According to the CBC, the upcoming Canadian budget will feature lots of money for new housing, nothing for national or international defense, R&D, business development or our declining per capita productivity. A recent edition of The Economist offered another sobering perspective on individual productivity. Their research suggests that the average "smart" phone owner spends over 4.6 hours a day looking at their phones.

Add to that another 4 hours for housework, excercise and eating, 7 more for sleeep and 2 for commuting to and from work, and you hardly have any time left to "work".  

In the 50’s and 60’s, when there were just a few TV (and radio) stations, everyone watched the same show. In the 70’s and 80’s when second TV sets became common – adults watched one show while the kids watched another.

The media revolution of the 80’s also saw many other new or improved media options including backlit outdoor, TV cable-casting (versus TV broadcasting), an explosion of ethnic newspapers, magazines, radio and TV, as well as FSA targeted newspaper inserts and addressed direct mail. 

Each of these media promised, both clients and their ad agencies, a cheaper, more effective manner in which to convert ad exposures to sales.

As a traditional Media Director, my objective was to reach as many brand target group members as possible 3+ / week for as long as possible, within budget. “Media Fragmentation” enemy #1.

When there were only a few TV stations, in the 50’s and 60’s for example, it was very easy to speak to the whole family a few times a week; especially because there was only one TV, and no TV remotes, or recorders – so you had to sit through the whole show, and the commercials, in real time. In the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s audiences per show fell and the cost per thousand [CPM] rose. Ad agency media departments devoted more and more time listening to the media sales pitches from other media. We were looking for other viable, effective, and more affordable media options to enable our clients to keep their brand stories in front of their audiences.     

On October 23, 2020 all that changed. Google had launched the first ever self-serve online advertising platform – Google Adwords, and began to take market share from all other media – worldwide. By 2023 Google Ads contributed over US$220 billion in revenue to Alphabet Inc. 

Google Adwords took share quickly because the “pay-per-click” model did away with all the other [traditional] media’s “audience estimates” that traditional media used to estimate their audience, ad exposure potential and their advertising rates. 

With ad-words you only paid IF the audience “clicked” on your ads. While books have been written on the pros and cons of Google’s business model. The two bottom lines are these:

PRO:

Thanks to Google AdWords, today Alphabet Inc. is one of the world’s 5th most valuable company. It was founded in1998; just twenty-six years ago.

CON: 

Google has siphoned off the primary source of revenue from all other media in the world. 

So – what’s next?

When Adwords and the social media equivalents were launched, in the early 00’s, each medium offered broad internet reach. 

Today each of us sees a narrow and very biased slice of the entire online world because our exposure is constantly being ‘curated’ by the social media or www search engine we’re using. Their AI and algorithm’s are employed to improve the click-thru-rate on the ads that they served up based on our past online history. Two people living together in the same space now experience two difference realities online.

Here's what AI has to say about itself.

“The future of social media is an exciting and dynamic landscape, with several trends and developments shaping how we interact, connect, and consume content. Let’s delve into some key aspects that will influence the future of social platforms:

1.   AR-based Shopping Experiences:

• Social media apps like Facebook and Instagram are increasingly integrating e-commerce into their user experience.
• Augmented reality (AR) allows virtual objects to be overlaid onto real-time video or pictures. Imagine trying on clothes virtually using your smartphone camera.
• Snapchat has already ventured into AR-based shopping, collaborating with fashion giant Gucci. Expect more features in this space soon.

2.  VR Communication:

• Virtual reality (VR) immerses individuals in a digital world using headsets. While we already communicate via text, voice calls, and video calls on social media, VR could take it to the next level.
• Meta (formerly Facebook) has been exploring VR spaces within its network, hinting at a future where we can virtually “be” with friends and family.
• Influencer Marketing Shifts: Brands are increasingly relying on influencers, especially micro-influencers, rather than celebrities. Authenticity and relatability drive engagement, making micro-influencers valuable partners for brands,

3.  Visual Content Dominance: including images and videos, will continue to dominate social media.

• Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest thrive on visual storytelling, and this trend will persist.

4.  Personalized Content:

• Algorithms will become smarter, tailoring content to individual preferences.
• Expect more personalized recommendations, ads, and experiences based on user behavior and interests.

6.  Integration into Daily Life:

• Social media will seamlessly integrate into various aspects of our lives.
• From work collaboration to entertainment, expect social platforms to be omnipresent.

The future of social media is ever-evolving, and these trends will shape how we connect, shop, and engage online. Stay curious and adapt to the changes ahead!”

"My" individual experience is enhanced at the expense of “us”.

This is a related traditional media test . . . 

This is what a newspaper office of the 60s and 70’s looked like.

Now, who can tell me who the woman being interviewed is? 

Now here's a GREAT example of a very effective ad. No art direction, and no bullshit. Just one big block of smart, insightfilled, factual copy that challenges the reader to think about what we as a country are doing - and why.

Source: Globe & Mail, May 4th edition (I think).

My Dad wanted to be a Master Cabinet Maker.

My father’s parents owned and operated a cabinet making business in Germany. Their work influenced his decision to become a Master Cabinet Maker. It took about eight years for him to be recognized as competent enough to do this kind of work. To do the relief carving you see here takes even longer – it’s a lifelong avocation.

When he came to Canada, after WW2, he had to reinvent himself, and did so by becoming a respected construction project manager.

I wanted to be a Business Project Manager.

His new profession influenced my desire to become a Business Project Manager. I went to Ryerson University for three years and apprenticed in the Advertising industry for about four years before I was given the kinds of roles and responsibilities that enabled me to become a respected Business Project Manager.

My son wanted to become a Large Aircraft Mechanic.

Ian's uncles were heavy equipment mechanics. They influenced his desire to become a large aircraft mechanic. Trade school, an apprenticeship and ongoing on-the-job-training have enabled him to achieve his goal. Elapsed time; 6 years and counting. 

Good work and craftmanship take time. You simply cannot “fake it it’ll you make it.” Especially when you’re servicing aircraft – like my son is.

I get antsy when I see Linked In “Top 10” lists, on how to become smarter, faster.

This one is a nice example of the latest top-10 iteration I’m seeing on social media.

This one promises to make you a better thinker in about 1½ hours. 

Wow . . . the path to eutopia has [finally] been found! 

If we all just take an hour a week, we can elevate humanity to the next level:

-  No more war.

-  No more hunger and grinding poverty.

-  No slavery.

A future filled with Peace, Love and Understanding can be ours.

But if 90-minute epiphanies really are possible, why is our world in such a mess?

Beware of the false prophets. Articles like those listed here might help frame your journey, but they are by no means a short-cut to wisdom.

I honestly wish they were.