illustration: DALL-EThe report "Audiences to Watch: Gen Z in 2025", developed by Shauna Moran and Georgia Walsh from GWI, is based on 230,000 annual evaluation conversations with companies worldwide and provides intriguing insights into the young generation’s approach to consumption, values, and technology. Gen Z representatives are already having a massive impact on the market.
Consumers seeking authenticity
Gen Z is a generation that values brand authenticity and transparency. Unlike millennials, young people are not easily deceived by marketing tricks. The message must be genuine and engaging, and brands should clearly state their values.
| Value appreciated by Gen Z | Importance to the consumer |
|---|---|
| Authenticity | Very important |
| Action transparency | Crucial when choosing a brand |
| Social engagement | Desirable in brand strategy |
| Sustainability | Strongly influences decisions |
| Openness to change | Expected from brand leaders |
The report indicates that Gen Z avoids brands associated with unethical business practices. They prefer those that openly communicate their social and environmental actions. They expect brands to be authentic, even if it means showing their imperfections.
For companies, this means rethinking marketing strategies and focusing on authentic storytelling. Gen Z does not want perfect images but rather truth and values that reflect their beliefs.
Digital innovators and their approach to technology
Gen Z grew up in a digital environment, making technology a natural part of everyday life. However, unlike previous generations, young people see technology as a tool for self-development and broadening perspectives.
| Social platform | Main use | Popularity among Gen Z |
|---|---|---|
| Image creation, lifestyle | Very high | |
| TikTok | Entertainment, quick guides | High |
| YouTube | Education, podcasts, tutorials | Very high |
| Career development, networking | Medium |
The report’s key findings include intense use of social media platforms, but with a focus on authentic content. Young people use digital media not only for entertainment but also to learn new skills and gain knowledge.
Thus, technology is not just a form of fun - it is a tool for building careers and self-improvement. Brands that skillfully combine entertainment with education have a chance to capture the attention of this demanding generation.
Changes in interpersonal relationships
One of the most surprising findings of the report is Gen Z`s approach to relationships. Although social media has been part of their lives from an early age, young people are beginning to appreciate the value of face-to-face connections.
Despite their strong online presence, young people increasingly engage in local communities and offline activities. They seek balance between the digital world and reality. For many of them, direct contacts remain the most valuable.
New aesthetics and the need for truth
The aesthetics promoted by Gen Z differ significantly from the perfect images of previous decades. Young people prefer imperfect but real content - authentic photos, honest statements, and natural stories.
In advertising campaigns, Gen Z values:
- Simple, direct messages – without attempts to idealize reality.
- Stories inspired by real events – building brand authenticity.
- Transparency in actions – both in product aspects and brand values.
Brands need to rethink their approach to aesthetics and communication style if they want to earn this group’s trust. Even the best online campaign cannot replace authentic customer engagement.
What’s next?
Gen Z is a generation that demands changes not only in business but also in social values. The GWI report indicates that brands will need to adapt to new expectations to maintain their position.
Without authenticity, directness, and real social involvement, there is no chance of gaining the loyalty of young consumers. It’s a challenge that requires thoughtful strategy and openness to change.
The complete GWI report "Audiences to Watch: Gen Z" can be downloaded for free at
https://www.gwi.com/reports/gen-z
COMMERCIAL BREAK
New articles in section Media industry
Radio in Poland 2025. Analysis of listenership and listener behavior
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Radio attracts 17.3 million listeners in Poland every day, who spend over four hours with their receivers. Interestingly, as much as 86 percent of station time is listened to via traditional FM waves. Despite digitalization, the internet accounts for only 12.5 percent of the listenership share.
Tags, hashtags and links in video descriptions. Youtube SEO after Gemini AI update [ANALYSIS]
BARD
Once, positioning a video on Youtube was simple. It was enough to stuff the description with keywords and wait for results. Those days are not coming back. In 2026, the algorithm is no longer a simple search engine that connects dots. It is the powerful Gemini AI artificial intelligence that understands your video better than you do.
Freelancers 2025 in media and advertising. Useme report
Krzysztof Fiedorek
The modern media and communication market presents entirely new challenges for independent creators. Traditional services are giving way to more complex forms of messaging. The most popular industries in which Polish freelancers operate focus on companies' online presence and visual content.
See articles on a similar topic:
Radio in Europe. How Are Listener Habits Changing?
KFi
Radio remains one of the most popular media in Europe, but data from the European Broadcasting Union's report "Audience Trends: Radio 2024" shows clear changes in listener habits. The average European spent 2 hours and 13 minutes per day listening to the radio in 2023. This is 18 minutes less than five years ago but only one minute less than the previous year.
Equality and Diversity in Media: European Broadcasting Union Report
KFi
European public media are increasingly focusing on diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) as the foundation of their operations. Public broadcasters in Europe are implementing diversity strategies - both in content and within their teams. The findings from the report are clear: although progress is visible, many challenges remain.
Repression Against Media: Committee to Protect Journalists Report for 2024
Krzysztof Fiedorek
In 2024, at least 361 journalists worldwide were imprisoned, often for exposing the truth. In China, reporters are tracked using advanced facial recognition systems, in Israel, Palestinian journalists are jailed without trial, and in Myanmar, journalist Shin Daewe received a life sentence for... a drone.
Influencers 2024. Data, Facts, and Stories from the UNESCO Report
Krzysztof Fiedorek
As many as 68% of digital creators are nano-influencers. One in three has experienced hate speech, and over 60% do not thoroughly verify information before publishing. Moreover, only half disclose their content sponsors. The findings from the "Behind The Screens" report are both inspiring and alarming.





























