I'm moving on from Mindshare and wanted to tell you about my plans.
Despite all the doom and gloom around the economy - and consequently around some parts of the ad industry - it's still a hugely exciting time to be in this business. The web has changed everything, all around the world and we're seeing the start of structural changes to the marketing industry.
One positive result is that the friction involved in starting a business has never been less - technology enables a business to act globally from a handful of locations; talent is more accessible than ever before as more and more people embrace collaboration and an open source way of working. And new businesses can develop new business models where they get paid for being clever (ie effective), rather than for the hours they put in.
Where is the opportunity? To me it's all about Mobile.
Not mobile advertising, although that has a role to play. I see the most exciting opportunity as around mobile content and services - focused on smart phones. Over 300 million smart phones have been sold since the start of 2007 - and this is making the mobile internet a reality.
Looking back to the early days of the web, when we started Poppe Tyson in 1996 there were only 50 million people on the web - it wasn't until 1999 that the 300 million figure was reached. And by that time there was a huge industry helping businesses embrace the web to drive profits and reduce costs.
Another key piece of evidence is what people are now doing with their smart phones. Morgan Stanley data shows that Facebook has over 20 million active mobile users - who are 50% more active than non mobile users!
Now the mobile world has lots of really smart people, but I think the constant refrain "will this be the year of mobile?" has obscured the fact that there is now a really attractive opportunity around smart phones. And despite all the hype over iphone apps, few businesses are really thinking about how they can use mobile to improve their customer experience, reduce the cost of doing business, build real loyalty through addictive services and content and - yes - attract new customers.
Such a platform specific play might seem odd, given much of the web is increasingly platform agnostic, but I suspect that the changes that flow from the mobile phone evolving into the Pocket Computer, will be just as profound as those wrought by the last PC revolution.
So I'm spending the summer looking at the opportunities for a new business focused on content and services for smart phones. Potentially, my 5th start up. Over the coming weeks I'll be talking with old friends and new contacts across the mobile business to explore the possibilities for a professional services company that can help business really embrace all the potential of the mobile internet. If you'd like to join those conversations let me know and I can buy you a cup of tea.
I'm also interested in keeping busy through working with smart people on interesting projects (mobile or not), so if you need some thinking and/or doing let me know.
And if anyone has a spare desk for the next couple of months - either in the east end or central london - again, let me know. I promise not to inflict my music taste on others.
I'm now off to Paris for a weekend to celebrate the end of one chapter and the start of a new one.
Bientot.
Best of luck Simon...exciting times! ;-)
Posted by: James Cherkoff | June 05, 2009 at 08:41 AM
Good work Simon.
Do email me about a spare desk amongst people doing lots work with Operators.
Posted by: Richard D-H | June 05, 2009 at 09:13 AM
Sounds fun - best of luck Simon
Posted by: David Wilding | June 05, 2009 at 09:40 AM
Best of luck... and keep us informed of where you'll end up.
Posted by: Kris Hoet | June 05, 2009 at 10:28 AM
wow - I think we should talk very soon. Drop me a line.
Posted by: David | June 05, 2009 at 10:43 AM
All the best Simon, its been a pleasure working with you and getting to know you. I'm sure you'll make something happen and smartphones are a smart bet.
Let's get together again soon!
Posted by: Steve Simpson | June 05, 2009 at 11:32 AM
congratulations... looking forward to hearing more!
Posted by: David Bentley | June 05, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Sounds exciting. Hope it all goes fabulously, I'm sure it will be wonderful.
Posted by: Rachel | June 05, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Best of luck Simon. Keep me posted your new venture.
Posted by: Fraser McCulloch | June 05, 2009 at 03:24 PM
How exciting! Cup of tea sounds good. See you soon!
@iboy
Posted by: George Nimeh | June 06, 2009 at 05:50 PM
Simon, let's plan on catching up in Shanghai or Vegas sometime soon. I'll take a pass on the tea, though. In the meantime, good luck!
Posted by: Kevin Lilly | June 06, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Have a great new adventure Simon. Mobile ... you're right on the 'watch this space'. Stay in touch.
Posted by: Patou | June 07, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Hey Simon
Congratulations!
You should pop-in and see us for coffee (ok then, tea).
:)
Posted by: Robin Grant | June 07, 2009 at 01:20 PM
Hi Simon
Not sure if you know this but I also left Mindshare on Friday. I am also working on a start up, but not in the mobile space and agree with your comments about start ups at the moment. Call me on 07540617222 or email me edsharp100@me.com. All the ebst Ed
Posted by: Ed Sharp | June 07, 2009 at 02:38 PM
Good luck Simon, if you strike gold maybe you would be kind enough to buy Newcastle from Ashley ;-) Think we'll be playing Leeds soon enough.
Posted by: Des | June 07, 2009 at 06:00 PM
congrats and good luck!
Posted by: Daria | June 08, 2009 at 07:16 AM
Sound interesting Simon.
I am doing some work on a smart phone !
Lets compare notes
Posted by: Patrick | June 08, 2009 at 03:05 PM
Hey Simon
Sounds like a plan! All the best for making your dream a reality. I enjoyed working with you!
Genelle
Posted by: genelle sharples | June 09, 2009 at 03:21 AM
Congratulations! Very gutsy and very exciting!
Posted by: Le'Nise Brothers | June 09, 2009 at 10:08 AM
good luck simon - sounds exciting! have to agree, now is a great time.
cheers mate from australia
Posted by: Ben Shepherd | June 10, 2009 at 01:34 PM
Hi Simon,
Interesting post.
I'd like to drop you a line - Can I get your email address?
Best wishes,
Al
Posted by: Al | June 10, 2009 at 02:09 PM
Simon, stay in touch and give me a shoutif you're in NY, Malcolm
Posted by: Malcolm | June 10, 2009 at 09:44 PM
Simon, how exciting - love to hear more. We could offer a friendly studio to camp in for a while if you like... Charlotte Street take your fancy?
Posted by: Eleanor McDonald | June 12, 2009 at 04:40 PM
Hi Simon
I've just sent you a note on Twitter, but I don't use it much so not sure if that will work,(there is a ludite in me, deeply surpressed)
I've been creating and selling mobile content/marketing on and off for the last 4-5 years. In the last few months I have been successful in reigniting interest in mobile content with some of my old larger clients. If they come off I may struggle on my own. Would you be interested to meet for that cup of tea? Nothing gained, nothing ventured
Regards
Alistair Gillan
Posted by: Alistair Gillan | June 12, 2009 at 05:31 PM