There is a new digital trend on the horizon and it entails wearing goofy multi-colored glasses. No, I’m not talking about the rebirth of the enormous, thick-framed sunglasses from the 80s. I’m talking about 3D.

In 2009, we were introduced to a new way of watching movies, witnessing sporting events and even playing video games. Now, I feel we’re on the cusp of a dramatic change that will affect how people go about their everyday lives. Many major TV manufacturers, such as Samsung and LG, as well as laptop and game counsel manufacturers are already preparing for this phenomenon by developing new products that will allow users to enjoy entertainment in 3D.

So will this new trend impact advertising? You bet; full force! I can picture it now; a car company broadcasting a commercial in 3D that places consumers inside their brand new sedan as it tears down an exotic road at 75 miles an hour! Talk about breaking through the clutter and capturing attention. I almost bought a new car just writing about it!

But 3D won’t be limited to TV. Banner ads, viral videos, movie previews and even B2B marketing mediums such as trade show booths and webinars could soon be receiving an upgrade into the third dimension.

So you might as well buckle up and purchase some of those red and blue paper goggles. The 3D trend has arrived with a bang.

Do you think advertisers will start incorporating 3D into their communications in 2010? What mediums should B2B marketers focus on when advertising in 3D?

As a graphic designer, so many times I am asked, “What does a graphic designer actually do?” Well, in the made-for-television version, we hang around a funky office with a laptop in one hand and a ping pong paddle in the other. But in reality, our jobs are a lot more serious than that. Yes, we do have fun, but the fun is in having the opportunity to be creative and the bonus is getting paid for it. Despite the picture painted on television, we don’t sit around and play all day.

A graphic designer’s work is a part of your daily life—from the Web sites you visit to the magazines you read, to the cereal box you take out of your pantry in the morning. Our job is to communicate ideas visually to promote products or services when words alone don’t tell the whole story. And, it’s not as easy as just jumping on a computer and pushing the mouse around all day. We have an extensive process—we research, brainstorm ideas, sketch out initial thoughts, and follow design theories—all while working closely as a team with copywriters, marketing professionals and fellow designers to produce and deliver effective materials for clients. Our computers are merely tools that aid the process.

What are your thoughts on the perception of graphic design among the general public?

With the biggest sporting, and advertising, event of the year upon us, now is the time when viewers tune into commercials, especially when there are celebrity spokespeople backing the advertised brands.

But, there is one familiar face that won’t be present, at least for the commercials, during the big game. Although Peyton Manning will be starting for the Colts on Sunday, he won’t be spotted during commercial breaks as he frequently has been in the past. It’s not because he’s no longer one of the biggest names in football and advertising (he is still one of the most used spokespeople in ads), but because the brands he endorses, like MasterCard, Sony, DirecTV, Gatorade and Sprint, have all pulled their Super Bowl advertising spots.

Does this mean that times are changing for advertising? Are big-name advertisers no longer willing to fork over millions of dollars to run a 30-second spot during the game? Has the explosion of social media caused companies to rethink budgets and reinvest money that was traditionally directed toward advertising to other areas?

Maybe paying big bucks for ads isn’t the way to go anymore. It’s time that marketers strategize and rethink to ensure that marketing dollars are being spent wisely, getting the most bang for the buck and reaching customers.

So, what do you think? Have you seen companies redirecting advertising dollars to other areas? Are you going to miss seeing Peyton in commercials? I know I’ll miss seeing him, but I’ll still be cheering for the Colts during game time!

photo courtesy: www.flickr.com/photos/Leyinglo

Let’s face it, spam filters can make a marketer’s life a nightmare, but there are some tricks that you should know to ensure a high delivery rate for your next e-mail campaign.

To help avoid the ‘junk e-mail’ folder, resist the following:

• Spam-type words
  i.e. – free, #1, no cost, guarantee, marketing, credit card, etc. To see a whole list, visit this helpful site: Mannix Marketing, Inc.
• Red text
• All capital letters
• Incomplete information
• Excessive punctuation !!!, ???
• Excessive use of “click here” especially in all capital letters
• No “From:” address
• Misleading (or missing) subject line

At Canyon, we use Constant Contact to distribute and track e-mail marketing campaigns. This web-based e-mail marketing service allows marketers to easily and efficiently develop HTML/Text-based e-mail marketing campaigns at the touch of a button. Plus, it allows you to instantly upload distribution lists, track progress and view on-demand reports to help measure campaign success and track ROI.

Following these helpful guidelines and suggestions will help you avoid the junk mail folder and make it into your customers’ and prospects’ inboxes.

Do you have any tips to add to this list?