Verizon Seeks New Way to Woo Teens

Verizon Wireless has asked three shops to pitch ideas this month for a product or service aimed at the youth market, sources said.

With growth in the segment maxing out, mobile carriers are increasingly turning to teens, preteens and young adults to derive incremental revenue. The youth market has become one of the most sought-after demographics, due in large part to its discretionary income, tech savviness and enthusiasm for non-voice services, such as text messaging and games, said Linda Barrabee, a senior analyst at The Yankee Group in Boston.