Observations, insights and innovations that connect with the 50+ market.

Japan Elderly Embrace Apple
by Kim Walker 11 August 2010 15:24:11

Here's an article picked up from Dick Stroud's blog about a report from Bloomberg in Japan. I believe, that not only the iPad (product) but the entire user experience of Apple is age-friendly. Perhaps the reason why Apple is attracting/retaining older customers and it's share proce outperforms PC's. According to a separate (amusing) report, late last year, market resear... more

5 Things Retailers Need to Know About Marketing To Baby Boomers
by Kim Walker 09 August 2010 16:42:40

Okay, it's USA-based data, but regardless, some interesting learnings from recent reseach conducted by Matt Thornhill, of the Boomer Project and collaborators and detailed here. 1. Older and Younger Boomers Are Different The two groups have different frames of reference for decision-making, shopping, spending leisure time, cultural icons and involving themselves in medi... more

Skype On TV? Why Does Gran Need A Computer?
by Kim Walker 09 July 2010 12:15:23

Skype recently announced that new web-connected TV sets from LG, Panasonic and Samsung will now ship with Skype software pre-loaded. Add a TV webcam and you can make high-definition video calls from the sofa. On Skype's website, the pitch is clear "Soon you'll simply gather the whole family on the couch for video calls with loved ones overseas, and give them a regular w... more

Networking Sites Reach Up To 80% of 55+ Internet Users In APAC - Download Report
by Kim Walker 23 June 2010 11:32:13

Older consumers in Asia Pacific are in line with global trends in social networking, revealed in an analysis of comScore data across thirteen APAC countries. Download the SilverMatters report here. Some Highlights: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia, (about a third of all countries surveyed) - have the highest percentage of mature internet users logging on ... more

1 in 3 Online Entrepreneurs Are 50+ - Survey
by Kim Walker 14 June 2010 15:02:31

A USA national survey of 25,000 businesses also found that the morning newspaper has become almost irrelevant to small business owners, with 48% going online immediately after waking (compared to just 3% reading print news). CityMax.com who conducted the survey said "We've seen a recent surge in older entrepreneurs making their own websites," The survey found California ... more

P&G launches digital network for "boomers"
by Kim Walker 13 May 2010 17:18:30

Procter & Gamble and NBC Digital Networks are targetting 'boomers' with the launch of 'Life Goes Strong' a vertical-niche site network devoted to 'Boomer' family life, style & technology, celebrating the interests of mid-lifers. Why? According to P&G and Mintel research (USA) in this WARC article; A third of all Internet users are adults between 45 and 64 ... more

New Technology Delivers Radio For Oldies
by Kim Walker 25 April 2010 17:09:08

Older Aussies will now be able to tune into a dedicated radio station through their television sets. The new Web2TV service from Aged Care Radio uses the internet to transmit radio programs into a facility's TV network. All that is needed to pick up the signal is an internet connection and a special set-top box. Aged Care Radio has been streaming programs aimed at aged c... more

AARP Member Survey On eReaders
by Kim Walker 23 February 2010 14:37:51

I caught this in the AARP website recently. A quick search of the site just now didn't reveal the final/latest results but the findings of this were interesting nonetheless. Says it all. ... more

What Persuades Older Consumers?
by Kim Walker 02 February 2010 15:29:07

They've lived a lifetime of consumerism. Seen every marketing trick in the book. So what credence do older consumers place in celebrity endorsements and which media are they more likely to search for bargains? The AdWeek/Harris poll has some interesting findings: The poll also found that the age of respondents played a factor in how persuasive they found different types ... more

Could iPad and Kindle Be The First Tech Products To Be Propelled By Older, Early Adopters?
by Kim Walker 31 January 2010 16:22:41

The launch of iPad has many speculating about it's impact on older markets, but the impact of e-readers on the older market is already well known. As the chart indicates, already a full 37% of all Kindle users are 55+. Kindle may be the first general purpose technology device in which the early adopter demographic favors the over-54 age bracket instead of the usual 18-34... more