Evidence That Social Media Networks Have Evolved Into Key Marketing Channels According To Punch Communications

(PRWEB) November 8, 2009 -- A recent report to have come out of the US in October 2009, detailing the latest demographic figures of social media usage, shows an evolutionary change as social networks mature to become a primary channel for marketers according to Punch Communications, a specialist in Digital Public Relations (http://www.punchcomms.com/Digital-Public-Relations.html).

The report, which is based on the findings of Pew Internet & American Life's daily tracking survey into internet usage in the United States reveals the year on year demographic fluctuations of users of leading social networks, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Whilst a number of the leading sites showed very little change year on year in the median age of their users, the dramatic change in the figures from Facebook show that the social network has been embraced by marketers as a key marketing channel.

Between May 2008 and May 2009, the leading social networks recorded the following demographic changes (US Figures):

Median age of user

Site            May 2008        May 2009        +/-

Twitter        31            31            0

MySpace        27            26            -1

LinkedIn        40            39            -1

Facebook        26            33            +7

In addition to the figures above, whilst the report also showed that 19% of internet users now say that they use social media to share updates about themselves, representing an increase from the 11% recorded in December 2008 and April 2009, the significant increase alone cannot justify the marked increase in the median age of Facebook users, supported by the stagnation over other leading sites.

The increase in the median age of Facebook users is likely to be the result of other factors as Philip Keightley, Account Director of Punch Communications commented: "The striking increase in the median age of users is certainly significant and a factor we have been anticipating for some time. Whilst the other social networks, are continuing to grow, particularly Twitter, the increase in the demographic age of Facebook users suggests it has developed into a primary marketing channel, driven by the maturation of site content. Whereas previously, the younger demographic demanded a degree of more lightweight content, it seems that the content has matured on Facebook with a considerably more practical slant, appealing to a broader, less niche audience"

Ambitious and enthusiastic PR and Communications specialists with experience in Digital & Technology PR (http://www.punchcomms.com/technology-pr.html), Search Engine Optimisation or Social Networking should contact the leading PR Agency (http://www.punchcomms.com/) in the Midlands, Punch Communications on +44 (0) 1858 411600, or alternatively visit punchcomms.com.

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