Good morning, Marketer, and digital keeps everything running.
But for how long? Let me explain. I was struck by a comment from Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen to the effect that digital capabilities kept the economy running over the last year. There may be an element of hyperbole there, but it seems essentially true.
I’ll go further. Digital kept everything running, not only in our work lives but in every other sphere, from shopping to entertainment. It even kept human relationships running, beyond the immediate circle of the household.
The first two stories below raise the question of whether everything — everything — will revolve around digital in the future. Based on our Events Participation Index, marketers are just about ready to meet in person again early next year; but a thunderous majority want the chance to attend inexpensive, easy-on-travel virtual events too.
And Adobe, of course, is betting that the huge boost to digital we’ve seen in B2C and B2B customer journeys will be sustained. Will it, or will we go back to our old ways? We are setting out on a fascinating journey.
Kim Davis
Editorial Director