Our Economic Future — from a Millennial’s Perspective
Image by Chris Haslup
Trend Predictions
03.05.2009
Articles have stated that a Millennial's perspective on how 2009 will play out is more positive than any other generation group. I believe this is a direct result of never previously going through a serious economic downturn as working adults. Most of us were not part of the working world in 2001 when the economy fell - many of us were still in college. We were blissfully unaware of anything going on outside of balancing good academic standings and not missing a keg party - the real issues in our lives.
In 2009, we will all see more job losses, more business closings and more economic instability. In the world of advertising, this translates to smaller budgets. As a media buyer, I am always looking to get the most bang for my client's buck. With smaller budgets forecasted for clients this year, I feel that we can still meet expectations, despite the challenges ahead. Staying positive and keeping our clients satisfied with their investments will be a trend we'll see in 2009.
Stations are already willing to offer a lot more value this year, based on sheer inventory. We typically go multiple rounds with stations, ensuring the lowest possible rates and the maximum in value added. This year, stations will be serving up their inventory on a silver platter, and we will gladly take it!
Working with smaller budgets and encouraging our clients to continue advertising will take some creativity. We welcome the opportunity to be creative for our clients and feel that this is the best year to do it! Social platforms will continue to be a viable part of the marketing mix, with the ability to create low-cost viral opportunities. Other mediums such as outdoor, are seeing big price breaks this year. Clients may be able to experiment with different mediums and other promotional opportunities associated with value added that may not have made sense before. Staying optimistic in 2009 will allow us to be more creative in fulfilling our clients' needs. We'll seek out new opportunities. We'll be challenged in our jobs to do more with less. I'm confident that this challenge will only better us in our jobs, and I look forward to seeing how it will play out.
