We know two key facts about the coveted 18-34 year old market: (1) they are tech savvy and (2) they spend a significant amount of time online. This makes online advertising a compelling medium for reaching young consumers.

These same young adults are more sophisticated about, and skeptical of advertising because they have been pummeled with display ads, interstitials, pop-ups (and just about every other advertising tactic) from day one, posing a very real challenge for advertisers. Still, the market segment, representing more than $200+ billion, is worth the challenge.

Research has found that young adults generally conduct research online before making a purchase, with the majority (53 percent) spending 1-2 hours researching a product/service. This is a critical component: young adults are clearly seeking information before making a final decision. This presents a golden opportunity for advertisers to inform and educate young adults about the benefits of their brand, products or service.

• Young adults favor: direct mail, e-mail, SMS and social network sites.
• The 18 to 34 year-old group is the demographic most highly sought by advertisers. "They are the first generation to grow up with the Internet,"
• 18-34 year olds now spend 4.3 times more time on social media than with TV, radio, newspapers, magazines and books combined
• 42% of 18-34 Year-Old Cell Phone Owners are Interested in Receiving Location Based Advertising Specials, Provided They Opt-In for Such Alerts