We're taking a short break so we wanted to share this Best Of In the Demo podcast episode with you.This episode first aired on May 16, 2024.Millennials are reframing their generational identity as they enter homeownership and parenthood, but broken systems remain. Nostalgia for a pre-internet era offers an escape, and reflects a yearning for IRL experiences and human connection in an automated and mediated world.Anne Helen Petersen, author and cultural critic, joins host Farrah Bostic to discuss the evolving narratives surrounding millennials and Gen Z. They explore how the optimism of the 90s and early 2000s has given way to disillusionment, the impact of political polarization on younger generations, and the collective burnout experienced by a society that glorifies productivity over rest.ResourcesThe Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt"How the Stanley Cup Went Viral" by Kyle Chayka in The New Yorker"It's Just a Water Bottle" by Amanda Mull in The AtlanticVox's "Today, Explained" episode, "The kids are all home"Our GuestA former senior culture writer for BuzzFeed, Anne Helen Petersen now writes her newsletter, Culture Study, as a full-time venture on Substack. Petersen received her PhD at the University of Texas at Austin, where she focused on the history of celebrity gossip. Her previous books, Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud and Scandals of Classic Hollywood, were featured in NPR, Elle, and the Atlantic. She lives in Missoula, Montana.Your HostsFarrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy at The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into effective strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions.Adam Pierno is an author, strategist, and managing director of brand strategy at Arizona State University, and founder of Specific Branding and Research, where he helps brands understand customer habits and create effective growth strategies.Stay ConnectedWebsiteLinkedInNewsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're taking a short break so we wanted to share this Best Of In the Demo podcast episode with you.This episode first aired on July 18, 2023.BREAKING (kidding, sort of). In late May, Pew Research announced they would "only do generational analysis when we have historical data that allows us to compare generations at similar stages of life" after a year-long analysis of their own approach to reporting on differences by generations, and the overall landscape of such content and reporting. This announcement supports a lot of what Farrah and Adam have been circling while conducting their research into the Millennial narrative, and Pew's got the data to explain why their approach makes so much sense. Kim Parker, director of social trends research at Pew Research Center, joins to share more context on the thinking and data that got them to this exciting (to us) conclusion.Read the article from Pew here: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/05/22/how-pew-research-center-will-report-on-generations-moving-forward/. Learn more about Kim Parker here: https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/kim-parker/In The Demo, a podcast about how stories of groups are created, subverted and destroyed. On the first season, we pursue the origins of the Millennial Myth. Farrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy of, The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy focused on helping business leaders make decisions. Adam Pierno, author and brand consultant and managing director of brand strategy at Arizona State University. Our host is voiced by Eliza, a robot created by Murf.ai.Music by 0megaMan under the Creative Commons license. Learn more and find research and supporting materials at inthedemopodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're taking a short break so we wanted to share this Best Of In the Demo podcast episode with you.This episode first aired February 9, 2023.In this episode, Farrah and Adam look more closely at the beginnings of the Millennial Myth, literally the opening quote of Millennials Rising. We discuss how much of the myth hangs on one short quote written in an essay by a (then) high school girl living in McLean, Virginia where the authors set their work. Then, Adam talks to the woman behind that very quote to understand how she feels the myth has defined, served and punished her generation.In The Demo, a podcast about how stories of groups are created, subverted and destroyed. On the first season, we pursue the origins of the Millennial Myth. Farrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy of, The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy focused on helping business leaders make decisions. Adam Pierno, author and brand consultant and managing director of brand strategy at Arizona State University. Our host is voiced by Eliza, a robot created by Murf.ai.Music by 0megaMan under the Creative Commons license. Learn more and find research and supporting materials at inthedemopodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Generational stereotypes and the flaws in popular research on Millennials and Gen Z are dissected, revealing how cherry-picked