Social media has become an outlet for corporate, non-profits and other organizations to become more engaged with their public.  For many organizations, this has become a new challenge where they must figure out how to work social media.  Many are still skeptical about social media and the impact it has on its users.

When looking at a business plan, many would ask themselves how social media can increase brand awareness.  Businesses may ask themselves if it possible for a Youtube video or a Facebook post to increase brand awareness?

Just last year, The Onion, a sarcastic news media outlet published an article on “one of the coolest digital videos I’ve ever seen.”  Their entire article mocked the social media world and the way in which it engaged the public.  It spoke about a video that Tide detergent had made that had nothing to do with detergent but yet grabbed everyone’s attention.

As a response, Tide launched a video that included exactly what the article mentioned, “these cute, funny talking animals, a cool indie-rock song, and it’s just so hilariously random.”

Cool New Tide Detergent Video

The social media world went crazy about it and in turn it showed skeptics like The Onion that social media was very present and relevant in today’s public relations outreach plan.

Social media has become more than a new outlet for companies to post their brand.  It has become an interactive way of showcasing their product while they also showcase their company culture.  Tide responded with a fun, sassy video that probably garnered new consumers just because they had a good response on a skeptical article.  Like Tide, many other companies are taking the time to showcase who they are and not just what they sell.  If a consumer can identify with their mission, their product will most likely become their choice.