The Business of Aging with Lori Bitter
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1/31/2012
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Business Opportunities in Aging
2011 may be the tipping point of the business opportunities in aging, with approximately 78 million baby boomers in the US hitting their peak of earning and spending. From the health care debate to the adoption of the iPad, to network executives recognizing the gold in the mature consumer target, there has been a great shift in focus on the aging of our country’s citizens, and the rest of the developed world. The volume is increasing on conversations nationwide about the implications of an aging population; such as the concept of aging in place and livable design, the challenges for caregivers and innovation in technologies serving elders.New agencies, consultants, publishers and products emerge daily — all working to reach this important demographic. With this increased focus comes a burgeoning need for research, insight and thought leadership to inform strategy and practices. With this program Lori Bitter turns a spotlight on areas of business in the aging opportunity, from caregiving and product design to housing trends and social entrepreneurship and legacy. Through her interviews with experts in these areas – contributors to the program are the smartest analysts, entrepreneurs and businesspeople focusing on aging consumers and their needs- she illuminates the current research, best resources and practices created to fill the needs of the mature market, and translates the trends and data into actionable strategies for listeners.Find out each week how the aging majority is shaping the zeitgeist of the country and creating a seismic shift in our worldview and ramifications for business, creating opportunities for all types of goods and services.About the HostLori Bitter is President of Continuum Crew, an integrated communications firm focused on engaging mature consumers, where she leads mature consumer strategy. In 2010 Continuum Crew was named on Entrepreneurmagazine’s 100 to Watch list. Before opening the doors of Continuum Crew she was President of JWT BOOM, the nation’s leading mature market advertising and marketing company. There she was responsible for defining mature consumer strategy across a number of industries, including packaged goods, housing, pharmaceuticals, health care and many others.Lori is a seasoned professional with more than 30 years of advertising, public relations and strategic planning experience. She is frequently called upon as an expert for publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, CNBC.com, The Journal for Active Aging and The New York Timeson topics ranging from Boomer life stages, to prime-time women, to Boomer mothers and grandparents. She has also contributed to three books about the boomer consumer, is a thought leader for global trends service Canvas8 and a regular contributor to MediaPost’s Engage Boomers publication.She is President of the International Mature Marketing Network (IMMN).Lori holds a Master of Science in Advertising degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She is a former Associate Professor of Advertising and Public Relations within Communications at Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois. She is an empty-nester with two daughters and is currently at work on her first book about Boomers and social media.Read Lori’s blog Boomers In The Wild, follow her on Twitter @LoriBitter, and Continuum Crew at @ContinuumCrew and on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ContinuumCrewListen live each week on Tuesday 8:00 a.m. Pacific / 11:00 a.m. Eastern.
