Tag: genz

LADbible Group and Samsung TV Plus bring LADbible FAST Channel to Ireland

Leading social entertainment business LADbible Group has officially made its debut on television screens with its first-ever Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) channel in Ireland.

Now available on Samsung TV Plus across Ireland, the LADbible FAST Channel showcases the brand’s most loved original programming 24/7 – including hit series such as Minutes With, Snack Wars, Agree to Disagree and Would You Rather.

With Irish audiences increasingly embracing Connected TV (CTV), the launch is part of LADbible Group’s commitment to meet its fans wherever they are – and increasingly, that’s on the big screen at home. Insights from Samsung’s 2024 Anatomy of a Streamer research report show that Gen Z Samsung Smart TV viewers are embracing streaming TV, watching an average of 1 hour and 38 minutes of streamed content per day, compared to just over 49 minutes for Boomers.

From celebrity interviews with Liam Neeson, Saoirse Ronan, and Paul Mescal, to powerful personal stories shared by reformed gangsters and mental health advocates, LADbible delivers a mix of unfiltered moments with household names and untold stories from around the world – now available in homes across Ireland. Each show is designed to entertain, spark conversation, and put viewers at the heart of culture.

This approach to storytelling has driven significant growth in LADbible’s original programming, which has amassed over 280 million views on YouTube alone, with a year-on-year increase of 20% and an average of 100 million minutes watched per month.

LADbible Ireland has built a loyal and engaged following of over 6 million, generating more than 300,000 engagements daily and averaging 9,200 views every minute across its channels.

Tom Butcher, General Manager at LADbible Ireland, said: “LADbible Ireland has seen phenomenal growth across our platforms, and this move onto TV screens marks an exciting new chapter for us. The launch of our FAST channel in Ireland means we are now able to deliver our premium shows in a way we know more people are choosing to watch and deepen our connection with our audience”.

Becky Gardner, Head of Originals, said: “Launching in Ireland is a natural next step for LADbible on our TV screens. Our content already resonates with audiences here, and with the rise of FAST, LADbible presents a new opportunity to connect with even more viewers of our shows, bringing always-on entertainment straight into people’s homes. Whether it’s a laugh, a debate, or an unexpected story, we’re here to bring people together through shared moments”

Gus Grimaldi, Head of Samsung TV Plus EMEA, added: “We’re delighted to bring LADbible’s first-ever TV channel to audiences in Ireland. Samsung TV Plus is a leader in delivering high-quality entertainment to audiences globally. Our partnership with LADbible allows us to reach and connect with even more younger viewers who are continuing to embrace CTV. Irish audiences can experience the incredible content lineup the new channel has to offer, subscription-free and no signup needed – exclusively on Samsung TV Plus.”

Availability:
LADbible is now live on Samsung TV Plus, available pre-installed on 2016+ Samsung Smart TVs and on Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets.\

