ABOUT SIMON:
Simon is the founder of Hype Collective, an award-winning youth marketing agency that co-creates campaigns with a network of thousands of student and youth groups. Rather than pump money into Facebook and Google each campaign they run funds youth groups to host events or create content on behalf of Hype Collective’s clients. This gives the clients real exposure within targeted communities and these groups much needed funds as well as the opportunity to learn new skills and enhance their career prospects.
In the first two years Hype Collective has worked with organisations like Adobe, Co-op and Abercrombie & Fitch. In doing so they’ve contributed funds to over 250 grass roots organisations and employed over 300 students.
Prior to launching Hype Collective, Simon co-founded TEDxClapham.
We really looking forward to having you at TEDxRoyalTunbridgeWells, Simon! Can you tell us a little bit about your idea worth spreading?
Young people today don’t realise how screwed they are. But they will soon, and it will change everything.
They are the first generation that will grow up to be poorer than their parents. They will save 19 years to buy a house, their parents achieved the same in just three.
Society is set to become even more unequal - with inheritance, or help from parents, the only way to feasibly buy a house. Even those lucky enough to receive significant inheritance will likely receive the bulk when they are in their 60's... a bit late to help with that first house.
Class has always been the main divide within British society – its been the most accurate way of predicting your social values or how you’ll vote. In the future it won’t be class, it’ll be age. Are you ready for some intergenerational conflict?
What was the main motivation for giving a TEDx talk?
People may be vaguely aware that something is changing. A 16 year old is the face of the fight against climate change, “youthquake” was added to the dictionary and you might have been called a “boomer”.
Beneath all this there is something serious though – young people today are really screwed, but society doesn’t talk about it, perhaps because the people who set the narrative for our media and politics are… boomers?!
What is the one thing you want the audience to take away from your TEDx talk?
As a minimum I’d love the audience to walk away with some basic misconceptions about young people challenged. The bigger goal? Well, you’ll have to come to the talk ;-)
What are some of your favourite TED or TEDx talks?
It’s not an original answer but I refer to Simon Sinek’s “Start With Why” constantly.
Apart from that some of my fondest TED memories are from TEDxClapham which I co-founded a few years ago. Although I’ve not been involved for a while I’m still biased and think they’ve had some great speakers. A couple of favourites are Matthew Youlden - How to learn a language easily and Whitney Iles – The violence in our thinking.
We're really excited to be welcoming you to Tunbridge Wells! Is there anything other than giving a TEDx talk that you're looking forward to doing or seeing while you’re here?
I’m pretty new to Tunbridge Wells so looking for recommendations from the audience/speakers on best things to do!
You can find Simon on Twitter, LinkedIn and his website.
If you haven’t already, book your tickets to see Simon speak at TEDxRoyalTunbridgeWells today!