By now, you’ve probably read some of these:
• The 8 important consumer trends for 2008 by Trendwatching.com
• The 8 future trends for 2008 by Fortune Magazine and then today;
• 3 predictions for 2008 on BizCommunity.
So, I asked myself, should I also fall into this trap and give my predictions for online specifically for 2008.
Do you need another person to tell you that we should get close to 1million broad band subscribers by the end of 2008 or that social networking will be around for a while and that mobile is (still) the next big thing?
Do you need to hear again that online spending will increase in leaps and bounds and that the Google Phone will revolutionise mobile search, that the iPod / iPhone will become bigger than it is and that your brand is in the hands of your consumers?
Well, in case you did need to hear / read it again, there you are.In terms of what my small mind can digest and absorb while trying to separate the dreaming from reality, this is what I see happening in the online space in 2008 ( in SA):
1. The big ad agencies getting serious about online to the extent that they will start buying up smaller design/development and online media agencies, in addition to boosting their existing digital resources.
2. A return to the integrated approach to advertising / marketing campaigns, ensuring that online / digital / mobile is not just an afterthought but part of a total ( so-called 360) approach to all campaigns.
3. A move towards free / open source software for web sites, mobile platforms, email marketing, etc, forcing online agencies to offer their clients concepts, strategies, insights and analytical reports rather than just software solutions.

So, there’s 3 of mine, will you share some of yours?
I reserve the right of course to add more to my list, even deleting some should I change my mind……