If you have yet to check out the 'Mary Meeker Internet Trends 2015 Report', I certainly suggest reading through the presentation. To spare you some time however, I'd like to share a few key themes that stood out to me, offering vast potential for new business and multi-billion dollar markets untapped in the years ahead.
Let's start with mobile. Phones are bigger, faster, and attached to our hips every breathing second. Meeker's stats point out various indicators of mobile growth and internet adaption, but a massive ad spending gap in the mobile space is the highlight. Of all media channels in the United States, Americans spend roughly 24% of their time on their phones (television still dominates). With only 8% of Americans actually seeing mobile ads, Meeker estimates the 16% differential at an opportunity of ~$25 billion dollars. All signs point to more reliance on our smartphones as they pack faster chips and bigger screens, so let's just say the mobile ad industry has barely scratched the surface. The platform owners these mobile ads will be displayed on have a hefty payday coming and some of these companies may not even emerge in the immediate future. A 10-second YouTube ad today could be looked as a luxury in a few years from now...
The second trend that caught my eye was the evolution of drone technology. I have never bought into drones as a warfare tool or chose a side on the ethics of the matter, but Meeker's data rethinks how drones can be used for far more positive outcomes, including everyday business activities. You may first think of how exciting (and futuristic) an Amazon shipping drone may be, but the privacy and air space restrictions undoubtedly muddy the business waters. Mary identifies how other industries need aerial solutions for various business and non-business needs. Construction, utilities, and disaster recovery all lack the aerial assistance a drone can provide. Surveying underground gas pipes for an area of land or reviewing a construction site progress 300 feet in the air screams opportunity. Disaster recovery was the kicker for me, as drones are being used as I type this to find missing persons following the Nepal earthquake.
Just sharing some thoughts, hope you enjoy!
Just sharing some thoughts, hope you enjoy!
