Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Gen Y and The Culture of Cool: Marketing Tips for 2012 (Part One)

Have you started thinking about 2012 yet?  I have.  First of all, who is the GOP going to nominate?  I hope none of these people.  Second of all, do you think the GOP learned anything in 2008? Like, how it's a huge mistake to ignore Gen Y. In an effort to level the playing field I have decided to provide what I think are some key insights into the minds of my generation.  Unfortunately for Republicans, the RNC will most likely never come across this post.  

Tip Number One:  We Take Music Appreciation to Extremes

Listen up Republicans, because apparently you didn't get the memo in 2008. The soundtrack to your political campaign is crucial.  Surprisingly, you can get by with putting out stale material if you throw together some charming, heart-felt tunes.  Don't think so? See the movie Garden State, a Gen Y favorite.  

During 2008, Obama wisely capitalized on a poignant soundtrack.  The song he utilized during his two acceptance speeches (at the DNC, and on election night) couldn't have been more perfect.  First, the song is by a band with a massive following. Second, said band is perceived to be socially conscious without being divisive. Three, the song itself is vague yet uplifting.  Check out Obama poetically gliding across stage while his supporters instantly recognize his supreme taste in music, breathe a sigh of relief, and convince themselves that this is indeed a magical moment.  

We are the generation that produced Napster and subsequently became addicted to devices such as Pandora, iLikeLaLa, and iTunes.  We follow music blogs, attend overpriced festivals, and invent sub-genres every other day.  We take music waaay too seriously.  You need to understand this Republicans.  Because in 2008, clearly, you did not.    

Oh and review your song choices carefully.  You don't want another Springsteen debacle










2 comments:

  1. Maybe the RNC (yes, all of them, why the hell not?) should think about going to jail for a few days and rehab for a few more, from what I understand Gen Y really values that. Or maybe they should nominate Wyclef?

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  2. If only Wyclef had not been born in Haiti! Whilst on his Wikipedia page (verifying that) I ran across the following comment from Win Butler of Arcade Fire concerning Wyclef's announcement that he was considering running for President of Haiti:

    Besides opposition from Sean Penn in regards to Jean's Haitian presidential plans, Arcade Fire's Win Butler stated in a radio interview:
    "Technically, [Wyclef Jean] shouldn't be eligible because he hasn't been a resident of Haiti. And I think him not speaking French and not being fluent in Creole would be a really major issue in trying to run a really complex government, like the government in Haiti. It would kind of be like Arnold Schwarzenegger only speaking Austrian and being elected president of the United States after New York City and L.A. had burned to the ground... I think he is a great musician and he really passionately cares about Haiti. I really hope he throws his support behind someone who is really competent and really eligible."

    Harsh Win. Harsh. I mean just because you have zero political experience, don't reside in the country, or speak the language doesn't mean you're not qualified.

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