Predictions for a Brand New 2009

As a marketer, it is not too early to look into the crystal ball and predict whether or not 2009 will be a better year. Or for that matter, if we are going to be worse off down the road than we are today.
Here are 10 prediction I have for 2009:

1. The change of presidents will give our country a much-needed breather from the heated rhetoric of the campaign. It will also give rise to a new reflection of what we are going, where we are going and how we are going to get there as a country.

2. Foreign owned companies operating in the US will begin to leverage their economic strength. Toyota, for example will work aggressively grow market share in light of their financial strength and the domestic producers financial weaknesses.

3. Governments who have invested heavily in our debt and in our companies will flex their muscles. They will be demanding more board representation and insist on more influence on the politics of business. We will see more corporate takeovers of major businesses by foreign companies.

4. Giants like GM and Chrysler will continue to languish and downsize. They continue to be desperately looking for magical solutions while their brands deteriorate. The exception in the automobile industry is the turnaround at Ford Motor Company will begin to have financial benefits for the company. Ford is an undiscovered gem in Detroit.

5. Consumer brands will be taking one on the chin as generic brands become more sophisticated and economic conditions drive consumers to seek better pricing on products.

6. Corporate brand will rebound after being under pressure for the past two years. The best performing corporate brands will be pharmaceuticals. This is the result of their long-term efforts to explain their industry and the steps they are making to improve the lives of people around the world.

7. Retail will rebound. People will lessen their dependence on internet shopping just to get out for entertainment of shopping.

8. Made for TV movies will continue to grow dramatically based on the quality experience consumers have had with productions like HBO’s John Adams.

9. Housing will finally make a modest comeback. With interest rates still at historic lows and demand will begin to build again there will be slow but steady turnaround in housing.

10. The Dow Industrials will be 13,250 by year-end 2009.

James R. Gregory is the CEO of CoreBrand.