Gen z

Research
Agency

At NERDS Collective, we don't just study Gen Z; we've lived it, shaped it, and championed it for over a decade. Our founder, Luke Hodson, has immersed himself in underground music and street culture since 2007, when he founded URBAN NERDS – a platform that amplified emerging talent and gave a voice to underrepresented communities. This deep-rooted connection to youth culture is the foundation of our expertise as the leading Gen Z research agency in the US.

OUR CONSUMER-CENTRIC
CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE AND
RESEARCH PLATFORM

20K

GEN-Z DATA LAKE

55K

HOURS OF CONSUMER
OPINIONS

200

HYPER LOCAL
CULTURAL AUTHORITIES

Why NERDS Collective is the Youth Research Agency You Need

Youth
Experts

Industry-leading youth
consumer and street
culture specialists

Cultural
Intelligence

A global network
Of 200 hyper-local
Cultural authorities

Propietry
Big Data

A live data lake of
20,000 Gen-Z street
culture consumers

Insider Perspective: Our team is comprised of Gen Z natives, cultural experts, and data analysts who understand the nuances and complexities of youth culture from the inside out. We speak their language, share their values, and have an intuitive understanding of their motivations.
Frontline Access: Our proprietary Frontline platform provides unparalleled access to real-time insights from Gen Z's cultural frontline. We monitor social media, online communities, and real-world events to identify emerging trends, cultural shifts, and the micro-communities that shape Gen Z's identity.
Mixed Methodology Research: We blend quantitative and qualitative research methods to paint a comprehensive picture of Gen Z's attitudes, behaviors, and consumption habits. We combine surveys, focus groups, in-depth interviews, and ethnographic studies to uncover actionable insights that drive brand growth.
Cultural Intelligence: We go beyond surface-level data to uncover the deeper cultural meanings and values that resonate with Gen Z. We help brands understand the cultural codes and symbols that influence Gen Z's purchasing decisions, brand loyalty, and social engagement.

Our research is co-authored with the communities at the centre of the movements your brand aims to align with.

We know consumers focus their spending on brands that share their cultural positioning and lifestyle associations.

We help our clients unlock the power of diverse and rich consumer insights and social understanding to craft unique and compelling cultural selling propositions. This begins with an informed and robust consumer understanding, this starts with us.

We are the preferred consumer research agency due to our industry-leading hybrid methodology research projects for the world’s foremost consumer brands. We partnered with brands such as Twitter, Puma, adidas, Nike, Levi’s and Budweiser to help position themselves at the centre of their strategic target consumer world.

Over ten years of getting Nerdy with research and insight has provided NERDS with a reputation as an industry disrupter and leading consumer research agency as we help brands unpack consumer mindsets, behaviours, practices, rituals, trends and ideologies.

Youth
Experts

The leading Youth
Marketing Agency

Cultural
Intelligence

A global network of
cultural insiders,
research and
strategic consultants

Big Data
Platform

A global database
of 20,000
hard-to-reach and
diverse consumers

POWERED BY

Your Direct Line to
Gen Z Culture

We're not just a youth marketing agency; we're a cultural intelligence platform. Our proprietary Frontline tool gives you direct access to the pulse of Gen Z culture. With Frontline, you can:

Monitor Real-Time Trends: Stay ahead of the curve with up-to-the-minute insights into the latest Gen Z trends, challenges, and opportunities.
Conduct Targeted Research: Gather feedback directly from Gen Z consumers on your products, campaigns, and brand perception.
Collaborate with Influencers: Connect with authentic Gen Z voices and co-create campaigns that resonate with their followers.

Why NERDS Collective
Outshines Traditional Consumer
Research Agencies

Traditional consumer research agencies often rely on outdated methodologies and generic insights that simply don't resonate with Gen Z. They may understand demographics, but they lack the cultural fluency and insider knowledge needed to truly connect with this generation.

NERDS Collective, on the other hand, is not your average consumer research agency. We're a team of Gen Z natives and cultural experts who live and breathe youth culture. We don't just analyze data; we immerse ourselves in the trends, communities, and conversations that shape Gen Z's world.

