New BIA/Kelsey Report Examines Burgeoning Social Media Management
Industry
Report explores popular business models, reseller opportunities
and challenges, and strategic implications for those participating
in the rapidly evolving social media management ecosystem
CHANTILLY, Va. (June 16, 2011) -
BIA/Kelsey, adviser to companies
in the local media space, has released a new
report to clients of its Social Local Media (SLM) practice. “The
Social Media Management Evolution,” profiles
10 leading social media management companies,
analyzes their business models and pricing
structures, explores their business opportunities and potential reseller
partners, and forecasts how the space will continue to evolve.
The demand for social media management services among small and medium-sized
businesses is on the rise, as adoption of social marketing practices
by SMBs continues to grow. Earlier this year, BIA/Kelsey released findings
from Wave 14 of its Local
Commerce Monitor study, which indicated local
businesses are flocking to social networks. Forty percent already operate
a Facebook page, and 48 percent utilize social networks for advertising/marketing
purposes.
“For businesses of all sizes, social media can no longer just
be a 'box-check,’” said Jed
Williams, analyst and program
director of BIA/Kelsey’s SLM practice. “It represents a
unique and instrumental marketing channel that must be invested in
and cultivated for optimal return. An entire ecosystem has formed around
social media management platforms that vie to control the core social
functions of the business dashboard. This race will only heat up as
social media adoption accelerates and both efficiency and ROI are demanded
across the various networks.”
The report, co-authored by Williams and SLM Associate Program Director Andrew
Shotland, segments the social management ecosystem into the following four
categories and profiles leading companies within each:
- Full-service social management for large brands and agencies
- Social software services for national-local chains and franchises
- Social tools for SMBs
- Social marketing specialists – campaign and promotion builders.
“The Social Media Management Evolution” report is available to
clients of BIA/Kelsey’s Social
Local Media advisory service, which is
dedicated to covering the growing and dynamic social media ecosystem and the
best opportunities for driving revenues with social platforms. To learn more
about the Social Local Media advisory service, visit http://www.biakelsey.com/Advisory-Services/Social-Local-Media,
or contact Steve Passwaiter at (703) 802-2973 or spasswaiter@bia.com.
About BIA/Kelsey
BIA/Kelsey advises companies in the local media space through consulting
and valuation services, research, Continuous Advisory Services and
conferences. Since 1983 BIA/Kelsey has been a resource to the media,
mobile advertising, telecommunications, Yellow Pages and electronic
directory markets, as well as to government agencies, law firms and
investment companies looking to understand trends and revenue drivers.
BIA/Kelsey’s annual conferences draw executives from across industries
seeking expert guidance on how companies are finding innovative ways
to grow. Additional information is available at www.biakelsey.com,
on the company’s Local
Media Watch blog, Twitter at http://twitter.com/BIAKelsey and
Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/biakelsey).