Channel ID: 4102

Gen Z is coaching older colleagues to use AI

A new global study from International Workplace Group (IWG), the world’s largest platform for work and provider of flexible workspace, reveals that Gen Z employees are playing a pivotal role in driving AI adoption across the workforce, coaching older colleagues to help unlock productivity and collaboration gains in hybrid working environments.
The study, based on a survey of over 2,000 professionals across the US and UK, shows that AI is becoming a cornerstone of how teams and in particular hybrid teams operate. 80% of workers have experimented with AI tools, and 78% say it has saved them time, averaging 55 minutes of saved time per day, equivalent to almost an extra full working day per week.
Workers report that this time is being reallocated to higher-value activities such as creative or strategic work (41%), learning and development (41%), in-person collaboration (40%), and networking (35%). An overwhelming 86% say AI has helped them complete tasks more efficiently, and 76% report that it is directly accelerating their career advancement, with this figure rising to 87% among Gen Z workers.
Cross-generational collaboration key to unlocking AI gains
Cross-generational collaboration is central to this transformation. Nearly two-thirds (59%) of younger employees are actively helping older, more tenured colleagues adopt and learn to use AI tools, with 80% of Senior Directors reporting that this support lets them focus on higher-value tasks, while 82% of Senior Directors report that AI innovations introduced by younger colleagues have unlocked new business opportunities.
Two-thirds of C-suite leaders say younger staff’s AI skills have improved their department’s productivity, and over 80% of senior directors believe AI innovations introduced by junior colleagues have opened up new business opportunities.
Overall, 86% of those surveyed report AI has made them more efficient, and 76% believe it is advancing their career, rising to 87% among Gen Z respondents. AI’s influence on collaboration is also clear: 69% of hybrid workers say it is making teamwork across locations easier, citing benefits such as improved meeting preparation (46%), access to shared insights (36%), and stronger post-meeting follow-ups (36%).
Workers are embracing AI’s potential to eliminate time-consuming administrative tasks. The most common areas where employees want AI to step in include drafting emails (43%), taking and summarising meeting notes (42%), organising files (36%), and completing data entry or forms (36%). With these tasks automated, employees are reallocating time to more meaningful work: 55% are now focusing on high-impact projects, 54% are pursuing professional development, and 40% are using the time to build stronger relationships with colleagues and clients or to invest in personal well-being.
Benefits for hybrid workers
The study also found that 69% of hybrid workers say AI is making it easier to collaborate with colleagues across locations. Improvements in meeting preparation (46%), access to shared insights (36%), and more effective follow-ups (36%) are streamlining teamwork, while 40% say AI has freed up time to invest in team-building and communication.
In the hybrid model, AI is also reshaping how office time is used. With automation handling routine work, hybrid professionals now prioritise strategic thinking (41%), learning and development (41%), face-to-face collaboration (40%), and networking (35%) during in-office days. More than half of workers (53%) say AI is helping them achieve better outcomes, and 64% believe it is making hybrid working smoother and more effective.
Workers are aware of the stakes. Two-thirds (63%) worry that not learning AI tools could slow their career progression, and 61% believe those who don’t adopt AI risk being left behind. Yet the trend is toward inclusive, shared upskilling: 51% of employees say AI is helping bridge generational divides, and over half regularly share AI knowledge with colleagues, rising to 66% among 25–34-year-olds.
Mark Dixon, Founder and CEO of IWG, said: “The world of work is evolving rapidly. Advances in technology, particularly in AI are boosting productivity, opening up new career opportunities, and connecting different generations of expertise.
These significant AI enabled productivity gains are helping to create more connected, agile teams ready for the future of work. Younger generations are playing a pivotal role by sharing their digital skills with their  colleagues, which enhances performance and uncovers new business opportunities.”

1 in 3 Brits think their phone is listening to them

New data from experts at Compare and Recycle reveals how to prevent your phone from stealing your personal data as tech giant, Apple, is accused of selling customers’ conversations.

Technology has brought many enhancements to our everyday lives, from giving us unlimited access to our friends and family to allowing us to research anything at the drop of a hat. But does this come at the cost of our privacy?

New data from Compare and Recycle reveals that 1 out of 3 Brits believe that their mobile phones are listening to them, with Gen Z users being the most conscious about their mobile phone privacy.

This comes in the wake of Apple’s recent £77m settlement after being accused of selling voice recordings via Siri taken from unknowing customers to third parties. While the company hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing, the news has reopened conversations surrounding data privacy regarding our tech.

In light of this, mobile experts at Compare and Recycle, the UK’s leading mobile phone recycling comparison site, have revealed their top tips for protecting your privacy and keeping your personal information safe on your devices.

Experts reveal how your phone could be listening to you

While many of us think that we are safe when it comes to spilling our secrets around our mobile phones, they could, in fact, be shared with third parties without our knowledge. Experts at Compare and Recycle explain:

“Mobile phones provide great ways to communicate with loved ones and friends. But to ensure that you aren’t unknowingly offering up your conversations for consumption, it is important to understand why and when our phones could be listening.

“One of the main ways our phones listen to us is through voice assistant software embedded into many modern devices, including Siri or Google Assistant. To understand our voices and requests, they need to listen to us at length to be as accurate as possible. This often means they will listen to our conversations even when we don’t realise it.

“In addition, some apps will hide sneaky clauses in their terms and conditions that allow them access to your mobile microphone and, as a result, the conversations you have while using the app. This information could then be sold to third parties to be used to advertise products to you more accurately.

“To protect your privacy, always check the T&Cs for hidden clauses before you press accept.”

How to stop your phone from listening to you

Tech and mobile phone experts at Compare and Recycle have revealed how to prevent your device from listening to your private conversations:

  1. Disable your mobile’s microphone: Go to your settings and remove access to your microphone on any apps where your voice isn’t required or is unreputable.

