It is Saturday morning. The summer is slowly coming to an end even though I’m still waking up way to early due to the light. I’ve had the privilege to have quite some time off with my family. Only one project has been running over the summer.

My youngest daughter Linn trying out her new fishing rod in the evening light

What’s up, that’s the question I’m asking myself right now. What’s the next big thing. What comes after Facebook and Twitter, when will YouTube be challenged, what’s the next hype after the iPhone, we’ve lived for quite some time now with Playstation, XBOX and WII. And what ever comes next, how will that change the way we communicate and sell brands and their products.

I’m searching deep inside myself to find something that shows me the way. Some spark of energy that I can nurture to bring it out in the open. Something that will light the fire that will guides me.

Whatever it is I’m sure it will be as easy to adapt to as the iPhone, it will be as social as Facebook, it will be as entertaining as the first Halo was, it will be as real as a piece of wood and it will be as eco-friendly as something we’ve never seen before.

I hope it hits the car industry cause to be honest, nothing has really transformed that business the last 50 years. I do hope it hits the home appliances industry cause things seems to be standing still there too. I’d love for the tourism industry to change. Not to mention the toy industry, please give me something that makes me and my kids have super fun. Oh please give me a new favorite restaurant. Hmm, beverages. Isn’t it time we found something that truly challenged Coca Cola. Just give me something new!

I think I can see the light…somewhere deep inside.

On monday morning I’m slowly getting back to work. I’m really looking forward to that. See you soon!

I don’t know about you but I’ve had a great summer. Most of the time I’ve been spending time with my kids but I’ve managed to sneak in some golf, sailing with my Hobie Cat, boat riding in the Archipelago, BBQ with friends and family and above all – time off. In order for creativity to grow you’ve gotta mix up thinking time with black holes.

Linn och Ebba. My beloved ice cream junkies enjoying the Swedish summer.

Summer however is coming to an end and I’m slowly am firing up my engine. Once that engine is started I do hope we meet – who ever you are.

This autumn I’ll continue to deliver my services to a diverse group of brands and companies that has asked my help in order to create advertising campaigns and strategies that moves their brands and businesses into the future.

My work includes everything from re-branding, art direction, jury-work, integrated advertising campaigns, online strategies, business developments and creative ideas to different agencies worldwide etc.

The next couple of months I’ll tell you more about some of my ‘gigs‘ but for now let’s focus on my speaking appearances.

During the fall you can catch me, Johan Ronnestam, at one of my speaking appearances:

8 & 16 September: Malmö & Göteborg
Keynote speaker – IDG Internetworld Webbdagarna

Webbdagarna is one of Swedens most important events for anyone with an interest of doing business online. That would more or less really mean anyone! Before the summer I was asked the question to deliver the keynote that would kick the event off. Without a blink I accepted.

5 October: Stockholm
Berghs School of Communication – An introduction to tomorrows advertising

This School is considered the worlds best school of advertising. Meeting the students, eager to learn, is one of my most important and enjoyable assignments of the year. See you there if you’re a student that is!

8 October: Stockholm
The NEXT Event by Wednesday Relations directed by Johan Ronnestam – Director and moderator

This is one of the highlights of the year. Wednesday Relations asked me to direct an event for them. The list of speakers is turning this event in to a must see event this year. I’ll be moderating the event together with Wednesday Relations and also introduce and end the day.

13 October: Uppsala
Handelns Dag – Svensk Handel / Swedish Trade Federation

If you’re in retailing you can be sure of one thing – the competition is coming from online businesses, not offline. This is probably why I’m one of the speakers at Handelns Dag 2009 in Uppsala.

20 October: Stockholm
Läkemedelskongressen 2009 – Swedish Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Sweden is just about to release the monopoly on running a pharmacy. As a result of this I’ve been invited to talk about digital communication and social media at this years Läkemedelskongressen at the City Conference Centre in Stockholm.

21 October: Tammsvik
Future Brand Academy Seminar – More information coming soon.

The Future Brand Academy is an exiting cooperation I have together with Göran Adlen. We will present more information soon. Until then, hang on to the 21 October in your calendars.

3 November: Stockholm
Successful E-business – Svensk Handel / Swedish Trade Federation

What’s the latest trends within e-business. How should you use social media to market your online presences. What about integrated communication. How can you innovate your business. These are some of the areas I’ll cover when Svensk Handel is arraning a full day focused on E-Business.

25 November: Stockholm
Keynote speaker – Webbstrategidagarna / Online strategy

Soon Christmas. But before then I’ll hopefully enlighten a group of people aiming to strenghten their sense for online strategy at Webbstrategidagarna (Online strategy days)

So, that’s the schedule right now. Keep an eye for updates. Of course I do hope that if you have a seminar, an offsite or just need to enlighten a group of people you get in touch and maybe I can inspire or enlighten your brand too.

Today it’s Midsummer evé in Sweden. This means all Swedes go to the country side, collect flowers all day and drink all night. To round it up we all end up in the grass with someone and make love until the morning comes.

Eh, or as Wikipedia explains it:

Midsummer may simply refer to the period of time centered upon the summer solstice, but more often refers to specific European celebrations that accompany the actual solstice, or that take place 24 June and the preceding evening. European midsummer-related holidays, traditions and celebrations, which are pre-Christian in origin and have been tried to be Christianised as celebrations of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist as “Saint John’s Day” festivals, are particularly important in Northern Europe.

Anyway. Happy Midsummer to all of you! I’m of to the country side and I’ll collec….eh…sorry.

(I’m also of to vacation, meaning there might be fewer blog posts the next couple of weeks)