The document outlines 10 digital and social media trends for marketing in 2015, including virtual reality, social data, creative video, experiential marketing, audio, 24/7 customer service, pay-per-use models, vlogging, responsive screen designs, and segmented "splinternet" strategies. It provides examples of how companies and universities are embracing these trends and points readers to additional resources for learning how to implement the trends.

2. 10 digital & social trends:
marketing inspiration for 2015

3. 1: Virtual Reality

4. Oculus Rift releasing consumer headsets
Google Cardboard opening up opportunities
Marriott leading the way in new 4D headset technology
Universities developing their own headset virtual tours
1: Virtual Reality
in full at www.thefutureindex.com/extra

5. 2: Social Data

6. Speed Data accelerates
Tesco’s Xmas ‘Scan-ta’ app shows how social data has evolved
Amazon go for speed, simplicity & the uninterruptable
experience
Universities chase Social CRM goals
Who will emulate the Ozu Facebook project?
2: Social Data
in full at www.thefutureindex.com/extra

7. 3: Creative Video

8. Content is still King but it can’t rule without creativity
Honda R-Type campaign opens up a new road in video
excellence
Levis turn their stories into shopping opportunities
University of Huddersfield inspire with personalised video
explorer app
Universities pushing the creative button
3: Creative Video
in full at www.thefutureindex.com/extra

9. 4: Experiential

10. Live events, stunts & outdoor media continue as catalysts
for viral digital excellence
Pepsi Max & Red Bull put the fizz into great creativity on
and off campus
Campus based tweet-powered vending machine hits the
sweet spot for Mars
Universities prepare to get creative in their own back-yard
4: Experiential
in full at www.thefutureindex.com/extra

11. 5: Audio

12. ‘Serial’ drama proves podcasting is big news again
Shazam, Spotify & Soundcloud turning the volume up
Mercedes audio-powered activity drives new
opportunities
Universities get a daily fix of Soundcloud as they seek
better accessibility
5: Audio
in full at www.thefutureindex.com/extra

13. 6: 24/7 Help

14. KLM show how personal service has taken off on social
B&Q, Natwest and others get personal too
Thread & the Trunk Club take the digitalised personal-shopping
fashion to new levels
24/7 student tours & instant personalised web pages
prove some universities are right on trend
6: 24/7 Help
in full at www.thefutureindex.com/extra

15. 7: Pay as you go

16. Facebook algorithms ending free-play. Time to pay.
The world goes ‘native’ with promoted posts, Buzzfeeds and
stand-alone content
Tinder proves a fantastic platform for innovative campaigns
Monetisation of Social could further fuel Ello and other ad-free
alternatives
Universities get segmenting again as they prepare content
to get in on the action
7: Pay as you go
in full at www.thefutureindex.com/extra

17. 8: Vlog On

18. Alfie Deyes, Zoella & Tanya Burr: Social Megastars with
influence
Maleficent make-up tutorial brings in the millions for Disney
Minecraft & Loom Bands take peer-to-peer influence to new
levels
Universities seek out their own viners, instagrammers and
vloggers to spread the word
8: Vlog On
in full at www.thefutureindex.com/extra

19. 9: Screens

20. The world continues to go responsive, adapting for the ‘5
Screen Generation’
Full screen images, cinema-style motion and parallax
scrolling continue to dominate
Some universities are keeping pace but many still have a
lot to do! We’ll see frantic activity in 2015
9: Screens
in full at www.thefutureindex.com/extra

21. 10: Splinternet

22. Marketers use the ‘splinternet’ idea to reflect the huge
diversity of channel and opportunity now available
Spiderman leaps from You Tube to Draw Something as
advertisers segment their way through the web
Universities already splintering out communications into
multi-channels but strategy and planning is key
10: Splinternet
in full at www.thefutureindex.com/extra

23. in full at
www.thefutureindex.com/extra

24. and now bringing the trends to life with examples
from the wider world and Higher Education, along with
‘How-To’ guides - the perfect springboard for 2015.
www.thefutureindex.com/academy