The recent buzz concerning consumer-generated content sites like MySpace and YouTube, highlights the phenomena known as “Web 2.0.” Encompassing the latest round of web-based technologies in which users also create what they hear, read and watch, Web 2.0 is in full swing in the PRC. China is home to an estimated 30,000,000 bloggers and 40,000,000 message board users, who generate millions of writings, podcasts, and videos every day.
Sam Flemming from CIC Data, a China-based Blog and BBS Word of Mouth monitoring and business intelligence consultancy, will provide an overview of this new media and its implications, as well as suggestions and tools companies can use to better understand how their products and services are perceived.
The blogs and message boards that make up Web 2.0 are conversations amongst consumers. With the topic of conversation often being brands, products and services, Web 2.0 represents a huge opportunity for companies to listen to and learn from their customers, potential customers, fans, detractors and influencers. The word-of-mouth marketing that blogs and BBS generate can make or break a newly launched product. Unlike traditional market research, companies can listen to conversations about their products that are naturally occurring, unfiltered and authentic.