Week 8 EOC: Creative Content - LOGO-SLOGAN- RADIO COMMERCIAL

 

Every Man's Vodka because with Every Man, You Can

Week 10 EOC: What are the benefits vs the features?

The benefits of Every Man’s Vodka are simple to see. With Every Man’s you can get the power of a liquor without looking like you are drinking a girly drink. Every Man’s Vodka will give you the look of being with your buddies have a beer but with the extra punch of our vodka. You can have your beer and drink it too.

“A product can be offered with varying features. A stripped-down model, one without any extras, is the starting point. The company can create higher-level models by adding more features. Features are a competitive tool for differentiating the company’s product from competitors’ products. Being the first producer to introduce a valued new feature is one of the most effective ways to compete.” (Kotler)

The feature of having a drink that can look and taste like a beer but give you a longer, stronger feeling is something that is invaluable with Every Man’s. Every Man’s Vodka offers the game in your hand. We are bottling an experience and we want every man to feel like he is sitting on the sidelines with his favorite team throwing back a couple.

Kotler, Gary Armstrong and Philip. Marketing: An Introduction for Education Management Corporation. 10. VitalSource Bookshelf. Pearson Learning Solutions, , Wednesday, December 07, 2011.

Week 9 EOC: Three Great Mission Statements

“Some companies—such as Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, Timberland, and others—are practicing “caring capitalism,” setting themselves apart by being civic-minded and responsible. They are building social responsibility and action into their company value and mission statements. For example, when it comes to environmental responsibility, outdoor gear marketer Patagonia is “committed to the core.” “Those of us who work here share a strong commitment to protecting undomesticated lands and waters,” says the company’s Web site. “We believe in using business to inspire solutions to the environmental crisis.” Patagonia backs these words with actions. Each year it pledges at least 1 percent of its sales or 10 percent of its profits, whichever is greater, to the protection of the natural environment.” (Armstrong and Kotler 29) The following three mission statements that I found from my classmates all exemplify the words from the text. I think that they are practicing “caring capitalism” and being civic-minded and responsible.
Pink Audio has an interesting vodka. Her mission statement is direct and to the point leaving little to the imagination. “Sportivo Vodka is a spunky, imaginative company whose aim is to offer quality flavors for our vodka at moderate prices. With our process of infusing flavors and adding natural ingredients we have created an amazing product. We view ourselves an innovative company with creative ideals we cater to our customers especially the serious sports fan. We aim to become a regionally recognized brand name, capitalizing on the sustained interest in the sports community. Our goal is moderate growth, annual profitability and maintaining a quality experience with our sports fans and vodka drinkers.”
 Beau’s Blog is offering an experience for the college aged crowd: “I want Fizz Vodka's mission statement to reveal to the consumer that anyone can enjoy our vodka. It is a low cost one of a kind alcoholic experience made for any occasion. I anticipate that because this is a low cost american vodka with a twist, that it will appeal more to a younger crowd. So although Fizz Vodka is marketed to everyone, the college age range will most likely be our main demographic. In the case of Fizz Vodka I would lean more toward a broad mission statement that would not single out any potential buyers. As stated earlier our demographic would most likely be a younger college party crowd, but because of that younger appeal, we would also be able to sell to older middle aged people who want the same experience as college aged people.”
ENB Studios is giving you a lifelong friend with their vodka. “Mi Carino Vodka or “My Darling Vodka”, strives to give its customers an experience that will help them enjoy the little things in life that are otherwise forgotten in midst of hard times. Remember no matter what life throws at you, Mi Carino will always be there for you.”
Armstrong, Gary, and Philip Kotler. Marketing: An Introduction. 10. Prentice Hall Publishing, 2011. Print.

