S3 Episode 7: Why Your Next Big Competitor Could Be Your Own Customer: The Future of Virtual Natives with Catherine D Henry

The Forward Podcast with SmartOSC

“Brands are challenged when it comes to #Web3 concepts, #metaverseplatforms, and #gaming. But guess what? That's your job. Brands need to pay more attention to this.”

In this exciting episode, we dive into the world of emerging technologies with Catherine D. Henry, a pioneer in spatial computing and a top global expert on the Metaverse and Web3. Catherine takes us through the journey of how immersive and interactive experiences have evolved, from the early days of gaming to the widespread adoption of AI, virtual reality, and augmented reality.

We’ll discuss how the pandemic accelerated the convergence of these technologies, leading to long-term shifts in how we live and interact with digital media. Catherine shares her insights on the latest trends, the impact of major players like Meta and Apple, and the importance of being ahead of the curve in this rapidly changing landscape.

We also explore Catherine's impressive background, including her education in marketing and economics, and her passion for trend forecasting and how that has allowed her to create her own dream job and lead to her writing the best-selling book “Virtual Natives”

This episode is a must-listen for businesses, entrepreneurs, tech fans, and anyone curious about the future:

🔮 “Gen Z represents 50% of the global workforce and will be at the beginning of their peak earning years by 2030, which is just four and a half years away. We need to think about how we will prepare for this new generation. Gaming is a fundamental part of where our customers are”

🎮 “Every company will need a gaming division because this is the new media platform.”

🔄”What does reciprocity look like for your brand? Instead of crafting a perfect message, maybe let your audience create something new with it. Let people play and enjoy your brand.”

Key moments:

00:00 - Introduction: VR passion and undervaluation of technology 04:10 - Acceleration of AI and spatial computing 07:50 - Challenges in retail and dominance of UGC 10:33 - Importance of online brand communities and fandom 13:02 - Shifting focus to Gen Z and future customers 15:21 - Embracing reciprocity and evolving with culture 18:03 - Importance of community and adaptable tools for Gen Alpha 20:08 - Disruptive education and cross-generational learning experiences 21:39 - Changing expectations of future employees and office culture 23:36 - Gen Alpha's emphasis on community, inclusivity, reciprocity 26:04 - Identifying new talent and embracing multiple careers 28:19 - Advice for the future and staying curious