data and misleading interpretations shape public perception. In this episode of In The Demo, we continue our deep dive into the work of Jean Twenge, questioning some of her methods as well as biases in her research on generational traits. We analyze the structure and content of books like iGen and Generations, specifically how authors manipulate data and rely on anecdotal evidence to support predetermined narratives. The conversation also touches on broader themes of individualism, collectivism, and the complex interplay between societal changes and generational characteristics.Resources iGen by Jean Twenge  Generations by Jean Twenge  Sun Signs by Linda Goodman  Monitoring the Future  Harvard Youth Poll  Google Books Ngram Viewer  Your Hosts Farrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy at The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into effective strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions across various industries. Learn more at thedifferenceengine.co and connect with Farrah on LinkedIn. Adam Pierno is an author, strategist, and managing director of brand strategy at Arizona State University. He is also the founder of Specific Branding and Research, where he helps brands understand customer habits and create effective growth strategies. With 25 years of experience, Adam has written two books on marketing. Discover more at adampierno.com and find Adam on LinkedIn.  Stay Connected Website: inthedemopodcast.com LinkedIn: In the Demo Podcast Newsletter: inthedemo.substack.com — Sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive content, episode highlights, and behind-the-scenes insights delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Millennials Rising may have kicked off the race to define the Millennial generation, but one author in particular has become the singular thought leader among commentators, researchers, and others: Jean Twenge. Her books iGen and Generations helped her move from toiling in academic obscurity to shaping the discourse. In this episode of In the Demo, hosts Farrah Bostic and Adam Pierno critically examine Jean Twenge's work, particularly her two most recent books iGen and Generations. They explore the transition from academic research to popular nonfiction, questioning her data sources, her analytical frames, and her conclusions. The conversation touches on the use of large scale longitudinal studies, the dangers of oversimplification, and the impact of media representation on public perception of generational differences. And it challenges some of her assumptions about narcissism, individualism, and generational traits, highlighting the complexities of social science research and its representation in mainstream media. Resources Generations by Jean TwengeiGen by Jean TwengeMonitoring the Future — longitudinal youth study at the University of MichiganNarcissistic Personality Inventory The Narcissism Epidemic by Jean Twenge and W. Keith Campbell   Your Hosts Farrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy at The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into practical strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions across various industries. Learn more at thedifferenceengine.co and connect with Farrah on LinkedIn. Adam Pierno is an author, strategist, and managing director of brand strategy at Arizona State University. He is also the founder of Specific Branding and Research, where he helps brands understand customer habits and create effective growth strategies. With 25 years of experience, Adam has written two books on marketing. Discover more at adampierno.com and find Adam on LinkedIn.  Stay Connected Website: inthedemopodcast.com LinkedIn: In the Demo Podcast Newsletter: inthedemo.substack.com  Sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive content, episode highlights, and behind-the-scenes insights delivered to your inbox.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gen Z is far more complex and resourceful than popular stereotypes suggest — intimate conversations with young people show us how they're navigating an increasingly challenging world. Their attitudes towards work, creativity, and personal fulfillment tell us a lot about how this generation is forging its path. In this episode of In the Demo, host Adam Pierno speaks with filmmakers Branden Mayer and Max Goldstein about their documentary ‘Wasted’. The film explores the lives of Gen Z individuals in Vancouver, challenging common misconceptions about their work ethic and aspirations. Mayer and Goldstein discuss their research methodology, the process of building trust with their subjects, and the unexpected revelations that emerged during filming. They also reflect on how their findings apply to broader generational trends and the evolving nature of work in today's economy. Resources 'Wasted’ - documentary by Further&FurtherThe View - (ABC) — clip features the Joy Behar moment referenced in the documentary and our interviewRick and Morty (Adult Swim) — trust us, you'll like itOur Guests Branden Mayer – Film Director Branden has over eight years of experience directing, editing, and producing video content, including interviews, event