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The Gen Z Frequency: How Brands Tune In and Build Credibility

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Generation Z, ranging from tweens to young adults, has enormous spending power; yet it is one of the most challenging generational cohorts for brands to reach. It is projected to be the largest consumer demographic in history, driving a forecast from the HRC Retail Advisory of 40% of all US consumer spending, and another 40% of all consumers in the US, Europe and BRIC by 2020 (Brazil, Russia, India, China), according to other sources. Embodying an unrelenting relationship with information and mobile technology from a young age, Generation Z's ecosystem is infinitely more complex and varied than any generation before. Staying tuned-in to this demographic's impatience, confidence and constantly evolving trends can be daunting for any marketer trying to keep up.

The Gen Z Frequency offers a comprehensive guide for any brand or organization trying to reach this demographic, covering fundamental truths, content creation, engagement strategies and tactics such as social media, experiential, emerging technologies, and much more. It is woven with fascinating case studies and real-world stories from the trenches, plus key insights from leading youth brands and Gen Z themselves. Whether you are new to marketing or a seasoned expert, The Gen Z Frequency is the ultimate resource for tuning in to Generation Z.

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2018

11 people are currently reading
167 people want to read

About the author

Gregg L. Witt

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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Kaav.
8 reviews2 followers
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March 17, 2020
As a part of Gen Z myself, this book stood out to me. Good read for anyone my age to understand how other generations view us, and the approach corporations take to absorb us into the market. I had no idea we had this much purchasing power as a generation - but it does seem to hold together. However I was conflicted and even a little concerned about this book’s underlying aim and tactics. It speaks volumes of the kind of alienation and capital-mindedness of generations before us: is the idea of a genuine branding that appeals to the socially conscious so mysterious? Do people really need to educate themselves on how to be responsible individuals in a society, that stand for values openly? Of course, the book is honest and clear and has one key message: be a responsible, transparent corporation and the kids will give you their money.
But it also offers a lot of questions for the kind of humanity we experience at the moment - ones we need to reflect on sooner than later.
Profile Image for Peter.
302 reviews10 followers
November 22, 2018
This is a very good, useful playbook for brand managers trying to develop a marketing program that takes into account an increasingly fragmented and individualized marketplace, divided not only by age group, gender, income and education, but tech use and psychographic preferences. The authors focus on Gen Z, which means 8-18 year olds. While there isn't a lot of primary research, this book is a good review of the different social media services that Gen Z uses, and how to succeed with them (Ie not Facebook). The book also gives insights into modern marketing using video and social media to create "fandoms" around brands, work with emojis etc. While GenZ is the focus, many of this book's practical chapters on developing marketing efforts can be used for all kinds of segmentation.
Profile Image for Bernard  Goldbach.
17 reviews2 followers
October 24, 2018
I'm currently sitting with my 11 year old daughter who was born digital and who moves in constantly connected virtual worlds. She is Gen Z through and through--far removed from the 1960s of my youth. The Gen Z Frequency has helped me unpack my daughter's contradictory values of individual voice, collaborative essence, and independent style. Thanks to the analysis afforded by the Gen Z Frequency I can appreciate the pragmatic framework embodied by the teens of the early 21st century. I work with those young people and encourage others engaged in youth service programmes to read The Gen Z Frequency so they can learn clever strategies that will help us connect through generations.
Profile Image for Jung.
1,977 reviews45 followers
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August 12, 2022
Members of Generation Z are highly individualized, tech-savvy, and socially engaged. For brands to really tune in to the frequency of this generation, they have to listen closely to Gen Zers’ values and perspectives, provide them with worthwhile content, and engage them in meaningful conversations. 

Actionable advice: 

Define your brand personality.

Next time you’re trying to define your brand’s identity, try to think about it in simple terms. If your brand were a celebrity, who would it be? What car would she drive? Which other A-list stars would she hang out with and what events would they go to? Then, make a list of keywords and concepts that best describe your brand.

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Generation Z is radically different from the generations of consumers that came before it. 

When you hear the word “millennial,” you may think of Facebook’s Mark Zuckerburg or influencers like the Kardashian sisters and Selena Gomez. This loud, narcissistic generation, which is prone to oversharing on social media, has dominated the attention of brands for the last two decades. But now there’s a new demographic emerging: Generation Z.

