Youth Culture Research Study Reveals Fresh Forecasts in Fashion, Sports, Internet, Technology, New Media, Video Gaming, Automotive

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September 15, 2008, Los Angeles, CA—According to fresh results released today from Label Networks’ 8th bi-annual Fall Youth Culture Study 2008 from North America, young people 13-25-years-old have completely re-shaped market trends motivated mostly by new economic conditions and changes in technology and emerging communication patterns resulting in a shift in the last 6 months in preferences and trends for where they spend their money, adopt fashion, and absorb influences from music, sports, entertainment, new media, marketing + advertising, and more. The Fall Youth Culture Study 2008, produced by Label Networks, the world’s leading global youth culture intelligence media company, provides fresh consumer insight, analysis, profiles, and forecasts that indicate how this new generation has come into their own—even creating a generation gap within the marketplace itself and where market trends are headed, including the ripple effects across Europe, Japan, and China.

Particularly, new shifts in street fashion trends, denim, T-shirts, sneaker culture, the music industry, technology, environment, and the influences of social online networks reveal that since the release of Label Networks’ Spring Youth Culture Study 2008, the marketplace has changed dramatically.

“Necessity is mother of invention and the youth market has always led from utilitarian roots,” explains Tom Wallace, President of Label Networks. “In our Fall Study 2008, you can see where change is taking place most, where new crossover influences actually represent a market opportunity. And how the very definitions of fashion, sports, communication, have changed, revealing new opportunities of what’s possible and why many traditional marketing and advertising models are now almost obsolete in this economy especially when it comes to connecting with this demographic.”

Highlights from the Fall Youth Culture Study 2008 include:

Fashion: Extensivesection featuring favorite brands, retailers, changing dynamics in shopping patterns, up-and-coming brands, and more
T-shirt brandpreferences, changes in price points, + spending patterns
Denim brands that are capturing marketshare + where the most effective price points per volume are based on demographics
Sneaker culture and major change as certain kicks no longer matter and others are on the rise
Retail landscape including analysis of American Apparel, H&M, Forever 21, Volcom, American Eagle, Hot Topic, Target + others, plus key boutiques, and online retailing trends
Retail and the new spirit of shopping experiences among youth culture, turning informal retail into the “real” retail
Electronic purchasing patterns indicating just how important this category is within overall spending
Social Networking indicatorswithin specific niche sites perpetuate the rise of trends in self-expression, communication, + spending patterns
Sports popularityshifts among specific demographics as new versions of sports increase and others move towards the fringe
Video gaming preferences for games within the music genre and handhelds opening the floodgates to a new marketplace among females
Music as the source of influence in fashion, hairstyles, accessories, and importance of band merch
Automotive dynamics—buying Used or New and Top brands and why
Beverage preference changes heat up the soda, water, and energy drink wars and what this means in terms of sponsorship, marketing, advertising
Fast Food redefined as preferences indicate new directions in what is “fast food” from youth culture
Top Future Concerns: Changed perceptions of “Success” and influences of the economy, war, politics, environment tap into new psychodemographic traits within today’s youth culture

The Fall Youth Culture Study 2008, which runs 380+ pages also includes:

Daily Updates for up to 12 months via a Weekly newsletter providing fresh global youth culture news, trade show reviews, business information, trends, fashion, music, sports, festivals, media, events, retail, technology, + emerging subcultures
Label Networks TV: Exciting video clips with in-depth interviews with up-and-coming designers, retailers, musicians, artists; LNTV has been selected as a Premium Partner with YouTube with 120 LNTV clips posted to date attracting more than 300,000 viewer impressions
Quantitative Charts, Graphs Frequencies carefully edited with top key findings, including historical patterns + information, primary data, cross-tabulations by gender + age groups
Macro Trend Summaries detailing high-level analysis for quick snapshots of key trends within specific topics
Street Photography accessdepicting leading-edge trends in fashion, footwear, sports, accessories, attitudes, tattoos, + style
Historical Data + Story Access fortrending + future forecasting

Label Networks’ Fall Youth Culture Study 2008 provides the only access to a multi-dimensional network of on-going information, with additional archival library access of both data and images for those interested in the daily changing dynamics of global youth culture. For subscription information to the Fall Youth Culture Study 2008 only, or to experience a free trial of the Premium Subscription including Spring and Fall 2008 Studies, plus Label Networks’ European, Japan, and China Youth Culture Studies and Profile Reports, email info@labelnetworks.com; or call (323) 630-4000.

About Label Networks:

Label Networks, Inc. is a leading global youth culture intelligence media company authentically measuring the most trendsetting subcultures in the world. Launched in 2000 to bridge the gap between the youth culture marketplace and the lack of useful, fast research about the fast-changing landscape, Label created new methods to gain constantly fresh quantitative and qualitative data about the marketplace accurately and quickly using a combination of remote data-acquisition and analysis systems, and a credible network of Global Street Culture Experts who seek insight from emerging subcultures. Together, Label measures and reports about youth culture, providing inspiration, data, and analysis for those needing to step-up their future business strategies. Label Networks Premium Subscription Package includes North America Spring and Fall Studies, Europe, Japan, + China, plus Profile Reports; Clients: Apple Computer, Adidas Originals, Toyota Europe, Pacific Sunwear, Burton, Fourstar Distribution, Dickies, Sunkist, RedBull, K-Swiss, Reebok, Timberland, Fox Racing, Fuel TV/Fox Sports, Footlocker Europe, Oakley, DC, The North Face, Creative Artists Agency, Virginia Commonwealth University, plus many specialty brands + boutiques, up-and-coming brands, and non-profits. Contact: Label Networks, Inc., 400 S. Main St., #701, Los Angeles, CA90013; (323) 630-4000; mailto:youthculture@labelnetworks.com; www.labelnetworks.com.