Some purport this line of copy to be an ancient Chinese curse; others give credit to long-gone scholars, authors, lawyers and such for this mixed blessing and salutation.  To me, the times are pretty much what we make of them.

Today’s recession is going to bury many of our old methods of communication; however, it’s also going to be the birthplace of innovation. Media messages will no longer be broadcast like barkers standing on street corners yelling out messages as was done back when there were only three national TV networks.

Today, the messages are waiting to be asked in – whenever, however and with whatever information the target market wants to receive. The messages we’re selling are wrapped inside the information and entertainment that is requested.

Today Social Media is the new girl in school, and all the boys think she’s hot.  But hold on to that prom invite, fellows. The other girls in school are changing the way they look, act and walk down the halls.

Outdoor media has moved from painting the sides of barns to digital boards that change messages at broadband speed. TV broadcasters are adding laser-targeted channels in HD and web-based libraries of news and shows ready for viewing on 2-inch cell phones or 90-inch flat screens. Newspapers are using their huge database of local and national information, experienced reporters and the Internet to deliver personalized newspapers to home and office computers.

There are lots of other new media to either curse or learn, depending on your age and attitude. I’d like to discuss them, but by the time I did, the top of this post would be obsolete.