Today's youth are rolling in dough.
A YTV national survey says that Canada's 2.5 million youth, aged 9 to 14, spent $1.8 billion last year.
This money comes from bigger allowances, cash gifts on birthdays and holidays, and higher wages from part-time jobs.
The majority of this money is going to candy, clothes and music.
And Canada's No. 1 youth network, YTV, has always catered to this lucrative market with fun and entertaining products and characters.
Sally Tindal, a representative of YTV says, "YTV has been in the business of kids' entertainment for well over 10 years." And she says they do well with their TV programming, their very popular website and a host of other projects, including this year's release of the YTV Big Fun Party Mix 2.
Set to capitalize on the platinum success of Big Fun Party Mix 1, YTV, in association with Universal Music, have put together an album-and-a-half by combining chart topping hits with a package design that unleashes the party.
To go along with hits from groups such as Soul Decision, 98 Degrees, Fire, and S Club 7, are a bunch of great things inside the cover that can keep you and your friends going for hours.
"Kids are driving the pop music industry," says Tindal, adding, "They're taken very seriously by record companies."
Along with the music are the covers, which include some fun tips and facts, and three different games Celebrity Toss 'n' Tunes, which gets everyone singing; Buffet Basketball, which will have you stuffing your face; and a Truth or Dare game that could have some interesting results.
"Every part of the packaging was thought through very carefully, keeping the audience in mind," Tindal says.
"I really think they're buying it for the music, but they're also buying it for the overall packaging."
One song that's exclusive to this album and created with input from teens themselves is The Zone, by Nuclear Donkey.
"Kids have input on the words of the song and the title. They have a role, they're involved -- they love the idea they're part of the CD in that respect," says Tindal.
UNDERSTANDING KIDS
And YTV will continue entertaining the kids of Canada.
"If you want to know kids, if you want to understand kid culture, if you want to know what's happening with kids, this company just oozes it, breathes it and lives kids -- this is where it's happening."
Another illustration of the impact of today's youth on the music industry is the number of MP3s downloaded from the Internet.
According to an Ipsos Reid survey across 16 countries worldwide, 47% of young people who have used the Internet in the 30 days surveyed have downloaded an MP3 file. According to the same study, 90% of them will be back for more.
Canada leads the way with 66% of its young Internet users claiming they've downloaded music files.
The youth in Canada love their music.
And since the young people are more electronically inclined it will show a push toward more online outlets for music in the future.
2001-04-17
Fast FactsSpending among children in their “tween” years, between 9 and 14, is on the rise.
According to a new national study, the average “tween” allowance is $9.10 a week, compared with $7.80 last year.
“Tweens” are working longer hours, spending on average two more hours at work this year than they did last year.
The earnings gap now favours “tween” girls who are paid slightly more for their part-time work — approximately $6 an hour — compared with boys who average $5.20 an hour.
“Tweens” spend their money on candies (45%), clothes/shoes (35%), music (22%), non-electronic toys (19%), food/drinks (16%), video games (16%), books/ magazines (15%) and movies (13%).