This generation was born after the millennials, in the period from 1996 to 2011; they’re currently tweens, teens and young adults. Made up of individuals who grew up in the age of the internet, Generation Z is the first generation in human history whose everyday lives consist of constant social networking and information sharing. 

So how do they compare to the generations that came before them? Well, one striking difference is the way they use technology. Many of us grew up using a phone with a long, tangly cord that was stationary in our homes and only had one function: calling. In contrast, Generation Z was brought up using smartphones that play music, tell you the weather forecast and give you 24/7 access to the web. 

These same devices also make the camcorders of yesteryear look positively antiquated, allowing users to record high-definition videos that are hastily uploaded to YouTube, Instagram or Snapchat as soon as they’re taken. 

Gen Z consumes information and communicates in ways that are fundamentally different from previous generations, too. For Gen Z, the internet is a place to chat with friends, share content and conduct research into topics of interest. But unlike Millennials, Gen Zers have always had instant access to these activities.

So, why should brands pay attention to this fast-paced, information-hungry generation? 

For starters, Generation Z is the largest consumer demographic in history. According to 2017 statistics, Gen Z is estimated to be 27 percent of the current global population. They’re also flush with vast spending power – it’s estimated that they can influence approximately $600 billion worth of their families’ total purchasing decisions. 

This young, always-connected cohort represents a goldmine for marketers who can tap into their psyche. But how can companies achieve this? 

We’ll explore how brands and organizations can effectively connect to and communicate with Gen Z. But first, let’s take a look at how companies can identify their specific target audience within the generation as a whole.

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Create a consistent brand voice to win the trust of young consumers.

The idea that trust is critical when building consumer-brand relationships is nothing new. The advertising industry has been championing the value of trust since the early 1990s and it’s also been a topic of extensive research by behavioral and chemical scientists.

However, when it comes to marketing to Gen Z, the role of trust takes on a whole new significance. That’s why the tone a brand projects to young consumers is so important. A tone of authority, for one, will get brands nowhere with Gen Z. Establishing a conversational, down-to-earth tone that speaks to Gen Z on an equal playing field, on the other hand, can help forge authentic connections. This is essential, as Gen Z can sniff out insincerity from a mile away.

For example, a 16-year-old boy interviewed by the authors in 2017 said that he didn’t trust brands that create unreliable products, have a negative impact on society, or don’t listen to their customers. He also didn’t like brands that used pop culture references in their advertising campaigns – in the form of music, movies or celebrities – as he saw this as being an obvious and inauthentic grab for young people’s attention.

This is a pretty good list of things brands shouldn’t do when trying to appeal to young audiences. So, what should they do if they want to be admitted into the Gen Z circle of trust?

One tried and tested method of building genuine relationships with Gen Z is having a consistent voice for your brand that consumers can rely on. A brand’s voice encapsulates the essence of the brand, conveying its attitude and personality. With this in mind, content featuring your brand’s voice should be unique, eye-catching and instantly recognizable by your followers. It should also be consistent across all your brand’s social media platforms.

This is something The Walt Disney Company has mastered. The brand was once recognized as a staid, old-school media empire. But by embracing a new and upbeat voice that resonated with Gen Z audiences, they began to shake off that tired reputation. The company also upgraded its digital content to reflect its radical shift in tone, even embracing new formats like GIFs and Tik Tok videos to help them appeal to a younger audience. 
Profile Image for Rehmat.
122 reviews
March 10, 2020
Heard its audio book and found it informative about Generation Z.


This generation was born after the millennials, in the period from 1996 to 2011.


Generation Z is radically different from the generations of consumers that came before it. 

When you hear the word “millennial,” you may think of Facebook’s Mark Zuckerburg or influencers like the Kardashian sisters and Selena Gomez. This loud, narcissistic generation, which is prone to oversharing on social media, has dominated the attention of brands for the last two decades. But now there’s a new demographic emerging: Generation Z.

