A Fitch Media Study (free login to get to the content) expects online ad revenue to keep its head above water with single digit growth in 2009. Fitch also speculates that some cities will be without a daily print newspaper in 2010. Video and social media marketing will likely continue to grow while CPM will see a downturn.
As far as SEO is concerned, Google is expected to get more aggressive with universal search, providing searchers with more images, video, audio and user generated content. How do you optimize for universal search?
From day 1, Google has pushed to provide users with relevant results and pounded into our brains that fresh, quality content will help you rank well in the SERPS. Moving forward, Google will expect your website to provide the same info in a variety of ways people consume information.
Think of the latest hot novel that is out. I prefer an audio book to reading these days. I know, shame on me but it does save time. Others would prefer to wait for the movie while many still enjoy reading the book. All are different ways that consumers enjoy the experience of the content.
Now, what can you do do adapt your website for the future of search? Start with video, add it to your website and then syndicate it with TubeMogul (free). You can answer questions related to current news items, deliver short training sessions or just try to build a relationship with your audience.