My Warm Milk and Nap

My thanks to the staff of Axcess News for this inspiring piece about Baby Boomers:

Baby boomers are a generation like no other. Socially conscious, revolutionary and taboo-shattering, these Americans continue to challenge the status quo, even as the first wave enters their "golden years." The Boomer legacy will leave behind a distinct set of values, but most notably inspiring, inviting, informing and spirited lives. For them and generations to follow, a new life begins at 50. Boomers are showing America how to live without restraints, armed with the confidence to look into the future and to continue building fulfilling lives.

NBC4.com (District of Columbia) has a revealing piece about what Baby Boomers plan on doing with the rest of their lives:

"Our studies show that one in four boomers indicated that they want to do something completely different," she (Emily Allen, AARP) said. "We're certainly seeing trends, particularly as we begin to look at different industries. We are seeing people are taking a look at kind of nontraditional industries, such as the transportation industry, changing from the corporate world in to a nonprofit world, going from corporate world in to education."

Another survey reveals Baby Boomers are planning to live, not retire:

"Money is not the sole motivating factor behind Baby Boomers working into retirement. They instead see work as a way to stay challenged and mentally active and sustain a link to the community they have been a part of for most of their lives…"

Leading the way are Boomer women - this according to recent research by AARP:

Many of those interviewed for this study say growing older is not only better than expected, but can be a positive time of life with new rewards. They report being happier now, experiencing freedom to be themselves, pursue dreams and do things they have always wanted to do.

As far as doing fun things, here are a couple of Baby Boomers having blasts with their podcasts:

Geezer Radio is a one-hour weekly show featuring news, banter, interviews, and bits with a humorous bite.

I'm getting tired just reading about all this stuff. So media and advertisers, please go away. Don't bother me. Time for my warm milk and nap.

The 2006 Boomer Venture Summit

On June 20th, Mary Furlong and The Leavey School of Business will be presenting The 2006 Silicon Valley Boomer Venture Summit:

We invite you to join us for an exciting one-day program consisting of leaders across a wide range of industries. They all have one thing in common – they invest in or serve the 40+ boomer consumer.

And they're not kidding. This from U.S. News and World Report:

In addition, a CGC analysis of government data shows that those 55 to 64 and older represent one of the fastest-growing groups of self-employed workers. Some 1.8 million American workers ages 55 to 64 are self-employed outside of agriculture, up 29 percent from 2000, according to the Labor Department. The number of do-it-yourselfers 65 and older has grown 18 percent to 756,000. And boomers 45 to 54 years old make up more than a quarter of the nation's 9.6 million self-employed. Overall, boomers and older entrepreneurs now account for 54 percent of self-employed workers, up from 48.5 percent in 2000.

There are always bolts of adrenaline bouncing off the walls at these gatherings (I was there in 2004). That's because of the rousing give and take between the venture capitalists and entrepreneurs roaming around—along with the excitement of The $10,000 Boomer Business Plan Competition.

If I were a cheesy copywriter I'd say this: The $10,000 Boomer Business Plan Competition is the Survivor of business plan competitions! Instead, I'll just say this: The $10,000 Boomer Business Plan Competition the American Idol of Business Plan Competitions!

Here's the press release. Mary told me that the event is close to a sellout—so if you want to go, hurry up and register.

Boomer Project's New Rules Conference

The Boomer Project is putting together the "New Rules" conference in Atlanta next month (June 23, 2006).

Their very smart move: Along with marketing, advertising, and demographic folk, two people in the media are presenting - Marc Middleton of Growing Bolder and Nancy Fernandez Mills of Boomers! TV.

These two pioneers developing new content for Boomers share their trials and tribulations on attracting advertisers and sponsors. Plus, they'll tell us their secrets on creating "sticky" content to appeal to Boomers today.

It's not just about marketing and advertising anymore. The Boomer Project knows this, I've been saying it for years, so has media expert Jon Currie, aging guru Ken Dychtwald, and others.

Active Lives Defy Aging

Got an email last week from Bill Glauber of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

"... A Marquette University professor mentioned your book with its intriguing title. I'm working on a piece (about) Baby Boomers feeling young…"

Bill and I chatted for thirty minutes or so. And he talked to a bunch of others — all with insightful comments:

Active Lives Defy Aging
Generation redefines society's expectations for growing older

Thanks to Professor Jean M. Grow for the referral.

NAHB Building for Boomers 50+ Housing Symposium

I'm back from Phoenix after speaking at the NAHB 50+ Housing Symposium.

During my two days there I met and chatted with about fifty people, including Janis Ehlers of The Ehlers Group, Tracy Lux of Trace Marketing (we're talking the dueling Queens of the 50+ Housing Market), and Steve Wattenbarger and Ross Jones of Wattenbarger Architects PLLC (no cookie-cutter blueprints in their booth).

My good friend and partner John Migliaccio opened up the session with a rousing, fact-filled, very funny presentation. When it was my turn, I felt like a folk singer following The Who.

And I was sick as a dog. Had been for four or five days. Mentioning this to the attendees garnered some sympathy. And I had the luxury of being able to suck on a lollipop the whole time to keep my throat lubricated - a great prop.

Although I was wobbly, it went very well. Certainly much better than I thought it would. We were running late, and over half the people stayed an extra fifteen minutes (cutting into their hors d'oeuvre and drink time) to hear my complete presentation.

About a dozen people collared me afterwards and were very gracious with their comments. Some had read my book. I especially liked hearing that my frenetic, ten-minute 'history of advertising' section had an impact. I like doing it, and think it's important.

One of the joys of being in advertising is that you get to immerse yourself in products, services, and other industries. Speaking at these non-marketing specific conventions, symposiums, and conferences is always worthwhile because I end up learning more than everybody else.