DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ A random Chinese company selling food-grade glycine is Gen Z's newest obsession on TikTok
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Gen Z is enamored with an amino acid called glycine. That's because a glycine company in China has gone viral on TikTok for its unique ads. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementYou may never have thought of or heard about the food additive glycine, but it's all Gen Z can talk about on TikTok.

Persons: Z, — Organizations: Service Locations: China, TikTok

☆ Gen Z's Dream of Becoming Influencers Is Getting Harder Thanks to AI
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Clem De Pressigny | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Advancements in AI tech have given birth to an industry of AI influencers, and major companies are beginning to show interest in their far more cost-effective approach to marketing. AdvertisementMiquela's success didn't spark a virtual-influencer revolution, but that was largely because of cost — human influencers were still cheaper. She sees AI influencers being used to provide a deep level of information, support, and guidance on brands and products. Do AI influencers really stand a chance at building trust with an audience? A study in the European Journal of Marketing found that consumers were just as likely to follow an AI influencer as a human influencer but that they didn't trust the AI influencer as much.

Persons: Zers, Gen Z, influencers, wannabes, — they're, Nikita Baklanov, Julia Broome, Baklanov, Broome, she'd, it's, Miquela Sousa, Lil Miquela, Instagram Miquela, Calvin Klein, Imma, HypeAuditor, Euronews, who's, Jenny Dearing, Dearing, ChatGPT, chatbot, Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Haidt Organizations: Stanford, UGC, Prada, Companies, Meta, Instagram, AIs, Oxford, Advertising, Air, European, Marketing, Air Canada, Google, Alpha Locations: strategize, TikTok, Antarctica, Air Canada

☆ A new startup from 2 Twitch alums is trying to get Gen Z to watch TV
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Entertainment companies face a generation problem, with Gen Z shunning TV shows and movies over social video and livestreams. A new startup is pitching a solution by bringing TV to Gen Z where and how they already watch, rather than trying to train them in a new habit. The company, Gaggl TV, licenses TV shows and distributes them to creators to watch with their followers on social platforms. In a deal with Fremantle, Gaggl got the rights to old TV shows like '70s-era "The Price is Right: The Barker Era" and is distributing them to five Twitch streamers. "TV companies just put stuff on Twitch and don't realize it's the creators people are coming to see," Harris said.

Persons: Gen, Gaggl, Khleo Thomas, Peter Park, Bridget Case, Richard Karn, Megan Fraher, Fraher, Adam Harris, James Duffield, Greg Miall, Harris, Gen Z's, Twitch, Bob Ross, he's Organizations: Business, Fremantle, Amazon, Greece's, Paramount, Gaggl Locations: Fremantle, livestreaming

In particular, the researchers looked at a group dubbed "disconnected youth," who aren't working and are also not in school. As of 2022, disconnected youth comprised 13% of this age group; that share has been rising overall since 1998, according to calculations from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. AdvertisementYounger Americans are facing stagnant incomesThe Dallas Fed found that, even after a post-pandemic dip, the rate of disconnected youth has increased since the end of the 1990s. AdvertisementAnd the number of young adults with no income has been on the rise; in 1990, around one in five young adults said they had no wage or salary income. Are you or were you a "disconnected youth," or supporting one?

Persons: —, Louis, Gen, Zers, Louis Fed's, Louis Fed, William M, Rodgers III, Rodgers Organizations: Service, Louis Federal Reserve's Institute for Economic Equity, Business, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Dallas Fed, Federal Reserve's Survey, Consumer, Louis Fed, National Health, Blacks, Louis, Louis Fed's Institute for Economic Equity

☆ Broke Gen Zers are skipping first dates and meeting each other virtually instead
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Lindsay Dodgson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

However, virtual dating can't replace the chemistry and spark of an in-person meeting. Carlotta Cattelani, the UK country manager at the dating app Fruitz, told BI that meeting virtually makes dates more accessible. AdvertisementA virtual date is a less formal chance to see if your match is searching for the same things you are, Cattelani said. She warns that speaking virtually cannot entirely replace meeting someone in person, so FaceTime dates should be used sparingly. It's easier to be "catfished" on social media, she said, because virtual dates cannot replace the chemistry, body language, and eye contact you might experience in real life.

