MUMBAI: When it comes to accessing information about a product or service, it is the television young Indians tune in to. Findings of a study done by Synovate titled Young Asians reveals that 42 per cent of 12 to 24 year-olds in India name television as the most helpful medium for product and service information.
The Internet came second with 35 per cent and newspaper at 17 per cent.
Hong Kong (78 per cent), Taiwan (72 per cent), Singapore (47 per cent), Malaysia (42 per cent) and the Philippines (52 per cent) youth prefer the Internet for their product information while Thailand (54 per cent) and Indonesia (51 per cent) prefer television.
Also interesting is the fact that 75 per cent of young Indians have watched a documentary on regional television; 64 per cent have watched a music channel; 68 per cent have watched a movie (compared to 41 per cent regionally); 66 per cent have watched a children's program; and 53 per cent have watched a sports channel. Interestingly, these figures are much higher than those for rest of the region.
Also 34 per cent of India's youth aged 12 to 24 have read a current affairs / news / business magazine in the past three months (highest across the region). Entertainment / celebrities (30 per cent), IT / Technology (30 per cent), Beauty and fashion (28 per cent), sports (27 per cent) are also popular. Compared to its peers in the region, young Indians display highest incidence of movie watching -- 78 per cent and watching cricket -- 73 per cent.
Synovate India director Amit Adarkar said, "The survey provides meaningful insights into the behaviour and psyche of the up and coming young Indian. Today's young Indian is sensible, sassy and sets priorities at an early age."
"The young Indians are Internet buffs; rely on Internet not only for product/ service information, but also for news and current affairs. To top it all, the young Indian wants to use the Internet even more in the times to come," he added.
Across the region, the young Indian also has the biggest say in family expenditure. "Consumption clout is seen in categories as diverse as cars, computers, family vacations, packaged goods and entertainment. Across all these categories, the young Indian plays a deciding role in 50-75 per cent of purchases," he said.
The study revealed that the young Indian is extremely optimistic and bullish about the future, and is eagerly waiting to take his/ her own place under the sun. At the same time, the young Indian is pragmatic and strongly believes that changes in the social fabric and governance are critical towards changing the prevalent world order.
"India's marketers need to take cognisance of this emerging group of consumers that effectively balances their traditional roots with a modern day outlook," he said.
Some findings regarding brands:
Young Asians were asked to name their favourite brands - figures here show the favourite brands across the region as well as those favoured by India's youth.
