There is lots of evidence that brands see loyalty increases when they invite consumers to participate in an experience. Even Facebook "likes" increase with the smallest gesture of asking people for their opinion in a survey. People collect experiences and they value the involvement that an experience offers. For that reason "gamification" or the application of game mechanics to other types of experiences is interesting because it increases involvement and it's been shown to create consumer loyalty. And as we all know, loyalty has real business value.

This time of year, the height of all things consumer-related, quickly followed by the Super Bowl, television ads' most prestigious day of the year, the marketplace is often chock full of creative messaging. Generation Y is often the target of that creativity.

Last holiday season, QR codes, those pixilated packets of information, were everywhere. This season, they're being out-shined by augmented reality (AR). AR is finally going mainstream, but is it ready for the public? And are we ready for it?? Augmented reality consumer applications have been around for a while- about as long as QR codes - and now that a majority of Americans have smartphones to access the technology, it has the potential to take off. Notice we say "potential."

Millennials are hard to please, with consumption patterns as predictable as the mental state of the woman in the holiday Target ads (off the treadmill but in her red leisure suit) must have been on the day of the Target Missoni launch. We want what we want, when we want it... our way. And if there is even the slightest possibility someone or something may thwart our efforts, lock your doors and hide your children. Because, as many of our parents taught us, we will find a way to make it happen (because we are that talented). Note: this really …

In the holiday crunch time, a marketer's efforts can really be likened to something your grandmother probably told you: Waste not, want not.

We follow youth culture and media trends closely throughout the year, and we're seeing some significant shifts in Gen Y attitudes and habits that will have an impact going into 2012 and beyond. Some of these trends, such cord cutting, have been brewing for years and are just now becoming a reality, while others, such as students owning tablets, are the result of rapid technological innovations.

When many of us were living at home, before college, we dreamt of getting out of the suburbs and into the city. A lot of us made it to the city and planted new roots, while others were soon abruptly uprooted and forced to move back to the suburbs. Now, some of us are dreaming about willingly going back to the suburbs, but cannot leave the city. Depending on where we are at this point in our lives, due to the economic regression (yes, regression), the notion of the Millennial dream is now divided between suburb and city.

Long gone are the days when delivering your message was a simple as buying TV spots and placing newspaper ads. Now it's a complex process to distribute resources among dozens and dozens of outlets. All the while, there's the worry that if you actually do penetrate through the noise, you might wind up annoying your customer.

It's no secret that Millennials are watching streaming video online, whether via YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, Facebook, or any number of other sites (legal and illegal). And some are streaming online video via a box connected to their TV, like Roku, Boxee, and even some video game consoles. This generation is tech-savvy and poised to revolutionize the TV industry, particularly cable, just as it did the music industry.

Take this quiz to find out if you have the know-how to turn first dates into something more with Millennials.