Our Digital History is History

Posted June 11th, 2009 by Lindsey Reminga

In an article written by Lynne Brindley, the chief executive of the British Library, she makes a shocking assertion that in the future, the 21st century may just be a big black hole in our history.

With everyone storing their information online, we tend to casually delete any outdated information and upgrade with the new. So what happens to the old information? Does it disappear forever?

Lynne begins her article with a statement about the United States’ President website. Apparently, all old information on the site is erased forever when a new president comes into office:

“At the exact moment Barack Obama was inaugurated, all traces of President Bush vanished from the White House website, replaced by images of and speeches by his successor. Attached to the website had been a booklet entitled 100 Things Americans May Not Know About the Bush Administration – they may never know them now. When the website changed, the link was broken and the booklet became unavailable.”

Whether or not this statement is entirely true, it makes me think about my personal history on the Web. I delete, rewrite, redesign, and reorganize my life on a monthly- sometimes weekly- basis without ever thinking about losing those memories. The social Web of today is an amazing diary of so many people’s lives- How do we store this history of the human personality in 21st century America? Will it continue to be destroyed, and ultimately forgotten in the future?

No ESPN360 For You

Posted February 10th, 2009 by Albert Banks

If you are a sports nut like me, ESPN360 is pretty sweet. It is the web version of ESPN’s television network featuring 3,500 sporting events per year. But you can only view it if your Internet Service Provider (ISP) has shelled out some cash.

For the past few years, ESPN has been forcing ISPs to pay a licensing fee for the website. If the ISP doesn’t pay up their customers don’t get access. Time Warner Cable is one of many ISPs who haven’t signed on, meaning no ESPN360 for me…

This is a disturbing trend if you are a fan of Net Neutrality. You know, the right to use your web access for whichever sites and software you desire. Can you imagine choosing your ISP based on the websites you can access or the programs you are allowed to use?

This topic has become a hot political topic and it will continue to be until we finally have some legislation governing the issue.

References:
ESPN to ISPs: Pay for Your Customers to Play Video
Net Neutrality Debate Is Secretly All About Internet Television, Net Pioneers Say

Charlotte Ranked #7 for Young Professionals

Posted January 27th, 2009 by Lindsey Reminga

Charlotte Chamber of Commerce’s young professionals group, Engage Charlotte, recently had a discussion with The Charlotte Business Journal to determine why Charlotte ranks as the seventh-most-desirable market for young adults 18 to 34 years old among the country’s largest metro areas.  

The discussion includes the facts of Charlotte’s small business success, and our entrepreneurial spirit for innovation and growth. It’s a longer read, but gives great insight into Charlotte’s stride to the top! My favorite quote from the reading:

“Today consumers have more choices for products and services. In fact, nearly 50% of product sales are coming form products and services that are less than 2 years old. This requires companies to be continuously innovating and bringing new products to market. Does this innovation come from within a company or should a company look outside for innovation? Bringing new products and services to the market is about risk and reward. The costs can significant and therefore the rewards need to justify the investment. Innovation also needs to have a positive impact on brand, customer retention, and market share. The impact of not innovating could be detrimental.Once a company understands the importance of innovation, then they need to figure out how to innovate. Companies also need create a culture where innovation flourishes. A culture where risk is allowed. A culture where failure is not only acceptable, it is encouraged.”

To read the full discussion, visit the Charlotte Chamber’s website

To read the full article, visit the Charlotte Business Journal’s website

2009 Marketing Forecast

Posted January 23rd, 2009 by Lindsey Reminga

The 2009 Marketing Forecast meeting, put on by the Charlotte American Marketing Association (CAMA), had a great turnout; with a crowd of top marketing executives in the area, this event proved to be and important look to the future.

Each panelist made important points about past success in the industry, and where the trends are going for 2009. You can view the podcast of this event, including an additional presentation, “Online Video Revolution” at CAMA’s Podcast.

Ron’s presentation:

Good Ideas in 2009

Posted January 8th, 2009 by Lindsey Reminga

2009 is here – and we’re all wondering what new technologies and ideas will emerge in the new year. The creative forecast, I’m sure, will shine even through the hard economic times. There’s a passion and politics found in creative and marketing agencies all over the globe, and it’s going to take alot more than the economy to bring us down. Hell, I’ve seen some great ideas come to life with scrap paper and a pen.

So, encouragement aside- it never hurts to saturate your brain with other people’s ideas and strategies to make yours better. Scrap paper and a pen may get you ideas, but the ever-important ‘zing’ of your campaign comes with intense strategy and development. I get a number of articles and journals sent to my email on a daily basis to make sure I’m up-to-date with what other creatives are doing. One of these newsletters is by PSFK, a website dedicated to consumer and creative trends.

The PSFK company is a collaborative insight and ideas company run from New York with a team of future-thinkers from around the globe. It began with two friends emailing each other pieces of trend and idea news between New York and London and it eventually blossomed into the popular website it is today. Now, you can read news from their offices in New York, London, Hamburg, Sao Paulo, and Shanghai.

‘Good Ideas in 2009‘ is PSFA’s new book that goes through the ideas and innovations PSFA feels are important for the new year.

The Slow Death of Physical Media

Posted November 26th, 2008 by Albert Banks

From the moment digital downloads of music became (legally) available, the writing has been on the wall. Physical media, in this case music CDs, vinyl and cassettes, is facing extinction. According tho the RIAA, digital downloads of music surpassed physical media in terms of units shipped in 2007.

However, in terms of dollar value digital still lags behind. This may be due to the discounted rate of digital. Paying $9.99 on iTunes for an album verses $14.99 at Best Buy for a CD would certainly indicate a price disparity. It is also easier to download a song from a computer than trek to a retail store.

Now a major landmark has been reached. Atlantic recently reached a milestone that no other major record label has hit. More than half of its music sales in the United States are now from digital downloads.

The music industry is seeing, and to some degree accepting reality. Let’s hope the movie industry follows suit – and fast. Blu-ray player and media sales continue to fall short. Price may be the major factor for consumers, but convenience also plays a part. Hmm, this situation sounds very familiar…