Visiting Google.cn Are Now Being Redirected To Google.com.hk
Posted on | March 23, 2010 | 1 Comment
Two months after announcing to leave China due to Chinese government’s censorship policy and amount of highly sophisticated hack attacks from mainland to Gmail accounts, Google said earlier today that it stopped censoring its Chinese search services and redirected Chinese users to Google.com.hk.
Google also said it would retain much of its existing China operations, including its R&D team and local sales force, but the scale depends on the ability mainland Chinese users to access the Hong Kong-based site.
“Figuring out how to make good on our promise to stop censoring search on Google.cn has been hard,” David Drummond, Google’s chief legal officer, wrote in the blog post. “We want as many people in the world as possible to have access to our services, including users in mainland China, yet the Chinese government has been crystal clear throughout our discussions that self-censorship is a non-negotiable legal requirement.”
Soon after Google’s announcement, State Council Information Office responded and scolded that the company must comply with the China law.
Already, before Google’s January announcement, authorities were blocking its YouTube and Blogger sites. “We very much hope that the Chinese government respects our decision,” Mr. Drummond said, “though we are well aware that it could at any time block access to our services.”
79% of The Fortune Global 100 Are Using Social Media
Posted on | March 10, 2010 | 2 Comments
Following in the emerging trend, large international companies are now becoming active participants in social media like their consumers. A recent Burson-Marsteller study found that 79 percent of the largest 100 companies in the Fortune Global 500 index are using at least one of the most popular social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or corporate blogs.
Key findings from the study:
- OVERALL: 79% Fortune Global 100 companies are using at least one of the social media platforms, but only 20% are utilizing all four platforms to engage with stakeholders.
- ACROSS PLATFORM: Twitter is the most popular social media tool among Fortune Global 100 companies, with almost two-thirds (65%) having a presence on it. At least one-half are reaching audiences through Facebook (54%) and YouTube (50%). One-third (33%) maintain corporate blogs.
- ACROSS REGION: Companies based in the United States and Europe were most likely to use Twitter (US: 72%, Europe: 71%) or Facebook (US: 69%, Europe: 52%) than they were to have corporate blogs (US: 34%, Europe: 25%), while companies from Asia-Pacific were more likely to utilize corporate blogs (50%) than other forms of social media (Twitter: 40%, Facebook: 40%).
- PRESENCE: On average, the Fortune Global 100 companies have 4.2 Twitter accounts, 2.1 Facebook fan pages, 1.6 YouTube channels and 4.2 corporate blogs.
- ACTIVITY: Companies with active accounts have 27 tweets per week, 3.6 Facebook posts per week, 10 new YouTube videos per month and 7 blog posts per month. Within the last week (during the period of data collection) 82% had tweeted and 59% had posted content on their Facebook fan page. And in the prior month, 68% had posted a video on YouTube and 36% had posted an entry on a corporate blog.
- ENGAGEMENT: Companies using Twitter were following an average of 731 people each, and 38% of companies were responding to people’s tweets. 32% have also “re-tweeted” or reposted user comments during the last week.
Unfortunately, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube have been blocked in China till now. So I don’t have any comment on regard to local insight.
Tags: Burson-Marsteller, Corporate Blog, Facebook, Fortune Global 100, Social Media, Twitter, YouTubeTags: Burson-Marsteller > Corporate Blog > Facebook > Fortune Global 100 > Social Media > Twitter > YouTube
ExpoSay I: Tickets Are The Focus of Expo Buzz
Posted on | February 5, 2010 | 1 Comment
On 4th February 2o1o, CIC and Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide launched a monthly report on Chinese-language Internet Word of Mouth (a.k.a social media buzz) related to Shanghai World Expo 2010.
“This report’s findings show how China’s netizens are already discussing many aspects Shanghai Expo, from tickets to pavilions to sponsors,” said Thomas Crampton, Asia-Pacific Director, 360 Digital Influence, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide. “Chinese consumers can make or break brands online, so listening is the first step to developing a powerful strategy to engage them.”