coverage, short documentaries, and scripted productions. Most recently, Branden has worked as a videographer for brands such as Amazon, Ford, and Pfizer. Branden is dedicated to creating authentic and powerful documentary films with Further&Further. Max Goldstein – Creative Producer / Research Associate Max joins F&F with an insatiable curiosity and love for people. Most recently, they worked as a Creative Producer for a boutique agency in Chicago, where they booked talent for their entire roster of brands. Max has been a fixture in various creative communities for 10+ years. Their band, Yoko and the Oh No’s, started in Chicago’s DIY music scene, and they’ve carried that DIY mentality into everything they do. Your Host Adam Pierno is an author, strategist, and managing director of brand strategy at Arizona State University. He is also the founder of Specific Branding and Research, where he helps brands understand customer habits and create effective growth strategies. With 25 years of experience, Adam has written two books on marketing. Discover more at adampierno.com and find Adam on LinkedIn. Stay Connected Website: inthedemopodcast.com LinkedIn: In the Demo Podcast Newsletter: inthedemo.substack.com  Sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive content, episode highlights, and behind-the-scenes insights delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've been having a great time for 30+ episodes complaining about bad research, reporting, and punditry (and book-writing) about generational narratives. Who doesn't love-to-hate a good "Millennials killed some industry" story? But there are real stakes here, for how companies hire employees, invest resources, and plan marketing campaigns; for politicians and policy makers about who they want to serve or punish, and how they want to build their coalitions; and for journalists and commentators who can popularize and spread these narratives in ways that permeate the public consciousness. These things matter - they affect how we see ourselves in the world, and that affects how we behave... and that affects everything else.In this episode we get back to basics -- why we make this show, what we think the stakes are, and who we think should care.Mentioned ResourcesThe Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy by Neil Howe and William StraussBacklash: The Undeclared War Against American Women by Susan Faludi: "The 67-Hour Rule" by Derek Thompson in The AtlanticGenerations by Jean TwengeYour HostsFarrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy at The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into effective strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions across various industries. Learn more at thedifferenceengine.co and connect with Farrah on LinkedIn.Adam Pierno is an author, strategist, and managing director of brand strategy at Arizona State University. He is also the founder of Specific Branding and Research, where he helps brands understand customer habits and create effective growth strategies. With 25 years of experience, Adam has written two books on marketing. Discover more at adampierno.com and find Adam on LinkedIn.Stay ConnectedWebsite: inthedemopodcast.comLinkedIn: In the Demo PodcastNewsletter: inthedemo.substack.comSign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive content, episode highlights, and behind-the-scenes insights delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Social media and smartphones are causing an epidemic of mental illness and anxiety among Gen Z, according to some prominent thinkers - but are these sweeping claims backed by evidence? Maybe the answer is: it's complicated, and jumping to simplistic conclusions is at best useless and at worst, dangerous.In this episode, we talk about recent discussions about the work of psychologist Jonathan Haidt (often in collaboration with generational researcher Jean Twenge), who argue tech is wreaking havoc on young people. We talk about flaws in the arguments, discuss other factors that contribute to these trends, and try to reckon with the reality that in fact all of us have a lot to be anxious and depressed about. It's the phones; but also, it's really not.ResourcesThe Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt"The great rewiring: is social media really behind an epidemic of teenage mental illness?" in Nature by Candice Odgers"Inside the debate over The Anxious Generation" in Platformer by Zoë SchifferThe Ideas Industry by Dan DreznerDon't Think of an Elephant by George LakoffYour HostsFarrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy at The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into effective strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions across various industries. Learn more at thedifferenceengine.co and connect with Farrah on LinkedIn.Adam Pierno is an author, strategist, and managing director of brand strategy at Arizona State University. He is also the founder of Specific Branding and Research, where he helps brands understand customer habits and create effective growth strategies. With 25 years of experience, Adam has written two books on marketing. Discover more at adampierno.com