In the past week, winter came back to Michigan, history was made at the Academy Awards when the Best Picture winner was announced incorrectly, and the entire world sat waiting for April the Giraffe to give birth (which, by the way, still hasn’t happened).

But a few other things happened, too; and that, friends, is why we’re here. This week, we have three completely unrelated articles to share with you, on topics ranging from improving your focus to social media done right. Check them out below.

Infographic: What Millennials Want Online and Off

The Takeaway: Let us start off by mentioning that we’re big believers that marketers are better served by segmenting audiences using specific psychographic and demographic characteristics rather than generational lines. The term “Millennial” refers to anyone born between 1980 and 2000 – that includes 37-year-old parents or professionals all the way to 17-year-old college students, and everyone in between.

That being said, data does show that Millennials may have some characteristics in common that should affect how you try to communicate them; and that data might surprise you a bit. Take, for instance, the idea that Millennials never answer their phone. In fact, LaunchLeap’s survey (which was the basis for this infographic) showed that 90 percent of Millennial respondents will answer a telemarketing call, and more than half of them will answer all of the questions. Our key takeaway: Don’t let your preconceived notions about Millennials be the driving factor for how you market to them. Instead, arm yourself with data and put solid measurement systems in place so you can see what’s really working, and what isn’t.

Seven Methods to Help You Stay Focused

The Takeaway: Speaking of data, here’s another statistic for you… If you have a brain, it’s 100 percent likely that you struggle with focus from time to time.

Okay, that is in no way scientifically proven, but we stand behind it after reading this article. In our ever-connected world, our workflow is constantly interrupted by smartphone notifications, emails, or coworkers trying to show us the latest viral video. And without understanding how our brains focus on the task at hand, it can be easy to continue letting these things sidetrack you. Instead of resigning yourself to live this way, here are seven practical tips that you can apply to your work to improve your ability to focus. Some are easier than others, like dropping multitasking and chewing gum, but each one can have a lasting impact on your productivity, and congruently, your stress levels.

Denny’s Got a Bit Too Real With a New Meme, and the Result Is the Brand’s Best Tweet Ever

The Takeaway: This story about a Denny’s tweet is a prime example of how timeliness and humor on social media can pay off for a brand. Now, don’t get us wrong – we’ve seen plenty of instances where attempts at timeliness have backfired for brands. Those stories are enough to make any marketer weary of jumping on the next social media trend, but Denny’s example shows us how to have fun with memes in an effective way. What is the key behind their success? For one, Denny’s social media team knows their audience. Second, they seem to have a consistent strategy, even when that includes embracing the meme of the moment. Taking a look at their other top tweets, it’s easy to see that Denny’s has a very particular voice on Twitter, one that truly works for their brand. Finally, the punch line of their tweet was both unexpected and funny– and not at the expense of one group or brand.

What articles did you find particularly interesting or relevant? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook or Twitter!

Tweet to @eyreach
Message @@eyreach