NEW REPORT TRACKS WEB 2.0 DEVELOPMENTS FOR DIRECT MARKETERS

The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) has launched its first quarterly Social Media Report to help direct marketers understand the marketing opportunities that exist within the social media space.

Produced by digital intelligence analysts StrategyEye, the Social Media Report arrives at a crucial time for marketers contemplating engaging social media as a direct marketing channel. Recent research conducted by Sapient Interactive has revealed that 41% of UK marketers cite �lack of understanding� as their main barrier to investing in social media. To help remedy industry confusion, the Report provides direct marketers with up-to-date commercial intelligence and analysis on how the major players behind websites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are restructuring their business models to find effective means of generating advertising revenue. It also covers the latest developments and trends across all social networking and user generated content (UGC) websites and applications.

The maiden report, which covers Q4 2008, focuses on M&A and venture capital investment activity within the social media sector, as well as compiling the new modes of content that social media websites have added to their service offerings.

Commenting on the launch of the report Mark Brill, Chairman of the DMA Mobile Marketing Council, said:

�The Social Media Report has been launched at a critical time for direct marketers to understand the marketing opportunities that social media present. It is a nascent industry, so confusion is commonplace as to how social networking and UGC websites are monetising their content, and how users interact with such media. These websites have great potential for highly-targeted marketing opportunities, so this report will help direct marketers to make informed decisions.�

Nick Gregg, CEO of StrategyEye, said:

�StrategyEye�s Social Media Report mirrors the growing opportunities and threats faced by content owners and advertisers in using social media as a platform to reach the digital audience. By using our digital media strategic intelligence platform, our analysts have produced a granular view of the social media environment, helping readers identify new emerging opportunities moving through 2009.�

The Report is available for download from the member research section of the DMA website: www.dma.org.uk

Published: 18 Mar 2009


	News Article NEW REPORT TRACKS WEB 2.0 DEVELOPMENTS FOR DIRECT MARKETERS The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) has launched its first quarterly Social Media Report to help direct marketers understand the marketing opportunities that exist within the social media space. Produced by digital intelligence analysts StrategyEye, the Social Media Report arrives at a crucial time for marketers contemplating engaging social media as a direct marketing channel. Recent research conducted by Sapient Interactive has revealed that 41% of UK marketers cite �lack of understanding� as their main barrier to investing in social media. To help remedy industry confusion, the Report provides direct marketers with up-to-date commercial intelligence and analysis on how the major players behind websites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are restructuring their business models to find effective means of generating advertising revenue. It also covers the latest developments and trends across all social networking and user generated content (UGC) websites and applications. The maiden report, which covers Q4 2008, focuses on M&A and venture capital investment activity within the social media sector, as well as compiling the new modes of content that social media websites have added to their service offerings. Commenting on the launch of the report Mark Brill, Chairman of the DMA Mobile Marketing Council, said: �The Social Media Report has been launched at a critical time for direct marketers to understand the marketing opportunities that social media present. It is a nascent industry, so confusion is commonplace as to how social networking and UGC websites are monetising their content, and how users interact with such media. These websites have great potential for highly-targeted marketing opportunities, so this report will help direct marketers to make informed decisions.� Nick Gregg, CEO of StrategyEye, said: �StrategyEye�s Social Media Report mirrors the growing opportunities and threats faced by content owners and advertisers in using social media as a platform to reach the digital audience. By using our digital media strategic intelligence platform, our analysts have produced a granular view of the social media environment, helping readers identify new emerging opportunities moving through 2009.� The Report is available for download from the member research section of the DMA website: www.dma.org.uk Published: 18 Mar 2009
	THE DIRECT MARKETING ASSOCIATION (UK) LTD. TEL: 020 7291 3300 EMAIL: INFO@DMA.ORG.UK

News Article

NEW REPORT TRACKS WEB 2.0 DEVELOPMENTS FOR DIRECT MARKETERS