#296 known

Our newspaper carries a column every day that includes birthday listings of famous people.   One day last week, it noted the birthdays of Carl Reiner (who I can't believe is 91!), Bobby Orr, William Hurt, Spike Lee, Holly Hunter and Kathy Ireland -- all age 50 or older.  I know of them all.

Then we got to Michael Rapaport, Chester Bennington, Nick Wheeler and Christy Carlson Romano.  Who are these people?

I am sure that if someone in their age group read the paper, they would have the same reaction to the older set.  

Famous and known are relative terms.  

As you try to communicate to intergenerational audiences, can you test your assumptions before your proceed -- such as  asking high school students if they have ever heard of a person or phrase before including it in admissions publications?  Can you increase clarity with a descriptive phrase (Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Orr) or by anchoring someone to a more known entity (Disney Channel's Christy Carlson Romano)?    

Half of that "people" column was irrelevant to me, and I'm sure half of it was irrelevant to others.  Try to take steps so that your message isn't the irrelevant half!

-- beth triplett
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