Persons: Gen Zers, —, Z, Tina Wilson, Zers, Wilson, takeout, they're, Eunice, They're, you've, I've, Baker, I'm, Carlotta Cattelani, Cattelani, it's, Sebastian Garrido, Carrie Berk, Berk Organizations: Service, Business, BI Locations: Toronto

☆ Nightlife and warm weather aren't driving Gen Z's desire to travel. Here are the 5 things that are.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Lauren Edmonds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Booking Holdings determined Gen Z travel trends by surveying 32,300 people across 32 countries. Data showed that nightlife and entertainment aren't major factors influencing Gen Z's travel plans. AdvertisementNightlife and warm weather are a huge draw for some vacationers — unless you're a member of Gen Z. Related storiesData shared by Booking Holdings, a travel company, shed light on the major factors Gen Z considers when choosing a travel destination. AdvertisementGen Z is getting most of their travel inspiration from social mediaWarm weather wasn't on the top of Gen Z's travel trends.

Persons: —, Z, Zoomers, Gen Z, Luis Alvarez, Gen, they've, Thomas Barwick, It's, Instagram, vlogs, it's Organizations: Holdings, Service, Booking Holdings Locations: Florida, Hawaii

☆ Gen Z Is Primed to Succeed at Starting Their Own Small Business
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Eve Upton-Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

He was able to scale the business to more than $600,000 in revenue by 2018, when he graduated from high school. Before the internet, starting a business was a serious hassle. The problem wasn't that people weren't interested in starting a business: A 2016 EY study found that 62% of 18- to 34-year-olds had toyed with venturing into business ownership. That has made starting a business all the more appealing — and affordable — for prospective entrepreneurs. And with the plethora of digital tools we have today, starting a business is more accessible than ever.

Persons: Luke Lintz, Lintz, Bernhard Schroeder, Schroeder, Gen Zers, —, Martin Warner, Warner, GoDaddy, HighKey, Nicki Minaj, Kevin Hart, Khloé Kardashian, Tom Peters, Peters, " Schroeder, ZenBusiness, Gen, Zers, he'd Organizations: Apple, Shipping, Lavin Entrepreneurship, San Diego State University, Entrepreneurship, Dynamics Statistics, Business, Fast Company, Small Business Administration Locations: North America, China

☆ Trump says without TikTok, 'Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Trump spoke out against a bipartisan bill that would ban TikTok. The former president said "Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business" without the app. While in office, Trump pushed TikTok to find a US buyer or face a ban. "If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business," Trump posted on his social platform Truth Social. Trump funded his own social platform in the meantime after being barred from both of Meta's platforms along with Twitter.

Persons: Trump, Zuckerschmuck, TikTok, —, Donald Trump, Zuckerberg Trump, Zuckerberg, Z's, Biden, Musk, Elon Musk Organizations: Facebook, Service, White House, Air Force, Trump, Meta, Twitter, Republican, TikTok, SpaceX, Cambridge, Tesla Facebook Locations: TikTok, United States, Palm Beach , Florida

☆ Gen Zers want you to know they are sick of extravagant influencer brand trips
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Lindsay Dodgson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Gen Z is growing disinterested in the extravagant brand trips influencers are sent on. The generation that has grown up with social media says the lavish lifestyles of the internet's rich and famous no longer thrill them. Tarte brand trips are famed in the influencer worldFor years, brand trips have been a way to solidify a company's name among the young people who watch YouTube and scroll TikTok and Instagram. Varbanova said there are some young people — mostly millennials and DINKs — who still see over-the-top, out-of-touch brand trips as aspirational. If Gen Z's spending money is the goal, brand trips are missing the mark.

Persons: influencers, Katya Varbanova, Maureen Kelly, Tarte, Bora, Shein, Tahrea Sherman, Sherman, Phil Treagus, Evans, Influencers, Varbanova, It's, DINKs —, Rather, she'd Organizations: Service, YouTube, Walmart, Giraffe Social Media, BI Locations: Bora Bora, China

☆ Celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe can't stand Gen Z's love for baggy pants
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Anneta Konstantinides | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe told BI she can't stand the baggy pants that Gen Z loves. Zoe said her son recently asked her to buy him jeans that were "six sizes too big," and she refused. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementIf there's one Gen Z trend that Rachel Zoe can't stand, it's baggy pants. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Rachel Zoe, Z, Zoe, —, Salma Hayek, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Garner Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Los Angeles

☆ British politicians think they have a plan to combat Andrew Tate's influence in schools. It's doomed to fail.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Lindsay Dodgson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewBritish politicians have a plan to train young men in schools to be alternative influencer role models to controversial anti-feminist figure Andrew Tate. He's become an all-encompassing figure for young men who feel attacked by modern society and believe they have been left behind. Boys and young men idolize TateLiking manosphere creators doesn't directly mean someone will be violent toward women. Experts have expressed worry that the influence of Tate and other manosphere creators is deeply ingrained. AdvertisementThe ideological gap between Gen Z's young men and women is also widening, and these creators could be making it worse.

