The great convergence of consumer technology – one which brings together world-class content, cutting edge devices and pervasive connectivity to the masses – is finally here. This month’s issue of Digital Lab’s e-magazine Decoder (click here to access) is dedicated to exploring what this pivotal convergence of smart connected devices will mean for brands and consumers alike in the year ahead.

This year’s Super Bowl will mark several digital firsts. Not only will the game itself be streamed online for the first time, but advertisers will be looking to social media and digital technology more than ever before to generate anticipation for their spots during the game and even in the days preceding it. Brands are now looking for other mediums to complement their TV spots. Phones, tablets, and laptops will be playing an unprecedented role in Sunday's game, which follows the most-watched Super Bowl in history, XLV, which drew 111 million viewers.

Our very own Laura Davis-Taylor, SVP and Managing Director for ShopWork, the shopper marketing practice at BBDO, was recently selected to be one of the 12 industry experts in a special publication called 2012 Outlook Guide: What Are The Key Retail Trends To Watch in 2012?

It seemed like 2011 disappeared faster than a discounted tablet on Black Friday. It certainly left its mark on the digital world. From a tech perspective, 2011 was the year that brought us the continued upsurge in all things mobile (such as smartphones, tablets and apps), the social media-fueled Arab Spring, the emergence of social commerce, the demise of Flash, the resurgence of tech IPOs (with LinkedIn, Zynga, Groupon and Pandora leading the way) and the untimely passing of Steve Jobs.