Social Marketing

News today is increasingly a shared, social experience. Half of Americans say they rely on the people around them to find out at least some of the news they need to know. Some 44% of online news users get news at least a few times a week through emails, automatic updates or posts from social networking sites. In 2009, Twitter’s monthly audience increased by 200%.

While most original reporting still comes from traditional journalists, technology makes it increasingly possible for the actions of citizens to influence a story’s total impact.

AVAILABLE on HispanicPRpro.com

About one-half of online women in the US were fans or followers of a company’s social marketing presence in April 2010, according to a survey from SheSpeaks and iVillage.

It was most popular to follow brands, especially in the consumer packaged goods category. Women were less engaged with retail outlets on social sites.

AVAILABLE on HispanicPRpro.com

It almost sounds like an up coming mixed martial arts event.

The voracity of the discussion occurring between ad agencies, digital agencies, PR firms and clients to determine who should lead the efforts in managing and setting the tone of Social Media and Marketing strategies & implementation was also center stage this past week at the first US Hispanic PR summit.

Available at HispanicCMO.com

This downloadable Special Report, presented in a White Paper format, investigates the importance of social media & social marketing, and review the implications for companies actively targeting Latinos, advertising agencies active in the Hispanic market, U.S. Hispanic media and the PR Industry as a whole. DOWNLOAD REPORT HERE

Despite social media marketing’s popularity, business-to-business (B2B) companies are still fairly new to it. According to a survey from Business.com, 73% of B2B respondents have less than two years of social media marketing experience.

Available at HispanicPRpro.com

Sophia Mind, the research and market intelligence division of Latin America’s leading female-focused communications group Bolsa de Mulher, announced the findings of a new study that examines the unique ways in which Latina women use the Internet and social networks. The study, titled The Use of Social Networks by Latin Women, found that while Latinas are avid users of social networks, most feel they are missing a cohesive Latina community and that content has not been created specifically for their unique interests. DOWNLOAD REPORT HERE.

Denise Zimmerman
President and Chief Strategy Officer
NetPlus Marketing Inc.

A 25-year marketing veteran, Denise Zimmerman has spent the past 18 years focusing on the digital landscape and best-practice applications in marketing, advertising and communications. She spoke with eMarketer Senior Analyst Jeffrey Grau about the options retailers have in responding to negative buzz on social media sites.

Available at HispanicPRpro.com

Evidence from Edison Research’s “Twitter Usage in America: 2010” survey suggests that marketers targeting multicultural audiences would do well to note the service’s diverse ethnic makeup.

Available at HispanicPRpro.com

American college students today are addicted to media, describing their feelings when they have to abstain from using media in literally the same terms associated with drug and alcohol addictions: In withdrawal, Frantically craving, Very anxious, Extremely antsy, Miserable, Jittery, Crazy.

There are currently over 450 social media platforms and the list is growing. With such a rapidly expanding market, brands must consider how they fit into the social media sphere. Most will discover that they would benefit from either active participation or a passive monitoring presence. Brands that choose to be in social media must develop a clear strategy that takes full advantage of the opportunities that the social space presents, while avoiding the pitfalls of a social media presence that is poorly executed.

However, a recent article from Supermarket News reports that grocery giant Kroger Co. has noticed and is taking the lead in reaching Hispanics and non-Hispanics with a 100% bilingual program: “Rico Summer” a “Flavorful Summer”: www.ricosummer.com. The program is an integrated campaign that connects offline, in-store POS, demos, and media with online and social media platforms.

Had the opportunity yesterday to listen to a PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) Idea Swap about Hispanic Social Media.

The idea that the entire Social Media and Marketing efforts should be owned ONLY by the PR professionals or the Ad Agency professionals or the Digital agency professionals is preposterous.

To understand how marketers are using social media, Social Media Examiner commissioned the 2010 Social Media Marketing Industry Report. Report available for download. Available at HispanicPRpro.com

Rick Murray – President, US, and Global Chair, Digital Edelman Digital. Rick Murray has been directing Edelman’s global approach to digital communications since 2005. He spoke with eMarketer’s Jeffrey Grau about how retailers can learn and grow from customer criticism on social media sites and the need for them to adapt to the dynamics and challenges of the social Web. Available at HispanicPRpro.com