Our proprietary Frontline platform gives us a real-time pulse on Gen Z's ever-evolving cultural landscape, allowing us to identify emerging trends and provide you with actionable insights that traditional agencies simply can't match.

We don't just deliver data; we deliver cultural intelligence. We help you understand the why behind Gen Z's behavior, their motivations, and the cultural codes that influence their decisions. This deeper understanding empowers you to create campaigns that resonate on a personal level, building lasting relationships and driving brand loyalty.

Our Gen Z Research Services

Audience Segmentation

Gen Z isn't a monolith. They're a vibrant tapestry of micro-cultures, each with their own distinct preferences and values. We'll help you navigate this diverse landscape, identifying the specific Gen Z segments that align with your brand.

Through a combination of in-depth interviews, online surveys, and social listening, we'll uncover their demographics, psychographics, interests, and online behaviors. This granular understanding allows you to create laser-focused campaigns that speak directly to their passions and aspirations, fostering a genuine connection that goes beyond marketing.

Trend Forecasting

Gen Z culture moves at lightning speed, with new trends emerging constantly. We keep our finger on the pulse, monitoring social media, online communities, and real-world events to identify the next big thing before it hits the mainstream. Our trend reports and cultural insights provide you with a roadmap for staying ahead of the curve and ensuring your brand remains relevant in the eyes of Gen Z.

Product & Concept Testing

Launching a new product or campaign without testing it with your target audience is like throwing darts blindfolded. We'll help you validate your ideas with real youth consumers through focus groups, online surveys, and user testing. We'll gather their unfiltered feedback on everything from product design and functionality to messaging and packaging, providing you with invaluable insights to refine your approach and maximize success.

Brand Health Tracking

Your brand's reputation among Gen Z is a valuable asset that needs to be nurtured and protected. We'll monitor your brand health through social listening, sentiment analysis, and ongoing surveys. We'll identify potential threats and opportunities, allowing you to proactively manage your brand image and build lasting relationships with Gen Z consumers.

Competitive Analysis

In the crowded marketplace of youth culture, differentiation is key. We'll dissect your competitors' strategies, strengths, and weaknesses, revealing white space opportunities where your brand can shine. We'll help you craft a unique brand positioning that sets you apart from the pack and resonates with Gen Z's desire for individuality and authenticity.

Client
Testimonials

"Nerds are youth culture experts with a unique ability to identify hard-to-reach youth audiences and surface nuanced insight that has helped transform PUMA into a culture-first brand."

Paul Spencer

UKIB CEO at Puma

"Nerd's approach to work is loaded with data and expertise in youth culture, driven by their passion for unlocking opportunities that align with brand strategies and consumer needs. Nerds' can show a brand exactly who their consumers are, identify their needs and how your brand can play a purposeful role in their world, which also drives commercial success. For example, whilst at Pentland, we partnered up with Nerds on a consumer segmentation and connections strategy that led to the creation of several new Lacoste products, built with the consumer at the heart of the design, that delivered £ m's in revenue."

Dan MoneyPenny

Global Head Of Sales at Pentland

"Nerds are youth culture experts with a unique ability to identify hard-to-reach youth audiences and surface nuanced insight that has helped transform PUMA into a culture-first brand."

Nadia Kokni

CMO at JD Sports

"NERDS have an exceptional talent for providing authentic, descriptive and data-based insight into the culture and mindsets of the younger generation. Through Nerds, we broadened our view of youth and developed impactful and culturally relevant derivations for our strategies and communication. Nerds' knowledge and expertise were a real enrichment in our work, and it was a pleasure to work with you. Thank you."

Marlen Ring

Western Europe Marketing Director at Coca-Cola

Beyond
Research

A Youth Strategy Agency

We're not just a research agency; we're a strategic partner in unlocking the power of Gen Z. We translate our research insights into actionable strategies that drive real results. We help brands build authentic connections with Gen Z, creating campaigns that resonate, engage, and inspire.

Ready to Unlock the Power of Gen Z?

If you're ready to tap into the insights, expertise, and passion that make NERDS Collective the leading Gen Z research agency in the US, contact us today. We'll help you navigate the complexities of youth culture and unlock the full potential of the next generation.