and find Adam on LinkedIn.Stay ConnectedWebsite: inthedemopodcast.comLinkedIn: In the Demo PodcastNewsletter: inthedemo.substack.comSign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive content, episode highlights, and behind-the-scenes insights delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Millennials are reframing their generational identity as they enter homeownership and parenthood, but broken systems remain. Nostalgia for a pre-internet era offers an escape, and reflects a yearning for IRL experiences and human connection in an automated and mediated world.Anne Helen Petersen, author and cultural critic, joins host Farrah Bostic to discuss the evolving narratives surrounding millennials and Gen Z. They explore how the optimism of the 90s and early 2000s has given way to disillusionment, the impact of political polarization on younger generations, and the collective burnout experienced by a society that glorifies productivity over rest.ResourcesThe Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt"How the Stanley Cup Went Viral" by Kyle Chayka in The New Yorker"It's Just a Water Bottle" by Amanda Mull in The AtlanticVox's "Today, Explained" episode, "The kids are all home"Our GuestA former senior culture writer for BuzzFeed, Anne Helen Petersen now writes her newsletter, Culture Study, as a full-time venture on Substack. Petersen received her PhD at the University of Texas at Austin, where she focused on the history of celebrity gossip. Her previous books, Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud and Scandals of Classic Hollywood, were featured in NPR, Elle, and the Atlantic. She lives in Missoula, Montana.Your HostsFarrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy at The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into effective strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions.Adam Pierno is an author, strategist, and managing director of brand strategy at Arizona State University, and founder of Specific Branding and Research, where he helps brands understand customer habits and create effective growth strategies. Stay ConnectedWebsiteLinkedInNewsletterSign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive content, episode highlights, and behind-the-scenes insights delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Preconceived notions and media narratives have warped perceptions of social media and internet culture, shaping misleading stories about generations. A critical look beyond the headlines reveals the complex realities of how people of all ages engage with online platforms in nuanced ways.Farrah Bostic and Adam Pierno welcome Rebecca Jennings, a reporter at Vox covering internet culture, to unpack the flawed assumptions and evolving trends shaping discourse around TikTok, influencers, and generational divides. Together, they explore how content creation, viral sensations, and the quest for fame and money online impact society in ways that often defy simplistic narratives. The conversation challenges listeners to question their assumptions and rethink the digital world around them.Resources"Romantic norms are in flux. No wonder everyone's obsessed with polyamory." by Rebecca Jennings: https://www.vox.com/culture/24078524/polyamory-open-marriage-anxiety"'Girl' trends and the repackaging of womanhood" by Rebecca Jennings: “Girl” trends and the repackaging of womanhood"Everyone's a sellout now" by Rebecca Jennings: Everyone’s a sellout now"Against trendbait" by Rebecca Jennings: Against trendbait"What is 'Cheugy'? You Know It When You See It" by Taylor Lorenz:  What Is ‘Cheugy’? You Know It When You See It. (Published 2021)"DIGITAL 2024: GLOBAL OVERVIEW REPORT": Digital 2024: Global Overview Report — DataReportal – Global Digital InsightsOur GuestRebecca Jennings is a senior correspondent covering social platforms and the creator economy, with a focus on how social media is changing the nature of fame, fashion, money, and human relationships. Since joining Vox in 2018, she has reported extensively on the introduction of TikTok into the US, covered the rise and fall of hype houses and sexfluencers, and investigated young tech entrepreneurs, aesthetic trends, and the nature of beauty in the social media age.Stay ConnectedWebsite: https://www.inthedemopodcast.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/in-the-demo-podcast/Newsletter: https://inthedemo.substack.comSign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive content, episode highlights, and behind-the-scenes insights delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The nostalgia and ownership that younger generations feel toward the music and culture of the 90s is fascinating. In this episode of In The Demo, Farrah and her guest Rob Harvilla, host of the 60 Songs that Explain the '90s podcast, explore why the decade holds such a powerful allure for those who never experienced it firsthand.They discuss what accounts for this cross-generational appeal, from the mythologizing of the 90s in media to the enduring impact of the era's defining genres and artists. And they discuss how technology and cultural shifts of the past 30 years shaped the way listeners discover, consume, and