaign and a handful of useful links. read the complete article

By Publisher Anne Holland

I'm emailing this Blog into our production department (who thankfully are located in Arkansas so they are at work today). Our main offices in Warren RI are closed, as are most businesses here, for the snow emergency per order of the Governor.

I've spent the past few days holed up in the storm at my fiance's house together with his 17- and 20-year-old. And, boy, have I learned a lot about the future... read the complete blog post