Gen Z founders grew up with endless digital content. That background has made them more wary of ads than earlier generations. Flashy campaigns often fall flat. Many young entrepreneurs now prefer news features, which they see as credible. Baden Bower noticed this and began helping clients get placed in trusted publications. These mentions make brands appear reliable and established. This preference shows a change in how trust works in business communication. Social media still fills much of Gen Z's day, but ads there often feel empty. And for many startups, the chance to get featured in Forbes carries more weight than a promoted post and signals legitimacy. get featured in Forbes get featured in Forbes Old Media, New Respect It seems unexpected. A generation fluent in memes and short clips turns to traditional journalism when looking for legitimacy. Recognition from well-known outlets holds more meaning than a boosted story on Instagram. Research shows just 22% of younger consumers trust ads on social platforms. But earned coverage continues to influence how people view brands. “Gen Z founders understand the difference between being advertised and being featured,” says AJ Ignacio, CEO of Baden Bower. “If a respected outlet talks about your startup, people notice.” That mindset aligns with what Baden Bower offers through its guaranteed media placement service. “Gen Z founders understand the difference between being advertised and being featured,” “If a respected outlet talks about your startup, people notice.” Gen Z controls over $360 billion in spending, and they’re not easily impressed. Traditional paid media rarely make the cut. What catches their attention is real coverage: something earned, not bought. Baden Bower helps brands land those spots in trusted publications, giving them exposure that feels authentic and hard to ignore. paid media paid media Gen Z knows when a post is paid for. They’ve grown up spotting #ad and #sponsored tags. While anyone can buy space on social media, few can land a real news story. Gen Z sees the difference. Logos Over Likes Older generations once saw success in office titles or expensive cars. Today’s young founders look for validation through trusted sources. A homepage with logos from major outlets like Forbes or Entrepreneur gives visitors a reason to pay attention. That’s what Baden Bower helps deliver. “We’ve created a process that gives founders real exposure fast,” says Ignacio. “When people see news logos on your website, it builds trust.” These placements are more than decoration. They help new businesses stand out. “We’ve created a process that gives founders real exposure fast,” “When people see news logos on your website, it builds trust.” This works well for small companies trying to hold their ground next to bigger ones. Many Gen Z consumers stick with brands they’ve known for years. New businesses need stronger ways to earn attention. News features help do that. Gen Z cares about being real. Slick ads don’t always win them over. They prefer brands that feel honest. A thoughtful news feature can say more about a company than a perfect Instagram grid. What Comes Next for Gen Z Founders Gen Z’s influence keeps expanding, and with that comes new expectations for how companies present themselves. Stories win over slogans, and proof matters more than buzzwords. Businesses that understand this will gain ground. Baden Bower helps founders earn attention that lasts. Its media placement service, backed by a money-back guarantee, gives startups something reliable: consistent recognition. “The old PR style doesn’t work anymore,” says Ignacio. “Startups can’t afford to sit and wait. They need results they can count on, and that’s what we give them.” “The old PR style doesn’t work anymore,” “Startups can’t afford to sit and wait. They need results they can count on, and that’s what we give them.” For Gen Z entrepreneurs, headlines are more than content. They confirm that a brand is being taken seriously. Even in an online-heavy age, there’s still something special about a real news mention. For this generation, that kind of recognition counts. This article is published under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging program. This article is published under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging program. This article is published under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging program. This article is published under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging program. Business Blogging

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