[LINK] Trends and predictions 2008

[Ivan Trundle]

Dear Linkers

JWT, the 4th-largest advertising agency in the world (largest in the  
US), has released its '80 trends to watch in 2008' (some of which are  
not so illuminating, such as 'women juggling men', or 'Skype sex'),  
but I highlight three of the trends that I believe to be of  
significance interest in 2008 and beyond:

1. Blue replacing green as the colour of the environment
They suggest that it's because the air and water are as important as  
vegetation. A mind-shift is occurring here.

2. Radical transparency
Of interest to Linkers, the phenomenon of younger people (gen-x, gen- 
y) being much more open with their personal life than baby-boomers,  
and less interested in privacy. This will be the new generation gap. I  
know this to be an issue already, as a friend working in an un-named  
government department is seriously concerned (along with his  
colleagues) about the impact of staff being far too 'open' online, and  
thus creating endless security breaches.

3. The N-11
The next eleven are considered the emerging nations, after the G8+5  
(the Group of Eight plus Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South  
Africa), and initially coined by the investment bank, Goldman Sachs  
back in 2005. They are, in alphabetical order: Bangladesh, Egypt,  
Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea,  
Turkey and Vietnam. Investment in these countries will be significant  
in the year to come.

The full list here:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/071226/nyw002.html

iT