From Cracker Barrel swag to Netflix "Moments," Here's What's Trending with Gen Z
Welcome to our weekly teen and young adult newsletter powered by YPulse AI and The Newsfeed. Never miss a beat on what young people are up to.
“I read YPulse every day. It's how I keep up with the audience.”
Kaley Mullin | Youth and Trends Insights Lead, YouTube
Ask YPulse AI
Every week YPulse AI answers one reader-submitted question. If you'd like to submit a question, please send it to [email protected] or leave it in the comments.
From a Reader: "How do teens feel about Disney?
Teens have a complex relationship with Disney, showing mixed engagement levels and perceptions. Based on brand tracker data from 25,116 North American teens (ages 13-17), only 30% consider Disney "cool," despite high brand awareness.
Media consumption data reveals that just 28% of teens watch Disney+ weekly or more frequently, significantly lower than platforms like YouTube (53%) and TikTok (54%). This suggests that while Disney remains part of teens' media consumption, they increasingly prefer platforms offering more diverse content and social interaction.
However, Disney maintains opportunities for teen engagement, particularly through programs like the Disney College Program (DCP), which creates strong brand loyalty among young adults and older teens. To improve teen appeal, Disney could:
- Create more teen-focused content
- Increase presence on popular teen social media platforms
- Partner with teen-relevant influencers and brands
- Expand immersive experiences like DCP
- Adapt marketing to emphasize independence and self-expression
While Disney faces challenges in fully resonating with teens, its strong brand awareness provides a foundation for potential growth through strategic initiatives targeting this demographic.
Originally asked on Novemeber 1, 2024 using the Pro AI model. Response has been edited for brevity. Learn more about YPulse AI →
领英推荐
The Newsfeed
Each week we share the most clicked posts from our expert-curated Newsfeed.
01 | Gen Z is making Cracker Barrel’s vintage-style sweaters viral.
TikTok is flooding with users flocking to Cracker Barrel restaurants in search of the embroidered sweatshirts, which look precisely like what “mee maws wore back in the 80s and 90s.” (Which is what this gen of thrifters are after, it seems.) TikTok user @em_stephenss was among the first to go viral showcasing the sweatshirts, with her video amassing over 2M views and 250K likes—and it added to the excitement when Cracker Barrel commented, “One of our fall favorites.” The trend is having a huge, tangible impact: the company's sales have soared with a 700% increase since September, and the online release sold out in moments. Technically, the sweatshirts are in Cracker Barrel's men's collection—which is a first—but they're popular among young women especially. (Country Living)??
?? YPulse reported:?Young consumers pay attention to exclusive merch, even when it’s for an unexpected brand?
02 | Some teen TikTok creators are choosing colleges for the visual appeal on their feed.
Trends on TikTok like back-to-school hauls and #DormTok have become teen content mainstays, so it's understandable that students now want their campus experience to look appealing online. But according to?Teen Vogue, some high school students are choosing colleges?just?based on how they can showcase their experiences on social media. Additionally, the reputation of a college (outside just its academics) can also be a content booster, giving influencers the opportunity to share their daily lives at aspirational institutions—encouraging their viewers to want a life at that school (as an influencer), too. (Fast Company)??
???YPulse data:?43% of students planning to go to college consider campus environment when choosing a college?
03 | Walmart is leveraging more pop culture in its holiday ads this year.?
Their latest campaign highlights moments of exchanging gifts between customers, using nostalgic clips from popular shows like?Gilmore Girls,?The Simpsons, and?SpongeBob SquarePants. The company is aiming to create an emotional resonance with young consumers through ads that reflect their current interests—which we know includes beloved comfort views and “kid” shows. Walmart also engaged the original cast of?Mean Girls?for their back-to-school ad, illustrating their focus on connecting with the entertainment tastes of younger shoppers to drive foot traffic in stores. (Marketing Dive)???
?? YPulse reported:?SpongeBob SquarePants and The Simpsons?rank among 13-24-year-olds' top 15 favorite TV shows currently?
04 | “Kidults” are embracing their childhood comforts, particularly stuffed animals and blankets.?
Research shows that 40% of adults now sleep with stuffed animals, highlighting a shift towards the acceptance of grownups keeping their childhood toys. Now, the stuffed animal market has grown from over $1B to more than $2B, largely fueled by 18-24-year-olds. Experts have found that cuddling with stuffed animals can aid in relaxation and sleep and serve?as a way to reconnect with childhood memories. This trend saw a spike during the pandemic, as many young adults turned to brands like Squishmallows, and more recently Jellycats. But it’s not just stuffed animals; many adults are also holding onto childhood blankets for comfort, indicating the?yearning for the security and warmth of their younger years. (Yahoo Life)??
???YPulse data:?23% of 18-24-year-olds still play with stuffed toys?
05 | Netflix’s new "Moments" feature lets users save their favorite scenes.?
Previously, the platform restricted users from taking screenshots while viewing content. But the new feature changes that entirely, making screencaps and scenes far easier to share on social media. And that’s clearly the goal, as clips from movies and shows frequently go viral on TikTok, though users often resort to filming their screens with their phones to share them. Now, when viewers come across a scene in someone else's feed, they can easily navigate directly to the corresponding series or movie on Netflix—turning a micro-binge session into a full watch on the platform. (Tech Crunch)??
?? YPulse predicted:?Micro-binging clips on social media?watching would cut into TV time in 2024?