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How I Missed On Every 2014 Content Marketing Prediction

50 content marketing predictions

Yes, it’s that time again.

This will be our seventh year putting together content marketing predictions. (For the record, you can also view what was forecast for 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.)

Before we take a look at my failed 2014 predictions, I’d love it if you could throw your hat into the ring and share your predictions for 2015.

Complete your 2015 prediction here!

We had over 50 predictions last year, and I’d love to see more this year.

Let’s take a look at my three predictions for 2014 and see if any came true.

1) Microsoft will buy one, maybe two, media companies in certain industries. The outcome of these moves will pave the way for further media purchases throughout the year by non-media companies.

— I’m going to count this one as 10% correct, since Microsoft purchased Mojang (maker of Minecraft) for $2.5 billion. Sure, Mojang is a computer software company, but I first experienced Minecraft as part of its annual event and trade show. Overall in 2014, Microsoft purchased six companies, but none were media companies. Maybe next year?

2) Red Bull will announce a series of daredevil movies to be produced by Amazon.com.

— I’d like 50% credit on this one.  Red Bull will release the movie On Any Sunday, a motorcycle racing film detailing events from 1971, in November 2014. Amazon did NOT help produce or distribute the movie. Why should it? Red Bull can do that all by itself. It did, by the way, announce the official Red Bull station on Apple TV in January.

3) At least three Fortune 500 brands will hire a Chief Content Officer.

— No credit for this one.  I couldn’t find one. Try again next year, Joe.

I’m still mulling over my 2015 predictions, but I’m leaning toward these three. Thoughts?

  • I predict that we will see a surge in print magazines from brands in 2015. As most brands continue to focus heavily on digital, smart brands will realize that it is much easier to cut through the clutter by leveraging ‘the post’ – without much competition at all.
  • I predict that medium-sized and large businesses will begin to purchase niche media companies in 2015 because they thirst to create real relationships with targeted audiences. (Note that I had to widen this to companies outside Microsoft. Hopefully that will give me a better chance of being correct.)
  • I predict that we will begin to see well-known publishers and editors of B2B media franchises leave to be recruited by large B2B brands, with technology companies leading the way. We saw this recently as Qualcomm hired a USA Today editor to run its SPARK content program.

Let me know your 2015 predictions. Complete the form now. We’ll release all the predictions by early December.

Joe Pulizzi

Joe Pulizzi

Joe Pulizzi is the bestselling author of seven content marketing books including his latest, Content Inc. He has founded four companies, including the Content Marketing Institute (CMI), and his newest venture, The Tilt. His podcast series, This Old Marketing with Robert Rose, has generated millions of downloads from over 150 countries. He is also the author of The Random Newsletter, delivered to thousands every two weeks. His Foundation, The Orange Effect, delivers speech therapy and technology services to children in 35 states. Follow him on Twitter @JoePulizzi.