The List: 21 Media, Technology & Consumer Trends for 2021

A growing collection of trend reports on media, technology, society, and anything in between. Curated by Ezra Eeman, Head of Digital, Transformation and Platforms EBU.

MEDIA

1. Activate - Technology and Media Outlook 2021

My favourite tech-trend report traditionally kicks off the season. Packed with insights and stats its forecasts goes all the way out to 2024. Activate bets on the rise of gaming and eSports, and highlights the dramatic changing environment for sports in media.

2. Kantar - Media Trends and Predictions 2021

Kantar's Media and Predictions 2021 shows that three main themes are emerging in the media sphere: industry changes forcing media pivots, increasing challenges to measure media performance and a focus on audience and data. Each year Harvard's NiemanLab ask some of the smartest people in journalism and media what they think is coming in the next 12 months. Prepare for a huge list of insights and predictions.

3. Harvard Niemanlab - News Predictions 2021

Each year Harvard's NiemanLab ask some of the smartest people in journalism and media what they think is coming in the next 12 months. Prepare for a huge list of insights and predictions.

SOCIAL

4. We are Social - Think Forward 2021

With "Think Forward 2021" socially led creative agency 'We are Social' offers an insight into the trends expected to shape social media over the next year. Live content, shopping via AR and paying to customise an avatar are entering the mainstream. But deeper systemic issues like the the disproportionate power of bad actors are also forcing us to rethink our relations with these channels.

5. Hootsuite - Social Media Trends 2021

For their 5th annual Social Trends Report, hootsuit surveyed 11,189 leading marketers and executives to find out the most effective ways to boost traffic through social, get leads, and bring new customers in the door in 2021.

6. Spotify - Culture Next Report

Spotify's ad team brings together five key trends among younger generations in light of the this year’s major shifts: a global pandemic and racial justice movement. It's about starting from scratch, self-discovery, smart sound and families embracing audio in the home.

7. Facebook - Content Consumption and Culture

Not a trend forecast report in the real sense but an analysis of five consumer shifts that have affected the media and entertainment landscape across the globe since the pandemic. How consumers have expanded their content libraries and are bringing the social experience of entertainment into the digital world. One section outlines how streaming services can sustain their rapid growth amid the pandemic and retain viewers for the long term.

8. YouTube: Culture and Trends Report

Kevin Allocca, YouTube’s Head of Culture & Trends, and his global team of experts analyzed hundreds of individual pieces of trending data and findings from surveys conducted across 9 countries. The result is the first YouTube Culture & Trends Report: an interactive, video summary of the present moment in digital entertainment, content, and culture. 

TECH

9. Gartner: Top Strategic Technology Trends for 2021

Gartner looks five to 10 years ahead and selected nine technology trends for their transformative potential. Three major themes emerge: People centricity, location independence and resilient delivery, all three clearly triggered by the Covid19-pandemic.

10. Deloitte Tech Trends 2021

Deloitte’s 12th annual Tech Trends report identifies nine trends that are likely to transform businesses in the next 18 to 24 months, with insights around strategy, risk, and finance implications that can empower technology leaders, business leaders, and board members.

11. App Annie - The New Normal in 2021 - Mobile Trends

As consumers hunkered down at home, the world turned to mobile to stay connected, entertained and informed. As we head into 2021, mobile market data company App Annie compiled 5 key trends you need to know to build your best mobile strategy during uncharted times. 

Consumer/Marketing/Brands

12. Global Web Index - Consumer Trends for 2021

GWI connects the dots using over 40000 data points on the behaviors and perceptions of internet users around the world to show how Covid-19 has changed how we live and work. The internet has reshaped our reality and made the internet even more central to help us manage our lives more effectively. What worked before might not work in the future.

13. WGSN - Future Consumer 2022

WGSN, a newcomer in this list, looks at how the coronavirus pandemic is accelerating the evolution of numerous consumer attitudes. In light of that radical shift, understanding what people will want is according to them more challenging than ever.

14. Fjord Trends 2021

Providing practical advice on how organizations can help shape the 21st century renaissance, Fjord Trends 2021 examines seven emerging trends expected to shape business, consumer behavior and society.

15. Forrester: Predictions 2021

Escalating tensions will influence consumer behavior in 2021 as we move beyond crisis mode and see the new patterns forged. The predictions by Forrester come with interesting tensions as automation will become a business imperative all while the need for empathy will increase.

16. Viacom CBS Insights - Beyond 2020

Viacom engaged in a new global research project involving over 8,000 16- to 24-year-olds in 15 countries to understand how young people see the world beyond 2020. When they consider what life might be like 10 years from now, what are their priorities and expectations?

17. Deloitte - Global Marketing Trends 2021

Constant technological change and increasing reliance on digital can leave people wanting for human connection. Deloitte selects seven trends can help build connection to drive engagement and growth for brands in an unprecedented 2021.

18. iab - Brand Disruption Report 2021

This report explores how brands of all sizes are innovating to address disruption accelerated by COVID and social unrest. And while this report is focused on retail and shopping it is interesting to understand how more and more brands are becoming media owners and operators to scale.

19. Warc - The Marketer's Toolkit 2021

With insights drawn from over 1000 marketers, more than 20 global CMOs and analysis of Warc's proprietary research and best practice, the 2021 Marketer's Toolkit strives to be an evidence-based and practical guide for marketers to plan for next year.

20. Trend Watching: 21 meaningful opportunities for 2021

Trendwatching's content team brings you 21 opportunities to help you imagine and build new products, services and campaigns that will have a purposed impact in 2021 and beyond. A broad mix of everything that might just inspire you.

21. Pantone: Color of the year 2021

For over 20 years, Pantone’s Color of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries. For 2021 Pantone chooses the combination of PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating. A message of happiness supported by fortitude.