Hispanic Teens Are the New Avatars of Cool

Hispanic Teens Are the New Avatars of Cool

Cheskin Reveals Growing Influence of 'Intraculturalism' in Nuestro Futuro: Hispanic Teens in Their Own Words

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif., June 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Hispanic teens may be the single most important segment for future-oriented marketers to understand. Why? Because they provide rich insights into larger issues affecting the future of the American consumer identity, including the influence of ethnicity and culture. They also represent the future direction of the 43 million strong U.S. Hispanic consumer market. And with a current spending power of $20 billion and a projected growth rate six times higher than the rest of the teen market, Hispanic teens are a force in and of themselves.

To empower companies to better approach this segment, the innovation consulting firm Cheskin has today released Nuestro Futuro: Hispanic Teens in Their Own Words, an unprecedented video profile of U.S. Hispanic teen lifestyles, attitudes and behaviors. Produced from over 30 hours of in-depth at-home interviews with more than 30 Hispanic teens across the US, ages 13 to 19, the profile illuminates key issues in the words of teens themselves. Hearing and seeing them in their homes through the lenses of Snippies video journalists provides an emotive and realistic context for understanding.

Predominantly bilingual and bicultural, Hispanic teens in the U.S. are complex, celebrating their ethnic identity and effortlessly combining it with mainstream teen culture. They are addicted to MySpace.com and glued to mainstream TV, but have the advantage of choice -- engaging with Spanish language media as long as it validates who they are. They find value and security in both their social network of friends and their family connections.

"Currently, many marketing programs correctly focus on multicultural markets, celebrating distinct cultures for targeted products, services and communications. With youth, we believe the trend is toward 'intraculturalism' -- the combining, sharing, and recreating of multiple ethnic identity influences," says Stephen Palacios, Cheskin executive vice president. "Studying this phenomenon in Hispanic teens can provide insights into not only this segment, but how this ethnic variable is playing a greater role for teens generally, affecting the way youth marketers structure their approach."

Nuestro Futuro provides insights from language use to media behaviors, from ambitions to purchase influences. It dimensionalizes three major themes:

* There are multiple levels of complexity in how Hispanic teens
identify themselves. While Hispanic traditions provide grounding,
this segment maintains a multicultural, broad worldview and embraces
diversity. Family orientation is important, but so is establishing
their unique individuality.
* They have influence within their own families as role models and
navigators, and as cultural ambassadors with their friends. They are
proud of the growing influence of Hispanic culture in the U.S.
* They are optimistic. While achievement oriented, they also seek life
balance and opportunities for altruism. Education is important to
them, and they recognize the advantages of their own bilingualism.

Nuestro Futuro: Hispanic Teens in Their Own Words is available in a set of three DVDs. It can be purchased at www.snippies.com/nuestrofuturo (SKU: RR- 2006-01; Price: $5,850.00). The 3-DVD set includes:

* A 20-minute video profile summary with key themes, insights and
recommendations.
* Three hours of video highlights with insights on language use,
cultural meanings, social networks and activities, ambitions, media
habits and preferences, style, brands and advertising influence.
* A written report providing enhanced additional insights,
recommendations and market statistics.

More information about Nuestro Futuro and additional offerings can be found on www.cheskin.com or by contacting Cheskin at 415.348.0780 x228.

About Cheskin

Cheskin (www.cheskin.com) is a consulting firm that guides innovation through a deep understanding of people, cultures and change. From a perspective grounded in research, design and marketing, Cheskin helps companies identify new markets, develop new products and services, and enhance brand experience.

Cheskin's clients range from technology and finance to consumer goods and professional services, and include Microsoft, Nokia, Blue Shield, Unilever, and Wal-Mart. Cheskin, established in 1946 and based in Redwood Shores, CA, with offices in New York, Seattle, San Francisco and Mexico City, consults in over 20 countries.

About Snippies

Snippies (www.snippies.com) is a unique "video data gathering" company, focused on producing insightful video footage through interviews and observations. Snippies manages a global team of local video journalists selected for their interviewing skills and technical prowess. In over 85 markets (over 50 of them in the US), Snippies conducts one-on-one interviews in homes, offices and on the streets -- bringing to researchers the world of their targets, revealing attitudes and behaviors both quickly and powerfully. Snippies' production staff weaves together the footage into compelling presentations, both video and web-based. Aside from market research, clients use Snippies for business pitches, corporate communications, event audit and recap videos, conference videos, sales/marketing presentations and web content.

Media Contact:
Mary Cocoma
415-613-5881
mcocoma@pacbell.net

Source: Cheskin

CONTACT: Mary Cocoma, +1-415-613-5881, or mcocoma@pacbell.net, for
Cheskin

Web site: http://www.cheskin.com/
http://www.snippies.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: 1. To a receive b-roll, photos, or a copy of Nuestro Futuro, please contact Mary Cocoma at mcocoma@pacbell.net or 415-613-5881. 2. Following are example quotes from some of the teens included in the profile: "My personal style is mine. I don't know how to explain it ... I'm a fresh Latin Hip Hop style ... It's my unique and own style. I try to take samples from other styles, but I don't just straight copy. I take bits and pieces here and there and just make it my own." William, 19, Chicago. Country of Origin: Puerto Rico "I think there are a lot of things that rub off into the American culture from the Hispanic culture, like the music. For example there is this type of music called Reggaeton and it's being played all over the world. And the language -- I think pretty soon people will be required to speak Spanish because I think it's really important to be bilingual." Vanesa, 18, Los Angeles (Torrance). Country of Origin: El Salvador

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