6 Friday, October 27, 2023 brooklintowncrier.com Please contact Liz Riley at lizr@mmfoodmarket.com or 905-814-2420 to inquire further about the opportunity to own an M&M Food Market store in Brooklin. My daughter is going to see Taylor Swift - the movie. There was no chance in Brooklin that I was getting concert tickets. I tried. Still, she and her friends are treating the movie as if it were a live performance. They have carefully coordinated outfits and friendship bracelets while the music has been on repeat for a week. Taylor Swift and her music speak to her young fans. One of the most popular figures in the music industry, her enthusiasm is infectious and she's close enough to their age to be relatable. Most of these kids grew up listening to it. The Revolution The "Swiftie revolution" has elevated her to a sort of godlike status. Some of her influences, like the friendship bracelet, are cool as her fans create bracelets and exchange them at her performances and movie showings. Her songs can be empowering, energetic and just plain fun. As they are "mom-approved," there's this bonding experience that kids and mothers can share. The level of attachment is akin to the boys bands of my youth, back when New Kids on the Block were a thing. But this is different. Instead of swooning over cute boys dancing in unison, her fans are having a bit of a girl crush. Brooklin Family Matters: by Leanne Brown Our Swiftie The image With Taylor Swift's power comes a lot of responsibility. Her role model image is glamorous and seemingly flawless which is hard for girls to live up to. But when I talk with my daughter and her friends, they appear to see beyond the glitz. Instead, they see a savvy business woman who has become a household name through strategic partnerships, clever marketing and a brand everyone can get behind. For instance, Swift even trademarked certain song lyrics for merchandising with heavy fines for unauthorized use. Just try and find an off brand t-shirt and you'll see she's got every marketing opportunity locked down. But the kids aren't disappointed as her official merchandise is highly coveted. I think back to buying concert t-shirts as a teen. I still have some and a few found their way into my daughter's closet. Those T-shirts are part of my youth, a time I treasure. Soon I will drop off my Swiftie at her friend's house. She's excited, singing along to the Swift song "Love Story" as she gets ready. I smile. I know she's going to have a blast, and maybe, just maybe, I'm a little jealous.