Gazing into the crystal ball, online blogs, entertainment magazines and the daily news, the JSH&A prognosticators have compiled the Top Trends for 2011, plus a couple random predictions.

Technology

• Smartphone sales will eclipse PC sales and the android platform will surpass the iPhone.
• Google’s launch of the next generation of mobile computers will overwhelm even the Apple iPad enthusiasts.
• Mobile apps will be everywhere in the “appmosphere” and play a major role in marketing campaigns. “App” will have its own app and more companies will include mobile tactics on smartphones, tablets, etc. to their campaigns.
• Facebook will become the popular platform for daily access to email, calendars, movie schedules, bank account information and other necessities of life just by adding buttons for increased functionality.
• MySpace will partner with Twitter to compete with Facebook for the title of ultimate social media channel.
• Gaming technology will be a hot tactic to engage brands with consumers. Competition, reward points and alignment with popular online game sites (i.e. Cascadian Farms and Farmville) will help build strong ties with consumers.

Media

• Newspapers will be segmented by issues/topics and look similar to blogs.
• Blogger “desk-sides” and destination consumer blogger events will become a standard tactic for media outreach campaigns.
• Internet TV, especially for movies, will replace cable subscribers as new functionality for sharing/uploading videos.
• Traditional media will regain some share with higher quality editorial content and insights not provided from quick-take social media sources.

Business

• More corporate conglomerates will break apart to focus on their core business.
• Telecommuting and virtual offices will become normal in business.
• Consumers will demand social responsibility, especially related to the environment, and will hold corporations accountable for negligence.

Lifestyle

• Bottled water will be on the boycott list as tap water becomes the new “in” beverage.
• “Environment,” “Sustainability,” and “Recycling” will be the buzz words in homes and business – regardless of viewpoints on Global Warming.
• Specialty mobile food trucks will be popular with social media networks driving consumers to find them.
• Entertainment reality shows and movies with family appeal will abound – think Glee.
• Fashion will feature a modernized retro look with earth tones and tie-dyes as well as strong black and whites popped with hot colors. Lady Gaga bacon-couture will be replaced by orange hues – mango, persimmon and pumpkin.
• Skinny jeans will be out – welcome back flattering flares and boot-cuts – and hemlines will drop – though minis will always be in fashion.

Random Predictions

• Jim Kokoris will be named to the NY Times best-seller list.
• EVERYONE will grow tired of Lady Gaga and Justin Beiber.
• The Cubs will be terrible… again.

Best,

Jonni Hegenderfer