Ypulse Essentials: Cheez Dudes, Olsens Launch JC Penney Junior Line, Channel 4 Launches 'Misfits' Campaign
New ‘cheez’ on the block (Wise Foods looks to re-introduce young snackers to Cheez Doodles with new mascots “Cheez Dudes” and a ugc contest involving augmented reality. Plus Geico holds a video contest for students on the importance of safety belts) (MediaPost, reg. required)
- Olsen twins launch junior line at JC Penney (along with a marketing campaign “built around previews, limited offerings and digital, guerrilla and viral marketing tactics.” Apparently free cupcakes will be involved. Also stylish Gen Y’ers eschew fashion mags for a collaborative approach on Digg-type platform lookbook.nu) (Business Week) (WWD)
- iPhone Moms (a recent study on how moms use iPhones to entertain young children points to a growing mobile advertising demographic. Also New York Times. reg. required, profiles Millennial moms who discipline with volume) (ReadWriteWeb)
- ‘Supergirls’ in the UK (explored by The Daily Mail with quotes from 2008/2009 Ypulse Youth Advisory Board member Liz Funk on her book Supergirls Speak Out. Also a profile on the recently relaunched Whateverlife.com and its teen founder/Ypulse Mashup speaker Ashley Qualls) (Detroit Free Press)
- ‘Paranormal Activity’ conquers ‘Saw’ (bringing in $22 million in its first weekend in wide release to successfully edge out the latest from the “torture porn” franchise. Plus another straight-to-DVD addition to the “American Pie” franchise. Also Sony partners with Netflix to offer access to the video library through Sony’s PS3 game console) (EW) (Reuters)
- University students meet the ‘Misfits’ (in the UK as Channel 4 launches an on-campus campaign for the series described as a “Heroes-meets-Shaun of the Dead teen comedy drama.” Here’s hoping it comes to BBC America. Plus Fox signs on for an untitled “Hackers-esque” TV show about twentysomething computer geniuses hired to crack security codes) (Guardian) (Variety)
- VW banks on racing app (as the exclusive marketing strategy to promote 2010 Volkswagen GTI. Also Harvard Medical School launches The Swine Flu iPhone app. Wonder if this is getting publicized on campuses) (MarketingVox) (TechCrunch)
- Teenreads.com 2009 Reader Survey (great breakdown of teen readership, i.e. “uber readers” vs. reluctant readers. Also DreamWorks picks up film rights to the YA series “Wicked”) (PW) (Variety)
- Top 50 Generation Y Employers Chicago (released by online recruiting service Brill Street, with independent investment firm Morningstar coming out on top. The key, not surprisingly, lies in perks. Meanwhile a survey of prospective employers deems college students “unprofessional” — Thanks Andrea) (Chicago Tribune) (Marketplace)