The World's Most Innovative Companies

Fast Company's list of the World's Most Innovative Companies is a fascinating look at the speed required to keep business on the cutting-edge. A leader's ability to anticipate the future and answer consumer's questions before they ask is crucial to constantly creating new products and services that will increase revenue. Here are a few highlights from this year's list:

Sportvision: The company that brought us the yellow first down line and the digital strike zone is now breaking down every aspect of a single play in Baseball. Two cameras set up at the stadium will capture 600 locations and allow managers to determine which player has the best knack for play-making by analyzing their movements to the ball and the player's range. The technology also breaks down a pitcher's trajectory and how prone he is to be stolen against. Yes, this takes the feel out of a game that is very much instinct and reaction, but it is still pretty cool to know.

Glam Media: I include this example only to show how new media is transforming how we receive information. The company is a network of 1,500 blogs targeted for women. It's significance is in the ability to provide so many marketing opportunities from one media company (a right once reserved for only highly diversified newspaper and TV/Movie media conglomerates) to it's advertising partners. The business thrives on it's innumerable micro-audiences still of high value to marketers.

Ngmoco: I previously spoke of the incredible business mobile app development has become. Short for next generation mobile company, NGMOCO creates games, mostly for the iphone, and gives them away for free. Their revenue comes from virtual goods and services layered into the programs to enhance game play and sold for a fee. The company also launched it's PLUS+ network in order to create a community to display scores and challenge others through social media.

Katalyst: I like this company for so many reasons. Being in the media industry, I understand very clearly the dramatic shifts taking place and threatening the hierarchy that has been strong for about 85-90 years. Ashton Kutcher, the founder, has taken his production company to the front of the curve. Most movie stars simply use their celebrity to setup production companies to produce their movies, but Ashton is using his status to help large corporations reach a younger audience through new media. He uses the web to showcase his series, shorts and help promote the companies through his extensive social media network. I believe he has the potential shift entire marketing campaigns and media strategy.