In 1999, the Next Big Things were automated CRM systems, mass customization of marketing messages, channel integration, and the possibilities of the “Information Superhighway” to disinter-mediate buyers and sellers. What happened? Did the predicted future come to pass? Did we understand adequately the disruptive effect of new technologies, network effects, or the increasing empowerment of consumers to shape their own information inputs? Do we now?

And what can we speculate about the next 10 years in marketing innovation and change from the platform of 2009? Come to LA2M to reminisce about past “futures” and to speculate together about the future “future”. And let our wild thoughts be kept in check by the famous dictum of Niels Bohr, the father of quantum physics: “Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future.”

Charlie Hammerslough is a quantitative marketing generalist. Past experiences include building an internal marketing analysis group within the largest consumer-services company in the world, building up a small marketing consulting company, doing market research for a large automobile manufacturer, as well as being an academic researcher. He has made original contributions to direct-mail planning techniques, predictive analytics for call centers, and measurement of demographic determinants. Oddly enough, his first published paper was on the use of food and food rituals to foster social cohesion, especially pizza. He is currently VP and Leader for the Predictive Analytics Practice for Sutherland Global Services.

Look for Charlie on Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/chammerslough

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