We are living in the most revolutionary era in human communication since the invention of the printing press. For the past few years, marketers have 'woken up' to consumers who have the power to express their views anytime and anywhere. 'Social' is hot, and if nothing else, a response to this awakening. Now, the lines between paid, owned and earned media have been blurred, if not erased. Social media crosses the barrier between the three. It’s fast-paced and chaotic.
We partnered with the research firm Sentient Services and surveyed more than 200 consumers about their attitudes, opinions and beliefs about brands and social media integration. The respondents come from all over the country, with all different incomes, lifestyles, and social media habits. Universally, the data supports what we’ve already seen in action: consumers want to engage with brands that integrate social media, and they prefer to do business with social brands. In addition to the survey results we’ve compiled real-world examples from brands that are already involving their audience and seeing great results. Let’s get started!