“China has one of the world’s highest levels of engagement within social media, with brands featuring in many discussions,” said Sam Flemming, chairman and founder of CIC. “Anyone looking to truly understand Chinese consumers – and the digital world that is so important to them – can find no better place than social media.”
The report, ExpoSay, tracked 128,854 Expo-related comments taken from 13,994 blogs, bulletin boards, news and social networking sites in the Chinese Internet space during December 2009. Ticket-related topics were the subject of most online Expo chatter.
Ten key findings from this report:
1. BBS were the most popular platform to discuss Expo, followed by blogs. These two platforms accounted for 68% of total buzz.
2. Expo buzz peaked during Week 2 (Dec. 8-14) after an announcement of an impending price increase (from 140 RMB to 150 RMB) of the Expo ticket. The news quickly brought predictable criticism and became a hot topic for discussion.
3. Phrases about “what (price) to buy” and “how to buy” became the most frequently associated keywords with “Shanghai Expo Ticket”.
4. Among the buzz around buying a ticket, “way to buy” and “place to buy” became hot topics. Group purchases and online purchases are the most common way to buy a ticket.
5. Expo tickets has become a hot incentive for various brand campaigns and organization activities. Happy awarded netizens were showing off their tickets online.
6. Mobile phone tickets are expected to change purchase modes. Discussions centered around the benefits of the
RFID SIM card (as a mobile credit card), the mobile device (whether it supports the card or not) and where to get a mobile phone ticket (which service halls sell the card).
7. Expo Global Partners including China Mobile, General Motors, Bank of Communications and State Grid accounted for almost 50 per cent of buzz among all sponsors.
8. Nonsponsors were the subject of more than 80% of buzz, primarily due to content contributions from Sina, Sohu and Netease, all of which are major Chinese portals and competitors of senior sponsor QQ.
9. Taipei overtook Hong Kong as the second most discussed city among Netizens when pop singer Wang LeeHom was named goodwill ambassador for the Taipei Pavilion.
10. USA overtook Japan to be the most mentioned country as news of movie star Jackie Chan’s imminent appearance on a Shanghai World Expo float in the Rose Bowl Parade broke in December.
Tags: CIC > China Social Media > Expo2010 > ExpoSay > IWOM > Internet Word of Mouth > OgilvyPR
The Economist’s Special Report on Social Networking
Posted on | February 4, 2010 | 1 Comment
Facebook, the globe’s largest online social network hits 350m users in December 2009 — which, were it a nation, would make Facebook the world’s third most populous after China and India. Online social networks are changing the way people communicate, work and play, and mostly for the better, says Martin Giles.
The Economist recently issued a special report on social networking. The report, A World of Connections, provides a clear and high-level overview of the development/status of social networking sites and how they impact brand advertising, corporate internal communication, small business, talent search & recruitment, and privacy.
The content probably nothing new to digital marketing savvy and social media guru, but trust me, it is worth reading. As always, The Economist special report can help you neaten your knowledge and its flow.
Tags: Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Social Media, Social Networking, The Economist, TwitterTags: Facebook > LinkedIn > MySpace > Social Media > Social Networking > The Economist > Twitter
CNNIC’s 25th China Internet Development Statistical Report
Posted on | January 26, 2010 | 5 Comments
15th January 2009, China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) released the 25th Statistical Survey Report on the Internet Development in China. I went through the report and here is a translated summary of the key findings.
I. Netizen Size
The number of Chinese netizens reached 384 million. Among them, 60.8% have accessed the Internet via mobile phones, the size almost double within one year.
- The total number of netizens in China had increased to 384 million | 28.9% increase YoY
- The Internet penetration rate reached 28.9% | 27.9% increase YoY
- 346 million netizens (90.1% of total) access the Internet via broadband | 28.1% increase YoY
- 233 million netizens (60.8% of total) access the Internet via mobile phones | 97.5% increase YoY
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II. Netizen Demographic
With the “Xiao-Xiao-Tong” Internet popularization program by Ministry of Education, the number of schoolchild netizens grew sharply in 2009. In addition, 30 – 49 years old with stable income is the main class of Chinese netizens.