Persons: —, Andrew Tate, it's, Tate, He's, Bridget Phillipson, Cindy Marie Jenkins, Reddit, celibates, idolize Tate, manosphere, doesn't, Z's, Daniel Boscaljon, they've, Boscaljon, Krysten Stein, Stein, they're Organizations: Service, Business, Labour, Guardian, Tate, Boys, Healthy, Academy, BI Tate, University of Illinois Locations: Romania, Chicago

☆ Gen Z should stop wearing crop tops and mini skirts to the office, a corporate stylist says. Cover up 'from nips to knees.'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A corporate stylist said one of Gen Z's biggest work style mistakes is exposing too much skin. Gen Z is new to the workplace and still learning what is appropriate to wear to work. AdvertisementA corporate stylist advises Gen Z workers to ditch the crop tops and mini skirts in the office, and ensure that they’re covered "from nips to knees." AdvertisementTeich said that Gen Z workers are "dressing down a little more than what we would deem, in the past, is appropriate for the office." Corporate stylist Maree Ellard shows an example of a fashionable but work-appropriate outfit.

Persons: Z's, Maree, —, Gen, Maree Ellard, Ellard, ” Ellard, Liz Teich, Jack Archer's, Teich, Ryan Vogel, they're Organizations: Service, Jack, Fox School of Business, Temple University Locations: Australia, New York, midsize New York

☆ Job anxiety is gripping the once-cushy Big Tech industry
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Matt Turner | Jordan Parker Erb | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

On the agenda today:AdvertisementBut first: Job anxiety is gripping the once-cushy Big Tech industry . ReutersDispatchA Big Tech reckoningWondering what happened to the free lunches and merch in Big Tech? The acronym, which stands for Zero Interest Rate Phenomenon, has become Silicon Valley shorthand for a changed workplace. Whereas before Big Tech companies couldn't hire quick enough, now it's laser focused on reducing layers . AdvertisementBut amid increased competition, an end to cushy perks, and the risk that they might wake up one day to find their office badge no longer works, many working in Big Tech feel … well, a little less special .

Persons: Gen, Aki Ito, she'd, Gen Xers, David Vades Joseph, Rob Dobi, doomsayers, they're, Jake Epstein, Scott Stapp, Matt Turner, Dan DeFrancesco, Jordan Parker Erb Organizations: Business, Big Tech, Reuters, Microsoft, Meta, BI Boomers, US Navy, Navy, Phoenix Locations: Big Tech, Big, Red, New York

☆ A Columbia psychology professor says Gen Z should accept that stress and anxiety at work are normal life experiences: 'We should all feel stressed sometimes'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Gen Z workers are losing sight that feeling stressed or sad are "normal life experiences." download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Gen Z being open about mental health issues is a "watershed moment" in the workplace and sparking meaningful change in the long term, according to Pike. AdvertisementFeeling stressed out when you have a deadline or feeling sad, disappointed or anxious are "normal life experiences." Pike believes the discussions around mental health and mental illness must continue and that Gen Z will eventually learn to cope with difficult feelings.

Persons: Kathleen Pike, —, Gen, Pike, Zers, Suzy Welch, Gen Z's Organizations: Columbia, Service, Columbia University, Deloitte Locations: Pike

☆ Gen Z's 'Carrie Bradshaw' shares the rules older generations should be following for dating in the digital age
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Molly Mcguigan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

But content creator and author Eli Rallo, nicknamed Gen Z's "Carrie Bradshaw," has the rules to change that. AdvertisementWith Valentine's Day around the corner, Business Insider spoke with Rallo about her top rules older generations (and Gen Z) should follow for dating in the digital age. Take a note from Gen Z and advocate for yourself"Dating is not just about other people, it's also about you," Rallo told Business Insider. Unlike the Gen Xers and the millennials of the "Sex and the City" generation, Rallo appreciates that Gen Z approaches dating — and life — from an advocacy lens. "If you want a relationship, not using dating apps is going to make that more difficult for you," she told BI.

