With the new year comes new beginnings. Although we expect 2008 to be the year that emerging technologies emerge, this year we’ve seen thus far a renewal of timeless topics: strategy, innovation, and empowerment.

• “The evolution of the live marketing paradigm continues, as marketers push to light up their 2008 event marketing with a strategic ignition,” wrote Dan Hanover, editor and publisher at Event Marketer. We’ve said before that events should be part of an integrated branding program.
• Entertainment media producers and consumers are hot on the heels of innovation, inquiring about everything from definition to significance. Oddly enough, there’s little discussion about how to encourage innovation. The simple answer: stronger relationships, stronger communication.
• “[C]ontrol has taken on a new meaning. It’s about … giving them [consumers] the tools and information they need to make the right purchase decisions,” wrote Vik Murty for Consumer Electronics Vision. We made empowerment integral to strategic branding several years ago.

Renewing the emphasis on strategy, innovation, and empowerment is not a bad move. In fact, there’s great potential for gain, but don’t stop at renewal. Revisit your strategies and account for this year’s technological awakening.