Digital Lab offers international and local glimpse of digital revolution

The speakers, with international and local credentials in digital marketing, will discuss from their own area of specialisation, the impact of the digital revolution on consumers, business models, markets and lifestyles - and the implications of that impact for brands and business.

Speakers

Simon Bond, global head of new business for Proximity Worldwide, will provide an executive-level overview of the digital economy. He will focus on the fact that it has completely disrupted the legacy modes of business across all industries by upending distribution models, reshaping customer service expectations and transforming marketing from a one-way monologue fuelled by insight-driven creative to a complex, multiway dialogue across myriad channels.

Currently based in New York, Bond has worked for Proximity in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia Pacific, growing the last three networks into the largest and most awarded in their regions. Clients included P&G, Visa, Citibank, Pepsi, Mercedes Benz, GE, Mars and Air NZ.

Providing the South African perspective, journalist, media analyst, and commentator on information and communications technology (ICT), the Internet, and mobile communications and technologies, Arthur Goldstuck, will provide the latest statistics for South African Internet access and mobile Internet usage as well as a 10-year outlook for the impact on South African society of the digital revolution.

Goldstuck heads the World Wide Worx research organisation and has led research into ICT issues such as the effects of IT on small business, the role of mobile technologies in business and government and technology challenges in the financial services sector. He regularly provides strategic insights and guidance on trends at conferences and corporate events across Africa.

Ian Calvert, co-founder of Instant Grass, one of the world's leading youth market specialists, will focus on the digital generation and the ‘digilogue', dissecting the myths and realities of the digital consumer, identifying the 10 key drivers of digital life, and suggesting the rules of engagement for brands.

Calvert started Instant Grass, South Africa's first specialist youth agency, in 2003. Operating in South Africa, Russia, and East and West Africa, the agency collaborates 24/7 with a network of connected, informed, and influential young people to create consumer-driven solutions for brands.

Stu Stobbs, executive creative director, and Brendan Wade, MD of Studio 4332, will present local and international case studies of the ways in which brands have successfully employed digital techniques.

In addition, representatives of leading digital entities are being lined up to speak and will contribute to a day designed to enable business people to use digital to turn global and local trends to their commercial advantage.

Flux Trend Review

The one-day Flux Trend Review conference, powered by BlackBerry, will identify and analyse global macro trends - from social dynamics and politics to technology and lifestyle that will shape the way business is done this year.

It will track the ripple effect of the global economic meltdown, the consumer revolution it has sparked off, the technology that has provided the tools for change, and the massive shift of social and business dynamics that are altering the journey ahead.

The conference price of R2280 (inclusive of VAT) per delegate includes finger lunch, tea break refreshments and goodie bag plus free entry to Digital Lab.

Studio product launch

The launch of Studio 4332's second collection of products takes place in the evening of Thursday 25 February, at the UJ Art Gallery, following on Dion Chang's Flux Trend Review conference.

The theme for the Studio 4332 collection of products is personalisation - a process made possible by the digital revolution. The products will therefore demonstrate in tangible forms just how creativity, commoditised for digital applications, can be put to work to drive consumer engagement in businesses and brands.

The products will include personalised belts, human skin wallets, profile vases, and location bracelets called ‘placelets'.

Bizcommunity.com is a media partner of the Trend Flux Review.

To book online go to www.studio4332.com or www.fluxtrends.co.za.