Persons: —, Carrie Bradshaw, Eli Rallo, Gen Z's, Rallo, Gen Z, it's, didn't, Marisa Silva, that's Organizations: Service, HBO, Business Locations: Manhattan

☆ Gen Z Is the Most Unsatisfied With Work; for Them, a Job Is Just a Job
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Eve Upton-Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

And it could explain why Gen Z workers are so much more unsatisfied with their jobs than their older colleagues. Age plays a role in explaining the gap, but Gen Z is also entering the workforce at a unique time. In EY's 2023 Gen Z survey, more than 50% of Gen Zers said they were "extremely worried about not having enough money." For much of Gen Z, a job is just a job. In a Deloitte study from March, only 61% of Gen Z participants said their work was important to their identity.

Persons: Kimi Kaneshina isn't, Wyatt Co, Xers, Zers, millennials, Gen Zers, Aki Ito, That's, Kaneshina, Julia Kensbock, Kensbock, haven't, Kensbrock, —, Gen Z, Corey Seemiller, Seemiller, Felizitas, Z Organizations: Pew Research, Research, Business, University of Bremen, Bain, Co, Workers, Employers, Labs, CFA, LaSalle Network, Wright State University, YouTube, LinkedIn, Deloitte Locations: Southern California, Germany, TikTok, Felizitas Lichtenberg

☆ Gen Z prefers paychecks over promotions, survey says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Allie Kelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Advertisement"Since 2021, Gen Z has been living with rates of inflation not seen in the US in decades," the Standard reported. AdvertisementAccess to loans, a strong 401(k) retirement account, and reliable insurance coverage are benefits that Gen Zers expect from employers. Over 90% of Gen Zers and millennials said they're considering leaving their jobs, per a 2023 LinkedIn survey. AdvertisementBy offering intentional tools toward sustained economic stability, The Standard said companies will have better luck recruiting and retaining Gen Z workers. Are you a Gen Z worker and willing to share details about your economic stability goals and how you plan to achieve them?

Persons: —, Zers, Gen Z, Gen Zers, X, millennials Organizations: Service, Business, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Standard Locations: homebuying

☆ The Gen Z gender gap is widening, and the influence of manosphere podcasters can't be ignored
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Lindsay Dodgson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

There's an ideological gap widening between Gen Z's young men and women. Half of young men also believe they face some kind of discrimination, and less than half identify as feminists. Sharing the data, journalist and lawyer Imani Gandy commented on the pattern, saying: "YouTube algorithms are turning young men into sociopaths." "Women are going to rise up and women are going to take over everything and feminism is awful and women hate us," Stein said. "If you're being rewarded by the algorithm and by the platform you're creating on, you're going to probably keep doing it," she said.

Persons: Z's, —, haven't, Daniel Cox, Imani Gandy, Trump, — Imani Gandy, Andrew Tate, Pearl Davis, Myron Gaines, cohost, Gaines, Weekes shaming, Davis, Tate, Krysten Stein, might've, Stein Organizations: Service, Survey Center, University of Chicago Locations: sociopaths

This is Insider's fourth-annual list recognizing the diverse up-and-coming marketing talent who will define the industry for years to come. These marketers sit below CMO level and represent a variety of roles and backgrounds, from digital media to creative. They come from brand giants like Coca-Cola, General Mills, and LG Electronics, as well as startups like Liquid Death and Mercury. But all show the potential to be the industry leaders of the future. Scroll on to see the 14 rising stars of brand marketing, listed alphabetically.

Persons: General Mills Organizations: Business, LG Electronics

☆ Tweens are being roasted by Gen Z for buying up expensive skincare at Sephora and Ulta. One mom who takes her kid to Sephora said it's what Gen Alpha likes.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The consensus among Gen Z TikTokers is if you see a child at Sephora, you better get out of their way. They love makeup, and they always want to go," Eadie told the magazine. Related stories"Times change, things are different," Eadie told the publication. The back-and-forth online is so loud that a brand popular with Gen Alpha — Drunk Elephant — weighed in, assuring parents that many of their products were safe for youthful skin. Emma told the publication that they also find it irritating when adults reminisce about what they were doing as tweens.

