Essentials of Gen Z Consumers

Collage Group’s Essentials of Gen Z Consumers presentation explores three areas of our consumer fundamentals research: demographics and segment context, identity, and Group Traits.

April 22, 2022
Giana Damianos – Senior Analyst, Syndicated Research

Gen Z is America’s most diverse generation to date. About half of the segment is multicultural, and a quarter identify as LGBTQ+. Gen Zers today range in age from 10 to 25 – born between 1997 and 2012, making them the first digitally native generation. In their short lifetimes, they’ve witnessed rapid change and turbulent political, economic, and social crises – including coming of age in the unprecedented COVID-19 era. Their worldview has been distinctly shaped by all of these factors.

Read on and fill out the form for an excerpt from our Essentials of Gen Z Consumers presentation.

Gen Z is a complex, multifaceted consumer group that’s often misunderstood. In fact, over half of Gen Z consumers are not satisfied with how people of their generation are portrayed in advertising.

Representation alone is not enough to prove that your brand cares about Gen Z consumers. Brands today must understand Gen Z on a multitude of levels—from their demographics, to how they identify, and even what they value—to effectively understand and engage them.

Collage Group’s Essentials of Gen Z Consumers explores three areas of our consumer fundamentals research: demographics, identity, and Group Traits to help your brand authentically connect with Gen Z.

Key Takeaway #1: Demographics & Segment Context

Gen Z has the highest intrinsic diversity of any American generation. They’re about 50% multicultural, and about a quarter identify as LGBTQ+.

A Deeper Look:

Every succeeding generation in America has trended towards increased diversity. For Gen Z, this means that diversity is their “norm”, which gives them a unique perspective and worldview from what previous generations experienced.

Action Step:

Make sure that your advertising includes diverse representation and accurately reflects who Gen Z is. Recognize that for Gen Z, gen pop is diverse led.

Key Takeaway #2: Identity

As they continue to come of age, Gen Z is increasingly focused on expressions of Gender, Sexuality, and Race.

A Deeper Look:

Diversity is the norm to Gen Z, and they think about all the things that make themselves and their peers unique – not just race – with increasing attention. Gen Z takes an intersectional approach to identity and expects brands to do the same.

Action Step:

Take a multifaceted approach to portrayals of Gen Z’s diversity – giving unique identity to one individual beats showing many who are only differentiated on a single dimension.

Key Takeaway #3: Gen Z Group Trait – Individuality

Gen Z is highly expressive and proud of what makes them unique.

A Deeper Look:

Gen Z is the most inherently diverse American generation—both in terms of race/ethnicity as well as sexuality. This diverse upbringing has shaped their perspective to be more accepting of differences and individuality, therefore making them feel more comfortable “being themselves”.

Action Step:

Communicate to Gen Z that your brand is a proponent of their individuality. Give Gen Z the tools they need to be creative and help them show it off.

Key Takeaway #4: Gen Z Group Trait – Game-Changing

Gen Z is laser focused on the future. It’s their top-ranking attitude, and it significantly differentiates them from all other generations.

A Deeper Look:

It’s a natural life-stage occurrence for younger people to think about the future more than older people do. But for Gen Z, they’re not just thinking about it – they are innovating the future as an antidote to the harsh realities of coming of age in a turbulent world of economic, political, environmental, and social crises.

Action Step:

Appeal to Gen Z change-makers by showing them how your brand is intentionally thinking about the future and what action steps you’re taking now to be socially and politically engaged.

Key Takeaway #5: Gen Z Group Trait – Pressured

Gen Z faces intense pressure – ranging from academic to social and even career pressures.

A Deeper Look:

These pressures may seem typical for young adulthood, but they are compounded for Gen Z by the social media highlight reel they face on a daily basis.

Action Step:

Gen Z wants help forging connection and combating loneliness – offline and on. Provide them with the tools to connect with others who share their common interests and attitudes.

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