Green Boomers Redux

A few posts ago:

GrandBoomers in Toyland
A few of these Green toy companies might get the smarts – and market their products directly to Baby Boomer grandparents.

Or will they get the smarts?

Now take a look at a piece highlighting Green-leaning generational trends:

We Are All Green Consumers
Jacquelyn A. Ottman
Today, the National Marketing Institute says that 83% of consumers representing four generations — Baby Boomers, Millennials, Gen Ys and Gen Zs – are some shade of green …

Now the heads of millions of U.S. households, the Baby Boomers have been influencing society since the 1960s when they planted the seeds of the modern day green movement when as idealistic youths, gathered to celebrate the first Earth Day, in 1970, followed by the first Solar Day in 1971. Their peaceful demonstrations of concern gave rise to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the founding of the US Environmental Protection Agency in 1970, the Clean Air and the Clean Water Acts that same year, and the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

It really won’t be too big a job convincing most Baby Boomers to think green – or at the very least consider green/greener products. And I’ll admit that my cupboard isn’t as green as it might be. 

We need to nudge, and be nudged.

Ageism Across The Pond

Ageism isn’t like tobacco – homegrown only in The Colonies:

BBC Miriam O'Reilly Scandal Sparks Debate On Ageism In TV
One colleague offered her hair dye. Another told her "it's time for botox." A third said her wrinkles could be a problem in this new era of high-definition TV.

Veteran TV presenter Miriam O'Reilly was eventually taken off air, and she decided to fight back…

Might be time for a Revolution. 

Glad they didn’t have HDTV back in the late 18th Century.  Ben F. wouldn’t have been allowed anywhere near a video lens.  And General George in Hi Def?  His handlers would’ve made sure he never smiled.

Abigail Adams? They’d hide her in a closet.

Aging Means Business E-Newsletter

It is an honor to be featured in The Gerontological Society of America’s Aging Means Business E-Newsletter:

Aging Means Business E-Newsletter
Volume 1, Number 2, Winter 2011
This quarterly e-newsletter explores the intersection of business and aging. Installments highlight articles and reports that address the enormous potential for businesses to target seniors as both consumers and producers, spotlight select industries, and identify effective strategies for marketing to an older consumer.

The goal of this email publication is to reach teachers, students, researchers, and business professionals interested in understanding, attracting, and capitalizing on a growing senior market.

What it says:

III. Marketing to Mid-Life and Older Adults:
2010 Review: National & International Marketing/
Advertising to Baby Boomers:
This online PowerPoint presentation by Chuck Nyren provides a 30-minute overview of marketing/advertising efforts to Baby Boomers in 2010. It includes commercials from countries around the world, and offers links to additional resources.

Also featured is Dick Stroud’s Connecting With Older Consumers.  I pointed readers to it a few weeks ago.

List of E-Newsletters from The GSA.

Green GrandBoomers in Toyland

A few months ago I blogged a MetLife Study:

New Report From MetLife Mature Market Institute
… It is estimated that at least two-thirds of Early Boomers are grandparents and a rising number are responsible for their grandchildren…

… This weekend while at Costco, I caught a grandmother (she shall remain anonymous) sending pictures of dresses to her granddaughter so the child could pick the one she wanted.  Instant virtual shopping... 

Grandparents spend an average of $500 a year on each grandchild, collectively $30 billion per year, according to an AARP study…

The other day I read this:

Germany sells vision for 'green toys' to world
By MELISSA EDDY
The Associated Press
"I think that the success of our company, shows that there is clearly a wide segment of the population that will pay a little more for environmentally friendly toys," said von Goeben, whose toys cost roughly a third more than comparable playthings made from conventional materials.

But …

Wild Toys, makers of animal figures and exploration sets, said their experience had shown otherwise … "We are still in that phase on toys that consumers say, 'Yes, we want to be green, but no, we don't want to pay for it."

A few of these Green toy companies might get the smarts – and market their products directly to Baby Boomer grandparents. 

Or will they get the smarts?

Super Bowl Ads 2011

No, I won’t be boring everybody with another play-by-play.  Just a few thoughts and reactions.

Sure, the Passat spot was a good one. Everybody’s hyping social media because the spot has gone viral – but why did it?

Not much targeting of Baby Boomers.  Of course, old folks won in the obligatory Butt of Jokes category.  There were a few others with the same tired theme. I’ll spare you.

The Snickers ad was an embarrassment. Tim Hutton starred in the worst spot. 

I howled once in four hours.  Actually about five times, through the whole spot.  The best part was that you’d have to be over fifty to get it:

House Promo Fox

For those not Chronologically Gifted: 

Super Bowl Ad 1979