In a recent Media in Canada e-newsletter, David Feldt, SVP and GM at digital agency Organic nicely recapped the digital marketing trends and changes in 2008.  The following are the high points of note:

• Huge growth in social media, digital out-of-home, digital point of sale and mobile smart phones.
• The "app-lification" of marketing and media with downloadable apps, music for mobile devices (iPhone being the trend setter) and social media websites – making people able to connect anywhere at anytime.
• The start of the "Conversation Economy," where brands need to join the conversations that consumers are having and play less of a prescriptive role. (I love it – the Conversation Economy – David I just might use that one!)
• Growth in 2009 in Location-based marketing (ads served up to mobile devices and digital signage through GPS technology)

I would agree with Mr. Feldt in saying that although everyone is focussed on the "R" word as of late, the digital marketing space will continue to grow in 2009.  With the ability to so accurately target, measure ROI immediately and engage consumers like never before, Marketing online will provide organizations who are ready to take the leap a huge advantage.

About the Authors: Patricia Brusha is the co-founder of www.acoupleofchicks.com - an Internet Marketing Company focused on travel and tourism, and Online Revealed Canada – the Tourism e-Marketing Conference produced in association with Yahoo! Canada, and the first inaugural Online Revealed Caribbean Conference to be held this Fall in San Juan Puerto Rico.  She has spent 26 years working in the Hospitality Industry in the United States and Canada in the fields of Sales, Hotel Marketing, Internet Distribution and Revenue Management. Together, the "Chicks" have published over 25 articles, produced a successful online marketing Blog; www.ideahatching.com , launched www.chicksaway.com – a social media portal for women who travel, and have worked with such notable brands as Marriott International, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts and Yahoo! Their popular e-marketing workshops have also lead to the upcoming book focused on the "Chicks" non-intimidating approach to marketing online.