Week 9 BOC: Cyber Monday

 

There are few things that I would like to buy for myself to expand my audio tools. When I was searching for deals this past weekend, I found one that I would enjoy having very much: Numark MIXTRACK PRO DJ Software Controller with Audio I/O was on sale for $249.99 marked down from $349.00. I have some turntables but nothing this extravagant or professional. I prefer to scratch old school style with actual vinyl but these tables allow you to scratch directly into ProTools. You can become your favorite DJ just by purchasing this system and attaching it to your computer. It is amazing how much technology has advanced and how far we have come that now a 5 year old can become a DJ on Oprah. This system is inexpensive and is definitely worth the lowered price. You can practice and not worry about ruining actual vinyl records. This piece of equipment can help launch a worthy career. Guitar Center is some place you can pick it up or have it delivered and offers a great experience.

Implementation Evaluation Control

“For effective implementation and control, the marketing plan should define how progress toward objectives will be measured. Managers typically use budgets, schedules, and performance standards for monitoring and evaluating results. With budgets, they can compare planned expenditures with actual expenditures for a given week, month, or other period. Schedules allow management to see when tasks were supposed to be completed—and when they were actually completed. Performance standards track the outcomes of marketing programs to see whether the company is moving toward its objectives. Some examples of performance standards are: market share, sales volume, product profitability, and customer satisfaction.” (Kotler, MP2)

As a company, we want to make sure that we have some effective controls in place so that we have the best product around. Every Man’s Vodka wants to be known as the drink to reach for to have a great time. We want to make sure that we are showing the sports enthusiast that this is the drink to have in your hand to enjoy every game with your friends. If we can implement our plan with starting with the college age on spring break, I think that our vodka can go very far. We can have Every Man drinking and enjoying a new product that will enhance their experiences.

Kotler, Gary Armstrong and Philip. Marketing: An Introduction for Education Management Corporation. 10. VitalSource Bookshelf. Pearson Learning Solutions, , Wednesday, December 14, 2011.

Price

“Competition-based pricing involves setting prices based on competitors’ strategies, costs, prices, and market offerings. Consumers will base their judgments of a product’s value on the prices that competitors charge for similar products. In assessing competitors’ pricing strategies, the company should ask several questions. First, how does the company’s market offering compare with competitors’ offerings in terms of customer value? If consumers perceive that the company’s product or service provides greater value, the company can charge a higher price. If consumers perceive less value relative to competing products, the company must either charge a lower price or change customer perceptions to justify a higher price.” (Kotler, 280)
We plan to price our product competitively with beer. We are looking to service the same market so we would like to undercut whenever possible. We have priced ourselves so it will not be an inconvenience for our Every Man to buy an Every Man’s Vodka instead of buying their typical light beer. If we can make it a product that will be priced at a point that everyone will not be choosing based on price but choosing based on want. We want our product to be something that Every Man will be proud to have in their hand and that they will order over the light beer.

Kotler, Gary Armstrong and Philip. Marketing: An Introduction for Education Management Corporation. 10. VitalSource Bookshelf. Pearson Learning Solutions, , Tuesday, December 13, 2011.

Distribution

“Three strategies are available: intensive distribution, exclusive distribution, and selective distribution. Producers of convenience products and common raw materials typically seek intensive distribution—a strategy in which they stock their products in as many outlets as possible. These products must be available where and when consumers want them.” (Kotler, 323)

With distribution, we can choose how we would like to distribute. We have decided that we want to do a selective distribution that will evolve to an exclusive distribution and then go on to an intensive distribution. With us choosing to go after the young, male college student on spring break, we have made a very selective choice. We understand that we need to make the product available but we want to do a very soft but saturated opening of our product. Our thought is that when these customers get a taste of Every Man’s while on spring break that they will come back to their college talking about this fabulous amazing drink and at that point we can do an exclusive distribution to areas around colleges following this up with an intensive distribution that will go nationwide.

“To some managers, marketing logistics means only trucks and warehouses. But modern logistics is much more than this. Marketing logistics—also called physical logistics—involves planning, implementing, and controlling the physical flow of goods, services, and related information from points of origin to points of consumption to meet customer requirements at a profit. In short, it involves getting the right product to the right customer in the right place at the right time.” (Kotler, 328)

Kotler, Gary Armstrong and Philip. Marketing: An Introduction for Education Management Corporation. 10. VitalSource Bookshelf. Pearson Learning Solutions, , Tuesday, December 13, 2011.

