Neal, Matt & Greg

Session Description

“Three of our industry’s preeminent analysts take a look at some of the predictions made over the past few years and see where they stand today, why some were on target and some not.

Following that, the group will make some fresh, new predictions for the future. This promises to be a fun and interesting session and one not to be missed.”

Those who have knowledge, don't predict. Those who predict, don't have knowledge.

-- Lao Tzu

You can only predict things after they have happened.

--Eugene Ionesco

Questionable Predictions

“Google will buy Yellowbook”

“Google will be successful in the radio space”

Questionable Predictions

“TellMe will push Microsoft into the forefront of mobile services”

Questionable Predictions

“Pay Per Call will be big . . .really big”

($4B by 2009)

Questionable Predictions

“Video will become a major form of SMB advertising”

Questionable Predictions

“The print Yellow Pages will be gone by 2015”

Mostly Accurate Predictions

• Print YP usage decline will accelerate in 2010

• Mobile will overtake desktop search

• The “presence, performance, permanence” construct will endure

• Verticals will begin to gain significant market share

New Predictions• Google will build and push new SMB products to

augment SEM

• Focus will shift from customer acquisition to customer retention

• Amazon will score big with SMBs beyond AWS

• Legacy vertical sales organizations will offer digital solutions (e.g. American Tire Distributors)

• Facebook will field a local SMB sales channel