The following piece features Q&As from experts in the influencer marketing industry and will shed light on influencer trends, the future of the industry, and the culture of influence.

Check out Cassandra’s do’s and don’ts of influencer marketing and discover how your brand can reap the rewards and avoid the pitfalls of this direct-to-consumer marketing channel.

Influencer trends from around the world

Gain an understanding of the cultural factors creating the state of modern burnout in which modern youth are living.

Explore the categories and ways in which Ys are burning out, how they’re dealing with each type of burnout, and what this means for brands.

Explore the categories and ways in which Zs are burning out, how they’re dealing with each type of burnout, and what this means for brands.

Gen Ys and Gen Zs have adapted to the mentality that one should “always be hustling” in order to succeed and approach the concept in distinct ways based on their generational values and attitudes.

Youth experience near constant stimulation and struggle to find downtime, making it more important than ever for brands to position themselves as a solution and not add to the noise.

Ys and Zs are using their free time to counteract the burnout they feel across multiple areas of their lives, providing an opportunity for brands to reach them when they’re in a state of greater receptivity, as well as support and inspire their various free time activities.

Young people today are overstimulated and burnt out, and they're seeking refuge in entertainment that allows them to disengage and recharge.

Today’s youth are self-medicating their burnout with CBD, drugs, food & beverage, and astrology, seeking remedial benefits on top of their desire to escape their stressful reality.

Young people today are burdened by debt, overwhelmed by rising costs, and uncertain of their fiscal futures, creating a cycle of financial burnout that's difficult for them to get out of.

The global map of retail is the most expansive it’s ever been, stretching across multiple online and IRL touchpoints, prompting brands to innovate their strategies to cut through the noise and directly reach modern young consumers.

A blueprint for how brands can secure their spot in the future of retail through the implementation of strategies that cater to modern youth’s desire for sensory, tactile experiences.

While traditional malls are faltering, department stores and shopping complexes that reimagine the retail experience have a unique opportunity to appeal to modern youth.

Modern youth are giving rise to the demand for human-centric customer service that delivers personalized interactions which in turn create emotional resonance and build brand loyalty.

Direct-to-consumer brands are winning customers with their new take on marketing, challenging traditional retailers to break from their status-quo and take inspiration from these industry newbies.

Innovations in A.I., AR, and VR are improving the retail experience, presenting an opportunity for brands to take advantage of the customization and story-telling opportunities that such technologies provide.

Social discovery and online payments are evolving to make the shopping experience more frictionless, particularly for Gens Y and Z, who are accustomed to instant gratification and desire innovations that save their time.

Live events are a new way to shop, giving young consumers unique social experiences that create a stronger relationship with the brand and serve as exclusive retail opportunities.

Modern youth exhibit a penchant for luxury items rather than luxury brands, especially as they prize creativity, individuality, and inclusivity, and are subsequently applying these filters to their purchases.

Modern consumers expect incentives for their brand patronage and advocacy and are willing to strategize and even gamify the act of shopping in order to grab the best deals and reap their deserved rewards.

The following wheels define each generation according to the six external factors that have shaped their internal values, providing brands a clear picture of the four cohorts and what makes them distinct.

This chart displays the characteristics of each generation according to the six external factors that shaped their internal values, allowing brands to easily compare and contrast the four generations.