TikTok and Twitch: New Media and Formulas to Impact the Generation Z

Abstract

The loss of interest of young people in traditional media and their replacement by video-on-demand platforms and social networks has led TikTok and Twitch to become the main sources of information and entertainment for them, demanding an evolution in the content of brands (IAB, 2021). The aim of this research is to know the perception that Generation Z in Spain has about the commercial communication of brands with higher presence in TikTok and Twitch, as well as to establish their level of recognition. It also determines the usability of these networks and which communicative actions are the most accepted by this age segment. For this purpose, a mixed technique was used, based mainly on a focus group of eight young people, five interviews with experts and a survey (n=420). The main conclusion is that the advertising industry is lacking in transforming its communication strategies aimed at Generation Z. Also, young people remember more brands that appear as sponsors in Twitch events; moreover, brands are better valued on Twitch than on TikTok. Regarding usability, these platforms no longer only provide entertainment, but have become tools for studying and socializing.