Generation C. Who Are They? Are You A Member?

While doing some research for my blog this week, I came across several interesting articles describing a generation I wasn’t familiar with, Generation C.  This “community of digital natives” is of interest to consumer marketers because they are highly influential due to their need to share their lives via social media platforms.  However, the concept of Generation C is also a fascinating way to look at our culture in the digital age.  Not all Millennials would categorize themselves as members of Gen C, and there are lots of Gen X’ers and Boomers who would!  This generation is not related by birth year.   The “C” refers to Connectivity, according to one article, while another referred to Generation C as a group that thrives on “Connection, Community, Creation, and Curation. The  term has been around for over a decade.

Move Over, Millennials , an article in inc.com, outlines the importance of a different type of thinking when it comes to generations. Traits often reserved for Millennials from digital savvy, to a desire for collaboration and transparency, aren’t  necessarily unique to Millennials.  You don’t have to be a Millennial to be attached to your smart phone or embrace social media.  Young people aren’t the only ones who want to make a difference.  An excerpt from the article is below:

Generation C isn’t an age group at all.  It’s a mindset. There’s no cut-off date. You can be 15 years old or 85 years old and still be a full-fledged member. Nor is it defined by socioeconomic status, ethnicity, geography or any of the classic demographic markers. Gen C isn’t necessarily rich or poor, urban or suburban, young or old…

Members are not merely online–they’re active and engaged in online communities, from the familiar social networks to product review sites. They’re not just consuming content, they’re creating and curating it…

They move seamlessly from laptop to tablet to smart phone, connected every waking minute, often on multiple platforms. More important than what devices Gen C are using, however, is how they’re using them: as tools for participation, not passive consumption…

According to a Google article,  Meet Gen C , Gen C is a powerful new force in culture and commerce. Sixty-five percent are under 35 but they span the generations, empowered by technology to search out authentic content that they consume across all platforms and all screens, whenever and wherever they want. They can be difficult to reach with traditional media – there’s no one-size-fits-all solution here – but brands that take the time to understand them and properly engage with them will find a willing and influential audience. 

I don’t think I’m “all in” with Generation C, at least not yet, but this generation is growing.  While I primarily get my information from digital sources, embrace social media, and am always connected, there are some things that I still like to do “old school”.  For instance, I still prefer to print (yes, I have a printer) documents for proof reading, or just for reading and jotting notes on the sidebars.  I love the convenience of watching my favorite programs wherever and whenever I want on my smart phone or tablet, but I also like to sit in front of a big screen TV and watch a movie with popcorn.

Are you a member of Gen C?  Will you ever be? Do you want to be? Share your thoughts with us!