Why Social Media Matters?
Adding value
to cultural experience
with mobile & social
media services
but first we check out 
some new visit.com sites 
and how they use social
media
good images
but few social media elements
no profile
but
they have a youtube channel
personalisation tool has interesting
features, but
email subscription out of date
(explanation to this later)
some minor issues in registration
photo profiling a good concept
lacking from social media side
culture well present, better control to content

good social media module though deeper integration to the main portal perhaps, better integration to existing social media sites needed

so my prize goes to
social media matters,
but it is both time consuming
and difficult to manage
social media engages people to two
way conversation 
Social Media is the fastest growing category on the web, doubling in the traffic over the last year
80% of personal emails is sent via social media sites (UK). Amount of new email adresses has sunk first time in Internet's history.
source symantec 05/2009
That's why email lists does not work when we apply for people's private time
The power to define and control the brand is shifting from corporations and institutions to individuals and communities

The old model was informing, persuading and reminding. 
The new way is demonstrating, involving and empowering
Forrester Research Aug 2009: 80% of Americans use social media. 

Among adults 35-54, participation grew 60% over last year. younger people are more heavily involved, but over-35s and over-55s are becoming more and more active in social networking. While 10% or less of online adults aged 18-34 are “socially inactive,” the older age ranges are showing high growth. Among adults 35-54, participation grew 60% over last year. 

And in the 55+ category, 70% of online adults use social tools monthly, while 26% use social networks.
You can't afford to be invisible - Social media/Customer review matters.
Of all active social media site users: 
33% visit social media sites to engage in product research before making a purchasing decision
47% say social media sites influence their purchasing making decisions, 

Of all online users say 91% say consumer reviews are the #1 aid to bying decisions
87% trust friend recommendation over critics recommendations (JC Williams Group)
3 times more likely to trust peer opinion over advertising for purchasing decisions (Jupiter research)
One word of mouth conversation has impact of 200 TV commercials (Buzz Agent)
an example of good
social media precence
100+  videos
over 14 M views
690k+ channel views
20,800+ subscribers
Live since 22.11.2006
Right niche sites are
3 to 5 times more effective
than generic social media sites
couple words on 
Live2011.com