Cubicles & Cafeterias Replace Porches & Living Rooms as the New American Social System.

When Mister Rogers first sang “it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood” during what would become the world’s most iconic wardrobe change, a windowless sea of beige cubicles is probably not what he had in mind. Yet according to a new study from consumer intelligence firm BIGresearch, the American workplace is rapidly surpassing such cornerstones of neighborhood life as the front porch and the living room to become the most powerful social network available to advertisers today.

Over half of all American workers, 68%, report socializing with co-workers while taking a break from work, and an additional 42% also confess to communicating with friends and family during the workday via telephone, email and texting.

This employee-to-employee networking has direct implications for marketers since 95.6% of at-work consumers indicate that they regularly or occasionally give advice to their peers in the workplace about products and services. Keeping with the pace, 92.9% indicate that they also seek advice from coworkers before making purchases

“With Americans now spending a record-breaking 60% of their waking hours at work, the days of stopping by your neighbor’s front porch in the afternoon to discuss current events over an iced tea are over,” said Stephanie Molnar, CEO of WorkPlace Media, the nation’s leading experts on the workplace. “These days, time-starved consumers are more likely stop by a colleague’s cubicle on their way out for an iced coffee than socialize with neighbors back at home, where household chores and family responsibilities take precedence over casual conversation.”

The benefits of targeting consumers in such a highly connected, yet traditionally “ad-free” environment has not gone unnoticed by marketers looking to stay ahead of the pack. A staggering 95% of U.S. companies who have already granted advertisers access to this highly coveted demographic indicate that their employees regularly or occasionally talk about the advertiser offerings and promotions they receive during the workday, proving that individuals can become very influential and passionate brand advocates in the workplace.

“Let’s face it— we all wish we had more time at home, but this study reveals a really wonderful truth about human nature: we are essentially social beings who will create meaningful, neighborly interactions wherever we are,” said Molnar.

For more information at http://www.workplace-media.com