This generation was born after the millennials, in the period from 1996 to 2011; they’re currently tweens, teens and young adults. Made up of individuals who grew up in the age of the internet, Generation Z is the first generation in human history whose everyday lives consist of constant social networking and information sharing. 

So how do they compare to the generations that came before them? Well, one striking difference is the way they use technology. Many of us grew up using a phone with a long, tangly cord that was stationary in our homes and only had one function: calling. In contrast, Generation Z was brought up using smartphones that play music, tell you the weather forecast and give you 24/7 access to the web. 

These same devices also make the camcorders of yesteryear look positively antiquated, allowing users to record high-definition videos that are hastily uploaded to YouTube, Instagram or Snapchat as soon as they’re taken. 

Gen Z consumes information and communicates in ways that are fundamentally different from previous generations, too. For Gen Z, the internet is a place to chat with friends, share content and conduct research into topics of interest. But unlike Millennials, Gen Zers have always had instant access to these activities.

So, why should brands pay attention to this fast-paced, information-hungry generation? 

For starters, Generation Z is the largest consumer demographic in history. According to 2017 statistics, Gen Z is estimated to be 27 percent of the current global population. They’re also flush with vast spending power – it’s estimated that they can influence approximately $600 billion worth of their families’ total purchasing decisions. 

This young, always-connected cohort represents a goldmine for marketers who can tap into their psyche. But how can companies achieve this? 

Gen Zers want to be part of a movement, and they expect brands to support that.

When it comes to tapping into the Gen Z psyche, understanding their lives, priorities, daily challenges, cultural touchstones, and digital habits is crucial. 

To help with this, the authors have outlined a list of generational markers – or youth culture attributes – that define Gen Z. They are independent, diverse, socially engaged, pragmatic, collaborative, intent on privacy and skilled at filtering out irrelevant information. Perhaps the most defining marker, though, is social consciousness. 

On a daily basis, Gen Zers read news stories about politics, society, and the environment, then engage in conversations about them across social media platforms. They don’t just want to be seen and heard, though; they want to belong to a movement.

These desires are embodied in Gen Z icon Malala Yousafzai, who campaigned against Taliban militants banning girls’ education in her home district, Pakistan’s Swat Valley. In retaliation, she was shot by a Taliban gunman on her school bus. When Malala recovered and then continued her global advocacy for girls’ rights, she became an inspirational global icon. In 2013, she released her autobiography, I Am Malala, and became the first member of Generation Z to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Like Malala, Gen Z as a whole is committed to making the world a better place, and they want to align with organizations that share this commitment. As a result, they’re more aware than previous generations about what particular brands stand for and how they conduct business. Not only do they check whether products have good reviews online, but they also look at a brand’s history, unearthing any sketchy dealings with questionable business partners. 

If your brand is testing on animals or failing to publicly support LGBTQ+ rights, chances are Gen Zers will find out; they’re also likely to spread this information across Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. 

However, Generation Z is happy to direct its purchasing power toward ethically-minded businesses that take a stand on social issues. That’s why brands need to align themselves with issues that matter to Gen Z, like diversity. Gen Zers have an openness toward differences in race, sexual orientation, and gender identity, and they expect brands to reflect these values. 

After all, diversity is Gen Z’s lived reality. The current US Census revealed a 50 percent surge in biracial youths since 2000, up to nearly 4.5 million. Gen Z has also grown up in an era where same-sex marriage is the norm and LGBTQ+ characters and stories are commonplace in mass media. For brands wishing to win the hearts of Gen Z consumers, representing diversity in advertising and content isn’t just an option; it’s a requirement.

