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The Changing Face of Content Consumption: How Can Businesses Stay Ahead?
For many companies, hearing the words ‘Gen Z customers’ can send a shiver of anxiety down their spine. Marketing teams worldwide are urgently trying to figure out how to connect with this generation as they emerge as a new and powerful commercial force.
While every generation has its slang and trends, emerging audiences are a bigger challenge because they consume and create content in a way that is different from any that have come before them.
One of the new generation’s defining features is cable-cutting – the act of disconnecting from cable television and traditional media outlets. They have grown up on the Internet and social media, rejecting traditional methods and, in many ways, being able to control the type of content they consume and create.
This rapidly changing landscape begs the question: What can a company do to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to these cultural changes? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are plenty of steps you can take to future-proof yourself, stay ahead of the market, and really capitalize on these changes.
My first and perhaps most obvious suggestion is to collaborate with the people driving these changes. If you are a Gen X or Millennial-owned business, you may not fully understand how a Gen Z audience operates, but working alongside a Gen Z influencer or someone who has a direct line to that audience definitely will.
Micro-influencers provide an excellent gateway to this. They have built dedicated communities around their brand that can provide a business with a direct link to their audiences. They have achieved this through the type of content they produce. Micro-influencers understand the type of content that resonates with their audience, and gaining insights into these preferences can be a key to unlocking the potential of Gen Z marketing.
It is also essential to be open to exploring the different content mediums. While video content is the biggest and most effective way of reaching younger audiences, podcasts are also continuing to have their moment. Being adaptable and open to these changes can be a game-changer in grabbing an audience’s attention.
At SGG Media, we have seen this first-hand with the success of Splash Sisters, our first-ever sports podcast. Audiences are looking for something they can engage and interact with, and these create the perfect opportunity for that.
Likewise, streaming is proving to be one of the most effective ways of connecting with Gen Z audiences. People are looking for authentic connections with brands, and live-streaming really strips away any of the polish and PR you find in other video formats and across other advertising. It provides a more candid and honest experience and can also really showcase a product in a way that other methods can not.
Audiences have taken control of the way content is produced, and companies that want to succeed with younger generations, regardless of their sector, need to embrace this change, not run from it.
At SGG Media, we have seen companies that feel they can not reach their desired audiences instantly connect with hundreds of potential customers simply by working alongside our dedicated network of content creators. Collaboration is essential, and companies that are not comfortable with newer content platforms should allow micro-influencers and content creators to guide them.
One piece of feedback we receive regularly is just how freeing this process can be. Utilizing newer content platforms and working in these emerging environments allows micro-influencers to share their honest opinions of a product and to promote it organically. For companies, this saves them a lot of time having to think up advertising campaigns that may or may not even connect with their intended audiences.
It is becoming increasingly clear that content consumption is changing rapidly, and if businesses want to remain competitive, they need to find ways to partner with the people driving these changes. It’s time to stop fear cord-cutting and to take the scissors by the handle and embrace it.
Author: Troy Paul, CEO and Co-Founder of SGG Media
Gaming
10-15% Of Gamers In Florida Show Signs Of Gaming Addiction: Here Are 10 Signs Your Kid Is Suffering From It (And How You Can Help)
Recent studies indicate that 10-15% of young gamers in Florida exhibit signs of gaming addiction. These findings underscore the need for early identification of symptoms to prevent negative impacts on children’s mental and physical health. Gaming addiction, if not dealt with, can lead to poor academic performance, social withdrawal, and even health problems.
Marin Cristian-Ovidiu, CEO of FreezeNova, discusses key indicators of gaming addiction and offers practical advice for parents.
Recognizing Early Signs
“Early recognition of gaming addiction is crucial in preventing long-term negative outcomes,” Marin explains. The following signs can help parents identify if their child might be developing an addiction:
Exhaustion and Irritability
Constant tiredness and grumpiness during the day could indicate late-night gaming sessions interfering with sleep.
Gaming Obsession
If gaming dominates your child’s thoughts and conversations, and they plan their day around it while neglecting other responsibilities, it could be a sign of addiction.
Decline in Academic Performance and Lost Interests
A noticeable decline in academic performance or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities may suggest your child is prioritizing gaming over more important tasks.
