The powerful role of social media in the digital age

What is Social media?

Social media are conversations that take place between individuals, mainly for social purposes. These conversations takes place online. Well, in simpler terms social media  is a platform that helps people engage with each other, whether is sharing pictures or videos online.

Image: Social media platforms 

Just so you know, I am a huge fan of Instagram! Anyways, back on social media...brands are adopting ways in which they engage with its customers via social media. Not only in terms of using social media as a communication tool, but as a way of  marketing and advertising.We all know that everything has its own good and bad, but for now I will only be focus on the 'good' side of social media. Brands and/or organisations that know how market their projects/ campaigns, take advantage of the influence social media has on individuals. 

For this part, I will be focusing on how South Africans are engaging in social media. Take for instance Facebook, apparently it has 71% of adults who access daily. And if this is the case, it may be an advantage for brands that are targeting adults who maybe of use to their brands or organisation. Secondly, the advantage of social media is that large number of people can be targeted, if brands consider going digital in terms of marketing their businesses. Lastly, customers contact details may be accessed by brands because Facebook for an example has customers' phone numbers. this can help brands and/or organisation have a two-way communication with their customers.

We Run Jozi... SA's most successful campaign

The second campaign that took South Africa by storm was the Nike+ Run Jozi marathon. The agency that was behind the success of the campaign was the VWV group. VWV group is a global brand agency, their services include Events production, Digital media (social/mobile),  as well as Video production. Mind you, this is only a few of what the agency does.

Image: We run Jozi

This was how the campaign was ran, ordinary citizens had to register on the Nike+ website if they wanted to be part of the race. This then drew a lot of 'traffic' to the Nike's website, which then gave the brand the power to take the initiative to their social media accounts. The the brand created an app called The Nike+ Running app that had chat features.

Image: Runners passes Mandela bridge

This was solemnly for runners socialize as well encourage each other for the big day. As the date for the marathon was approaching, registered runners had to join once more the Nike's+ Run Club at Nike's stores. This time around registrations were to help runners with ways of keeping fit and being ready the race on the 12th of October.

I simply adore how the Nike+ committee as well as the VWV agency took advantage of social media and used it to their full potential. Other brands should honestly adopt and keep up with the times! Moreover, the brand was able to engage well with its clients and as a result, clients were able to respond well to what the brand was trying to accomplish. The main reason for the campaign was to donate some of the money made during the campaign for the development of the Alex butterflies program. Once more I would like to give Nike #Two_thumbs_up for their campaign, not forgetting the agency that was the master mind of the campaign.