connect with music, and what this tells us about the nostalgia and identity in the digital age.Resources60 Songs that Explain the '90sNew York Times “Grunge: A Success Story”BandsplainThe Oregon TrailOur GuestRob Harvilla is the host of the podcast 60 Songs That Explain the '90s and a senior staff writer at The Ringer; he's been a professional rock critic for 20-plus years with stops at the Village Voice, SPIN, Deadspin, and other alt-weeklies.Your HostsFarrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy at The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into effective strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions across various industries. Learn more at thedifferenceengine.co and connect with Farrah on LinkedIn.Adam Pierno is an author, strategist, and managing director of brand strategy at Arizona State University. He is also the founder of Specific Branding and Research, where he helps brands understand customer habits and create effective growth strategies. With 25 years of experience, Adam has written two books on marketing. Discover more at adampierno.com and find Adam on LinkedIn.Stay ConnectedWebsite: inthedemopodcast.comLinkedIn: In the Demo PodcastNewsletter: inthedemo.substack.comSign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive content, episode highlights, and behind-the-scenes insights delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Growing impatience with generational stereotyping has sparked a critical reexamination of how we categorize and analyze age cohorts. Despite Generation Alpha still being born, that won't stop consultants and pundits from making sweeping predictions about who they will be and laying out dubious prescriptions for how they should be raised. By scrutinizing the motives behind labeling Generation Alpha, the absurdity of predicting the traits of a generation that hasn't fully arrived becomes apparent.Farrah and Adam discuss the cyclical nature of generational myths, the societal anxieties they reveal, and the problematic values emerging from Gen Alpha's parents. The episode uncovers the financial and economic drivers behind generational analysis, challenging assumptions and highlighting the importance of a more nuanced understanding of the forces shaping our youth.Resources"The ABC of XYZ" by Mark McCrindleBusiness Insider: The oldest Gen Alphas can almost drive: Here's how millennials' kids will shop, work, and liveMorning Consult: A Brand's Guide to Gen AlphaYour HostsFarrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy at The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into effective strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions across various industries. Learn more at thedifferenceengine.co and connect with Farrah on LinkedIn.Adam Pierno is an author, strategist, and managing director of brand strategy at Arizona State University. He is also the founder of Specific Branding and Research, where he helps brands understand customer habits and create effective growth strategies. With 25 years of experience, Adam has written two books on marketing. Discover more at adampierno.com and find Adam on LinkedIn.Stay ConnectedWebsite: inthedemopodcast.comLinkedIn: In the Demo PodcastNewsletter: inthedemo.substack.comSign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive content, episode highlights, and behind-the-scenes insights delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The demographic cliff - a controversial idea that declining population growth will trigger economic disaster. But is it real or just sensationalized clickbait pushed by those with an agenda?Investment advisor Harry Dent popularized demographic cliff fears in the mid-2000s to sell his financial advice (and a book, of course). From there, it became a favored trope in education, where school administrators - from K-12 to college - worried about not having enough enrolled students. Recently, concerns have shifted to plummeting birth rates in South Korea, China, and Canada. But throughout history, similar narratives have repeatedly stoked moral panic about changing demographics - from Gen X’s alleged lack of work ethic to Millennials' supposed disinterest in homeownership and parenthood. Cutting through the hype, Farrah and Adam expose who gains from pushing demographic doomsday myths and why resisting these misleading narratives matters.Mentioned Resources:Harry Dent's book "The Demographic Cliff": https://www.amazon.com/Demographic-Cliff-Survive-Prosper-Deflation/dp/1591847273New York Times article on China's demographic challenges: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/16/business/china-birth-rate.htmlWhy Pew Research Center is no longer reporting on generations: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/05/22/how-pew-research-center-will-report-on-generations-moving-forward/New York Times Op Ed on the population of school-aged children dropping: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/14/opinion/declining-enrollment.htmlNational Post article on the Canadian birth rate drop off: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/canadas-birth-rate-has-dropped-off-a-cliff-and-its-because-nobody-can-afford-housingFind