It's a new day in the communication world

When paleontologists travel to Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada, to dig, what do they do with the bones? Do they sit down with a pen and paper and ask them questions? No! Then why, in the 21st century do we still rely on dinosaurs to run our youth marketing campaigns? Are we really that naive as a culture that we shun our young minds? I hope not. So why, in 2008, are large corporations, and small firms alike still hiring by age? I have always thought that it was the best man/woman for the job, not 'oh he's to young where is his 15 years of experience?'

Yes I do agree, with time comes knowledge. But, in retrospect, I strongly believe that the people best fit to market products and appeal to our youth masses are us; Generation Y, Y2Kers, the digital generation. We are the testers of the software. We are the crash test dummies, and we have been through 20 years of computer modernization.

I grew up with a brilliant father, who made his life in corporate communications. He was head of communications, and marketing at two fortune 100 companies, but who do you think he turns to when he has computer problems? Me. That's right, me! And why do you think this is? Because unless he is using Microsoft Excel, or Internet explorer he's lost. In no way am I trying to put down Baby Boomers; you are probably the most influential, and not to mention wealthiest generation ever. But hey, not everyone is perfect. Our parents have been around to see all of the changes in the digital revolution; hell they've been around since before color television, wireless phones, cable, Vhs, DVD, computers, and obviously cell phones. So why? Why do we turn to our elders to market things they do not understand to a generation that they are so far attached from? Experience? I love women, but that doesn't make me an expert. Hey playtex we have this 45 year old male who is running your new ad campaign. That makes about as much sense as vegan working at a butcher shop.

Yes I may sound a little harsh, but I would like to reiterate that in no way am I knocking our elders, I am just making my point that they need to stick to what they know and leave youth marketing to us, the younger generation.

There is so much to the digital revolution that I myself can barely scratch the surface, but I'll try. People aged 14-35 are significant users of new information technologies. They read and write blogs,live and love Facebook, check email, read news, watch pod casts, download music and study on computers. By the age of 10, young Americans are more likely to use the Internet than adults.

Many major Public Relations/ Communications companies are finally getting with the program, introducing specialty groups that will bring together viral marketing, media relations, peer-to-peer, online advertising, buzz marketing, podcasts and blogging distributions, which is great. But, as a young man who happens to be part of Generation Y, I trust people my age to understand my wants. I'm not saying that there are no older people who understand. I am simply saying they are few and far between.

Certain things that I think Baby Boomers do not understand are the converging media of cell phones, cameras and webcasts. We are now able to do basically anything on our cell phones: take pictures, write emails, text messages, videos, watch movies, music videos, surf the internet and play games. What else could possibly be added? Only the future will tell.

So before I ramble and ramble I ask you to please think about what you are trying to market, and to whom. You wouldn't take piano lessons from guitar teacher, so why would you market to youths with a dinosaur?