Calvert Creative

I know, everybody makes them, and in fact, if you spend a lot of your time online (y’all, we gotta get out more), they aren’t even that hard to see coming — you digirati probably already have several thoughts like, “Who will acquire Twitter?” or “I’ll be glad when I can monitor all my online networks from one place.” So, here’s my list of five normal predictions, and one slightly paranoid one:

1. Social media proliferation will continue (Duh!)

With a 668% growth from 4/06 to 4/07, it’s still getting stronger
Corporations are starting to wonder how to use SM
SM networks have “shaken down” over ‘07
Over ‘08, the big SM networks will get bigger
Anti-Social networks will rise and proliferate (Snubster, Enemybook)

2. Open ID (a united internet profile and interface) will rise

More social media users will be looking for “one ring to bind them”
“Integration indigestion” will get worse before getting better
Several companies will propose solutions; the best will rise
By ‘09 the shakedown (mergers/acquisitions/closings) will begin
Privacy issues will be discussed, innovated around, or ignored

3. Video marketing (a big piece of social media) will rise

Along with more user-friendly ways to vlog, edit, mix, host, etc.
Scalability will be an issue (how to upload to multiple sites at once)
Quality of the average video post will not rise yet
More issues on Digital Rights Management (scarcity models will lose ground)
Start-ups will innovate around video search capabilities
Companies will look for help to employ video marketing

4. Mobile web usage will rise in US

The year for mobile content will be 2009 or 2010, however
USA may follow trends in India
“One Ring”(for all your stuff) devices like iPhone continue to evolve/proliferate

5. Content Managment Systems / Widgetization of the web

More users want to be able to control their own internet stuff
Some companies will resist, others will find ways to monetize
Open Social will try to assist this process (but will fail)
More people will climb the wiki (online collaboration) curve

6. Large-scale data center failure?

Innovation around back-up and transfer (and privacy) systems

I know you have them too; feel free to comment and post your own!