Promotion

“Marketers must decide how to promote and distribute the promotion program itself. A $2-off coupon could be given out in a package, at the store, via the Internet, or in an advertisement. Each distribution method involves a different level of reach and cost. Increasingly, marketers are blending several media into a total campaign concept. The length of the promotion is also important. If the sales promotion period is too short, many prospects (who may not be buying during that time) will miss it. If the promotion runs too long, the deal will lose some of its “act now” force.” (Kotler, 437)

The effective promotion of a product is very important. We have decided to use all methods available. We can place banners and placards at all local bars and pubs. We will send out mailers to all registered college students and will also email anyone who signs up for a spring break package. We can offer a buy one get one coupon for the first time user and also offer a 6 pack for a cheaper price. We will run our promotion for 3 weeks during the spring break time.

“Evaluation is also very important. Many companies fail to evaluate their sales promotion programs, and others evaluate them only superficially. Yet marketers should work to measure the returns on their sales promotion investments, just as they should seek to assess the returns on other marketing activities. The most common evaluation method is to compare sales before, during, and after a promotion. Marketers should ask: Did the promotion attract new customers or more purchasing from current customers? Can we hold onto these new customers and purchases? Will the long-run customer relationship and sales gains from the promotion justify its costs?” (Kotler, 437)
If we find that this type of promotion is not working then we will move on to the local bar promotion and focus on liquor stores, supermarkets, and the local eateries we are trying to get into. We want to have our product to be synonymous with having a great time with the guys. We want our product to be chosen over the competition and thus we will market right along side them. We will be the Every Man’s drink of choice. We will have our vodka in every man’s hand and have them enjoying it along with the Sunday night and Monday games.
“Clearly, sales promotion plays an important role in the total promotion mix. To use it well, the marketer must define the sales promotion objectives, select the best tools, design the sales promotion program, implement the program, and evaluate the results. Moreover, sales promotion must be coordinated carefully with other promotion mix elements within the overall integrated marketing communications program.” (Kotler, 437)

Kotler, Gary Armstrong and Philip. Marketing: An Introduction for Education Management Corporation. 10. VitalSource Bookshelf. Pearson Learning Solutions, , Tuesday, December 13, 2011.

Product

“Once management has decided on its product concept and marketing strategy, it can evaluate the business attractiveness of the proposal. Business analysis involves a review of the sales, costs, and profit projections for a new product to find out whether they satisfy the company’s objectives. If they do, the product can move to the product development stage. To estimate sales, the company might look at the sales history of similar products and conduct market surveys. It can then estimate minimum and maximum sales to assess the range of risk. After preparing the sales forecast, management can estimate the expected costs and profits for the product, including marketing, R&D, operations, accounting, and finance costs. The company then uses the sales and costs figures to analyze the new product’s financial attractiveness.” (Kotler, 251)

To develop a product means that you can find something that will be profitable for the company and will have a lasting effect on the market. We have developed vodka that will take the market over. It will revolutionize the way men drink, not only at the bar but also at the bar with their buddies. The estimated sales have been taken into account and we think that the financial attractiveness and appeal is there. Our product will be something that is lasting and something that men will be ordering for years to come. This is the solution to the man’s hard drink, without having to order a stiff one on the rocks. We want something that is not looking fruity while you are out with the guys but will give you the alcohol you want without having to settle for another light beer. Enjoy your game, buddies, and your alcohol without having to be a sissy drinker.

Kotler, Gary Armstrong and Philip. Marketing: An Introduction for Education Management Corporation. 10. VitalSource Bookshelf. Pearson Learning Solutions, , Tuesday, December 13, 2011.

Target Market Strategy

With the way today’s liquor market is, Every Man’s Vodka is going to try a very different strategy to appealing to the general market. We want to first appeal to the early drinker: the 21-year-old college guy that is down in Mexico for spring break. We have decided as a company to have our debut to be on the cruises or down at the bar that these 21-year-old’s are at. If we can make a hit with them, then they can move it bring it into the bar scene and have it make a huge hit.

