2004 - Year in Review

OK, a bit late into the new year but here's a quick review of some of the online trends and milestones of the past year...

Google Zeitgeist - The 2004 Year-End Zeitgeist offers a unique perspective on the year's major events and trends as reflected in the billions of searches conducted by Google users. Should I be surprised at learning that pop culture icons like Paris Hilton, Avril Lavigne and Britney Spears represent the focus of our cultural consciousness?

Rich Internet Applications - Bloglines, Flickr, Gmail, 43 Things.... online services are demonstrating that online applications can rival their desktop counterparts... and do some interesting things to get users interacting and communicating.

iPod, iTunes and all things Apple - what can I say? What a resurgence by what was a company struggling to find its place in the market not too long ago. Kudos to Mr. Jobs.

Blogging and RSS - The move towards online blogging grew by leaps and bounds. The ease with which non-technical users can now set up blogs and publish to the Internet through applications like Moveable Type has truly moved the web concept of "everyone a publisher" closer to reality. And of course, RSS has begun to hit its stride. Looker for greater adoption of RSS in 2005.

Firefox - With tens of millions of downloads since November, we have a solid contender in the browser war, rapidly gaining marketshare on Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Check your web metrics to see how many of your users are coming in with this browser.

Advergaming - The popularity of video games and the rise of both online poker and increased television viewership (especially among younger audiences) of programs dedicated to amateur and professional poker tournaments has given rise to ad placements in online and offline gaming. (Can we blame the NHL hockey strike?) Termed "advergaming" watch for increased product placements in these areas.

Online First Marketing Strategies - Companies are thinking first about the web and other medium secondly for their marketing strategies. Online ad banner revenue has experienced an increased rate of growth again after a lull. Watch for online advertising to lead further trends in offline advertising for 2005.