I don’t think it’s meant to be regarded as a new concept — more like a new priority. I think it’s an attempt to get online marketers to think outside of the current sort of tunnel-vision approach of SEO, SEO, SEO. Which I feel may have some merit.
Poker Dude, you’re right, ROI is always tops — and this is a means to that end; not a substitute for it. And yes, it seems a bit sensationalistic, as I noted. Check out his original article, though; it’s just one point among a list of online marketing priorities for the new year, which is pretty interesting overall.