Flying cars, microchips embedded in human brains, autonomous drone delivery – is the future even closer than we think? While these topics have long been the focus of conversation ever since they were figments of imagination in young SciFi fans’ minds, we are now entering lightspeed (for lack of a better term) when it comes to advances in modern civilization and technology.

Over the years, predicting what is coming up in the next 12 months in digital and tech within PR and marketing has become both easier and harder at the same time. It’s become harder to predict what is coming because there is just so much innovation happening in so many different sectors. It can be difficult to know what to focus on and where to apply your resources.

A message from Zeno’s Global Head of Analytics Michael Brito.

From a mere $1.7B in 2016, influencer marketing today is estimated to be worth $13.8B - marking 711%+ growth in four years - and is expected to grow to $15B in 2022.

Today, social media influencers are sharing the good, the bad and their ugly experiences working with brands. Agencies and brands alike are being held accountable to ensure influencers have a positive experience. That means that there’s no hiding from a deal gone bad, which could hurt future campaigns and brand reputations.

For the last year or more, we have all thought about the concept of ‘the other side.’ What will the world look like on the other side of near-constant volatility, uncertainty, pressure and social change? In business, we have heard experts characterize the other side in dramatic terms, like The Great Reset, The Great Return, the Next Normal, the Big Quit and the Great Resignation. Whatever trendwatchers might call this coming era, everyone seems to agree there’s something very different ahead.