CFM Forum Speaks to Life-Changing Event

Life changed, as we knew it, on September 26, 2006. An event occurred that was the equivalent to the Earth shifting on its axis and dogs no longer fighting with cats. On that date facebook opened its membership to everyone age 13 years or older.

In 2006, facebook had 12 million users and The Oregonian reported its weekday newspaper circulation was about 380,000. Four years later the newspaper has 130,000 fewer subscribers and facebook says it weighs in with 400 million members, 700,000 in the Portland Metro area.

These are a few observations from a presentation by Tom Eiland and Hannah Smith made before education public relations groups in the state of Washington. Click here to view the slideshow “Social Media: More Tools for Communication and Engagement.”

Citing recently released Pew Research data, Eiland and Smith noted:

• The Internet now leads both newspapers and radio as key sources of news. 
• 92% use multiple sources for information
• 59% get news from a combination of online and offline sources.
• 46% get use four to six news sources
• Just 7% get their news from a single media platform.

And sharing the news is just as important as getting it.