Ownership – Fundamental to the whole "revolution" is the fact that individuals can now ‘own’ their own space on the Web – moving from being consumers to becoming contributors and collaborators. Sites that allow individuals to create and maintain their own collections of photos, videos, music and bookmarks online are examples of this.
Personalization – the ability to customize the interface of many of these sites is an example of the personalized approach. But personalization goes a lot deeper with this, and includes the ability to actually ‘construct’ the way in which information is represented, where it comes from, how it is used etc.
Participation – the move from simply publishing or participation is another hallmark of this software. Even blogs, while being a personal publishing tool, allow for participation – at one level through the comments that can be left, and at another through the communities of interest that develop.
Aggregation – the availability of software that makes use of RSS (Really Simple Syndication) demonstrates how information from one source can so easily be integrated into another. Sites that allow individuals to create their personal aggregations of news feeds, blog links, and other feeds, such as NetVibes and PageFlakes, are
good examples of this. Other sites such as Technorati illustrate how easily communities of interest can be formed through the aggregation of people’s blog entries.
Irene V. on 26 May 12Marketing trends in 2012 25 January, 2012 Madeleine Ross comments "Opportunities go begging in a market ripe for the brave," says Deloitte chief marketing officer David Redhill, and that's certainly the attitude of many marketers looking at the next 12 months. In this year's tough economic climate, with financial trouble plaguing most of Europe and the USA, Australian marketers will be cautious, but that doesn't mean they'll stop spending. Local consumers have grown accustomed to being circumspect and are now looking to do business with reliable institutions. According to Commonwealth Bank's chief marketing and online officer, Andy Lark: "if you're trusted and you've got a good brand, you're in a good position." Reports of flailing foreign economies won't wreak the same havoc they used to on the industry, with agencies and clients now looking towards the potential downturn as an opportunity to cleverly and cost-effectively win over customers at their most vulnerable. "There is a lot of caution in the market and we are as circumspect as the next business," says Redhill. "But at the same time marketers who invest in brands in downtime are usually the winners because they will emerge stronger as competitors shrink their budgets and reel in their more expansive plans." The Tontine Group's product development and marketing manager, Lucinda Kew, agrees: "It is actually the brands that invest through difficult times which end up getting the best results because… you're resonating with people and when they get through those difficult times, hopefully you're their brand of choice." More for the same The Commonwealth Bank, bedding manufacturer Tontine and financial advisory firm, Deloitte all plan to maintain their marketing spends this year. That's a relief for agencies, especially in the midst of rumours about a 'race to the bottom' where agencies are fighting for clients and remuneration offers are slumping. But that's not to say brands or agencies can r