Ringtone Reversal

Is it just my weird brain, or has there been a backlash .... or a reversal ... in ringtone chic?

For the past few years, complex, song-like ringtones were all the rage. And I will admit that I've had Snoop Dog and Beastie Boys on my Razr's ringer selection.

Today, I am hearing more people packing old-school ringtones that sound like a real mechanical telephone ringing. (Think 1977 Bell Telephone, avocado green, rotary dial.) Seriously, all the hipsters seem to be sporting bell tones on their cell phones.

What does this have to do with marketing? Nothing and everything, really. On the one hand, this is a quirky observation. On the other hand it reminds us that consumer tastes and preferences are ever-changing. We have to keep our eye on our audience, so as to observe and understand.