The key takeaway for marketers here is to understand that building credibility with this generation is not something that can be achieved overnight. It’s something that has to be earned. Courtesy: Blinklist
13 reviews
October 26, 2020
From what I read, it seems that this generation is somewhat described as better than the previous one as they seems to willing to work hard on what they want to earn and possess uniquenesd as they are fully digital natives and as such they pretty much do everything there. Which was what Millennial generations was also described as but with media amplification on their uniqueness and disruption somehow I felt that Gen Y isn't that great of a generation on a general population aside to the very few special ones and we are talking about Mark Zuckerberg and the kind. But sadly, the media amplification also brainwashed the other kind that is the normal ones so they also feel that they are as smart and special as those special kind. At some real life situation, I felt that as more media and news and articles spoke about this uniqueness the more these normal ones felt they are special in so many ways, ended up being wanted exclusivities on all facets and demand other people to understand them or otherwise that other people is not at the equal playing field with them. Granted that there are so many disruptions (powerful and useful ones) but as long as the person feels that they can't invent something like that, they should behave normally as a professional and as a person. A bit sarcastic but the above are just my individual opinions and may not represent the whole opinions.
Profile Image for Oleksandr.
27 reviews3 followers
April 16, 2025
Ця книжка начебто про те, як "порозумітися" з поколінням Z. Але насправді — більше про те, як мімікрувати під них, щоб впарити товар чи послугу. Складається враження, що її писали не для того, щоб краще зрозуміти молоде покоління, а щоб скласти інструкцію з маскування під "своїх" у TikTok. Ідея довіри нібито є в заголовку, але довіра тут — це просто чергова маркетингова мета, а не глибока міжпоколіннєва комунікація.

У книжці є приклади брендів, посилання на дослідження, багато "розумних" думок. Але особисто для себе я не відкрив нічого нового. Багато очевидних порад на кшталт:
"Чим якісніше ви розповісте аудиторії про ваші цінності, тим краще." — ну дякую, без цієї поради я б точно не здогадався. Або ще геніальна ідея — питати у шумерів про те, що їм заходить по контенту. Вау. Супер. Неймовірно!

Читав із принципу, бо вчуся не залишати справи недоробленими. Та це була мука.
Книга справляє враження, ніби її писали бумери для інших шумерів, які намагаються зрозуміти покоління Z. Верстка — окремий біль. Виглядає так, ніби дизайнер надихався "сенсаційною" бізнес-літературою з 90-х.

Загалом — якщо ви працюєте з зумерами і не знаєте про них взагалі нічого, можливо, отримаєте якісь базові орієнтири. Але якщо хоч трохи розбираєтеся в сучасній комунікації — ця книга вам навряд чи щось дасть. Хіба трохи іронії й кілька цитат у нотатник "як не треба".
Profile Image for Felipe CZ.
514 reviews31 followers
March 28, 2020
Insight into the minds of Generation Z, giving advice on social media, content and marketing as a whole. Members of Gen Z are tech-savvy, but highly individualized, so brands have to listen closely to their values, engaging them in meaningful conversations, but if the brand does not have a personality, it is difficult to engage with them.
Profile Image for Salsabeel.
85 reviews6 followers
articles
August 12, 2022
Members of Generation Z are highly individualized, tech-savvy, and socially engaged. For brands to really tune in to the frequency of this generation, they have to listen closely to Gen Zers’ values and perspectives, provide them with worthwhile content, and engage them in meaningful conversations. 
Profile Image for Alaa Ayman.
199 reviews7 followers
May 6, 2023
Old man talking about gen z is so cringe ..
Profile Image for Synthia Salomon.
1,241 reviews19 followers
August 12, 2022
The Gen Z Frequency (2018) offers a blueprint for brands seeking to connect and build meaningful relationships with Generation Z. In addition to providing insight into the minds of this growing demographic, the authors give actionable advice on content strategy, marketing, social media, and more.

I am a Millennial teaching Gen Z. “Members of Generation Z are highly individualized, tech-savvy, and socially engaged. For brands to really tune in to the frequency of this generation, they have to listen closely to Gen Zers’ values and perspectives, provide them with worthwhile content, and engage them in meaningful conversations. 

Actionable advice: 

Define your brand personality.

Next time you’re trying to define your brand’s identity, try to think about it in simple terms. If your brand were a celebrity, who would it be? What car would she drive? Which other A-list stars would she hang out with and what events would they go to? Then, make a list of keywords and concepts that best describe your brand.”
1 review1 follower
October 8, 2018
This was a very interesting look at "Generation Z." I especially liked the chapter that gave an overview of this generation from a sociological perspective. I came to this topic with a lot of different bits of information (and bias) about this generation and this chapter helped put together the puzzle pieces of this generation. A great read to better understand the digital and social media culture habits of teens.
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