Plainview Teenager to Be Part of Consumer Trend Survey

A select group of area teenage girls will have a major role to play in determining what a new generation of consumers will purchase in the coming year after being selected to serve on the Genovese "Trend Team." Among those selected from among 4,000 applicants was Stacy Emspak, 14, a freshman at Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School, who will serve as a consumer advisor on health and beauty products of the Genovese Drug Store chain. They will also participate in modeling assignments for various products.

Debbie Lazinsky, media director for Genovese, said team members were picked based on school activities, responses to a questionnaire and a brief essay explaining why they wanted to join the team. Team members will meet throughout the year to critique products and discuss trends, offering insight into what motivates teenage consumers and providing "first person" opinions on the latest personal health and beauty products.

Typically, the team-11 New York area girls ranging in age from 13 to 18-will be photographed at various New York locations for ads in the Genovese circulars and Seventeen Magazine where they will be promoting Revlon, Kiss Nails, Dep Corporation, Redmond, Dana and J & J Clean & Clear products.

For being part of the team, the teens will receive a $200 grant to a community nonprofit organization of their choice and a variety of products from Genovese, including beauty products from the companies listed above.

The Genovese media director said the Trend Team is the best way to reach out to teen consumers.

We're very excited about working with these bright, talented young people who will help us to better understand what makes the teen market tick," said Lazinsky. "And we're pleased to provide a year-long program that is certain to be a great experience for everyone involved."