Some interesting numbers arrived straight from Asia Pacific region. In spite of low broadband penetration in some of these areas, more than 50% of the users in the region visit Social networking sites.

What is even more impressive than the volume of traffic is the amount of time spent by users on social networking sites. Social networks capture more time than emails, games, and entertainment activities online. In half of the markets surveyed, spend more than 4 hours a month on social network sites.

Wait, did you think the traffic and the number of hours have been contributed by pesky teenagers visiting social networking sites?? What used to be an activity dominated by the 18-24 year old demographic is now a main activity in the digital lives of users across all age groups. In Singapore and Hong Kong for instance, more than half of social networkers are age 35 and older. So now marketers trying to capture eyeballs in the Asia Pacific region know where to invest their money!

Gatorade is using social media to pump up sales that have been declining for the past 3 years. In an ambitious move, PepsiCo which owns the brand) has invested in a glassed in converted conference room for “mission control” employees. The “mission control” team monitors the social media network 24 hrs to listen to conversations, understand what consumers are telling about their brand. It is tweeting encouragement to high-school athletes before big games and tapping out responses to Facebook queries such as when to use a new protein drink. It also takes steps to correct any consumer who does not have the right idea about the brand. For example Gatorade’s “mission control team” corrected when one of the tweeter said Gatorade contains high-fructose corn syrup.

The brand has also taken steps to not sound too intrusive. It joins the discussion only when it feels that the consumers are asking a question about the brand. Other times, when users just involve the brand in casual conversations, Gatorade lets them do it without interrupting.  Here is a video of their “Mission Control” ad.

Mysore is cultural capital of Karnataka, located at about 150kms from Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore)

Mysore is also the headquarters of Infosys Technologies and is well known for its world famous Dasara celebrations and Mysore Palace

Mysore’s new airport is now all set to be inaugurated tomorrow, on October 1st. Followed by Kingfisher commencing its Chennai-Mysore service. Stay tuned to Brandworkx blog for more updates on this event

The official blog of Domino’s India, country’s leading Pizza brand, is now live.

Do visit http://www.dominos-blogizza.com/ for interesting stories and articles related to Pizzas and more.

Did you know that Domino’s Blogizza is powered by BusinessBlogging?

Its the time of the century where not just humans but inanimate objects tend to use social media to explain their ‘feelings’. A 100 year old tree in Brussels was equipped with a range of equipment and measuring tools (dust meter, ozone meter, etc…) and lets us know every day how it’s doing. You can follow the daily musings on Facebook, Twitter and on the website. Watch the video below and you will be amazed! now dont be surprised if your post gets ‘like’ response from a tree or squirrel.