Motorola Survey Reveals Shift in Media Consumption Habits Across Generations

Interesting article ...

The 2009 Media Engagement Barometer commissioned by Motorola's Home & Networks Mobility business (NYSE: MOT) has revealed a shift in consumer influence that hasn't been widely recognized yet: Age no longer dictates a consumer's willingness or ability to use media technology or services. In fact, all generations - Millennials (75 percent), Gen Xers (74 percent) and Boomers (66 percent) - recognize the role entertainment technologies play in helping them keep their lives in order, which helps explain why Millennials (80 percent), Gen Xers (78 percent) and Boomers (78 percent) are equally likely to desire to be constantly connected.

With all generations now immersed in entertainment technologies, we must look beyond age to predict influences.

Connectivity is more of a lifestyle issue. Being accessible at all times is seen as a necessity across generations (Millennials, 79 percent; Gen Xers, 64 percent; Boomers, 65 percent).

There is a two-way dialogue between consumers of all ages as they engage with technology products and share their experiences. The majority of Americans report influencing the decisions of their children (75 percent), friends (74 percent), colleagues (67 percent) and parents (58 percent).

Parents, grandparents and children alike are actively engaged in the tech sphere of influence. Gen X and Boomer parents reveal that they are influencing their children's tech habits (Gen Xers, 87 percent and Boomers, 79 percent) even more than their Gen X (62 percent) and Millennial (76 percent) children influence their habits.


The purpose of the study was to explore how different generations engage through technology products and services with family, friends and colleagues. Interviewers questioned a survey sample of 1,000 Americans ranging from 16-64 years old. However, as technological innovations continue to progress, people's lives can no longer be so easily segmented. Millennials, Gen Xers and Baby Boomers come together through technology, forming bonds based on usage habits rather than age group.

"Service providers and technology companies are starting to deliver video, communications and information services more aggressively across multiple devices. However, if the key to success for these new services is consumer acceptance, adoption and loyalty, then it's critical we understand

The consumer influence model has obviously shifted:
Connectivity Is a Necessity
Demand for Content Anytime, Anywhere
Universal Need for Customization
Sphere of Influence -Parents are influencing kids!

full article

Library Marketing Success Story

Kris Neiman, Head of Administrative Services, at Kenosha Public Library shared news about a teen program that was very successful. I liked it because it was very simple and the results were phenomenal. They invited teens to submit their photos to a gmail account (since the size capacity is greater and didn't overload their server) then had people vote on Facebook by using the "like" feature. 

How easy can it be?

Thirty five teens submitted pictures but the real success was the increase of Facebook fans from 86 to to 400 in TWO weeks. They are going to follow up with an adult contest in the Spring.

As our customers' communication channels evolve it is important for libraries to keep up and FB Pages is an excellent communication tool. Way back when, FB had introduced their "Causes" pages but they really didn't work for a multitude of reason. FB Pages is the new generation. When people agree to be your fan, it gives you access to communicate news about your library directly to their news feeds in real time. Not only can you post updates, you can invites fans to your events, encourage them to interact with you and have fun with polls and other apps. It's free, popular and effective. In the PR world, we call that a no brainer :-) . 

Below is a list of strategies FB suggested to attract fans. Read the entire,10 Facebook Page Strategies Every Brand Should Know.

1. Develop Custom Tabs for Custom Ads
2. Don’t Let New Users Land on the Wall
3. Create a Unique Page Image
4. Integrate Applications To Increase Engagement
5. Join the Conversation, It’s Not Optional Anymore
6. Publish Interesting and Relevant Content
7. Repost Comments By Other Users
8. Update Regularly
9. Post and Tag Users in Photos and Videos
10. Leverage the Power of Facebook Event

Heading out to Illinois

I'm heading out to Illinois next week for a talk on mobile marketing. Sarah Long interviewed me for her Podcast, Longshots. Here's the write up and a link to the interview. Can't wait to meet everyone! It's my first trip to Chicago and I'm looking for a good blues club and pizza place. Suggestions?

"Sarah talks with Nancy Dowd, director of marketing and public relations for the New Jersey State Library. Nancy shares the status of their exciting, low cost mobile marketing project, which is showing great success with typically tough to reach target audiences. They also discuss Nancy's dual blogs and the impetus behind her new book, Bite-Sized Marketing: Realistic Solutions for the Overworked Librarian."

Handy Promo Tool: Coffe-Cup Sleeves

I just spotted this on the LJ Insider Blog, written by Norman Oder:

November 23, 2009: The Maine Library Association (MLA) came up with a nifty new way to promote libraries and the organization itself: coffee/hot drink sleeves with literary quotes (authors include Mark Twain, Benjamin Franklin, and George Eliot), the MLA's new logo, and the MLA URL.

"The project started with a new logo and is part of a way to promote a new web site that is currently being created," explained MLA president Sonja Plummer-Morgan. "Offering coffee sleeves to the business community gives us an opportunity to reach their customers, but also to open dialog about the value of economic and community development and the role that libraries play."

I like it! What a simple idea that reaches a wide audience.