“Companies need to consider many factors when choosing a market-targeting strategy. Which strategy is best depends on company resources. When the firm’s resources are limited, concentrated marketing makes the most sense. The best strategy also depends on the degree of product variability. Undifferentiated marketing is more suited for uniform products such as grapefruit or steel. Products that can vary in design, such as cameras and cars, are more suited to differentiation or concentration. The product’s life-cycle stage also must be considered. When a firm introduces a new product, it may be practical to launch only one version, and undifferentiated marketing or concentrated marketing may make the most sense. In the mature stage of the product life cycle, however, differentiated marketing often makes more sense.” (Kotler, 192)

We have not limited our market to only these guys but we would like it to become a hit with them first. If we can influence the beginning drinkers then they can pass it along with word of mouth. We want to focus on getting the word out about Every Man’s Vodka and making a splash in the market. We plan to evolve along with our product by having Ever Man’s become available every place you would find a beer.

“Companies often find it easier to come up with a good positioning strategy than to implement it. Establishing a position or changing one usually takes a long time. In contrast, positions that have taken years to build can quickly be lost. Once a company has built the desired position, it must take care to maintain the position through consistent performance and communication. It must closely monitor and adapt the position over time to match changes in consumer needs and competitors’ strategies. However, the company should avoid abrupt changes that might confuse consumers. Instead, a product’s position should evolve gradually as it adapts to the ever-changing marketing environment.” (Kotler, 203)

We will be prepared to modify the needs of our marketing to follow what the wants and needs of the consumer is. With a product like Every Man’s Vodka, we are fully prepared to make this the new beer for the whole world. If we can start our marketing in the college scene and have it spread to the sport and bar scene we will be just fine.

Kotler, Gary Armstrong and Philip. Marketing: An Introduction for Education Management Corporation. 10. VitalSource Bookshelf. Pearson Learning Solutions, Tuesday, December 13, 2011.

Situation or SWOT Analysis

Managing the marketing function begins with a complete analysis of the company’s situation. The marketer should conduct a SWOT analysis, by which it evaluates the company’s overall strengths (S), weaknesses (W), opportunities (O), and threats (T). Strengths include internal capabilities, resources, positive situational factors that may help the company to serve its customers and achieve its objectives. Weaknesses include internal limitations and negative situational factors that may interfere with the company’s performance. Opportunities are favorable factors or trends in the external environment that the company may be able to exploit to its advantage. And threats are unfavorable external factors or trends that may present challenges to performance. (Armstrong and Kotler 55) (S) As a company, Every Man’s has the resources to provide each team member and every customer with an individual experience. We have the Every Man working for us, drawing directly from the community to make our product. We provide jobs for those around us and offer a fun working environment that can be profitable for both the company and the team member. (W) Our weaknesses are few but are definitely something we consider daily. With our shipping in of water from the Rockies, we rely on the ability to obtain the water at a market low so that our cost is not driven up. Our distillation and infusion processes have been perfected but can also be something of concern. Our goal is to make sure that every bottle of Every Man’s is the same: the taste never waivers therefore allowing the same experience with every bottle. (O) Our peak season is during football. We will make our opportunities by being available in every bar and every stadium. We want to compete directly with the beers that are out there. I think if we were to be introduced during the football season, we would find ourselves with a loyal customer and friend. (T) The only threat we can see is that men are very loyal to their beer brands. We will have to offer a different experience with the same excitement. You can sip an Every Man’s and have the same experience as you would with 4 beers. Would you rather enjoy your game and remember it or throw them back and forget who made that winning touchdown?

Armstrong, Gary, and Philip Kotler. Marketing: An Introduction. 10. Prentice Hall Publishing, 2011. Print.

