Poll reveals marketers race to adopt social media

Four in ten (39%) respondents say their companies currently utilise professional networking sites and social media sites such as Facebook.  A further 49% are already using blogs as part of their existing online marketing strategy. These figures are set to rise dramatically, with three-quarters (75%) planning to use professional networking sites, 69% social media sites and 83% blogs over the next 12 months.  

The poll was conducted at the recent Technology for Marketing and Advertising show in London which experienced an impressive 21% year on year increase in attendees against a backdrop of marketers looking for online tools to maximise return on investment and customer interaction in the current economic conditions.

In spite of the race to embrace the latest communication channels and tools nearly half of the organisations polled voiced concerns (44%) about protecting their brand integrity online. Nearly 20% remained nervous about their website’s performance on the back of new technology or increased traffic volumes.

Commenting on the findings of the research, Jonathan Robinson, COO at NetBenefit, says: "The latest techniques can work very well in the current financial climate providing a cost effective means of developing  relationships with customers and prospects alike. Big brands such as Dell have already reported impressive sales growth as a direct result of their social media activity.  However, success can drive unpredictable volumes of traffic to a website.  A company’s brand reputation could easily be damaged if the technology underpinning their website infrastructure is not planned correctly."

  - Ends -

For further information about this release or any other press enquiries, please email netbenefit@furlongpr.com or contact Ross Furlong on 0845 053 6855