I’ll place my bets that it will be both.

The sponsored message will remain; will grow exponentially with Internet expansion, Globalization, and Third World economic development…….I mean a rising tide floats all of the ships right?
With more buyers and sellers, ad rates will fall, ad purchases will rise as the digital playing field gets leveled. The big ad developers will have more outlets (The Google type Models) to redirect and or expand their multi-million dollar ad campaign dollars to.

Unpaid evangelists, and their own digital inner circle, in my opinion, won’t remain that way for long. In short order, this ‘unpaid’ group will become an advertising venue powerhouse because of their reach to the masses….even if it is their own mass of inner circle blogs about blogging. The dollars will eventually find their way in… Now, if you are a purist blogger, and really don’t want the cash, you can always opt out!….and let your friends have it

Hey, its going to be interesting to watch over the next 4 years.By 2010, 2011, you’ll see some definition.

The landscape is sure changing. What I’m not sure of is what role advertising will play in it. Advertising is becoming more like wallpaper. There is no doubt the future of advertising is ‘narrowcasting’ – such as the Google model. However, in a world that is digitally connected, will we rely on sponsored messages, or on ‘unpaid’ evangalists and our own digital inner circle?

Cheers
Stephen

ggw

I see you are observant and ahead of the curve as well. …..now, if we could just get that little thing.,…what do we call it?……funding,
out of the way sooner, we could really fly!

Keep blogging.

Gary

yeah, it’s an exciting time to be alive. The convergence of media is happening almost daily. Internet, tv, iphone, as you mentioned, they are all coming together.

And the opportunities … they are boundless!

ggw

Your mention of water reminded me that I neglected to mention regarding the people aspect, that the Italians have a great saying that I have kept in the forefront of my mind, whenever leading the charge of a new idea….:

“The fish stinks from the head first…..”

But, I’d quickly add, if you have a great idea you can come up smelling like roses too.

Gary

Thanks for your comment on my blog. Your site is identical! People may not know that Worpressers can choose from a variety of templates, and this template in particular has various color and header image combinations. We even have the same number of page tabs!

Thanks much for adding me to your blogroll. I read your entire blog, and I am definitely intrigued, so keep me posted.

Best,

SparkBugg (a fellow Genios?)

Steve