Southwest Airlines, Millennials and Music

Wouldn't it be great if companies could tap into the ideas of student entrepreneurs, and bring to the forefront brilliant ideas that the Millennials have in business? And then take those ideas and bring them into fruition? It sounds like a far-fetched idea, but that's exactly what Southwest Airlines did in their Recess 2016 Spring Tour.

Mix Music and Business to Attract New Entrepreneurs

Mid April (April 5 through April 18) Southwest Airlines reached out to 18 universities and colleges to find current student entrepreneurs. Southwest Airlines gave the students the opportunity to meet with the biggest investors and venture capitalists in the country to pitch their startup ideas. These entrepreneurs were then entered into a bracket style competition to compete for a cash prize of $250,000.

After each stop on the tour, the students were invited to an after party concert which featured artists such as Tory Lanez, GoldLink, and Lil Dicky. The concerts and party atmosphere of the competition's after party attracted students to consider the message that Southwest Airlines had to offer: “Your ideas are important and we want to know what you think is important to your generation.”

A Win-Win Situation for All Involved

In Southwest Airlines' Recess 2016 Spring Tour, everyone who participated was a winner. It encouraged Millennials who are naturally more attracted to innovation to team up with investors and venture capitalists, thus networking the two groups. It helped Southwest Airlines develop loyalty among the Millennials that are the most brand loyal generation to come along. Southwest Airlines fostered further loyalty with offering round-trip airline tickets as giveaways.

By introducing new companies and new brands to college students, it is likely to foster brand loyalty in those students throughout their lives. This is vitally important when considering that college students are often the business leaders of tomorrow. By introducing the college students to investors and venture capitalists, it gives the students a deeper understanding how business works and what's required to take their brilliant idea all the way to a product or service. At the very least, it gives the college students inroads into investors and venture capitalists.

Creating Loyalty through Innovation

Because the Millennials embrace technology and innovation more than previous generations, it's important for companies to position themselves as innovators. Millennials look for new technology when considering their brand loyalty. Consumers often form their brand preferences while they are young, which is why it is imperative to reach the Millennials now. Through Recess 2016 Spring Tour, Southwest Airlines has created an appealing way to reach Millennials in an unique venue.

Google's Startup Grind Hosts Ben Baldanza, Spirit Airlines

July 14th in Miami features Ben Baldanza of Spirit Airlines for Google’s own Startup Grind: a tech community harnessing entrepreneurial approaches to technology, innovative solutions and global resources. Google’s well-known dedication to globalized information, of course, paves the way, empowering over 54 chapters across 20 different countries.

Big-Name Speakers, Big-Name Connections

Google’s Startup Grind compiles, organizes and enriches monthly events for city chapters, featuring industry leaders like Atari, Pintrest and Y Combinator. Startup Grind’s founder and CEO, Derek Anderson, has depicted Google’s plan for international expansion via the event’s baseline “Google for Entrepreneurs” marketing feature. Google for Entrepreneurs provides access to Google’s technology, increasing distribution, financial support and outreach.

Google’s Startup Grind intends to achieve over 100 chapters within the next 12 months, matching its powerful applications with great locations, centralized industry markets and new horizons. Requests are plentiful, and over 350 inbound applications have been received within the last year alone. Accepted applicants are instated as chapter directors, promoting Silicon Valley values above all else. Google’s Startup Grind aims to expand startup culture itself, reaching the world’s largest cities.

The Power of Startups

Google’s empowerment of startups is both novel and noble. Startup companies have become the industry’s newest, high-caliber resources. In Silicon Valley, entrepreneurs harnessing startups connect to a valuable industry niche most large-scale companies can’t acquire.

Startup support, worldwide, isn’t necessarily a foreign concept, but Google’s direct approach derives value immediately—whereas most startup enrichment programs require expanded timeframes to complete. Google For Entrepreneurs has already partnered with several global entrepreneurs, creating powerful partnerships. KStartup and Campus Tel Aviv are among these, creating a notable startup incubator and accelerator.

Past Designs and Professional Connections

Google’s great marketing leaps have been drafted to design, educate and inspire entrepreneurs, and Startup Grind has been featured in both USA Today and Forbes for its innovative outreach methods. Labelled the “Ted Talks for Entrepreneurs”, Google’s Startup Grind acquires valuable solutions and creations as the tech world becomes further optimized. While optimization is important, large companies must stay connected with new minds to create multifaceted marketing environments.

Google’s approach to fireside talks further reflects the online world’s resource redistribution to one-on-one consumer relationships and in-depth marketing access. Google’s own algorithm changes have recreated SEO policies, shifted the way search engines proves information, heightened inbound marketing’s potential and have created new, world-class solutions. Google’s Startup grind exemplifies the company’s ideologies, connecting industry newcomers with tasty dinners, behind-the-scenes interviews, question sessions and panels.

Panel Selection and Google’s Values

Each chapter’s application process is intentionally rigorous, too, to keep Google’s pinpoint mindset a priority. Anyone can access Startup Grind’s speeches and events, but chapter direction is reserved for communities capable of furthering Google’s angle. Available at the Arizona Historical Society’s Papago Park Museum, June 6 will further Google’s trajectory towards modern culture value, empowered networking and entrepreneurial leadership.

Where branding visibility is considered, Startup Grind is Google’s big-league toolbox tailored to a smaller crowd. Google’s dedication to nurturing new industry entrants is inspiring, as is its purist approach to technology marketing and the need for innovative industry minds.