5 Generational Gaps in Consumer Products Discovery

Published on 20th November 2018

Photo of an older man's hands holding a smart phone

It may come as no surprise that there’s a generational gap in how consumers gather information – but what may be unexpected is that this gap is actually growing.

In fact, Schneider Associates uncovered some stark differences in the sources of product awareness across generations in their 2017 Most Memorable New Product Launch Survey (MMNPL).

Key generational gaps in consumer products discovery:

  1. Younger demographics are more likely to learn about new products through digital channels than older age brackets.
  2. Although many brands are increasingly shifting messaging towards iGens, this age group has the lowest level of product recall.
  3. Millennials, on the other hand, have the highest levels of product recall at 72 percent, making them the most impressionable.
  4. The baby boomer age bracket continues to gain the most information on new products from TV commercials and other forms of traditional media. However, there was a 24% increase in social media use – particularly on Facebook – that suggests this trend may soon change.
  5. Product recall in the 72+ age demographic was similarly low to iGen rates at 26 percent.

Insights from the MMNPL can help brands identify the channels that are most effective for reaching their target audiences. To see the full report and gain more insights on what generational gaps exist, see the post from Schneider Associates on the generational gaps in consumer products discovery.

 

Schneider Associates is one of the leading Boston PR firms and integrated marketing agencies successfully launching and accelerating visibility and growth for new products, services, companies, institutions and communities through a mix of traditional public relations and marketing programs, digital marketing and social media strategies, influencer and experiential campaigns. Schneider Associates also specializes in public affairs, reputation management and crisis communications programs. Schneider Associates is certified by SOMWBA as a woman-owned business.

Related Insights

18 Nov 2025

2026 Predictions: How In-Person Events will Change

After years of virtual fatigue and hybrid experimentation, in-person events are reclaiming…

Leer más

18 Nov 2025

2026 Predictions: Thought Leadership in a Fragmented Media Landscape

The traditional playbook for thought leadership—publish prolifically, secure placements in major outlets,…

Leer más

18 Nov 2025

2026 Predictions: Combating Misinformation and Disinformation

The era of treating misinformation as an occasional crisis is over. In…

Leer más
The Worldcom Group®
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.