The Role of Social Media as a Tool of a Company's Innovative Communication Activities

Abstract

Summary : Social media and social networks conquer with surprisingly increasing rhythms more and more users and that is why they are implemented by many companies. The aim of this paper is to provide explanations of the term ‘social media’, their most widely accepted presentation, their use from the perspective of advertising and their effectiveness, with special emphasis on Facebook. An important goal of this paper is the presentation of innovative ideas important to the advertising market in an attempt to more fully attract potential customers with the use of new technologies. The article aims to present the way social media networks may be employed from companies and the advertising vehicles employed on Facebook which may enhance the company’s innovative communication and advertising activities. This paper is a refl exion of the implications of the generalized use of information technology and social networks for business through advertising and it examines the type of opportunities the social networks of companies present for it. It introduces the concept of the ‘imagined community’, which is associated with the sense of belonging to a group, a concept that may be related to the innovative communication activities of a company. In that way, the paper offers a theoretical contribution to the way social media may offer the opportunity for companies to effectively target their consumers and allow for them to be part of an ‘imagined community’, a concept that may well be used for the environment social media offer, transcending physical boundaries.