The Echo Boom Statistics

Below is an outline on the characteristics of members of the echo boom, Generation Y, the echo boomers.  Keep in mind that this is a generalization, an observed concept, and not a conclusive description.  Not all echo boomers will identify with this, but it might demonstrate overall trends.

Demographics of Gen Y

• Born from 1977-2001 (estimated)
• Aka. Echo Boomers or Millennials
• Children of Baby Boomers, some children of Gen X
• Oldest holding entry level positions in workforce; youngest in elementary/middle school
• Nearly 80 million in population (larger than the baby boomer population of 72 million)
• Ethnically diverse (34% are Black, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American)
• One in four live in single–parent households
• 75% have working mothers

Consumer Profile

• The next dominant generation of Americans.
• Gen Y population will be 32% of total population.
• Average weekly spending by teenagers = $84 per week ($57 of own; $27 or parents)
• Annually: $25B of own money and influence another $187B in purchases
• 66% have savings accounts; 22% have checking accounts; 18% have their own stocks and bonds
• Dollar savvy with adult buying habits and sophisticated tastes (clothing, dining, recreation)
• Majority grew up in dual income families
• Raised as consumers in a media saturated, brand conscious world
• Fostered a distrustful and cynical view of advertising as a whole
• Marketing is most effective as unvarnished truth, irony and humor.
• Likely to support “cause-related” marketing (83% willing to switch brands for a good cause if price and quality were equal)

Technology

• Get news on the latest and greatest, what’s hot and up-to-the-minute cool from the Internet – their primary media vehicle
• 1/3 of life on the Internet
• The average echo boomer has at least 2 email addresses.
• First generation to grow up with computers in the home.
• Email is preferred form of communication along with text messaging and instant messaging.
• Enjoy tech gadgets (video games, cell phones, mp3 players.

How do Gen Yers think?

• Conceptual Abilities
• Parallel (rather than linear) thinkers
• Higher input/output
• Apt to begin tasks randomly – perhaps in the middle – as opposed to a traditional starting point
• Graphics oriented, see text as supporting visual material
• Thrive on change and variety.
• Demand quick, if not instant, gratification

Sociological

• Upbeat, confident, and assertive with high self esteem
• Optimistic
• Independent and self-reliant: Used to doing it (and many other things) themselves
• Multi-taskers
• Asserting their “intellectual authority” over parents, teachers, employers because they are more techno-savvy and capable of accessing greater breadth of information quickly.
• High value for education
• 90% of HS seniors expect to attend college
• Strive to continue education through life
• Motivated and Goal-Oriented
• Diverse and Tolerant
• Strong dislike for racism in any form, sexism and homophobia
• High in Volunteerism
• Invest in the social and community causes
• What do Gen Yers value most in life? Family, traditional values, country, planet
• Unlike the Baby Boomer generation, Gen Yers value things other than income and status as being primary in life

Work Behaviors

• Desire to work in highly motivated and committed teams
• Need to be challenged – look for opportunities for growth, education, apprenticeship
• Strive to work hard and do well
• Up to 20% of their time is spent alone
• Includers – they make people feel welcome and involved
• Lofty financial goals – remember they are spenders!
• Trained to be “Doers and Achievers”
• Limited Employer loyalty – Jobs for life are replaced with short-term contracts
• May have many different “careers” and diverse education/background
• 1 in 5 will be self employed
• Old age postponed by “senior participation”
• 1 in 5 Gen Y women will choose to remain childless

Marketing Preferences:

Sell a lifestyle based on trust and emotion – not a product.  McD’s now playing Hip Hop music and not talking about their juicy burgers. Why? Selling lifestyle: diversity is key and everyone looks like they are having fun with friends while eating at McDs – it’s about lifestyle.  Those who might not like McDonald’s may not like it because they prefer a different lifestyle – perhaps a healthier lifestyle?

• Brand conscious – seek to figure it out what brand aligns with their preferences, lifestyle, standards
• Prefer directness over subtlety, action over observation, cool
• It’s not about reaching the masses; it’s about building a community.  Gen Y is community based.  Rely on reviews, word of mouth.
• Jones Soda: their website urges fans to send in photos for possible use on their labels. The odds of actually getting selected are low – only 40 are picked each year – but the lure is irresistible because it is interactive. Jones creates an emotional connection. Gen Yers buy Jones Soda not because they are thirsty, but because they want to make a fashion statement…drinking Jones makes you cool!
• Social networking is a tool created by Gen Y to reinforce their communal thinking and a soap box for spreading ideas/preferences through word of mouth.

These statistics in full detail can be found at Who Are the Gen Y Students, a presentation performed by Jessica Morgan at a Student Affairs retreat for California State – Chico.