With Pope Francis's history-making visit to the U.S., many Americans have succumbed to a bad-albeit probably temporary-case of Pope Mania. And in typical American fashion, it seems a lot of enterprising people (sinners and saints alike) are trying to cash in on the Pontiff's holy visit, merchandizing everything from cookies that feature Pope Francis's smiling face to smiling Pope Francis bobbleheads, not to mention the glut of moment-by-moment coverage of the Pope's three-city American tour on broadcast and cable television.

Coming of age in the Great Recession and burdened with unprecedented amounts of student loan debt, Millennials are known for delaying adulthood. This generation, born roughly between 1982 and 2000, is more likely to live with their parents, stay in school longer and put off major purchasing decisions, such as buying a car. But as Millennials grow older, those pent-up major life decisions will happen, and smart marketers know this is not a generation to be ignored and, frankly, is a generation that can't be ignored.

We used to think of leisure as a grand, sweeping concept. Two times a year we went on our one-week vacation where we can turn off and truly relax. We took our lunch breaks and our long weekends. But in today's always-on world, with the heavy adoption of mobile technology and an omnipresent social profile, how has leisure changed? How has the way we work and, more importantly, the way we play changed?

The digital revolution is here, and e-commerce is bigger than ever. We're buying everything from groceries to cars online. The rise of this new medium has paved the way for not only marketers to find new ways to reach their intended audiences but for users to capitalize on what they may or may not already be doing. Digital networks establish ways people are connected to each other. Those with a larger following (more friends and followers) are considered "influencers."

Streaming services, favorite artists and genres, purchasing vs downloading ... there's a lot to know about young consumers and how passionately they feel about music. In a recent monthly survey of Millennials and teens, we asked 1,000 13-32 year olds a slew of questions about where they're getting their music, what role it plays in their lives, and more. Listen up: here are three stats on their music obsessions to know.

With so many companies to choose from, millennials have unlimited options when it comes to selecting a brand to remain loyal to. While this generation is one of the most devoted, they are also one of the most discerning. Millennials can be a brand's best ally, or their downfall, so finding a way to engage and educate them makes it easier to closely identify with your message, and connect with your brand's core values. Here are some of my tips on how to not only engage millennials, but empower them to be an advocate for your brand.