TIMA - 2/20/08- Predictions for 2008

TIMA -
So while it’s still fresh in my mind I figured I’d write a little blog entry about the TIMAs (Triangle Interactive Marketing Association) “lunch and learn” and before I start writing down the random and sometimes convoluted thoughts that go on in my head I would like to premise this MediaTwo blog with this… Being a recent college graduate and new to the interactive advertising world, this is the first blog I’ve written that didn’t have anything to do with college life, music, or sports. And also the thoughts and opinions expressed in the following do not necessarily (but probably do) reflect the thoughts and opinions of MediaTwo.

The topic this month was what trends to look out for in 2008 in the upcoming months. The speaker Howard Greenstein http://howardgreenstein.com/ who discussed being an avid blog reader (we’ll see if he sees this) and has accomplished a tremendous amount from what I could tell. One of the topics hit was Second Life and how it was “too hard” in case you didn’t know Second Life is for those who have failed miserably at maintaining a social life, and can now fail miserably in a virtual world. Here is my prediction for 2008 I see a strong virtual need for virtual suicide counselors, so if you’re going to send your Second life character to virtual college and you want to be a virtual success make sure he/she is well versed in virtually talking other virtual jumpers off virtual buildings,… or save yourself the crushing disappointment when virtual girls, much like real girls, tell you they just want to be friends. Don’t waste REAL months of your time creating another disappointing version of yourself. Don’t get me wrong I like video games as much as the next guy but if you’re going to waste your time play something a little more gratifying, like Donkey Kong, or Mario Brothers, so what if you’re not a short Italian plumber with a goofy mustache and red pants in real life, At least you know that you’ll most likely end up with princess toadstool, cause she’s totally easy.

Another topic that was hit was Google owns everything! OK! I get it! Google is huge and could buy and sell me. Does that mean I’m not going to Google my name just because they are the empire in the nerdy star wars reference that is my life? No! Because it’s kind of fun and it’s fun to say… GOOGLING… plus I’m afraid that if I did write something negative about Google that I may disappear, and no one would ever be able to find me… not even by Googling “where is Ryan Oakley” this scares me far worse than the inevitable squirrel revolution… don’t act like you haven’t thought about it! But I digress...The event was catered and I made the poor choice of the tuna sandwich with the fruit salad side instead of the pasta salad, I know, Rookie mistake. Overall it was informative sort of and it pumped me up for next month’s lecture where the topic will be Video, in my head I imagine an hour of watching hilarious youtube videos, but have the sneaking suspicion I’m going to be disappointed. At least ill get a little brownie with my lunch and at the end of the day that makes me happy...