News

Ideas, insights, opinions and latest thinking. Find out what we’ve uncovered in the first wave of the Social Media Benchmark and have your say.

Thanks for stopping by – and what’s coming up…

So here’s our first post to kick-off the launch of results and findings from the first wave of our new Social Media Benchmark – thanks for taking the time to have a look.

We’ve got some fantastic content and insight to share over coming weeks, but to get started I thought I’d briefly provide some context to this study and what you can expect to see here each week.

A little background

Few businesses require convincing of the profound impact that technology and the digital revolution have had on consumers and businesses, but in reality most organisations have been slow to respond.

Many marketers I speak to feel that their company is playing catch-up with customers, consumers or other stakeholders who have adopted social media and new technologies faster than the organisation has. There’s plenty of questions about how different businesses or sectors are – or should be – using and investing in social media, but less answers.

Back in October/November 2011, we developed and undertook the first wave of a new survey designed to explore, in considerable detail, how businesses are grappling with, adapting to, investing in and managing social media. We’ll be repeating this benchmark every six months – around 70-80% of which will remain consistent over time (to allow for trending) but we’ll introduce new elements each time.

What’s coming next?

We’re launching the results and findings of the first wave of the Social Media Benchmark on Wednesday 15 February at an unmissable event hosted by Bloomberg, London – and moderated by one of the lead reporters from Bloomberg Television.

Not only is this the place to hear the results first-hand, attendees will also have the chance to put their questions, concerns or ideas directly to our expert panel in a 90min debate and discussion session. We’ve already confirmed LinkedIn, YouTube and the former mobile chief of Skype as panel members, with more to follow – find out more here.

Oh, and the event is only the start – watch this space!

Why should you come back to this site once a week?

Every week we’ll be sharing brand new and exclusive content. We’ll post a new blog on this ideas page with advanced snippets and preview from the research and every week we’ll share a new interview with a senior digital or marketing leader.

We’re starting with Russ Shaw, one of our expert panel members at our 15 February launch event and the former global mobile chief at Skype – see his interview here. Here’s just a small number of the other people we’re interviewing at the moment and which you’ll get to see over coming weeks on this site:

• Global Communications Director, Financial Times

• Head of Digital Marketing Strategy, Microsoft

• Global Communications Director, Financial Times

• Head of Digital Marketing Strategy, Microsoft

• Head of Online, Three UK

• Communications Director, Arsenal FC

• EMEA Marketing Solutions Director, LinkedIn

• Global VP Communications, Diageo plc

• Chief Marketing Officer, Psion plc

I hope you find the resources on this site useful and encourage you to come to the launch event. For regular updates on this initiative, register your details and we’ll keep you up to date. Finally, don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’ve any questions.