FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) June 29, 2009 -- Since the evolution of the world wide web there have been millions of web sites, e-commerce sites, applications, and tools developed that make our everyday lives both more interesting and complex. While it is completely up to the individual to decide whether or not they are a fan of social media and all the new technologies emerging, it is becoming clear that marketers and advertisers may not have much a a choice but to hop on the wagon.

Facebook currently has over 200 million active users, with more than 100 million of them logging on at least once a day. As the "industry leader" of social media as of right now, Facebook is a great example of a communication tool that needs to be utilized for advertising/marketing.

Many agencies attempt to utilize

this social media medium, but there are several issues with this adaptation. It is tough for huge companies and agencies to figure out how exactly to dive into these media forms organically while maintaining credibility. Not looking like a "big company" throwing out pop up ads or opt in annoyances typical to the internet is huge.

One example of agencies adapting to new media was the recent merger of Mindshare and SocialMedia8. The merger will provide a full service line of social marketing services to Mindshare's client base that will be integrated into its current traditional and digital media services.

Founder of SocialMedia8 Igor Beuker said about the merger: "Video and social networking are impactful online trends across the globe. Even

Oprah Winfrey, the Pope and Barack Obama are engaging millions of consumers with YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, so brands feel the need to get their own social marketing strategy or consumer connectivity program.”

CEO of 360i Digital Marketing agency also recently told advertising age: "The rapid growth of social media has created an iconoclastic shift that has altered the rules of customer engagement forever. This shift has brought about new challenges, but also new opportunities for reaching consumers in more meaningful ways.”

As many new digital marketing agencies emerge in the field it is important that the traditional advertisers in the game stay on the cutting edge. For more information on new media please visit the New Media Driver's License course website at http://newmediadl.com/. For the full Mindshare and SocialMedia8 merger article see http://www2.aaaa.org/news/agency/Pages/060909_socialmedia8.aspx