Persons: —, Gen, Gen Alpha, Gen Z, Stefanie Eadie, Gen Z's, Eadie, Ulta, Instagram DM, Alpha, it's, Emma, Tweens, Maeve Organizations: Service, Alpha, Business, People Magazine, Sephora, Instagram, Teen Vogue, Mashable Locations: Sephora, Florida

☆ Talk show host Joy Behar dismisses claims that Gen Z is 'left behind' by the economy and tells them to 'get a job'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Joy Behar was dismissive of the economic problems Gen Z are facing and told them to "get a job." AdvertisementActress and TV personality Joy Behar dismissed claims that Gen Z is being "left behind" by the economy and said that they need to "get a job" instead. Griffin responded: "In defense of Gen Z, they're not hitting the milestones the way every generation before them did. One commenter wrote on X : "Joy Behar showing her whole CLASS as she tells Gen Z to get a job. Advertisement46% of Gen Z and 37% of millennials said they had taken on a second job in addition to their primary job to make ends meet.

Persons: Joy Behar, Z's, Behar's, —, Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Goldberg, Griffin, Gen, commenter, Z, Zers, millennials Organizations: Service, ppl, ABC, Deloitte

☆ My kids are from 3 different generations. They teach me about memes and TikTok trends, which helps us connect with each other.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Heather Labay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

All together under one roof, the differences between Gen X, millennial, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha could have split our family apart. I've also learned TikTok trends , why Fortnite is both appalling and amazing, and how Minecraft is an educational tool. Courtesy of the authorWhen he was 11, his younger brother Noah — my Gen Z'er — came along. With the boundless adoration and hero worship of a younger sibling , Noah wanted to spend all his time hanging around an increasingly surly tween. Heather Labay's kids, Noah and Charlotte.

Persons: Gen X, Z, Alpha, I've, Adam, didn't, Heather Labay's, Noah, Noah —, Z'er —, Kim, Underpants, Heather Labay, Charlotte —, Alpha —, Alpha — Noah, Charlotte, I'm Organizations: Museum of Science, YouTube, DJ

☆ 24-year-olds are more likely to own homes than millennials and Gen X when they were that age
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A higher percentage of 24-year-olds own a home than when Gen X and millennials were the same age. Gen Z still had the lowest overall homeownership rate of adults in 2023, Redfin reports. At that age, only 24.5% of millennials and 23.5% of Gen X owned a home, according to Redfin. But, Gen Z is primed to come out on top in the years to come. AdvertisementAs boomers die or move into assisted living facilities, a market shift will coincide with older Gen Z's best buying years.

Persons: Gen X, Gen Z, Millennials, —, Gen, didn't, Xers, X, Redfin, millennials, boomers, Z's, GoDaddy Organizations: Service Locations: homeownership

☆ Jodie Foster's not the only one who thinks Gen Z workers are 'annoying.' They say they're misunderstood.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-08 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewJodie Foster recently called Gen Z "annoying" in the workplace, causing a stir on social media. Gen Z has gained a bad reputation as workersSome X users came to the defense of Gen Z, saying their young colleagues are very productive. But many agreed with Foster's comments about the generation, arguing the Gen Z workers they know lack work ethic and discipline, yet expect a lot. Gen Z has long been depicted as lazy and ill-equipped to do their jobs. In referring to Gen Z as "annoying" in the workplace, Foster has aligned herself with the many critics of the generation in the workforce.

Persons: —, Jodie Foster, I'm, Gen Z, Zers, Z, Gen, Brielle, Stone, Gen Zers, they've, Zoe Wynns, Wynns, doesn't, Zer, Andra Berghoff, Foster Organizations: Service, Guardian, Business

☆ Gen Z is bringing a whole new vibe to the workplace: anxiety
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-11 | by ( Eve Upton-Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Another Gallup survey found that Gen Z was the least engaged group in the workplace and the most burned out from their jobs. To cope, Gen Z employees are taking significantly more sick days than their older peers — often due to mental health. You don't know what you don't know. Lou Ali, 41, who manages Malcolmson and another Gen Z employee at the PR agency Honcho, said she was puzzled by what she saw as the paradox of Gen Z's workplace anxiety. She added, "You don't know what you don't know.

Persons: Emma Malcolmson, Malcolmson, Gen Zers, Gen Xers, millennials, Z, Gen Z's, Gen Z, Zers, —, Mele, Cloey Callahan, I'm Slack, Callahan, it's, Lou Ali, Ali, they've, Z's, Ellen Hendriksen, Hendriksen, there's, Henriksen, we'll, Michelle P, King, Eve Upton, Clark Organizations: Health, Safety, Deloitte, Gallup, Depression Association of America, Google, OnePoll Locations: Canada, New York

Search resuls for: "Gen Z's"

25 mentions found