us at www.inthedemopodcast.com where you can also sign up for our newsletter.You can also find us on twitter or instagram at @inthedemopod for updates and clips, and on LinkedIn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the Millennials came of age to enter the workforce (which took nearly 15 years) the media was awash in headlines about how to cater to this powerful new generation. Today, the headlines have turned to Gen Z. Farrah and Adam go deeper than the headlines to reveal that the story is still about Millennials. Reminiscent of the treatment of Gen X, Gen Z is constantly compared to their elders, but worse, many writers and researchers are lumping Millennials and Gen Z together. Mentioned Resources: Email-gated landing page: https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/issues/work/content/genzmillennialsurvey.htmlResultant PDF: https://app.box.com/s/cl1f3v6tabsudujm6ej1ois9svuaxttyConnect with us!Our website: https://inthedemopodcast.com/On X: https://twitter.com/IntheDemoPodOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/in-the-demo-podcast/Our substack: https://inthedemo.substack.com/Rate & Review In the Demo on Your Favorite Podcast Platform:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeiHeartCohosted by Farrah Bostic and Adam Pierno. Edited by Allison Preisinger and AMP Studio, and produced by Ashley Derrington. Music by 0megaMan under the Creative Commons license. Our intro is voiced by Eliza, a robot created by Murf.ai.Why stories about groups matter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Farrah and Adam discuss the role and effectiveness of strategy in advertising, including how connected it needs to be to cultural trends, consumer insights, and business realities. And then - they take a deep dive into an article by Richard Huntington in WARC, "The Future of Strategy 2023: Marketing is in desperate need of a reality check" in which he agrees with our premise that generational segments are astrology for marketers - but uses this as a cudgel against all segmentations, which we don't care for, frankly.Also mentioned, Farrah's piece, "There's no such thing as insights".Connect with us!At our websiteOn ugh twitterOn LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletterRate & Review on Your Favorite Podcast Platform:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeiHeartCohosted by Farrah Bostic and Adam Pierno. Edited by Allison Preisinger and AMP Studio. Music by 0megaMan under the Creative Commons license. Our intro is voiced by Eliza, a robot created by Murf.ai.Why stories about groups matter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The best advertising reveals something you’ve thought for a long time about a product, service or its users (or yourself!) and presents in an unexpected way. Either for a laugh or some emotional response. Today, we’re seeing advertisers take broad stereotypes of generational segmentations and paste them directly into ads. The results are, um, not great. MENTIONED RESOURCES:2024 Lamb: The Generation Gap Coinbase: GenerationsJP Morgan Chase: Meet the JennifersTide - quiet timeThe Musings of an Opinionated Sod - Sorry, dear Rob Campbell, Farrah misattributed your blog title to Dave Trott!!! For shame! CONNECT WITH PODCAST:Our websiteOn ugh twitter On LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletterRate & Review on Your Favorite Podcast Platform:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeiHeartCohosted by Farrah Bostic and Adam Pierno. Edited by Allison Preisinger and AMP Studio, and produced by Ashley Derrington. Music by 0megaMan under the Creative Commons license. Our intro is voiced by Eliza, a robot created by Murf.ai.Why stories about groups matter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Farrah commence a new season, and in the spirit of the new year, take a look at recent Millennial headlines and found that... nothing has changed, and nothing ever will.Links:Jodie Foster on Gen ZThe ironic reason Gen Z are ageing faster than millennials — MetroThe Plastic Surgery Trend Gen X, Millennials, & Gen Z All Agree On — The Zoe ReportHow you wear a scarf can reveal if you're Gen Z or Millennial — New York PostGen Z's throwback ‘chunky highlights’ hair trend makes millennials cringe: 'Don't do it!' — New York PostMillennials are ditching 'sad beige' interior design — Business InsiderGen Z Loves Watching TV With Closed Captions On, & Gen X Is Bewildered — Scary Mommy7 Bills Millennials and Gen Z Have That Boomers Didn't — GOBankingRatesThese 2 generations visit libraries at higher rates than any other generation — Deseret NewsGen Z workers say this emoji is the most NSFW — but boomers and millennials disagree — New York PostHow Gen Z and millennials want to work in 2024: ‘Lazy girl jobs,’ 'bare minimum Mondays' — and less — Fox BusinessMillennials have found a way to buy houses: Living with mom and dad — The Washington PostGen X is being ignored. Gen Xers say they like it that way. — Business InsiderOK Soda: The '90s Soft Drink for Gen X That Fell Flat — Mental FlossThe Year the Millennial Internet Died — WIREDCohosted by Farrah Bostic and Adam Pierno. Edited by Allison