The Digital Natives have arrived. Are you ready?

Never has the velocity of change been so great for youth marketers. And now that the Digital Natives are entering their teens it’s time to step up your game. Stay ahead of the pack at Canada’s premiere youth marketing conference by learning more about the trends that are re-shaping the behaviour of tweens and teens. In addition to the latest in youth research and thought-provoking keynotes, you’ll get access to deep, meaningful case studies of cutting-edge marketing programs that work.

If you’re serious about youth marketing and connecting with the influencers and decision-makers who drive today’s most ambitious programs, then you can’t miss the 14th edition of Understanding Youth.

For the first time, Understanding Youth is hosting a Tech Show & Tell, to let you play with the coolest new toys. Leading tech brands will be on site to demo hot new products, including Sony’s new Internet TV. Also check out Sony PlayStation’s Move motion controller which brings an immersive and realistic gaming experience to PS3ers, and RIM’s new BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. Don’t miss this opportunity to get your hands on the latest gizmos and gadgets.

Get the most out of your Understanding Youth experience through our curated luncheon roundtables.  Learn about a variety of emerging issues, platforms and strategies directly from the experts in an informal and conversational lunch setting.  Sign up onsite to reserve your session, but arrive early as spots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Register for Understanding Youth today and amp up your youth marketing game.  There’s only 8 days left!

Choose Your Roundtable Topic!

	How to Effectively Engage Youth on Campus Host: Andrew Au, President, Campus Intercept
	Growing Up: Youth Engagement Beyond Acquisition Host: Sean Claessen, Executive Creative Director, Martiz Canada
	The Power of Interconnectivity through Gaming Host: James Milward, Executive Producer & Founder, Secret Location
	Studentawards Best Practices from 13 years of Engaging Youth Host: Suzanne Tyson, President, Studentawards Inc
	Highly Targeted and Cost Efficient Youth Sampling Programs Host: Mark Ebede, Partner, Pumped Incorporated
	Brand Loyalty through Digital Content Marketing Host: Mark Thompson, Director, Sales, Hip Digital Media

The greatest currency in social media is influence. Finding the right individuals who can mobilize their networks and your campaign will be one giant step closer to breakout success.

In this lively new panel, some of Canada’s most influential young social media gurus will share how they’ve built and grown impressive fan bases, and parlayed that audience into de facto roles as youth culture curators. Learn how different kinds of influencers – creators, conveners, critics and curators – generate buzz, and how social influence can benefit brands.

Moderator:

Claudia Calderon, Sr. Marketing Manager, Pepsico Foods Canada Claudia Calderon holds the position of Sr. Marketing Manager Potato Chips at PepsiCo Foods Canada where she has led all strategic and executional elements of award-winning campaigns such as Doritos Guru & Viralocity.

Panelists:

	Andrew Bravener, Social Media Producer, Freelance Andrew has produced, filmed and edited over 600 YouTube videos with an estimated 10 million combined hits and leads his mass following on multiple platforms such as Twitter, YouTube, Daily Booth, Tumblr and others.
	Bryan Brock, Creative Director, 1 Love T.O. As co-founder and Creative Director of 1 LOVE T.O., a popular Toronto brand and lifestyle blog, Bryan Brock connects with youth by helping to create and curate culture.
	Abby Ho, Digital & Social Media Strategist, Epitome Pictures Inc Abby is the Digital and Social Media Strategist for Epitome Pictures Inc., the producers of the hit Canadian television series Degrassi. Working closely with broadcast partners MuchMusic and TeenNick, she is responsible for conceptualizing and executing digital, mobile and social media strategy.
	Karla Moy, Creator, hustleGRL Karla “hustleGRL” Moy, turning 19 in June, has already been featured in magazines and websites alike for her graphic designing abilities. Moy is the brainchild behind behind her own site (www.hustleGRL.com), is also the architect of Hip-Hop superstar Drake’s official fan site, AllThings-Fresh.net.

Join Michael Samoszewski, Director of the Coca-Cola Trademark Brands, as he explains how Coke’s iconic brands have embraced social media as a key element of the marketing mix, and details examples of a disciplined approach to social media marketing that can elevate your brand.

Stay ahead of the pack at Canada’s premiere youth marketing conference and learn more about the trends that are re-shaping the behaviour of tweens and teens. For more info, check out the rest of our agenda and our roster of industry-leading speakers.

Interested in knowing who you will be networking with at Understanding Youth? Check out the list of companies planning to attend!

Join execs from top youth brands Xbox, MTV and Vice as they discuss how they’re evolving the consumer experience across real and virtual environments to become omnipresent with their audience.  See how they are developing content strategies and collaborating with like-minded brands to the point that worlds truly collide.

Speakers:

New this year, we’re fortunate to have the support and insight of the industry’s leading youth marketing experts, who are working with us to assemble our most insightful program yet.

Melissa Bissell
Sr. Marketing Manager
Garage

Claudia Calderon
Sr. Marketing Manager
Pepsico Canada

Dave Caporicci
Director, Program Marketing & Brand Partnerships
Much MTV Group, BellMedia

Eric Charles
Sr. Marketing Communications Manager
Xbox Canada