American Idol: Insights Into Millennials
I'm not a big fan of American Idol. Actually, I'm not even a little fan or a possible, "I've seen the light" future fan of American Idol. There's something about the future of pop music being put in the hands of a few people that doesn't sit well with me. But I know millions love the program and when ABC News did a report on American Idol charity show, I was amazed at what I heard. The viewer age group that watches Idol is the young, roughly the teen to mid twenties range. In two nights, American Idol raised over $60 million dollars from an age group that is hard to target in raising money. Young people are typically self-absorbed, so how do you get a normally non-giving age demographic group to open their pocket to the tune of $60 million dollars?
First, no matter what resonates with Millennials, it is a sure bet they'll be committed to it. Millennials have a strong value to commitment but only to what or who connects to them. They love American Idol, and if the performers think giving is a good idea, then so do their audiences. That flows right into the second reason, which hinges on relationships. Remember, relationships are at the top of their value list. Just ahead of their Ipods and latte. When you live and die with the participants week in and week out, you feel a connection with them. It's like you know them, and they're almost like family to you. In other words, you trust them, and trust is huge to this generation. The "messenger" is trusted, and you're happy to give to those whom you trust.
I like to think that the Church does that. We have a trusted Messenger for this generation with a Message of Hope and Love that resonates with them. Who doesn't want that? That Message is communicated through trusting relationships with ordinary people called Christians. Now, I'm not a believer in "cookie cutter" answers, because I know it's a lot harder to open one's heart than to write a check. But I remember how I came to Christ. It all started when a girl I trusted asked me to go to a Bible Study with her. Because she built a relationship with me and I trusted her, I heard the Message of Jesus' love for me. I hate to think of where I'd be today if it wasn't for those Christian relationships I had in high school. And if it takes American Idol to remind me of that, well, maybe I need to watch it a little more often.
First, no matter what resonates with Millennials, it is a sure bet they'll be committed to it. Millennials have a strong value to commitment but only to what or who connects to them. They love American Idol, and if the performers think giving is a good idea, then so do their audiences. That flows right into the second reason, which hinges on relationships. Remember, relationships are at the top of their value list. Just ahead of their Ipods and latte. When you live and die with the participants week in and week out, you feel a connection with them. It's like you know them, and they're almost like family to you. In other words, you trust them, and trust is huge to this generation. The "messenger" is trusted, and you're happy to give to those whom you trust.
I like to think that the Church does that. We have a trusted Messenger for this generation with a Message of Hope and Love that resonates with them. Who doesn't want that? That Message is communicated through trusting relationships with ordinary people called Christians. Now, I'm not a believer in "cookie cutter" answers, because I know it's a lot harder to open one's heart than to write a check. But I remember how I came to Christ. It all started when a girl I trusted asked me to go to a Bible Study with her. Because she built a relationship with me and I trusted her, I heard the Message of Jesus' love for me. I hate to think of where I'd be today if it wasn't for those Christian relationships I had in high school. And if it takes American Idol to remind me of that, well, maybe I need to watch it a little more often.
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on Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 11:10 AM.
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