Boston Business and Communications Professionals Stepping Up Adoption of Social Media, According to Topaz Survey

BOSTON, MA – November 12, 2006 – A survey of the more than 70 attendees at last week’s inaugural Social Media Club event showed a sharp growth in acceptance of blogs, RSS, wikis and podcasts among business communications professionals in the region over the past year, according to event sponsor Topaz Partners. Topaz, a Boston area based technology PR firm, conducted the survey at the kick-off event for Boston’s first Social Media Club meeting.

The November 2nd event drew a mix of social media producers, consumers and novices, who came to learn about the technologies and how other companies and individuals are using them. Topaz co-sponsored the event with the Society for New Communications Research, which held its first annual awards gala and symposium in Boston last week as well.

A full 100 percent of those polled said they plan to increase their participation in such activities in 2007. Blogs ranked the top activity, with 29 percent of respondents indicating they read and/or contribute to blogs regularly. RSS feeds followed with 23 percent, podcasts at 21 percent and wikis at 20 percent.

“These survey results – and the interest in this SMC event – is further proof that Boston gets social media,” said Todd Van Hoosear, who heads the Topaz digital media practice. “Earlier this year, businesses and communications professionals were asking why they should consider blogging, but now the question is how and when.

“In addition, Topaz is seeing this activity extend beyond blogging, to encompass podcasting, video and social media releases. It’s clear the Boston business community knows this is important—and going forward, the Social Media Club will advance the understanding and adoption of these activities.”

The next Boston Social Media Club event is tentatively scheduled for December 7. For more information on the Social Media Club, visit www.socialmediaclub.org. For more information on future Boston events, visit www.socialmediaboston.org.


About Topaz Partners
Topaz Partners is an emerging leader in the evolving world of technology public relations, integrating both mainstream media and consumer-generated media strategies. The agency’s senior team of professionals draws on experience with leading PR firms and in-house corporate marketing organizations to provide counsel and hands-on support in media and analyst relations, and online communications, PR strategy and message development, the creation of editorial and marketing materials, and other areas of strategic business communications. Topaz serves a growing base of clients across a broad range of technology segments—as well as business-to-business and consumer markets—in regions around the world. Established in 2002, Topaz has quickly emerged as a PR leader and is ranked among “Boston Business Journal’s Top 25 Largest PR Firms in Boston.”. For more information, visit Topaz on the Web at www.topazpartners.com or call (781) 404-2400.

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Media Contact:
Brooke Blew
Topaz Partners
781-404-2424
bblew@topazpartners.com