Objectives

We here at Every Man’s Vodka are looking to be in every man’s hand. We want the first drink that a man reaches for to be our beer flavored vodka. (Kotler, 389) “The most logical budget-setting method is the objective-and-task-method whereby the company sets its promotion budget based on what it wants to accomplish with promotion. This budgeting method entails (1) defining specific promotion objectives, (2) determining the tasks needed to achieve these objectives, and (3) estimating the costs of performing these tasks. The sum of these costs is the proposed promotion budget.” Kotler, Gary Armstrong and Philip. Marketing: An Introduction for Education Management Corporation. 10. VitalSource Bookshelf. Pearson Learning Solutions, , Wednesday, December 07, 2011. We have very clear promotion objectives, we want to promote ourselves right along-side what every man is drinking: beer. And where do these men drink beer? They drink at their local bar. Every Man’s Vodka will be available everywhere you are. We will do a high promotional campaign locally in Las Vegas to get our name out there with these new up and coming drinkers. It won’t be a huge cost since we are located here but once we start to branch out into other markets, we will incur the costs of shipping and marketing in new regions.

“Companies should state their marketing channel objectives in terms of targeted levels of customer service. Usually, a company can identify several segments wanting different levels of service. The company should decide which segments to serve and the best channels to use in each case. In each segment, the company wants to minimize the total channel cost of meeting customer-service requirements.” (Kotler, 320) Kotler, Gary Armstrong and Philip. Marketing: An Introduction for Education Management Corporation. 10. VitalSource Bookshelf. Pearson Learning Solutions, , Wednesday, December 07, 2011. We know what we are getting ourselves into by competing with a drink that has been associated with sports for the ages. However, we are optimistic that we will emerge as a tough competitor and a drink to be reckoned with. We strive to achieve excellent customer service and thrive on the word of mouth from our customers.

Business Mission Statement

Can you drink on the sidelines? Hell yeah. Can you throw back a few with the boys? That’s a dumb question. Can you enjoy your vodka and drink it like a man? With Every Man, you can. “Some companies define their missions myopically in product or technology terms (“We make and sell furniture” or “We are a chemical-processing firm”). But mission statements should be market oriented and defined in terms of satisfying basic customer needs. Products and technologies eventually become outdated, but basic market needs may last forever."”  (Armstrong and Kotler 40) Every Man’s Vodka is selling the experience of using this product with your buddies but getting a stronger, longer buzz than a beer without looking like a sissy drinking a mixed drink. With Every Man’s Vodka in hand at the next game you watch, you will have a more enjoyable experience with your friends. The game will literally come alive in your hand with an Every Man. We are selling the experience of the game with every bottle. "Cold Stone Creamery’s mission isn’t simply to sell ice cream. Its mission is to “make people happy around the world by selling the highest quality, most creative ice cream experience with passion, excellence, and innovation.” Likewise, Under Armour’s mission isn’t just to make performance sports apparel, it’s “to make all athletes better through passion, science, and the relentless pursuit of innovation.” (Armstrong and Kotler 40)
Armstrong, Gary, and Philip Kotler. Marketing: An Introduction. 10. Prentice Hall Publishing, 2011. Print.

Week 8 EOC: Creative Content

As an audio student, I want to utilize sounds with a still photo.

With the use of sound, I think I will be able to create a bar environment with the Super Bowl playing in the background. I will have one main character who is talking with his buddies. I want to have the music be slow and drab not exciting. When the “Every Man” comes in with his beer flavored vodka, the music will pick up, the scene will start to change and his buddy will ask for the drink. At this point, I want all sound to stop as his sips and then have the sound come back in with a touchdown being called in the background.

I will use my boyfriend and my family to create the party atmosphere. I know I can record the sounds of being at the game. I want to have the first song be something old fashioned and outdated then have the music updated with a Muse song only ending with a party song.

I would like my commercial to run for 15 seconds. I think that 30 seconds will be far too long for me to try to fill.

Week 7 EOC: The Pitch

Can you drink on the sidelines? Hell yeah. Can you throw back a few with the boys? That’s a dumb question. Can you enjoy your vodka and drink it like a man? With Every Man, you can.