  2. Turn off your phone’s voice assistant: Many phone users aren’t aware of how much their phone’s voice assistant function (e.g. Siri) needs to listen to your conversations to tune its algorithm to the user’s voice. It can even listen without being activated. Disabling this feature in your settings will ensure that the voice assistant cannot use this feature or track your conversations.

  3. Update your phone: Keeping your phone and its apps updated will ensure that it is keeping in line with the latest GDPR laws and regulations.

  4. Use antivirus software: While antivirus software is common on laptops and computers, it can also help protect your mobile phone from viruses that could invade your privacy. Look for any software with real-time protection, or look for smartphones with built-in security.

High earnings and job security top two career preferences for Gen Z students in Ireland today

New research published this week by global employer branding experts Universum, part of leading hiring platform IrishJobs.ie, has revealed that high future earnings and job security are the top two motivators for today’s third-level graduates across Ireland when considering their future career.

Indicating a growing concern amongst students around the impact of inflation and the associated rise in the cost of living, high earnings, and job security rank in first and second place. This is followed by a friendly work environment (3rd), good work-life balance (4th) and a clear path for advancement (5th).

The research, conducted as part of The Most Attractive Employers Index Ireland 2022, was conducted amongst 8,199 third-level students across Business/Economics, Engineering, IT, Natural Science, Humanities, Law, and Health/Medicine in Ireland, and provides a snapshot of the key attributes that today’s students are looking for in their future employer.

The lasting impact of the pandemic on ways of working is also evident in the ranking for flexible working conditions, which has risen by two places since 2021, now positioned at number eight.

Difference between the genders

The research also reveals key differences in workplace priorities between male and female students, with women more motivated by the social responsibility of an organisation and men more focused on advancement and innovation. For example, female students attach greater importance to employer ethics (5th) and a sense of purpose (10th) than their male counterparts, who list these at number 21 and 16 respectively.

Male students, meanwhile, attach greater importance to innovation (7th), as well as base salary (2nd). For female students, innovation comes in at number 15, while competitive base salary ranks much further down the scale at number 17.

Base salary expectations

Meanwhile, men and women have different expectations when it comes to what this base salary will be. While male students expect to earn €40,827 in their first full-time job after graduation, female students say they expect to earn €37,097, a pay gap of 9%.

Although a gap between men and women is evident within all the study fields included in the survey, it is highest amongst Natural Science students, with females in this field of study expecting to earn on average €4,344 less on an annual basis than their male counterparts.

Year-on-year growth in graduate jobs

According to IrishJobs.ie, the number of roles advertised for graduates grew by 94% in the second quarter of this year.

Quarter-on-quarter, the number of graduate roles grew by 13%, with jobs up 30% on pre-Covid (2019) levels. Companies posting the most jobs for graduates include food, engineering, financial services, and professional services firms.

Insights

Commenting on the results of the research, Steve Ward, UK and Ireland Business Director, Universum said:

“There is a whole new cohort of Gen Z and Millennial students who will be looking to enter the workplace from this month. Employers that want to attract and retain this latest generation of talent need to ensure their recruitment and attraction strategies reflect what graduates are looking for in their employer.

“With high earnings and job security the top two overall preferences, it’s clear that young people today are being impacted by the uncertainty that’s abounding in today’s economy, whether that’s inflation, the cost of living or house prices, and are looking for a job to provide them with the stability to ensure they can provide for themselves and their family into the future.

“Young people today are graduating into a very different working environment than many would have expected to when starting their degrees. After witnessing its evolution over the past two years, this year’s group of students are even more keen than last year’s graduation cohort to explore the benefits of flexible working. As the number of graduate roles increases, making this more of an employees’ market, employers will need to illustrate to potential recruits how they are competing with others in this regard.

“Finally, with the results showing different expectations amongst both men and women when it comes to competitive base salary, even within the same field of study, it’s clear that employers have a key role to play to ensure commitment and communication of parity of remuneration amongst the sexes for similar roles, notwithstanding employee negotiation skills at interview stage.

“Although men and women have different priorities when it comes to their preferred employer attributes, something which will help employers who are striving to improve the gender balance in their workforce, remuneration is a key indicator of how much a person is valued within an organisation in comparison to their peers. Unless and until women are actively reminded of their financial worth within the workplace, the gender pay gap is set to continue.”

