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June 27, 2008
High school yearbook
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My son just graduated from high school and, a few days before graduation, brought home his yearbook. This was unlike any yearbook I had ever encountered, but was completely in tune with what the Millennial generation expects from communication: |
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Visual. There is almost no text in the entire yearbook—the messages are conveyed almost entirely through photos and art. |
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Photoshop. And speaking of photos, the yearbook staff made liberal use of Photoshop, using basic shots and their wild imaginations to create collages and fantastic images. |
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Fun. The Class of 2008 didn’t take themselves too seriously (I’m proud to report that my son was voted “Class Clown”) and if they could make light of a topic, they took the opportunity to do so. |
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Cultural references. These Millennials are steeped in popular culture, and they co-opt television shows, music and movies to make their own statement. |
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Community. My son and his friends cried at graduation (he’ll appreciate me writing this) because they realized that their close-knit social network will never be the same. This generation is all about bonding, and the yearbook reflects that. |
| Does your internal communication have these characteristics? If not, how are you going to communicate with the Millennials? |
Posted by Alison Davis at June 27, 2008 10:07 AM
Comments
I have to wonder of your son's classmates read your book, Your Attention Please, before putting together this year book. It seems to use a lot of the rules of engagement that you and Paul Brown talk about.
Posted by: Charles Brown at July 2, 2008 08:03 AM
Thanks, Charles, for suggesting that my son (and his classmates) have read my book. I can say with confidence that my son has looked at my book . . . but since the book doesn't have any pictures, it did not interest him. Sigh. : )
Posted by: Alison Davis at July 7, 2008 03:35 PM