Social Media Explosion

More Than 40 Percent of Consumers Use Online Social Networks; Popularity Spans
Across Generations

NEW YORK, June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Social networks are exploding in popularity.
Forty-three percent of the online community now uses social networking sites,
including Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn. This is up from 27 percent a year
ago, reports The Conference Board and TNS.

The Consumer Internet Barometer, a quarterly report produced by The Conference
Board, the global business membership and research association, and TNS, a
global market insight and information group, surveys 10,000 households across
the country and tracks who's doing what on the Internet.

More than half of social networkers log on at least once a day, and the
majority log on several times a day. Interacting with family, friends and
celebrities are among the main reasons people log on to sites like Twitter.
The majority of users log on at home, although a quarter of social networkers
log on at work, and 10 percent connect through their phone.

Social networking spans all generations. Today, about 19 percent of those age
55 and over visit these sites, up from just 6 percent a year ago. Women are
more likely than men to use social networking sites (48 percent versus 38
percent), but usage has increased dramatically among both groups in just a
year.

"Social media is here to stay," says Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference
Board Consumer Research Center. "Online social networks are more than just a
fad among the younger generation. They've become an integral part of our
personal and professional lives. They're an effective way to keep in touch
with people, connect with friends and family, and network with colleagues.
Social media will also transform marketing as we know it. They're powerful
communication tools, and are becoming an essential part of successful
marketing strategies."

"Social media has transformed the way individuals connect and communicate with
one another," says Anita Watkins, Senior Vice President at TNS. "Smart
marketers are utilizing this behavior to their advantage by setting up online
communities in which consumers can freely interact, discuss and debate issues
around products, services and brands in a natural way. Companies are listening
in to these conversations and harnessing the power of influencers to co-create
their marketing strategies."

Facebook Most Popular Site
The most popular site is Facebook, used by 78 percent of online households,
followed by MySpace (42 percent), LinkedIn (17 percent) and Twitter (10
percent).

Both men and women use Facebook in equal numbers. However, women are more
likely than men (47 percent versus 35 percent) to use MySpace. Conversely,
more men than women (21 percent versus 15 percent) use LinkedIn. Across
generations, Facebook usage is about equal, but when it comes to MySpace,
those under 35 are more likely to have an account than their older
counterparts.

When asked with whom they would like more access/interaction with, celebrities
(15 percent) topped the list, with favorite company (14 percent), service
providers (13 percent) and athletes/sports teams (11 percent) not far behind.

The top concerns of social networking members -- expressed by about 50 percent
-- are viruses/malware, exposure of information to strangers and lack of
privacy. Women tend to be moderately more concerned than men. Only 14 percent
claim they have no concerns, compared to 22 percent of men.

Twitter Encourages Closer Connections
Members of Twitter, the real-time micro-blogging website, say their top
reasons for "tweeting" are to connect with friends (42 percent), update their
status (29 percent) and look for news (26 percent). They also use Twitter for
work-related (22 percent) reasons. Two out of three Twitter users interact
with friends. Thirty percent interact with family, 30 percent connect with
celebrities, and 24 percent interact with other bloggers. Members of Twitter
also are likely to interact with TV shows, employers, co-workers,
companies/brands and TV anchors/journalists.

Among Twitter users, half report being introduced to the site by a friend or
family member, and one out of three were introduced by a co-worker.

About This Survey:
The Consumer Internet Barometer is based on a quarterly survey of 10,000
households. A unique sample is surveyed each quarter. Return rates average 70
percent, which ensures highly representative data. Data is weighted as well to
reflect the latest U.S. household demographic information. The latest survey
was conducted during the second quarter of 2009. For more information, please
email f.tortorici@conference-board.org or lynn.franco@conference-board.org.

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE BOARD
The Conference Board is a global, independent business-membership and research
association working in the public interest. Our mission is unique: To provide
the world's leading organizations with the practical knowledge they need to
improve their performance AND better serve society. The Conference Board is a
non-advocacy, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in
the United States. www.conference-board.org

About TNS
TNS, which recently merged with Research International, is the world's largest
custom research agency delivering actionable insights and research-based
business advice to its clients so they can make more effective business
decisions. TNS offers comprehensive industry knowledge within the Consumer,
Technology, Finance, Automotive and Political & Social sectors, supported by a
unique product offering that stretches across the entire range of marketing
and business issues, specializing in product development & innovation, brand &
communication, stakeholder management, retail & shopper, and qualitative
research. Delivering best-in-class service across more than 70 countries, TNS
is part of Kantar, the world's largest research, insight and consultancy
network. Please visit http://www.tns-us.com for more information.

The Kantar Group
The Kantar Group is one of the world's largest research, insight and
consultancy networks. By uniting the diverse talents of more than 20
specialist companies -- including the recently-acquired TNS -- the group aims
to become the preeminent provider of compelling and actionable insights for
the global business community. Its 26,500 employees work across 80 countries
and across the whole spectrum of research and consultancy disciplines,
enabling the group to offer clients business insights at each and every point
of the consumer cycle. The group's services are employed by over half of the
Fortune Top 500 companies. The Kantar Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
WPP Group plc. For further information, please visit www.kantargrouptns.com.

SOURCE The Conference Board

Lynn Franco of The Conference Board, +1-212-339-0344,
Lynn.franco@conference-board.org; or Melanie Mumper-Dickerson of TNS,
+1-419-725-8560, melanie.mumper@tns-global.com