The traditional marketing playbook is failing with #GenZ And the stakes for gett
By Mikeblack · May 13, 2026 · Curated by George's Blog
The traditional marketing playbook is failing with #GenZ
And the stakes for getting it wrong are high, because Gen Z may be the most disillusioned and mistrusting generation in history.
3 specific points of failure:
1️⃣ Brands speak "product", but Gen Z speaks "identity" and "values"
The brands they choose are props that allow them to perform their identities and values, amplified through sharing on #socialmedia.
Product is a dirty word, just ask the McDonald's CEO
2️⃣ Brands are leaning into #AI to craft a perfect image, but Gen Z craves raw, unpolished and spontaneous content
I know because I have 3 Gen Zers at home who think everything I create with AI is "cringe" or "ick"! 😜
There's a right and wrong way to use AI in creative: you just need to be sure you're on the "right" side all of the time
3️⃣ Brands talk a big game about sustainability and being a good citizen, but Gen Z wants to see the "receipts"
70% of Gen Z require proof of transparency and social impact from a #brand before granting them trust
Your communication strategies must account for making social impact proof more concrete and more visible -- but building social impact into the product is even better.
Let's face it. Navigating Gen Z isn't easy.
Which is why Collage Group and the Insights Association are dedicating a whole webinar to them next week.
60 minutes of hard-hitting, actionable #research to help you "maxx" out your understanding of this hard-to-define, constantly changing #consumer demographic
So you improve your next campaign or product launch
Come with your toughest Gen Z questions. We'll be ready!
Link to register in the comments below 👇