Neoco

Last Monday WOM UK organized another debate, this time the topic was whether social media should be paid for or not. They panel consisted of; Molly Flatt, President of WOM UK and WOM Evangelist at 1000 Heads; Kate Box, Head of Social Media Sales at Microsoft Advertising; Steve Filler, Commercial Director for Unruly Media and Ciarán Norris, Head of Social Marketing at Mindshare.

It would probably have been useful if the organisers had determined the definition of social media before the debate begun, as this was the main part of the whole debate and its aftermath.

There were a few interesting questions that came up during the debate though; if you pay for viral is it still viral? If you pay for social, have you really earned it? Are social media users, and more importantly bloggers, really in it for the money, or for increasing status, their passion and personal expertise?

For sure, the social platforms are all out there, open for any user or organisation for free. But there is a huge benefit from getting help from people who knows the drill. The debate took silly proportions as there is no way of neglecting the value time and money spent on social media brings to businesses. Social media management is a long-term investment that requires people’s time. The pay-offs are amazing though.

At the end of the event all present took a vote, and it became clear that over 65% of the audience thought that social media could or should be paid for – and thereby got Neoco’s sign of approval!

Tags  for free IAB pay social media WOMUK word of mouth