Retailers Turn To YouTube To 'Target' Younger Audience

Target TGT have been turning to social media and other online entities to reach out to millennials with money to spend on clothing, electronics, and home furnishings.

One entity being used more and more is Google subsidiary, YouTube. The New York Times reported Monday on YouTube stars soon to feature in four online video shows on Target’s YouTube channel.

Best Marketing Plan Ever?

The group, consisting of Todrick Hall, Ann Le, Tiffany Garcia, and Michael Balalis, will each be featured in their own show consisting of four webisodes. Target chose the umbrella theme, “Best Year Ever,” for the 16 episodes, which it said would be released through Aug. 14.

Although the primary subject – dorm room makeovers – sounds dull, the reality show temperament of the series has been designed to capture and hold the attention of viewers.

Related Link: Target Set To Lead The Way On Chip And Pin Credit Card Technology

For starters, HGTV fans, The New York Times said, would note the before and after format, which includes a “big reveal” at the end. In addition, the 18 and a half minute episodes are filled with emotion and action including shopping, painting, dancing, and even a frank discussion about being gay between Hall and another cast member.

Other Retailers Using YouTube

Target is not alone in taking advantage of the fact that YouTube is the top millennial destination for learning about products, according to a recent Google Insights report.

Amazon’s AMZN YouTube channel holds everything from commercials, to product demos, to office culture videos according to Magnet Media Labs. Updates take place frequently thereby providing millennials a reason to return.

Home DepotHD might not be the first retailer to pop into mind when considering millennials, but the company’s huge array of DIY videos on YouTube provide a visual education for young people who may not otherwise know how to perform simple household repairs.

Related Link: 6 Major Retailers Starting Back To School Campaigns

Nike NKE has the distinction of being the most subscribed to retail channel on YouTube with 200,000 individuals signed up. Emphasis on sports, action, and well-known athletes attract young viewers and keep them coming back.

Will It Work?

Target’s “Best Year Ever” campaign represents the first time the company has addressed millennials since December when the credit card breach occurred.

Rick Gomez, senior VP for brand and category marketing at Target told The New York Times, “Based on our guest research, guests are telling us they put this behind them and are moving on. It’s important for us to be out there and engaging.”

For Target and other retailers dedicating huge sums of advertising dollars to YouTube, these campaigns represent a risk.

As Gomez said, however, when it comes to millennials, “You have to go where the millennial generation is and YouTube is their go-to place for video content.”

At the time of this writing, Jim Probasco  had no position in any mentioned securities.