Emotional Volatility
Extreme emotional reactions to in-game outcomes, such as uncontrolled anger, known as ‘Gamer Rage’, or intense celebrations, could indicate an unhealthy attachment to gaming.
Physical Strain
Signs of repetitive strain injuries like ‘Gamer’s Thumb’ or ‘Nintendo Neck’ from prolonged screen time are warning signals.
Neglecting Basic Needs
If your child is neglecting basic needs like eating, sleeping, or hygiene to keep playing, gaming has likely taken an unhealthy control over their life.
Creating a Supportive Environment
While video games can be a great source of entertainment and connection, around 70% of people with signs of gaming addiction also experience social disorders. Marin recommends a few tips for building a supportive and open environment for your child.
Teamwork and Setting Boundaries
“Parents and children should work together to create a healthy gaming environment. Gaming addiction requires a holistic approach,” Marin advises. Start by setting clear boundaries on gaming time to ensure there’s room for schoolwork, chores, and quality family time.
Revisit activities your child once loved, like football practice or exploring new hobbies together. It’s vital for your child to take breaks from screens, so create a balanced daily routine that includes homework, chores, exercise and just some gaming time. This allows your child to enjoy their games without neglecting other aspects of their life.
Open Communication
Maintain open communication. Discuss the games your child enjoys and any concerns you might have. By understanding their world, you can work together to find solutions.
Remember, you’re not alone. If you feel overwhelmed, seek professional help from specialists in gaming addiction. Marin concludes, “By working as a team, setting clear boundaries, and fostering open communication, we can help your child develop a healthy relationship with gaming and thrive in all areas of life.”
Bally’s Interactive, the digital and sports betting division of Bally’s Corporation, has launched the all-new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app in Ontario, Canada. This latest release marks another significant milestone for the company, following the recent app update in New Jersey and a series of successful app launches in the past year, including the introduction of Bally Bet Sportsbook across multiple states and Bally Casino in Rhode Island.
The updated Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app represents a major step forward, as it combines the functionalities of the existing Bally Casino app and Bally Bet Sportsbook app into one comprehensive platform. Powered by White Hat Gaming, this new app allows players residing in or traveling to Ontario to conveniently place wagers on both sports and casino games using a single app, account, and universal wallet.
“We are thrilled to introduce the new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app, marking a significant milestone for Bally’s. This integrated platform merges the features of our previous apps, providing players in Ontario with a seamless experience for both sports and casino betting. Our commitment to enhancing the player experience remains at the forefront as we strive to personalize the enjoyment of playing Bally Bet,” said Robeson Reeves, CEO of Bally’s Corporation.
PENN Entertainment Inc. has launched its stand-alone Hollywood Casino app in Pennsylvania. Built on PENN’s proprietary technology platform, Hollywood Casino offers more than 700 iCasino games, a variety of daily promotions, and exciting jackpots.
Available on Android, iOS and desktop, customers in the Keystone State can access Hollywood Casino through either the ESPN BET app or through the new Hollywood Casino app using their same ESPN BET login credentials, allowing for a seamless experience across PENN’s online betting and casino platforms. PENN plans to launch Hollywood Casino in additional jurisdictions in 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.
Hollywood Casino features a variety of online slots, table games and live dealer content, including bespoke live dealer tables and a dedicated “Casino Floor” lobby that allows users to easily find virtual versions of their favorite slot games from PENN’s retail properties. Hollywood Casino also features original titles from PENN Game Studios, PENN’s in-house casino game development studio that has produced a number of popular online games, including Legendary LarryTM and Wuji MinesTM.
“We’re excited to launch Hollywood Casino as a stand-alone app in Pennsylvania, giving our customers access to their favorite games in a dedicated, casino-first experience. With four Hollywood Casino properties in the state, the app leverages our trusted retail brand and creates a seamless connection between our online and retail gaming experiences. We look forward to bringing this enhanced Hollywood Casino experience to more iCasino markets in early 2025, pending regulatory approvals,” said Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer at PENN Entertainment.
Hollywood Casino is also fully integrated with PENN Play, the Company’s omnichannel loyalty program that allows members to earn and redeem rewards, including PENN Cash, exclusive tier benefits and personalized services.
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