Mobile Groove

My last post on 2D barcodes sparked an interesting debate on the recent CTIA white paper, a work-in-progress that – though a step in the right direction – prematurely calls a winner in the barcode battle, and patently fails to detail the contribution of each company/player in the emerging ecosystem. I am pleased at the amount (and quality) of feedback I received, both in the form of comments on MSG and in personal emails asking to take the discussion off-line, and overjoyed that companies have asked me to elaborate my arguments in a white paper, a proposition I am seriously considering.

But today I can say the response to my post (and the observation that key stakeholders such as advertisers should be consulted at this stage) is finally complete. Scanbuy CEO, Jonathan Bulkeley – who has so far respectfully declined opportunities to formally respond to the CTIA white paper – has reached out to MSG to set the record straight and provide his side of the story.

Mobile changes all the rules, allowing us to live, work and play in a new collective state of hyper-connectedness. Add the ability of the mobile to blur the boundaries of the virtual and physical worlds – and we witness a shift that will affect every industry that relies on the Web for communications, business growth and interactive marketing.

This week I wrap up some of the most interesting interviews in my career. It’s been over a month of collecting facts, figures and vision from 25+ mobile executives and luminaries, in-depth information that will be the foundation of the Netsize Guide 2009, which I am writing as we speak.

Is convergence the end-game? Will mobile advertising foot the bill for mobile content and apps? What is the real value of location? How can companies remain relevant to their customers? Are mobile operators -well- outdated? These are just a few of the questions I have the freedom to explore in the guide with the full support of George Yaryura, Netsize Strategic Marketing Manager. Our goal: To co-create a highly accessible and valuable publication for mobile professionals and practitioners. I must keep the keep the details of these interviews confidential until the Netsize Guide is formally released at Mobile World Congress. But I can share my take of the megatrends that matter and the industry developments that merit a closer look.

Top of my list is mobile barcodes.