Social media allows individuals to both consume and create content, engaging in discussions and interactions. It facilitates information sharing between users within a network. The size and engagement level of the network determines the true value of a social media platform. Popular social media sites include Facebook, which currently has the largest number of users worldwide, while blogs and applications also allow sharing content in different ways. Social media provides both power to consumers and opportunities for businesses through advertising, PR, and content distribution. Metrics for measuring social media effectiveness include unique visitors, page views, time spent, shares, and growth in users and influence over time.

1. Social - Media 23 November 2010

12. Social Media Marketing “ Social marketing eliminates the middlemen, providing brands with the unique opportunity to have a direct relationship with their customers”. “ Social media may well be the pain reliever we have all needed – the medicine that makes advertising relevant and welcome in our lives.” President and Chief Executive Officer Interactive Advertising Bureau I Twitter Bryan Wiener, CEO of 360i