Generation Y – Meet us anywhere

Millennials are the most analyzed and most marketed to generation to date. Also known as Generation Y, we’re said to be extremely ambitious, tech-savvy, and socially minded and informed. We’ve got big dreams; we’re just waiting on everyone else to see them too.

Why does Gen Y matter?

We’re eight-sixmillion strong, which is 7% larger than the baby boomer-generation. We’re more than the slackers living at home with mom and dad, texting our feelings and refusing to grow up that society portrays. Evidence suggests we’re marching up the career ladder, marrying, starting families, and our social and economic influence is mounting.

If you still don’t think millennials are powerful consumers, riddle me this: our generation has an expected $2.45trillion annual spending power by 2015 and it will rise above that of the baby boomers by 2018. 

We’ll change the bank.

Generation Y is extremely different from their predecessors and the financial world needs to understand their needs. If they want millennials as customers, banks will need to use approaches that are much different than those of the past. As our economy power grows, its members will change how financial transactions are conducted. 

We’re in control.

 

 

Millennials consume brand and product information when they want to. They prefer to discover things using tools they’re comfortable. They would rather find their information on social media, use their smart phone, and read a blog than read a print ad or billboard.

Marketers no longer have control of the message. Control belongs to the consumers who review and share their collective opinions. 

We’re ready, are you?

Our values will shape consumer spending because were different than the rest. We believe in living for the now and often think “spend now, save later.” Many millennials are high earners that choose to spend it on cars, clothes, leisure and entertainment. 

Sixty-three percent of young Americans keep up with brands on social media. We’re already out here (virtually anywhere) so all you have to do is meet us there. 

Other Sources:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scobleizer/2250735263/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/esthervargasc/9657863733/sizes/l/

Codi Mast

Want More Retweets?

The answer?

Are you sure you're ready?

Ok, here it is:

pic.twitter.com.

Tweets using photos uploaded and embedded via pic.twitter.com are 94% more likely to get retweeted! And keep in mind, photos not embedded through Twitter, like shared photos from Instagram or Facebook, are 40% less likely to be clicked!

Photos uploaded through Twitter show up directly in your stream and it only takes 1 click  to view the photo. Instagram or Facebook-shared photos open in a new window, and take longer to load. 

So keep this in mind the next time you send a tweet, and add an image!

Sources: News Archive, Michigan Municipal League, Cindi Matthews

Safety in Paper

Security Paper - Protecting You 

Every document has a security risk but the question is how much? Use this Security Risk Calculator to see what security paper features will help you authenticate and protect your documents.

Security papers are often used for things like:

• High value and business checks
•  Traveler’s checks
• Bonds and stock certificates
• Gift certificates
• Marriage, birth, and death certificates
• Prescription pads
• Motor vehicle titles
• College transcripts

Multiple levels of protection prevent fraud. The first and easiest way to fake a document is to put it in a scanner or copier and press start. But know that scanners and copiers can’t pick up what’s they can’t see. Basic security measures include invisible fluorescent fibers and multiple indicator stains to recognize tampering. These are things that scanner won’t be able to replicate. 

Watermarks are also a common way to make documents harder to replicate. A watermark is a recognizable image in paper that appears as various shades of lightness/darkness when viewed by transmitted light. A good one makes documents nearly impossible to duplicate. These measures are usually used on higher value and higher risk items.

These are just a few of the safety measures that you have the ability to make. We’d rather you be safe than sorry!

Photo Credit to David Goehring and Hay Kranen.