2010 World Cup = 2010 Social Media Marketing World Cup?

   People all around the world are now enthusiastic about the 2010 World Cup, which will be held in the Republic of South Africa this june. As the public's fervor toward the World Cup escalates, many enterprises are now trying to take advantage of this world event, where millions of people are fixing their eyes not only on world-class soccer players but also on "COMPANY ADVERTISEMENTS." Traditionally, enterprises extensively focused on TV advertisements. However, now many companies are considering or actually utilizing social media such as Twitter and Facebook to garner huge attention from the public, which is their prospective customers. This time, I will introduce many different social media marketing strategies that companies are currently employing.

 

1. Sony Ericsson

   Sony Ericsson paid about 0.3 billion dollars and became the official sponsor of the 2010 World Cup. Sony Ericsson dedicated almost all their marketing resources into the social media this year. They plan to communicate with soccer fans all around the world through Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. It is currently distributing its new online app for free and embedded "Worldcupedia" program on its mobile phones. With this service, soccer fans can send hot soccer playing videos to their friends. Sony Ericsson both uses social media and mobile platform to advertise itself.

 

2. Hyundai Motors

   Hyundai Motors also opened a"YOZM" (a DAUM service equivalent to Twitter) which means "RECENT" in Korean. It will update news related to the World Cup.

 

   Then, why so many enterprises became fervid advocates of the social media marketing? First and foremost, companies can reach a wider audience at relatively low costs. It also helps companies establish tight relationship with their customers. Moreover, these marketing strategies do not have to abide by the rigorous regulations imposed by the World Cup Organization. Indeed, the 2010 World Cup is an another arena for firms who are fighting over prospective customers.