We’ve seen that today’s young consumers expect a lot from the brands they patronize, such as wanting them to take a stand on the cultural issues they support, and expecting them to be more inclusive and sustainable.
New research from 5W Public Relations reveals that a full two-thirds (67 percent) of Millennials also believe it’s important that a brand they purchase from has a charitable component—illustrating Millennials’ ongoing efforts to be purposeful in both how and with whom they choose to spend their money.
“Millennials are recognized by older generations as being hyper aware of the influence their actions hold,” said Ronn Torossian, 5WPR CEO and founder, in a news release. “The report’s insights support these claims, suggesting that Millennials aren’t blindly engaging with brands, instead taking an active role in learning what the brands stand for and paying attention to their marketing efforts. As Millennials grow to accumulate a disposable income, they’re able to make a shift from physically volunteering to showing support through monetary contributions.”
Beyond Millennials’ interest in brands who publicize their charitable initiatives, the survey also found that 71 percent of Millennials are willing to pay more for a product knowing that a portion of the proceeds goes to charity.
“This should reassure brands that if they are passionate about supporting a cause, their Millennial consumers will be passionate in supporting them as well,” said Dara A. Busch, 5WPR Consumer practice president, in the release. “If a charitable partnership is an authentic move for your brands, it’s a great opportunity not only to broaden your consumer base but also to build meaningful relationships with them.”
Download the full report here.
The data in 5WPR’s Consumer Culture Report was collected from an online survey that ran from November 13 to 18, 2019 by MARU/Matchbox on behalf of 5WPR. The survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of N=1001 American adults aged 18+. The report includes unique consumer statistics on industries, buying behaviors by generation, social media marketing, corporate image, brand activism and more.
