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Building trust with the future generation of consumers
Speak with any CMO today and within minutes we guarantee they will bring up Gen Z. This generations’ influence is felt in every corner of our industry, whether its cancel culture and brand reputation, marketing missteps and trending content, or adaptation of new technologies and social advocacy.
The demand for Gen Z input and expertise has been unprecedented, which is why in 2022 Edelman appointed the world’s first ZEO and launched The Gen Z Lab, a unique dedicated advisory comprised of 400+ Edelman Gen Zers from around the globe designed to help brands future-proof their business for the next generation of consumers. With a dedicated data hub, external advisory board, and expertise across all sectors and disciplines, Edelman’s Gen Z Lab was built to alleviate these fears and bring Gen Z and the C-suite closer together in order to take collective action.
01—
ACCEPTED BELIEF:
Gen Z all want to be influencers.
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NEW REALITY:
Only 12% aspire to be an influencer.
02—
ACCEPTED BELIEF:
Gen Z are bold, bullish activists.
02—
NEW REALITY:
66% believe that sharing is a form of activism (and it’s not radical).
03—
ACCEPTED BELIEF:
Gen Z mobilizes cancel culture.
03—
NEW REALITY:
It’s about accountability. 1 in 3 want brands to take responsibility for wrongdoing.
04—
ACCEPTED BELIEF:
In TikTok they trust.
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NEW REALITY:
YouTube is the most trusted, while TikTok ranks #5.
In addition to our ongoing research driven by Edelman’s powerful human intelligence tools, we also conduct instant surveys and information sessions, gleaning the latest POVs from Gen Z on any topic.
We leverage a curated bench of cultural thought leaders from across industries to bring external perspective and strategic insights to brands. As Gen Z changes the world, we bring the world in.
A team of real Gen Z’ers across Edelman’s network of sectors and expertise are ready to influence strategies, ideas, and offer real perspective. We publish a regular cadence of POVs on pressing, real-time issues and opportunities for clients.
Tap the mind of Harris Reed and our Gen Z squad for cultural touchstone and creative inspiration. They advise on creative strategy with purpose and business impact at the heart.
See the crisis before it happens. The Gen Z Lab can help identify potential pitfalls before they happen, and ensure brands build authentic cultural caché to back it up.

Resiliency seems to be the mantra of our moment. In a volatile world rife with complexity and crisis, consumers are facing new pressures.

Influencer marketing is the new way to connect with younger audiences, but authenticity is of paramount importance, argues Edelman’s Jasmine Jordan.

They have the power to influence for the greater good, and you have the power and scale to help them.

As business leaders begin (and continue) to set course for 2023, they face more uncertainty than ever.
Representing their generation and local region this super squad of Gen Zers has expertise across retail, influencer marketing, energy, brand purpose, strategy, brand reputation, content creation, and more.

Hong Kong, China, Brand

Hong Kong, China, Brand

Mumbai, India, Brand

Mumbai, India, Brand

Singapore, Integrated Client Leadership

Tokyo, Japan, Brand

Malaysia, Digital

Guangzhou, China, Brand

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Planning

Guangzhou, China, Brand

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Digital

Mumbai, India, Brand

Toronto, ON, Digital

Toronto, ON, Health

Toronto, ON, Corporate/Digital

Toronto, ON, Health

Montreal, QC, Influence Marketing

Toronto, ON, Corporate

London, UK, Brand

London, UK, Digital

London, UK, Corporate

Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Brand/Corporate

Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Brand/Corporate

Milan, Italy, Brand

Madrid, Spain, Brand

Brussels, Belgium, Global Advisory

Paris, France, Brand

Abu Dhabi, UAE, Brand

Nairobi, Kenya,Corporate

Johannesburg South Africa, Brand

Johannesburg, South Africa, Advisory, Research & Media Relations

Johannesburg, South Africa, Brand

Mexico City, Mexico, Global Advisory

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Digital

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Corporate

Bogota, Colombia, Corporate

Bogotá, Colombia, Corporate

São Paulo, Brazil, Brand

São Paulo, Brazil, Brand

San Francisco, CA, Digital

New York, NY, Digital

Los Angeles, CA, Digital

Austin, TX, Corporate

Houston, TX, Energy

Chicago, IL, Influence Marketing

Seattle, WA, Corporate

New York, NY, Digital

Washington, D.C., Social

Miami, FL, Digital

Chicago, IL, Digital

New York, NY, Brand;

Dallas, TX, Business Development

Washington, D.C., Corporate

ZEO of Edelman’s Gen Z Lab

Founder, Edelman’s Gen Z Lab
Senior Advisor and Global Chief Brand Officer

Chief Operating Officer, Edelman’s Gen Z Lab

Global Strategy Lead, Edelman’s Gen Z Lab
To engage The Gen Z Lab, please fill out the form.