Exactly just how big will Twilight’s opening weekend be? (So far 500 midnight shows have sold out and advance ticket sales have already outpaced HSM 3. Plus hundreds of teen “fanpires” flock to the premiere in LA. Thanks, Derek!) (Variety) (US News)
- Tech-savvy kids (are the majority. Nearly 89% of 6 to 11 year olds know their way around the computer. Plus studies show this age group really wants to make a difference) (MarketingVox) (MediaPost, reg. required)
- The Winter Blog Blast Tour (kicked off yesterday in the kidlitosphere. Look forward to some awesome author interviews in the week ahead! And in case you missed day one, here’s a roundup of clips) (Chasing Ray) (Guys Lit Wire)
- Moms give Motrin a headache (after an insensitive ad airs. The angry bloggers used Twitter to organize, eventually generating enough support to get the ad agency to pull the campaign) (AdAge.com, reg. required)
- iTunes U (offers free educational material available for download at the iTunes store. Plus check out The Gaming Krib, a digital initiative started by a panel of parents and educators with a mission to motivate kids to learn) (kottke) (press release)
- Capri Sun gets into the game (Literally. The popular kids’ sports drink launches an integrated marketing campaign with an upcoming “TV Party video game” for Wii) (press release)
- Teens play it safe (when it comes to planning for the future. A poll on Teens and Entrepreneurship shows a 67% decrease in 13 to 18 year olds who want to start their own businesses. On a more optimistic note, the poll also showed that over half the teens predicted they’ll be better off financially than their parents. Plus what’s Slate’s recession suggestion to Gen Y? Invest now) (Phoenix Business Journal) (Slate)
- Kicking that nicotine habit (may be tougher for high schoolers with limited access to resources for quitting) (CNN)
- Text for a cause (How mobile made giving easy. Also just in time for the holiday season? OfficeMax’s popular viral campaign Elf Yourself returns. And a recent survey shows younger consumers still willing to shop as much — if not more — this season. Is there a recession for youth?) (Next Great Thing) (MediaPost, reg. required) (WSJ)
- Times reporter seeks out teen sources on Facebook (and catches a lot of grief from editors and parents alike) (NY Times, reg. required via Gawker)
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Proving that not all youth-oriented social activism has to happen on Facebook, Nike and Ashoka’s Changemakers recently launched “GameChangers: Change the Game for Women in Sport” an online competition that challenges young social entrepreneurs to come up with ways to “leverage sport for positive social change in the lives of girls and women.” Until February 11, 2009 the retailer and non-profit funding organization will be accepting submissions and nominations for innovative solutions in the field of sport for social change.
What I find so great about this effort is the emphasis on creating a dialogue around the cause. Even non-contestants are encouraged to “make suggestions and recommend resources” in Changemakers’ online forum. Not only does the competition inspire empowerment by offering winners the chance to see their proposals get realized, but it also provides the opportunity for young women to get plugged into a global community of activists. Talk about teamwork.
It’s the very last issue of CosmoGirl, and judging from the lovely cover, this is one teen mag that will be universally missed. Taylor Swift bids the magazine a proper goodbye, posing with her hands in a heart shape (and wearing sweetly layered heart necklaces, naturally). The interview is bound to be interesting, with her newfound fame and recent Joe Bro breakup.
The magazine takes a cue from Barbara Walters and does its own spin on the most intriguing people of 2008, including Jesse McCartney, Nastia Liukin, and a Twilight star. Because it is the holiday issue, you can find the best party girl fashion. and an obligatory gift guide (this one is conveniently pull-out, which is unsurprisingly appealing to any gift-shopping girl… including myself). And finally, in true teen magazine fashion, the final issue of CosmoGirl clocks in with “898 things you’ll love.”
This month, Beyonce steals the cover and snags Seventeen’s “style star of the year” title. She chats about her personal style and even came up with the fashion concept for her photo shoot (”naughty-nerd geek chic,” if you were wondering). Also included are fashion secrets from such stars as Blake Lively, Pink, and Miley Cyrus, plus the top 10 red carpet trends (one-shoulder necklines, belted maxidresses).
The mag also has an eye-opening article about HIV, and with latest statistics citing 33 million people worldwide infected, now is great time to teach young girls how to protect themselves. Seventeen includes a story about a 20-year-old from the Bronx whose life has been changed from the “epidemic.” Bridging the HIV feature with the star style theme of the issue is a huge charity auction that allows readers to bid on their favorite celebs’ wardrobes.
With the most enviable cover of them all, Teen Vogue lands Kristen Stewart - although come Friday, she’ll be better known as Bella Swan. The budding actress and Twilight star talks about the upcoming blockbuster and addresses the less-than-thrilled reaction from the series’ die-hard fans regarding her casting. She also touches on her understated wardrobe and love for Chanel.
In the spirit of Christmas, lots of holiday party fashion features and 82 gifts to give (and, more importantly, get). On the more economical side, the mag enlists Gryphon designer Aimee Cho to make a preppy peacoat endlessly glamorous with a DIY fur collar (faux, of course). Plus, articles about the pros and cons of getting paid for good grades and how teens can deal with the age-old problem of embarrassing parents.
