In one of the newest studies on the topic, E-Poll Market Research (partnering with the Hallmark Channel and the University of Southern California), found that media behavior is more affected by stage in life than simply demographic (gender, age, ethnicity, etc.)  or socio-economic status.

The eight major life-stage groups are teens, college students, recent graduates, single no kids, new nesters, established families, married couples with no children and empty nesters.

It make sense if you think about it — that a married 28-year-old woman with no children would have more in common with (and make similar purchasing decisions to) other married couples with no children than with  other 28-year-old women in general.

Add this to what we’re learning about the Millennials (Pew Research Center) and the argument is even stronger, especially if you are working with longitudinal data.

Looking at the steady uptrend in “never married” 18-29 year olds from the last 4 generations (Millenials, Gen X, Baby-boomers, and Silent), you can see what a huge difference you would see in attitudes and behaviors! Think about how different your results would be if you looked at entertainment expenditures across the last 3 generations among a) 25 year olds (classic demographic) or b) new nesters (life-stage).

XBOX 360,000 � Mathalicious

Link: http://www.mathalicious.com/index.php?p=1201

I wish I had this when I was failing middle school algebra.

But at what point does this just piss them off?

In a recent article on the subject, Alejandro Martínez-Cabrera, Chronicle Staff Writer, tackled the subject of invasive marketing techniques in his article “Technology leading to more invasive marketing” Feb. 8, 2010.

“Proponents say new technologies are getting products that consumers want into their hands faster and eliminating ads that don’t speak to them. But privacy advocates are concerned no one’s asking people if they want targeted ads or if they agree to be studied as they shop.”

With new technology allowing companies to track consumers in the aisle, analyze their facial movements as they analyze displays, and even cross reference their personal information to present targeted ads, at what point does the intrusion out-weigh the convenience?

Tell me what you think:

I started at RRC in 2005, newly arrived from Bozeman, MT, where I graduated from MSU, Bozeman with a B.S. in Psychology Research with an emphasis in Social Psych.

It has been really nice to meet you, world!