SAN FRANCISCO, CA – In a scene straight out of a dystopian coming-of- age novel, a wide-eyed Gen Z intern armed with the latest iPhone 14 confidently challenged the wisdom of a seasoned colleague this morning. The incident, which unfolded during a routine marketing meeting, left veteran employees fearing for the future of corporate hierarchy.
The clash began when Harold, a marketing manager with a rolodex older than most interns’ parents, presented a campaign centered on “brand synergy” and “emotional connection.” Enter Brenda, a fresh-faced intern whose knowledge of the marketing world seems to stem entirely from TikTok trends and the strategically placed “influencer partnerships” littering her Instagram feed.
“Okay, boomer,” Brenda chirped, a smug smile plastered across her face. “Synergy? Nobody cares about that anymore. It’s all about vibes, you know? And like, authenticity.” She brandished her iPhone 14 like a scepter, its sleek design a stark contrast to Harold’s dusty briefcase.
Harold, a man who remembers when the “cutting edge” of marketing involved sending out physical mailers, sputtered in disbelief. “Vibes? Authenticity? Brenda, these are multi-million dollar campaigns we’re talking about, not your latest thirst trap on BeReal.”
Brenda scoffed. “With all due respect, Harold, BeReal is, like, the hottest new app. You wouldn’t know because you’re probably still using Facebook.” A collective gasp arose from the older employees present, a sound akin to a sacred relic being shattered.
The meeting devolved into a chaotic debate on the merits of “organic content” versus focus groups, leaving Harold feeling like a relic of a bygone era. “It’s like they downloaded marketing knowledge from a faulty app,” he lamented later, clutching his metaphorical pearls.
Experts are divided on the long-term effects of this incident. Some fear a mass exodus of experienced professionals, driven out by the relentless onslaught of Gen Z’s internet-fueled confidence. Others believe this is simply a generational shift, with the new guard bringing fresh (and often questionable) perspectives to the table.
One thing is certain: the days of unquestioned seniority in the workplace seem to be numbered. As Brenda strutted out of the meeting, smugly scrolling through her iPhone, one couldn’t help but wonder: is this the future of marketing? Or just the future of everyone talking over everyone else?
Fresh out of Mom’s Basement Fresh out of Mom’s Basement
