Information today is dispersed through a number of different outlets such as websites, television, newspapers and radio. Recently I came across a rather interesting graphical representation of a century’s worth of past, present and future changes to where people turn for information.

http://www.baekdal.com/articles/Management/market-of-information/

Understanding and being able to predict how information is consumed can put you ahead in business. By being aware of how to connect with your customers, readers, clients and leads you’ll be able to adapt more quickly. A current example is with newspapers; today less people are buying them and instead turning to electronic devices (such as Amazon Kindle) to receive news and articles.

Another communication trend involves interactive animation. Flash product demos are an effective way of showing off a product or service via CD-Rom or over the web. It’s an interactive medium that is much more flexible than a standard print document. Not only is it more cost effective but it can also provide a virtual tour of features — simulating actual use.

So the question is, what mediums and methods will you use to get information to your customers, prospects and leads? Are you ready to step out of the box to explore the opportunities of interactive media?

Business Week's "The 21 Heroes of Data Visualization"

Turning information and complex concepts into intelligent design is part of what CGI interactive does daily. However, in the recent months, data visualization has become a greater topic of discussion.

In a recent article by BusinessWeek they profiled “21 Heroes of Data Visualization.” Included in this mix are Paul Prudence, Pedro Monteiro, and Brandon Martin-Anderson. Through data visualization they have been able to make maps, oil pricing, and sound frequencies look not just pretty…but pretty amazing. Not only are they appealing to the eye, but they hold valuable information. And it seems, this is just the beginning.

In recent weeks clients have been discussing the idea of data visualization and how they can integrate it into their marketing plans. Some recent examples I have seen include: http://www.wefeelfine.org/ and www.flickervision.com. Both of these sites apply data taken from the Internet and create a single hub of information through graphic representation.

Earlier this year, the talented creative team at CGI released the “Good Earth”. A site which takes inspiring news from around the world and presents it through a single, accessible platform: www.cgiinteractive.com/OurGoodEarth

Where do you see data visualization going in the next year? How can companies use it to start conversations about their brand and products?

CGI recently teamed up with TopSprout, a Silicon Valley marketing start-up, to support their product launch marketing efforts for CA. Both of our agencies work with CA — CGI creating the interactive media and TopSprout providing the integral strategic pieces. Help TopSprout celebrate their 1 year anniversary by visiting their blog: http://topsprout.blogspot.com/

Congratulations Miguel!