There are few drinks that make a man feel like a man. The man in my life likes to enjoy a cold beer because this makes him feel like a man. I have found that he would rather throw back a few cold ones than enjoy a mixed drink with vodka because he feels like less of a man if he chooses vodka over the love of a beer. With the “Every Man’s Vodka” a man will no longer have to choose fitting in over quality and taste. The hops that are infused into the vodka give it the exceptional flavor of your favorite light beer. It has the amber color that is known and will be in a long neck bottle to provide the appearance of still being the Every Man. The “Every Man” can be the guy next door, your mailman, your favorite player in the NFL, or your dad.

Week 6 EOC: Me x 3

Every person can be defined by what they buy and what they buy regularly. There are 3 products that I buy on a consistent basis: Dove Body Wash, Weekend by Burberry Perfume, and Peppermint ChapStick.

My Dove Body Wash is something I know that I simply cannot live without. The smell, the moisturizing, the silky feeling ... it is all the most amazing experience. I prefer the Green Tea and Cucumber or the Original. I find that the Dove Body Wash of today harkens back to my grandmothers day of Dove Moisturizing Bar. When I use this product, I feel like I look younger and that my skin is smoother and softer. It is a product that I would offer to any one of my friends and stake my name on.

There are very few scents that I feel I can wear for any occasion. Weekend by Burberry is a light scent that stays all day long. I have never gotten tired of it and I wear it all the time. Before I found this perfume, I felt like I would switch perfumes every 2 or 3 months because I would get tired of the same smell or because I would feel like it overwhelmed me. Weekend is something I can wear all year long and never get tired of it. I don't know what I would do without it.

Peppermint ChapStick. Either by itself is something noteworthy but when you combined the two it makes something magical. Peppermint reminds me of Christmas; having Peppermint hot chocolate or candy canes but on your lips. Then you have ChapStick that is an amazing invention. If you use it correctly (not putting it on all the time) you can have smooth, soft lips. The two combined gives me the feeling of home.

Week 5 EOC: Social Networks and Job Hunting

Employers are turning to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Monster, Inc and other online media to find future employees for their companies. "While VMware still relies on LinkedIn to recruit higher-level executive talent, Mr. Staney said that Facebook users tend to spend more time on the service and are easier to reach than LinkedIn users. Since February, the number of monthly active users on its Facebook page more than tripled to 11,000, he said." Light8, Joe. "Recruiters Troll Facebook for Candidates They like." 8 Aug. 2011. Web. Recruiters and employers alike are finding that they can reach more people by being on a a mass media site like Facebook. Employers like being able get results fast and with these sites, they can not only find out about you through your personal page but also through what your friends say or post about you. These days you have to be careful what is put on these pages because without the proper protections in place anyone and everyone can view what is there.

Not only will employers look for possible candidates on these sites, they will also check up on existing employees. If they suspect that there might be something going on with an employee all they have to do is run a search on Google with the persons name and anything and everything about them will come up: pictures, statements, posts, and anything in their past. This next statements explains what they would like to happen but I think it rarely does: "When asked for comment, LinkedIn referred to its chief executive's remarks from last week's conference call to discuss earnings. During the call , CEO Jeff Weiner said users tell the company they want to keep their personal and professional networks separate." Light8, Joe. "Recruiters Troll Facebook for Candidates They like." 8 Aug. 2011. Web.

Week 4 EOC: There's An App for That?!?!

There are so many applications out there today that are accessible and helpful. "If you want to see your app come together using a slick web interface, give AppMakr a try. You'll get incredibly far without having to spend a dime. Paid options allow for advanced customization and in-depth support." http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-build-an-iphone-app-2011-2#appmakr-lets-you-lay-out-your-app-visually-1 This article states how easy and inexpensive it is to build your own app. I would think that with an app like that one you could create just about any app you want or need.