Preisinger and AMP Studio, and produced by Ashley Derrington. Music by 0megaMan under the Creative Commons license. Our intro is voiced by Eliza, a robot created by Murf.ai. Learn more and find supporting materials at inthedemopodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A special drop in our feed - the inaugural episode of Farrah's new show Cross Tabs, released on Iowa's GOP Caucus day, January 15, 2024.Host Farrah Bostic (In the Demo Podcast, The Difference Engine) and pal Paul Soldera (Equation Research), set the table for what Cross Tabs is all about: demystifying what polls are and how they work.Mentioned links:Jill Lepore's "Politics and the New Machine" [The New Yorker]Jill Lepore's "The Problems Inherent in Political Polling" [The New Yorker]What Was Nate Silver's Data Revolution? [The New Yorker]"Polls' Representative Samples Often Merit Skepticism" [Wall Street Journal]"How Public Polling Has Changed in the 21st Century" [Pew Research Center]All in with Chris Hayes, December 21, 2023 [MSNBC]NY Times/Siena College Poll, December 2023 [New York Times]"From Which River to Which Sea? College Students Don't Know, Yet They Agree With the Slogan" [Wall Street Journal]YouGov Poll Links(December 2023):https://today.yougov.com/topics/politics/survey-results/daily/2023/12/20/edc6d/1https://today.yougov.com/topics/politics/survey-results/daily/2023/12/20/edc6d/3https://today.yougov.com/topics/politics/survey-results/daily/2023/12/20/edc6d/2Suffolk University Iowa Poll (January 2024)"Ann Selzer Is The Best Pollster In Politics" [FiveThirtyEight]AAPOR Analysis of the 2016 Campaign [AAPOR]"Trump lost, but he won millions of new voters. Where did they come from?" [Washington Post]The Focus Group Podcast [The Bulwark]Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our special guest for our final episode of the year is our good friend Faris Yakob. He and his wife Rosie are the force behind the consultancy Genius Steals, a nomadic strategic and creative consultancy. Faris is also the author of a book about how advertising works through the lens of the concept of attention. It's called, Paid Attention which is now in its 2nd edition. He has been at a variety of media and advertising agencies throughout his career, including Naked Communications, McCann Erickson, MDC Partners and helped to found many others. He writes for Campaign, Fast Company, Contagious and other publications. And he thinks deeply about the state of the ad world - how its changing, what it does, how it does it, and what it means for us all. He sat down to talk to us before Thanksgiving about how media planning works, how brands and advertisers think about audiences, and how the stories we tell about youth cultures have been recycled and subtly upgraded since the invention of the teenager, to fulfill the hopes and dreams of not only the corporations who want them to buy stuff, but just as importantly, the people who make advertising and want to believe it is capable of doing something good in the world.This is our last episode of the year - we wish you a very happy and relaxing holiday season, and send our best wishes for the New Year. See you in January!Links!Genius/Steals: http://geniussteals.co/Paid Attention, by Faris Yakob: https://www.koganpage.com/marketing-communications/paid-attention-9781398602502"We Need to Talk about Generations", via Ben Page, CEO of Ipsos: https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/publication/documents/2023-04/Ipsos_We-need-to-talk-about-generations-WEB.pdf"Nothing Beats a Londoner" via Paula Bloodworth of Wieden + Kennedy, via WARC: https://www.warc.com/newsandopinion/opinion/why-strategy-should-embrace-execution/en-gb/2811Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science: https://marketingscience.info/ and How Brands Grow: https://marketingscience.info/how-brands-grow/Mark Ritson: https://www.marketingritson.com/Herd by Mark Earls: https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Herd%3A+How+to+Change+Mass+Behaviour+by+Harnessing+Our+True+Nature-p-9780470744598 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are taking this Thursday off for Thanksgiving, sorry to our non-American listeners! We will be back with one more episode in December before pausing to work on Season 2, which is already under way. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app of choice. You can email us with questions or thoughts - adam@inthedemopodcast and farrah@inthedemopodcast. In The Demo, a podcast about how stories of groups are created, subverted and destroyed. On the first season, we pursue the origins of the Millennial Myth. Farrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy of, The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy focused on helping business leaders make decisions. Adam Pierno, author and brand consultant and managing director of brand strategy at Arizona State University. Our host is voiced by Eliza, a robot created by Murf.ai.In the Demo is edited by Allison Preisinger and AMP Studio. Music by 0megaMan under the Creative Commons license. Learn more and find research and supporting materials at inthedemopodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.