Immersive's YouthVine insights and word of mouth marketing resource explores some of the hottest teen trends of the moment. We hope to inspire marketing teams and plant seeds of creativity that impact youth brands through 2014.

1. 5 THINGS YOUTH MARKETERS
OUGHT TO KNOW ABOUT TEENS
TRENDS MASHUP

2. Don’t limit your brand to Snapchat and Instagram; teens have been flocking by the thousands to
up-and-coming mobile app ‘Shots’. With over 1 million downloads in just the first month and counting,
what makes ‘Shots’ stand apart from the rest is you can post a selfie and receive simple positive
reinforcement from others through likes. The app has completely removed commenting features,
which, according to creator John Shahidi, allows users the freedom to be themselves without the
worry of cyber bullying. Additionally, this iOS app also doesn’t track follower counts, so teens don’t
feel sucked into a virtual popularity contest! What makes this interesting for brands is you can only
post photos that you take directly in app - thus offering a unique marketing experience for brands to
be 100% real and in the moment with youth. Create a relevant angle and try it with this app!
AUDIENCE: 13-17 Majority Female
REAL-QUICK: Over 1 million downloads in the first
month of its’ launch. Backed by A-list celebrity investors
including Justin Bieber, Snoop Dogg + More.
HOW YOU FIT IN: With the app limited to only posting
photos taken in app, Shots is a relatively untapped
audience for the brands with an authentic voice and
worthy calls-to-action.
FIRST, LET ME TAKE A SELFIE WITH ‘SHOTS’
APP: SHOTS

3. Memes come and go in this fast paced and attention deficit world we live in, but DOGE is here to
stay! Teens everywhere LOVE the Shiba Inu pup around the web with fun punch lines complimenting
the different poses the dog (or doge) makes. So, while you shouldn’t give up the e-cards just yet,
integrating fun loving animals into your posts makes for some real and authentic engagement
across social media - so long as you do it tastefully while staying true to your own voice!
SO POPLAR. WOW. MUCH LIKES!
AUDIENCE: All ages, predominantly 13-23 M/F
REAL-QUICK: Memes come and go, but DOGE takes the
voice of the internet and the internets love of cute animals
and combines it into one super fueled and hilarious image
that works for any situation.
HOW YOU FIT IN: Heartwarming engagement from
consumers across social media outlets when using memes
tastefully and in creative ways aligned with your brand.
MEME: DOGE

4. Minecraft was a hit a couple years ago, but teens everywhere are picking up on the latest trend -
Goat Simulator. This April Fools Day Joke turned viral video game has sky-rocketed to the top of the
charts as young peole have picked up a copy to immerse themselves in the action packed life of
being a goat!
GOODBYE MINECRAFT, HELLO GOAT SIMULATOR
AUDIENCE: 15-20 M/F
REAL-QUICK: April Fools Day Joke turned viral video
game with hundreds of thousands of downloads in the
first 24 hours of its’ launch.
HOW YOU FIT IN: Brownie points for being in tune with
your target demographic
GAME: GOAT SIMULATOR

5. With privacy becoming an ever-growing concern for Youth, it’s no wonder hundreds of thousands of
teens have turned to the private messaging app ‘Secret’ to get some stuff off their chest. With no
names or profiles, users of all ages are able to post ideas that they would normally feel uncomfortable
sharing with others. Other users can love the post, and the idea can rapidly travel and grow
organically worldwide.
SHHHH! IT’S A SECRET
AUDIENCE: 14-20 Majority Female
REAL-QUICK: Privacy is an ever-growing concern for teens.
HOW YOU FIT IN: De-mystifying secrecy plays to your
advantage! Talk about your brand in honest and interesting
ways as if you are the consumer.
APP: SECRET

6. Every teen girl wants to be known for their keen trendsetting eye, whether through Instagram for
fashion or Tumblr for their love for various randoms. Wanelo brings something new to the table. This
site and handy mobile app is a combination of Instagram and Pinterest that gives ease to saving your
favorite fashion pics, sharing visual wish lists, and even purchasing items directly within the app!
WANT. NEED. LOVE. - WANELO
AUDIENCE: 14-20 Majority Female
REAL-QUICK: Visually stream line and give a voice to
your products for social shoppers.
HOW YOU FIT IN: If you’re a fashion-centric company,
you always want to be with “what’s next” and not settle
for over-saturated content sites that are “what’s right
now” - Wanelo offers just that with an ever-growing
user base.
SITE/APP: WANELO

7. Boy bands have been at the peak of the music industry, recycling 90s Top 40 hits with a flare of
“We’re from a TV talent show!” - But just when we thought the fad was over, 5 Seconds Of Summer
has been redefining the genre by bringing in catchy ballads with heavy guitar riffs that have girls
everywhere flocking to sold out shows.
MOVE OVER ONE DIRECTION
5 SECONDS OF SUMMER ROCKS!
AUDIENCE: 14-17 Majority Female
REAL-QUICK: This boy band rocks by creating catchy,
hit singles that have made their home at the top of the
iTunes charts and have the largest Twitter fandom at
the moment - trending WW daily.
HOW YOU FIT IN: Not only do they provide a window
into what teens are into, but their catchy songs are sure
to be Summer Anthems for years to come.
MUSIC: 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER

8. Dolphins, Kawaii, and possibly overalls. Yepp, you heard that right! The 90’s retro phase is still
kicking strong and will continue through the end of summer. Five hot styles you can find teens
rocking out till the end of the year include iridescent colored accessories, one pieced jumpers, mesh
skirts, luxe sweaters (think rising brand Wildfox designs), and tons of energy infused crystals!
THIS SUMMER IS THE AGE OF LISA FRANK
AUDIENCE: 14-17 Female
REAL-QUICK: Yester-years story is todays news in the
world of Fashion. Everyone wants to be nostalgic and
those late bloomers are just getting the first round of
90’s childhood - and doing it even better!
HOW YOU FIT IN: For those that grew up in the age
of yesterday – it’s cool again! Use your knowledge of
Nostalgia to hit your market right on the nose.
FASHION: 90’S RETRO

9. cultivating brand relevance with young people.
We unlock the passions of tweens, teens, and young adults through cohesive solutions that
emotionally connect, inspire action, and positively change behaviors. Some of the world's greatest
brands we work with, include; Qualcomm, Funny Or Die, Bravo Sports, Polaroid, Hansen's Natural,
Konami Digital Entertainment, Givit, and Body Glove.
Areas of expertise include; youth and parent consumer insights, brand strategy, social and mobile
technology, event marketing and experiential engagement.
IMMERSIVE IS THE YOUTH MARKETING AGENCY
www.immersiveyouthmarketing.com