I was wondering why there wasn't an app for women to find their perfect foundation color. It seems simple enough to me.
1. Take a close up picture of the inside of your wrist
2. Submit wrist photo
3. Result will come back showing what makeup you need to get to match your skin tone

Week 3 EOC: Making Money for Good

There are many examples of great companies that give back to communities or help others. There are 3 companies that I agree with their causes and I support them fully: Sseko Designs, No one Without, and Common Threadz. I think these ones are unique and have a brilliant idea to make a difference in today’s world.

Sseko Designs helps women from the country of Uganda raise funds for their university education. These women are given a job to sell, make, and market the sandals for Sseko. This company was founded because there is a lack for these women. In Uganda, you have 9 months to raise all of your money for your university education. With men being the predominate recipients of funds for college and the lack of women even furthering their educations and going to university, Sseko stepped in to make dreams come true. Their story says it all: “Sseko Designs hires recent secondary school graduates for this nine month period to live and work together, while earning money that will go directly towards their university education. These women will not make sandals forever. They will go on to be doctors, lawyers, politicians, writers and teachers that will bring change and unification to a country divided and ravished by a 22 year-long war.”  Sseko Designs

“"With every product sold a life is changed. Make your choice, share your voice". No One Without is a "FOR PURPOSE COMPANY" who is devoted to freeing those from the chains that bind them. Wherever, whomever, whatever the need may be, N.O.W. is on a mission to help.” No one Without Wouldn’t you love to be involved with a company that has this as their mission statement? This company uses the sales of their products to benefit the non-profit partner the purchaser would like. N.O.W. donates 20% of each sale to the benefit you would like. With this you can help a cause more.

The last company I choose has a very different approach. They help children in developing nations to reach their full potential while using local grass roots community organizations. Common Threadz They sell T-Shirts that are created by artists, orphans, and celebrities. They also have bracelets and shoes for sale. Common Threadz is a very unique company that I enjoy purchasing from and knowing that each thing I buy is directly benefiting a child in need.

Week 3 EOC: My Demographics

“Generations, like people, have personalities, and Millennials – the American teens and twenty-something’s who are making the passage into adulthood at the start of a new millennium – have begun to forge theirs: confident, self-expressive, liberal, upbeat and open to change.” Pew Social Trends

The above definition applies to me in many ways. I have often been told that I am overly confident (something I never thought of as a bad thing), too upbeat and “sunshine-y”, and always ready to express myself or my feelings. This generation that I was born into has helped shape me into the person I have become. I don’t think that it is such a bad thing that the generation that is coming up is confident. As a whole, I am not sure if that is why we are also seen as arrogant and often misunderstood. I have found that I am often thought to be snobbish or mean when in reality I am confident.

“Millennials are on course to become the most educated generation in American history, a trend driven largely by the demands of a modern knowledge-based economy, but most likely accelerated in recent years by the millions of 20-somethings enrolling in graduate schools, colleges or community colleges in part because they can’t find a job. Among 18 to 24 year olds a record share – 39.6% – was enrolled in college as of 2008, according to census data.” Pew Social Trends

I find the assumption that my generation will be the most educated very interesting. I know that most of my family has a degree of something or the other. I am currently in college and love being here. I know that without a degree I have a smaller chance of landing my dream job. Most of my friends have either already gone to college or are currently enrolled as well. With the way that society has progressed and with the recent economic downturn, I think that these 2 factors alone have caused my generation to have to be (without a choice) more educated and thus spend money that we would rather save on our overpriced educations. I am happy that I have chosen to go to college and further and better myself, but I really didn’t feel that I had a choice.

“In the United States today, married couples with children make up only 23 percent of the nation’s 116 million households; married couples without children make up 29 percent; and single parents comprise another 16 percent. A full 32 percent are nonfamily households—single live-alones or adult live-togethers of one or both sexes.” Marketing: An Introduction, 10th Ed.

I am a 32 year old, unmarried, with no children woman. I am a rarity. Or so I thought. The highest percent of my generation are nonfamily households just like me, being at 32 percent.  Why have I been told my whole life that I am so different than everyone else? Why have I been made to feel like an outsider or an oddity when in reality I fit the definition of my generation to a ‘t’.  I could be the poster child for the Millennials.