Mobile marketing reseller Mobile marketing: Gen Y lead the way in technology uptake

By mobilemarketwx

Gen Y are leading the way with mobile technology, which has significant implications for mobile marketing. While this insight has been known to the mobile marketing world for some time, a major US technology report has been released confirming speculations. The Gen Y group use mobile technology and expect businesses to plan for this in their interactions with them, especially using mobile marketing.

The Forrester report also confirmed there has been a shift towards smartphone technology, with over 20% of all Americans aged 18-44 owning a smartphone. This is a significant jump of over 11% from last year's figures.

The report shows smartphones and unlimited data plans are being snapped up by both Gen X and Gen Y, therefore providing the tools businesses need to reach these key consumers via mobile marketing. The report concludes that this key 18-44 year old market will continue to drive the adoption of mobile marketing tools.

Younger people are living a more mobile life, with over 80% of this group sending and receiving text messages regularly. While Generation Y is ahead of the rest, the rate of mobile usage is increasing with 57% of all US consumers over 18 texting. This is particularly significant for the most popular form of mobile marketing: SMS. If people are comfortable using SMS for social purposes, they are more likely to do so for business and sales interactions also.

Gen Y also leads the way in social network usage on their mobiles, at 27%. The average for the 18 + consumer is 14%. The rates of internet access are closer, with Gen Y at 32% and the over 18 rate at 23%.

Technology adoption shows a significant age gap, but the older generations are also starting to increase their technology adoption rate. While mobile marketing campaigns are becoming more sophisticated, report researchers warned that businesses need to ensure that the technology divide does not alienate older users from mobile marketing. Ensuring access to mobile marketing campaigns for older consumers will help to ensure a wider market appeal for the business.