Someone rang me today to ask me to speak at a youth marketing thing.
I probably sounded a little bit odd to them because while talking I was trying not to laugh at my own ridiculousness.
While getting their call I was uploading photos from my holiday, including the one above which, for me, defines holiday happiness - a vintage Roberts radio (Radio 4, of course), a nice cup of tea, a hot-cross bun and a large-print detective novel (my eyes aren't what they were).
Surely, I have no business talking about youth marketing. I'm patently a middle-aged fuddy duddy.
And yet, and yet, I do know a bit about youth marketing. And the fact that I can like all the above and still be OK at talking to 'young people' probably says something about the changing face of youth. Or maybe it just says I should start thinking about 'greys'.
They got me to speak about marketing to them young people at a conference out here in Oz - was funny - but then again as the only person in the room wearing trainers I guess who else would you ask ;)
Changing face of youth, chief: meet the grup - the death of the generational gap. Apparently.
http://newyorkmetro.com/news/features/16529/
Posted by: Faris | April 12, 2006 at 01:16 AM
I wouldn't worry about it either Russell. You're as cool as anyone. I constantly find myself enjoying grown up luxuries like high teas and going to spas, yet I'm a scruffy, beer-guzzling 24 yr old working in an agency.
It's the fragmentation of hobbies and lifestyles.
Posted by: Ed | April 12, 2006 at 11:08 AM
Hi Russell,
As I was reading your post I was thinking about an upcoming youth marketing conference where I've been asked to both speak and DJ (and I'm no spring chicken).
(That "grups" article hit close to home on a few points, too)
Posted by: Dino | April 12, 2006 at 03:30 PM
It is not the age of the speaker that is important. It is about the authenticity and honesty which comes through in what you say. There is much that we all learn by visiting and reading your blog ... one of the more important ones is generosity.
Posted by: Servant of Chaos | April 12, 2006 at 03:57 PM
bless you all. The Grup thing alarms me. I don't like being identified as a target.
But I'm going to embrace my pipe and slippers.
Posted by: russell | April 12, 2006 at 04:30 PM