The phenomenon of social media is not only taking place in the US and Europe as users in Asia are also increasing fast. Some Asian countries, such as Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and India, are among the top 10 leading social media users, such as Facebook and Twitter.
With more than 26 million users, Indonesia has the third highest number of Facebook users, slightly below the US and Britain. Indonesia also has the largest number of Twitter users in Asia. Jakarta has been dubbed Asia’s Tweet capital not only due to its large number of users but also due to its contribution of global topics on Twitter, such as Ariel Peterporn, Mbah Surip (Grandpa Surip), Bondan Prakoso and Keong Racun (Poisonous Snail).
Due to its mighty power, many individuals and corporations use Twitter as an efficient and effective communication tool. Adrie Subono, for example, uses Twitter to promote himself and his company, Java Musikindo, which often imports popular teenage bands. He gets lots of input from Twitter, which he also uses to sell tickets.
According to Rene S. Canoneo, one of the founders of SITTI, an Indonesian search engine, social media is more than ordinary media because the digital world, including social media, has and will continue to contribute numerous dramatic changes that impact people’s lives. In just 10 years, Google grew from a company that at first earned only Rp 2 billion to Rp 230 trillion.
So, social media has also turned into a business, and it is therefore not surprising that many individuals and companies use it to enhance their popularity and to promote their products. Indeed, it has been proven an effective strategy for marketing and public relations. (Burhan Abe)
The Jakarta Post, February 02, 2011
