To quote Captain Boyle from Sean O’Casey’s Juno and the Paycock , “The whole world's in a terrible state of chassis”, so predictions for 2012 will be difficult. Mayan stone tablets are thought to end their predictions in 2012 which some say indicates the end of the world, maybe they just ran out of stone or got bored
I made some predictions for 2011 and now is the time to see how I did –
1. Data will be king in 2011 (Martin Sorrell), if this is going to be so then the quality of data will come under scrutiny. (still true)
2. Every business will look more keenly at their costs and want to reduce waste (very much so and will get even keener in 2012)
3. There will be an increase in the use of direct mail as marketers realise their ‘share of voice’ in the new media is falling. (starting to happen)
4. In October, England will win the World Cup (no not that World Cup - the Rugby World Cup) (less said about this one the better)
This year I have asked the team for some help on their predictions for 2012, contributions have varied from the bizarre to the obscene from the global to the parochial.
Jez, Laura and Cath all think data8 will expand, I would agree with that thought.
The Open Data Institute unveiled by the Government aims to make data held by Whitehall departments and public bodies work to the “commercial advantage” of the private sector. Expect to see a raft of ‘apps’ trying to take advantage of this.
Facebook will have a crucial year, Richard wonders if they will be able to marry the commercial demands with the privacy requirements of their users, therefore going into a decline.
Local data8 predictions:
Cath may be pushing things a little, or maybe she is looking for a pay rise by saying Antony will be crowned King of Data.
Bernie, I think is on a winner with ‘Mark Carrington will become very tied and agitated as he embraces fatherhood’, however she does predict that Steve will father another child, not so convinced on that one. Mind you Laura is certain that Jez will become a dad again.
On the sporting front Richard doesn’t think the England football team have much of a chance this summer, I would agree. Expect the usual scenario, initially the red-tops making them out to be world beaters, for them to crash and burn, giving the opportunity to poor scorn on the team and the coach.
I suppose Brenda and Phil the Greek will have a great time touring the country before the Jubilee celebrations in June.
Have a prosperous New Year.