Find out more

 

Large numbers of millennial and Gen Z workers in Ireland plan to quit jobs and seek new roles in the next two years

A Deloitte Ireland survey released today has found that Gen Z and millennials are concerned about an economic downturn but desire a better work/life balance, and want more flexible working arrangements than they currently have.

The post pandemic ‘Great Resignation’ theme is being witnessed as a global trend, and is also permeating Irish workplaces. Less stress, better career advancement opportunities and more attractive conditions like hybrid and remote working, are driving employees to leave organisations that do not support these needs. Businesses also recognise the challenge with CEOs ranking labour and skills shortage as the number one external issue expected to influence or disrupt their business strategy in the next 12 months, according another recent Deloitte survey of global CEOs.

The Irish participants who took part in the Millennial and Gen Z global study of over 45 countries, responded that they are more willing than ever to leave for fresh opportunities. They are seeking options to provide them with better salary/reward, work life balance, higher flexibility and opportunity offered by employers, and, to a lesser extent, organisations focused on climate change. In the wake of the pandemic, many started to reassess what is important to them and to make decisions based on this reassessment. This makes for an interesting employment climate – full of risk but also full of opportunities.

Gary Notley, Director for Human Capital, Deloitte Ireland said: “The top trend that stood out in the Irish context in this survey is a strong desire and decisiveness around a better work/life balance. The fact that one-in-four of the millennials surveyed have already left their roles due to burnout – no doubt exacerbated by the demands and stresses of the pandemic – shows that this is area employers really need to address and focus on, if they are to retain talent. While Ireland did experience the ‘Great Resignation’, there is however an opportunity to redefine it to the ‘Great Reimagination’. Organisations can recover and thrive by reflecting, revisiting, and reinventing work to better leverage technology, harness the power of workforce, and reimagine the workplace.

“One in two millennials and one in three of Gen Zs said that better work/life balance is the main consideration when looking at an organisation’s offering in 2022.  This correlates with the second trend around mental health. Globally and in Ireland, Gen Z employees have been most affected by anxiety, stress and mental health issues over 2021 and 2022.  

“The concern around the cost of living is much higher in Ireland when compared with global figures, with 55% of Irish millennials citing the cost of living as being their number one greatest concern, in comparison to 36% globally. The fact that three in ten of the Gen Z generation also do part-time work to supplement their income, really underpins this critical issue.

“Climate change is also a key concern with three quarters of both cohorts in Ireland agreeing that the world is at a tipping point in responding to climate change. Concern about this is becoming increasingly pivotal in the decision-making processes of those in their 20s, 30s and 40s,” Notley concluded.

Work/Life Balance and increased cost of living

In Ireland, some employees are at a breaking point – either mentally or financially. As well as cost of living concerns, most of the Gen Zs (75%) and millennials (77%) who took part in the survey prefer hybrid or fully remote work, but less than half currently have the option to do so.

This presents an opportunity for employers to move closer to flexible ways of working, providing the balance so desired by today’s workforce. An additional benefit is that it expands the talent pool beyond the radius of an office location and allows people to factor in cost of living when considering staying or moving on from their current organisation.

Mental Health Factor

Nearly half of Gen Zs say they feel stressed all or most of the time. Millennial stress levels are also high but down slightly from last year. Employers are seen to be making an effort to address workplace mental health issues, with more than half of respondents saying their employer is more focused on workplace well-being and mental health, since the start of the pandemic.

However, many do not believe the increased focus has resulted in any meaningful impact on employees. Employers have an opportunity to rethink this area and impact the health and well-being of employees through assistance and wellbeing programmes, coaching and by building a culture of openness.

Climate Change

Over 90% of all Millennials and Gen Zs globally are now actively trying to impact the environment through positive choices. In Ireland almost one-in-three of both groups ranked climate change and protection of the environment as a top three concern.

Nine in ten of both groups surveyed here said they try to minimise their personal impact on the environment, but only 6% of Irish Millennials and 12% of Gen Zs believe that large companies are taking tangible actions to combat climate change. Their feelings about the Irish Government’s performance rate even more poorly with only 3% of Irish millennials and 7% of Gen Zs here agreeing that they are highly committed to climate change.