Facebook. By the end of 2011 the site reached its landmark one billion user figure but could Facebook be heading on a downward curve? Our view is probably not in 2012 but fast on its heels is Google+ who have officially launched pages for brands and is currently rolling out new features that can integrate with its other products such as Gmail and search.

The mobile wallet. Not a new concept in the East, the mobile wallet, known officially as ‘NFC’ – a contactless technology that allows users to pay for goods and receive and swap content with their mobiles is heading West. Blackberry devices sold this year will have NFC built into their phones as standard. Other phone manufacturers are following suit. The idea is that customers will never have to carry loose change again. Ever. With over 50,000 swipe and pay terminals already installed in the UK, 2012 will be the year when mobile wallets finally take off.

TV – the smart way. According to YouGov 1 in 10 people already have a smart TV and it is predicted that more people will swap their sets for a smart version in 2012. There are rumours that Apple is launching its own smart TV this year. For those wondering what a smart TV is – it is a TV with internet capabilities. So as well as being able to watch Coronation Street in HD you can also watch videos on YouTube or log onto Facebook and catch up with friends. But what is really exciting about the Smart TV is the ability to share and comment on media content using Facebook and Twitter. Marketers who are not already considering a Smart TV strategy should start scribbling as the opportunities for advertising on the platform are immense.

QR codes. On everything. 2011 saw the QR code gain momentum. But 2012 will be the year when everyone and everything is QR coded. In Japan, a food shop consists of scanning QR codes on pictures of food at tube stations and sending them to the virtual checkout. QR codes (Quick response) are a square bar code smartphone users can scan directly to a targeted webpage. An easier way to send people to a website. No more URL typing!

‘Must do’ resolutions for marketers in 2012

If you want to stay ahead, make your resolution to execute these ‘must do’ marketing trends in 2012.

1. Be mobile. If you haven’t already, adopt a web strategy. Mary Meeker, Technology Analyst at Morgan Stanley predicts that smart phones will be more numerous than PCs by the end of 2012 and 65% of all internet access will be from mobile devices by 2015. Optimising your website for viewing on an iphone or other mobile device is necessary or risk brand irrelevancy.

2. Share. If you are a marketer or communicator don’t be afraid to give away content and share knowledge. Building a personal brand and awareness of your expertise through social media and blogs will help you grow as a marketer. It may even take you in a different, more positive direction.

3. Seek positive reviews. We are now in an age where a conversation about a product or service is not offline. Customers are turning to reviews online to decide where to go on holiday and what electrical appliance to buy. Decisions about brand selection are increasingly made based on online reviews. Time for marketers to develop a proactive referral generation programme. A no-brainer for companies looking for a low cost solution for driving new business!

4. Interact. For us, it is all about the conversation. The real value in your social media activity lies in interacting with your followers as engagement leads to brand loyalty. Make it your resolution to talk more. But don’t forget to listen!

5. Do something with the feedback. If you are not collecting feedback then what are you doing! Seriously, feedback is key to development of your brand and service. Those who do collect feedback, ask yourself what you are doing with it. Develop a strategy for ensuring you are regularly requesting feedback from your customers and clients and put in place some actions once you have got it. Was it good feedback? Shout it from the rooftops then! Was it bad feedback? Time to make some changes…

6. Be seen and not just heard. Time to get into the video age. If you don’t have some sort of video on YouTube then now is the time. YouTube generates more than 2 billion views a day. We don’t have a Social Change video yet so this one is on our list for 2012. Gather video testimonials from your customers, feature your team or video your products. Get creative…

7. Get out! Too many marketers are stuck behind a desk. Time to get out and spend more time with your customers. Just one day observing research or talking to customers will give you plenty of ideas for the first half of 2012.

If you want help staying ahead of the trends or help with any of the resolutions contact our team.