Hippies, Yippies, Yuppies and Now YAPS

50 plus Online Magazine (http://www.50plusMag.com) re-defines a demographic: Yesterday's boomers are today's YAPS. Y.A.P.S.: Youthful, Active, Pre-Seniors.

(PRWEB) January 17, 2005

The media called them baby boomers. Today that term is archaic. "The term "baby boomers" described who they were, not who they are today,” says Gary Geyer, editor of 50 plus Online Magazine. (http://www.50plusMag.com) "So we re-named them to more accurately describe them. What we are calling them now are "YAPS" (or 'Yappies')-- Youthful, Active, Pre-Seniors."

"YAPS fall into the age spectrum of about 50—65, give or take a few years in either direction,” adds Geyer. "Generally speaking, YAPS are over 50 and therefore considered part of the ‘mature market’."

But make no mistake. There is a big difference between pre-seniors and seniors – (The terms “pre-seniors“ and “seniors” can often be a state of mind and need not necessarily coincide with a person’s numerical age. How one perceives oneself is the key.)

The question is who are those so-called baby boomers today. The paradox is that they are those same people today as they were yesterday*, only older. So to begin with, let’s stop calling them baby boomers and start calling them what they are – YAPS! Youthful, Active, Pre- Seniors.”

Most YAPS don't think of themselves as seniors and they probably would not even like to be referred to a “Pre-Seniors”. As a group, they will go kicking and screaming into old age, The rallying cry they used in the sixties to protest a war is still appropriate today—only now they protest getting old: ‘Hell no, we won’t go!.’”.

YAPS are not like their parents (who actually are seniors). YAPS are youthful in appearance and attitude. They try to stay active, exercise, watch their diet, eat healthier than those half their age, still listen to rock ‘n roll, are fashion conscious, get nipped and tucked and have romantic inclinations.

YAPS lead active sex lives, are prominent in the work force, are politically motivated, surf and shop the internet, play video games, go to the movies, take vacations, frequent restaurants, travel, buy luxury items (more than any other demographic) including new cars, boats and houses, provide for their children, their grandchildren and today more than ever, take care of their aging parents.

“When you consider that the “YAPPIE” population increases every 7 seconds, the mind boggles at this virtually untapped market. YAPS will spend upward of three trillion dollars in 2005 on anything and everything that prolongs their (forgive me) yapiness," says Geyer

The time is right for this segment of the population to have their very own pop-culture designation. Goodbye hippies, yippies and yuppies. 2005 is definitely the year of the YAPS!

About 50plus Online Magazine (http://www.50plusMag.com)

50plus Online Magazine is an online magazine directed to a “Yappie” audience. The focus is on contemporary issues approached from a 50+ perspective. ”We’re quite different than most other sites or publications geared to the mature market. Although we have many senior readers, a good many of our articles are written with the youthful, active, pre-senior audience in mind.”

Who were the baby boomers?

To refresh your memory, a third of the US population ---76 million –was born between 1946 and 1964. They were called baby boomers.

With them came a revolution effecting just about everything. New industries sprung up by the thousands to service the hoard. Shoes, cameras, band-aids, tricycles and toys of every kind (think Hula-hoops, Slinkies and Davy Crocket hats.) This population explosion resulted in thousands of new homes being built around the country and the birth of the suburbs. When boomers ate food, the snack, restaurant and supermarket industries emerged. They needed doctors and healthcare systems were created. They bought clothes and the fashion industry exploded. To put it mildly, they changed everything.

Gary Geyer is founder, editor and publisher of 50plus Online Magazine as well as President and Creative Director of Alive & Kicking Advertising—a marketing company that specializes in the 50+ market.

Please call or email with advertising and promotion opportunites.

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