College students want it their way : Rooftop Views

Rooftop Views

College students want it their way

In recent findings, Alloy Media + Marketing’s 2007 Alloy College Explorer, powered by Harris Interactive, finds the current college class (students 18-30 years of age) heading back to campus in record numbers and with mounting concern surrounding the state of the union and the future of their country.Today’s college class is proving their weight not only in size and purchasing power, but showing significant muscle as they strive to have their voices heard amidst what appears to them, an uncertain political landscape. As the nation heads into an important election year, students state dissatisfaction with the current administration and intend on playing a large role in the movement for change.

This year’s report finds a massive 94% of respondents expressing plans to head to the polls in 2008 to vote for a specific candidate for President and offers an intriguing peak as to who might win their vote.

Empowered to make a difference personally, students continue to push for a socially responsible Corporate America and name their choices for the Top 10 “Most Socially Responsible” brands with the announcement of the annual “Alloy U” Awards.

Samantha Skey, EVP, Strategic Marketing, Alloy Media + Marketing commented, “College students have shown interest in rewarding “good” brands and corporations for a few years now. It’s fascinating to see how students define corporate social responsibility and to hear how far that ‘good works’ perception moves the needle in purchase intent.”

My World, My Way

According to responses in this year’s study, the majority of college students do not hold a positive view on the state of affairs in the country, nor do they give high marks to the current administration. Asked to rate the state of things in the U.S. today, 58% (net) responded that the current situation is only fair or poor and similarly, their feelings on President George W. Bush’s performance in the White House garnered only fair or poor marks with almost three-quarters (73%) expressing dissatisfaction.

Interestingly, this educated and reported politically disillusioned group appear confident in their ability to do something about their discontent. When asked which group has the greatest ability to make positive changes in the world, ranking at the top, a resounding 35% expressed that people their age have what it takes to impact positive world change, more so than the U.S. Government, with only 24% reporting, and Fortune 500 Companies at 12% confidence.

My Vote Will Count

With students expressing gaining confidence in their own voice and appearing optimistic about the impact their contributions can make on the world, this years class appears to value their right to vote and the importance of being a participant in choosing our next leader.

Remarkably, a whopping 80% of students (ages 18-30) surveyed report being registered to vote, and further, 94% of those registered voters have indicated they plan to vote for a specific candidate for President.

Dana Markow, VP, Youth Research, Harris Interactive stated, “Though historically, actual participation in elections is lower than what is self-reported, it will be interesting to see the effect of this passionate generation’s turnout in 2008 as this could potentially be the term that we will see the largest voter turnout among the college population to date.”

Who Will Get My Vote

So, who’d get the vote if the election were today? With a large number of students expressing intent to vote in 2008, candidates are well aware of the influence this politically aware bunch will have on the outcome of the coming presidential election.

And, they should also pay attention to the sources this increasingly mobile group are tapping for information. Today, 70% of students who say they have an issue that will impact their vote in 2008 claim they are getting their information about these issues online, almost equal to information viewed on TV - and more than half (55%) rely on good ol’ word of mouth from friends, more so than parents’ influence.

If votes were tallied today, Barack Obama is the apparent frontrunner, getting the majority vote with 22% of students naming him our next President. Hillary Clinton comes in a close second, getting 19% of the student vote. Though it appears students today are leaning heavily Democratic, the Republicans are garnering their attention with Rudy Giuliani trailing close behind Hillary with 11% of the vote, and Senator John McCain squeezing in with 6%. Al Gore still gets students support. With 5% of the students choosing him, it appears they think he should be on the ballot.

Candidates - Listen up!

And what’s on students’ minds as they contemplate our next leader - the War in Iraq is top concern for students, with two-thirds (66%) reporting that this issue will most influence their vote. The economy plays an equally pivotal role with 54% reporting significance, followed by healthcare issues (48%), social security (47%), the environment (46%) and immigration (43%). Candidates’ stance on gay marriages (40%) and homeland security (37%) garner considerable attention as well.

My Money Where it Matters

This year’s report finds students avidly aware of where their $198 billion dollars in consumer power is being spent and they continue to show commitment towards brands that are improving and contributing to the issues that matter to them. Social consciousness among this group heightens, with 37% (net) of respondents stating they prefer brands that are socially conscientious. That’s a slight 4% increase over last year’s figures.

The study asked students what indicators are most important to them in determining a company’s social responsibility. Significantly, 74% list a company’s fair labor practice as most important, followed by eco-friendly or green practices at 66%. Philanthropy holds import as well - companies that donate to a charity or cause rank high, with 63% reporting its significance.

The College Explorer study continues with it’s annual “Alloy U” awards in this category, asking students to name the brands they perceive to be most socially responsible. Among the top finishers were several companies garnering top honors again; Ben & Jerry’s, creator of the “Lick Global Warming” campaign, Yoplait which produces “Save Lids to Save Lives” in support of breast cancer, and Burt’s Bees, a company at the forefront of earth-friendly practices. While some brands dropped off the top list this year, notable newcomers hitting a mark with students include Target and Whole Foods Market.
“Social responsibility continues to be a focal point for this generation. Good will branding, if consistent, relevant and authentic, has great potential to influence both purchase intent and longer term loyalty,” said Skey.

The 2007 Alloy U Award winners for Top Socially Responsible Brands as recognized by college students are:

1) BEN & JERRY’S
2) WALMART
3) COCA-COLA
4) NEWMAN’S OWN
5) TARGET
6) YOPLAIT
7) WHOLE FOODS MARKET
8) BURT’S BEES
9) STARBUCKS
10) KASHI

“It’s an honor to be recognized by Alloy and its many devotees for what we set out to do every day as a values-led business: To be a progressive force for the environment and social and economic justice everyday and everywhere we do business,” said Walt Freese, Ben & Jerry’s CEO (a.k.a. Chief Euphoria Officer). “Being awarded this recognition two years in a row is the cherry on top of our ice cream sundae!”

“Active participation in our communities and caring about our environment is a core value at Whole Foods Market,” said Kate Lowery, Whole Foods Market spokeswoman. “It’s energizing to be recognized for walking our talk, especially among a growing segment of young shoppers who seem more committed than ever to natural and organic foods.”
“The insights gained from the Alloy College Explorer continues to be an invaluable key to understanding what moves and motivates a class that not only is growing in size and number, but also appears increasingly able and ready to prove their worth,” concluded Skey.