The usage of social media in the Middle East is
increasing at a phenomenal rate, with more and more internet users spending
time on social networks.
Around 50 percent of the UAE population is using Facebook
while Bahrain has 36 percent and Qatar 30 percent penetration of the same
platform, according to a report conducted and published by Dubai School of
Government (DSG) in April 2011.
The GCC countries (with the exception of Saudi Arabia)
primarily prefer to use English on Facebook, most likely because of their large
English-speaking expatriate population.
The UAE showed the highest number of Twitter users in the GCC region with more than 200,000 users according to the same
report published by DSG. What is very significant however is that most
information on Twitter is generated by a minority, while the majority use
Twitter to consume news as more of a newsfeed than a micro blog.
The report is prompting companies and organisations to
adapt to social media as a branding and communications platform in the digital age.
At Click 5.0 – The Digital Marketing Event for the Middle East
taking place from 26-29 June in Dubai, leading corporations in the region will
showcase their social media success stories including Aramex, BBC and Rotana
Media Group.
Aramex has early on utilised social media in their
communication and are one of the most successful companies in the Middle East
on communication through social media.
They will present an exclusive case study at the event,
while Lina Shehadeh, chief marketing officer of Aramex will share success
stories on the challenges of keeping customers loyal through social media.
The event will feature Donald Steel, chief communications
advisor, BBC, UK and Alexander McNabb, group account director, Spot On Pr, UAE
and senior marketing communication directors from Expedia, National Bonds,
Ericsson, Qtel, GoNabit, Saudi Telecom, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, flydubai and
Jacky’s Electronic.
By TelecomLead.com Team
editor@telecomlead.com
