We need more young players?

I strongly disagree. Illyriad adresses, and that's what I like about it, mainly 30+ and partly much older players, and that's exactly what I like about it.
I don't wont to generalize "the younger gamer" in principle, but in my experience of lot of other online games, those  with a younger audience often had an atmosphere I strongly disliked.
The quick pace, the tendency to powergaming, monthly ridiculous and trashy "Twinkle - winkle" events (which were demanded impatiently), at all this demanding habitus, which often led to harshly critizising the devs ("Since 2 months no Tourney,.....  I quit....I want my money back...!), chat with tendency to impersonality  or flame or dungeon rushs, the wish for supercombos and fast pace or colourful and eye - hurting designs.
What I love about Illyriad: the reasonable (at least mostly) player community, many long term players (and no game hoppers, who change their game monthly, as it gets boring), the peaceful helpful chat, players being satisfied with game depth and long queues of numbers instead of shiny and colourful Uis, the no need to play erveryday (nice for players with family or demanding jobs), the slow pace.
These players should be adressed more, through advertisment targeting especially those (what I think the Gms do as  much as  their time allows).
Illyriad is quite special, its unique selling proposition is the target audience of elder players and  indie game lovers.
I like it like this, that's why I play Illyriad and  not one of the monthly appearing, monthly vanishing citybuilders or MMos.

Sorry, but I neither want Illyriad to be a Country club for senior guys only (only if they play Townes van Zandt), nor dislike younger players (not at all !). What I discribed is a tendency in games with a younger audience, not a fact.  But if you view around, how games for younger target groups are made, I like the actual game design of Illyriad (in opposite to many of them) quite much and wouldn't like this to be changed.
The high average age of Illyriad is something I like (out of many reasons),and maybe as well the special Illyriad players, don't blame me for this.
And concerning your quotation and this old story of "these days", I am neither reactionist nor do I like back  old "Amiga with datasette" times. If you knew me better or once  met me you would know (and for sure laugh about your daring assumption.

I think promoting Illy over the summer when many people (young and old) have more free time is a great idea.  Let's capture the elementary school teachers and college professors as well as the middle schoolers.  Illy has a diverse community, and I hope that we will continue to do so.

I think youre just bored coz theres no war. There are plenty of players in Illyriad, many who have yet to found their 5th city, so assuming they choose to stay there will still be a large demand for space (not to mention good spots).

So before you spam the map with young players (of whom probably no more than 10% will remain after the first year), remember that the crowding reduces EVERYONES enjoyment of the game - especially the other newcommers to the game.

BL is set to come out soon, how about you see how that works first.

Marketing and social media: yes, of course. The best possible promotion is from the players themselves: spread Illy links from FB, Twitter, Pinterest, Delicious, etc. Tides of new players come from high-profile game reviews, which can't necessarily be planned, but the release of new features provides a handy excuse to make a fuss :o)