The advent of social media has caused a revolution in public relations and communications around the world, with some markets, such as Latin America, more naturally predisposed than others.

As the social media options have grown globally, companies and brands have sometimes clumsily ventured into this new arena with the thinking that social media vehicles and social networks are just other communications tools to get their message across. That is a mistake.

As the communication vehicle opportunities have changed, so must the approach. The one lane highway of ‘communication to,’ has now obligatorily changed to ‘communication with.’ Our industry is at a turning point. Where you are on that turn, depends on the region.

The beauty of social media is that it is a multi-lane super-highway coming and going, weaving a web of instant communication opportunities between organizations and their global constituents. Marketing and communications, once siloed disciplines, now have the chance to integrate messaging and objectives to increase brand (whether personal or organizational) awareness and loyalty with endless opportunities to gain instant insight into their constituents’ thinking, ideas and perceptions.

Starting point

All organizations from companies to non-profits, to political parties can benefit, in theory. The caveat being of course, a clear understanding of this seemingly quantum medium that is literally exponentially expanding around the world. But, where in the world do you start?

Contrary to popular perception, there are few regional markets in which companies that ‘get’ the integration of marketing and communications due to the growth in social media and social networks could better benefit than in Latin America.

According to Internet World Stats, Latin America and the Caribbean as a region, has a 34.5% Internet Penetration Rate, behind North America (77.4%), Oceania/Australia (61.3%) and Europe (58.4%). However, Argentina registers a 64.4% IPR, Uruguay 52.8%, and Chile 50%, compared to a 77.3% IPR for the U.S. The growth rate, however, is where the story lies. Latin America as a whole demonstrated a growth rate of 1,024.9% between 2000-2010, whereas the United States grew 151.6%. Europe grew 352% during the same period, with an IPR of 58.4%.

In a study conducted by Universal McCann (Wave 5 – The Socialisation of Brands) regarding social media and social network usage in the Active Internet Universe (16-54 age range with usage daily or every other day), participants were asked if they’d managed an existing social network profile in the last six months. Respondents from Brazil, Latin America’s largest economy and population base, had the highest percentage of affirmative responses at 74.5%, second only to Russia which registered at 79.3%. The global average was 61.4% with the U.S. reporting in sixth place with 58.1%.

Top again

Meanwhile, when Active Internet Users around the world were asked, in the same study, how many people they stay in contact with in their personal life through a social network, Brazil once again ranked first with an average of 74 people, considerably higher than the global average of 52 and the U.S. average of 53. Italy came in second place with a reported average of 66 people.

An earlier study released in 2008 by UM (Wave 3 – Power to the People) indicated Mexico and Brazil were two of the top five countries in blog readership by percent of Active Internet Users at 87.7% and 87.1%, respectively. The U.S. chimed in with 60.3%, China 88.1%, and the U.K. with 65.8%. In sharing content/photos, Mexico ranked third worldwide with 72.9% penetration, and Brazil 70.5%. Compare that to 47.1% for the U.S., 73.5% for China, and 48.7% for the U.K.

But, is there an interest in connecting with brands or companies? According to UM, almost half of the Active Internet Users have already joined a brand community with Latin America leading the way. Of the top 10 countries, five were Latin American including Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina and Brazil.

Key to creation

The key to successfully creating a brand community is understanding the consumer’s motivation to join. In Latin America, according to UM’s Wave 5 report, the action to join a brand community is more likely to be driven by the desire "To learn more about it," and "To get advance news on products." Latin Americans indicated the highest percentage among all regions in seven of the nine reasons for joining a brand community, including:

1. To support a cause
2. To share my appreciation with others
3. To associate with something I think is cool
4. To fill time/have fun
5. To get free content

Understanding the Internet and social media and social network landscape is critical to successfully crafting communications messaging and now, constituent interaction. Never before has consumer engagement been so easy, yet so confusing. In Latin America, the cultural tendencies toward community and word-of-mouth naturally lend themselves to the adaptation of these technologies. For those companies doing business in the region, there is only one thing to do...join the party.