Unpredictions for 2011
Right now everyone’s speculating about what’s going to happen in 2011. At RBOA we like to think outside the box, so we put our heads together and came up with our own countdown of “unpredictions” - predictions that are never going to happen – for 2011.
Unprediction #7: Crisis communication goes extinct; PR pros pound pavement in search of new careers.
If you work in crisis communications, it may be time to start looking for a new job. Blame it on Mark Zuckerberg, the blogosphere or the ruthless, viral nature of YouTube – in 2011, people will be more aware than ever of the need to craft a positive public persona.
"I just want my life back."
The result? 2011 will give rise to a new age of ethics, eloquence and empathy.
Athletes and politicians will behave themselves. Disgruntled airline employees will resign quietly and gracefully. In the face of catastrophe, oil executives will respond to the public outcry with sensitivity and sincerity.
Okay, okay. We all know THAT isn’t going to happen. The truth of the matter is this: as long as human beings continue to live, breathe and open their mouths, crisis PR will be there to save their behinds – in 2011 and beyond.
-Erin Schmidt
Unprediction #6: My online boyfriend loves me more than your real boyfriend.
“I had this guy leave me a voicemail at work, so I called him at home, and then he emailed me to my BlackBerry, and so I texted to his cell, and now you just have to go around checking all these different portals just to get rejected by seven different technologies.” –Mary, He’s Just Not That Into You
Whenever I’m looking for a good unprediction, I like to reflect on the classic family film “He’s Just Not That Into You.” My unprediction for 2011 is that the human population will become so enthralled with technology that face-to-face interaction will become unnecessary and “so last year.” With all the different ways to communicate with online “friends,” shop for the latest trends, order your favorite meals and even develop romantic relationships via the web – who needs real human interaction, right? Personally, I’d choose a good, old-fashioned virtual beer with my Twitter boyfriend via Skype over a night out on the town any day (this has not actually happened yet – but here’s to hoping).
The fact of the matter is, no matter how technology savvy we become (or think we have become), real human interaction will always be something human beings crave. (Notice I have used the word “human” four times now. There is really no other word for that [other than homo sapien, which just sounds creepy]). Although technology has made it easier to communicate with each other, building real, personal relationships with people offline will always be a part of our lives. If not, we will all be isolated creeps in our virtual world of loneliness. So, get out there and meet someone for coffee, go for a run with a friend or have a party with your pals to celebrate being a human and not a computer.
Unprediction #5: Return of the BeeperKing: One SiG to rule them all.
In 2011, we will see a major shift in mobile technology. The battle over mobile speed will be completely turned upside down as 4G and 3G are forged together to create 7SiG the perfection in mobile technology. This new powerful platform will be known as Analogity Simple Speed. The new 7SiG will only be accessed through the emergence of the once forgotten, but true leader of mobile technology… the beeper.
This radical shift in technology to Analogity Simple Speed will cause a colossal mobile market convergence of the Android, Blackberry and iPhone devices to adapt operating systems to connect via Bluetooth to the new 7SiG Beeper. All mobile carriers will have no choice but to convert to A.S.S. in order to provide the highest level of social data and mobile technology.
By converting to 7SiG, popular Android Apps will now accelerate users full-throttle across the digital globe. The most downloaded iPhone apps will beep with blazing speed, making Tron look like Atari on dial-up. BlackBerry App World app leaders will plot your course like Jack Sparrow on the Caribbean.
Location-based service will be revolutionized by triangulating integrated GPS technology of 7SiG bringing Foursquare, Gowalla and Yelp to their knees.
A record $1 billion dollars in funding will be awarded to BeeperKing CEO and spokesman Zach Galifianakis who will also be awarded new Social Technology Czar on March 14th at 2011 SXSW.
High profile social media rockstars Mari Smith, Chris Brogan, Gary Vaynerchuk, Deidre Breakenridge and Brian Solis will be cast along Galifianakis in Wolfpack Nation, the sequel to the 2010 box office hit The Social Network, to be release Friday 11/11/11.
Lastly, the BeeperKing 7SiG Black Titanium Beeper with Citizens crystal faceplate will outsell all mobile smart devices on Amazon.com in 2011.
-Michael Winn
Unprediction #4: Compact digital cameras will get larger with touch screen options to edit photos on the go.
In a sense this is true; however, my true prediction is that soon we will see the extinction of stand-alone, compact digital cameras. Now-a-days digital cameras are included in all portable technologies from laptops and smartphones to iPods and GPS devices with geotagging capabilities. My Droid X possesses an 8 megapixel camera with editing software pre-installed. Furthermore, the Android store offers consumers a plethora of photo editing apps to choose from.
As a result of these changes in technology we will see more photos and videos included in social media campaign efforts across the board. Rather than creating and controlling the production of all the content, we will promote our causes by facilitating relationships between the people in our target audience. Public relations professionals will be able to capitalize on the efforts of their publics as more people are able to create valuable visual content.
-Rebecca Morse
Unprediction #3: Apple’s a sinking ship.
This year, I predict that Apple will go out of business after the launch of the iPhone for Verizon Wireless. After bumpy roads with AT&T, Apple decided to extend their hand to Verizon in hopes of becoming even bigger than they already are. Small problems with the phone and the wireless network will add up, and eventually people will stop buying Apple products altogether. Unfortunately, because the iPhone will encounter so many more problems with Verizon, Android and Blackberry will take over the smart phone world, promising more than Apple ever could.
-Eileen Perez
Unprediction #2: Social media will no longer be utilized by mainstream media to complement (or even craft) the news of the day.
With the widespread use of social networking websites in 2010, it was no surprise that more and more members of the mainstream media were opting to use social networking to find interview subjects and topics.
In truth, there will still be a steady increase in the amount of people and organizations that have a social networking profile in the new year — and mainstream media will continue to use these sites to help them when crafting and investigating stories. Reporters will “stay in touch” with society, hoping to ensure they are disseminating the news of the day that truly represents and peaks their audience’s interests.
-Beth Frady
Unprediction #1: Look for the launch of the Blueberry!
Smart phones will continue to get smaller and more powerful, which will geometrically increase the importance and utility of Bluetooth technology. As such – and in an effort to overcome other competitive advantages by Apple – RIM will announce a merger with Bluetooth, along with new micronization technology, that will lead to the release of the newest integration of smart phone and listening device … the Blueberry. On sale at Best Buy for just $699 with a 3-year Verizon contract.
-Rick Oppenheim
Happy New Year from the RBOA team! What are YOUR unpredictions for 2011?
