links for 2011-01-22

study of over 1,000 internet users (by the IAB, Opinion Matters and RMM) found that whilst only 13.4% of users follow celebrities, more than one in five (20.3%) follow brands. Brands are, therefore more than 50% more popular than celebrities in social media.

"It is imperative that celebrities use online media to manage their reputations…period. Say disaster strikes. A budding new actor who happens to be married is snapped in a photo with a cute blond. The photo is broadcast on TMZ and in the Star the next day. With social media, celebrities can speak directly to the public and say, “Hold on there, she was my wife’s interior decorator”. And then that wife can say, “Yes, it’s true”."

"Researchers found that while many celebrities might have millions of people following their lives on the web, online influence in fact came from less known “experts”. "

"Social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter have attracted a lot of celebrity attention, and the aftermath has been a mixed bag of wins and fails, when it comes to their use of the medium. Here are a few recent incidents. You’ll note that ‘Hole’ singer Courtney Love could be part of a list all on her own."