More businesses turn to Facebook
Facebook is used by more than four-fifths of the largest US advertisers to promote their brands.
The social networking website claims it is employed for marketing purposes by 83 of the 100 largest companies in terms of overall adspend in the US, reports the Financial Times.
Companies using the website range from automotive giants like General Motors and sportswear brands such as Nike to pharmaceutical companies like Johnson & Johnson.
Social media marketing strategies
Many companies encourage users to become fans of the company’s official Facebook page. Followers may then receive special offers, regular updates on new products and links to advergames.
Currently, the Starbucks Facebook page has 3.7 million fans while Coca-Cola is close behind with 3.5 million supporters.
Ed Montes, US managing director of marketing agency Havas Digital, told the Financial Times that he has noticed an increasing enthusiasm for Facebook among major corporations.
“Every clients wants to talk about Facebook,” he said. “I haven’t seen this kind of consistent fervour for a company since Google.
“Facebook is trying to build a platform where consumers and marketers can interact in innovative ways. The personalised consumer relationships that you can develop on Facebook are the future of online marketing.”
Founded in 2004, Facebook has established itself as the most popular social networking website in the UK in terms of overall user numbers.
Last week, it was revealed that rival Friends Reunited had been sold by the financially-stricken broadcast giant ITV.
The social media portal, which boasts an estimated 21 million users, was acquired by publishing firm DC Thomson in a £25 million deal.