- Gender:
- 54.2% male netizens and 45.8% female netizens | fluctuated from 52.5% : 47.5%
- Age:
- 1.1% under 10 | 175% increase YoY
- 31.8% between 10 – 19 | 9.7% decrease YoY
- 28.6% between 20 – 29 | 9.2% decrease YoY
- 21.5% between 30 – 39 | 22.2% increase YoY
- 10.7% between 40 – 49 | 11.5% increase YoY
- 4.5% between 50 – 59 | 7.1% increase YoY
- 1.9% 60 or older | 26.7% increase YoY
- Education:
- 8.8% with elementary or lower | 63.0% increase YoY
- 26.8% with up to middle school | 4.3% increase YoY
- 40.2% with up to high school or basic technical training | 2.0% decrease YoY
- 12.2% with college school | 12.2% decrease YoY
- 12.1% with a bachelors degree or higher | 8.3% decrease YoY
- Profession:
- 28.8% Students | 13.3% decrease YoY
- 7.5% Employees in Party, government, and institute | 27.2% decrease YoY
- 3.1% Managers | 31.1% decrease YoY
- 15.0% Enterprise Staff | same
- 10.4% Technical professionals | 19.5% increase YoY
- 2.4% Rural migrant workers | 7.7 decrease YoY
- 4.4% Workers in industries and service industries | 120% increase YoY
- 13.0% Self-employed/Freelancer | 5.1% decrease YoY
- 2.8% Agricultural, forestry, husbandry, fishery laborers | 21.7% increase YoY
- 2.1% Retirees | 5.0% increase YoY
- 9.8% Jobless, laid-off and unemployed people | 78.2% increase YoY
- 0.8% Others
- Income (RMB):
10.0% no income | 566.7% increase YoY
18.0% Under 500 | 30.8% decrease YoY
14.5% 500 – 1000 | 10.5% decrease YoY
13.7% 1000 – 1500 | 14.4% decrease YoY
13.4% 1500 – 2000 | 2.9% decrease YoY
15.4% 2000 – 3000 | 12.4% increase YoY
9.3% 3000 – 5000 | 16.3% increase YoY
2.7% 5000 – 8000 | 6.9% decrease YoY
2.9% Above 8000 | 52.6% increase YoY
- Structure:
- 72.2% urban netizens, and 27.8% rural netizens | fluctuated from 71.6% : 28.4%
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III. Netizen Behavior (Internet Access)
Home is the main place netizens browse Internet. Less people go to Internet Cafes while more people surfing the Internet in their office. Mobile becomes a main device for netizens, one reason is mobile phone has a much higher penetration rate than computers in China, especially those underdeveloped districts.
- Access Places:
- 83.2% from home | 6.1% increase YoY
- 35.1% from Internet cafes | 20.8 decrease YoY
- 30.2% from office | 45.9% increase YoY
- Access Time:
- average 18.7 hours a week | up from 16.6 hours
- Access Devices:
- 73.4% via desktop computers | 17.9 decreased YoY
- 60.8% via mobile phones | 53.9% increase YoY
- 30.7% via laptop computers | 10.4% increase YoY
- 0.5% via other devices
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IV. Netizen Behavior (Internet Application)
Search engine service replaced instant messaging service to be the 3rd top online application. Social networking service is a lightspot in 2009, which reduced the popularity of IM and BBS. Online gaming and shopping kept a sustaining growth rate. Financial related applications like online banking, paying, and stock speculation increased most significantly. Although the overall rate of online travel reservation isn’t high yet, the growth is really rapid.
- Popular Internet Applications:
- 83.5% netizens are using online music service | 0.2% decrease YoY
- 80.1% netizens are using online news service | 2.0% increase YoY
- 73.3% netizens are using search engine service | 7.8% increase YoY
- 70.9% netizens are using instant messaging service | 5.8% decrease YoY
- 68.9% netizens are using online gaming service | 9.7% increase YoY
- 62.6% netizens are using online video service | 7.3% decrease YoY
- 57.7% netizens are using blog service (on both BSP & SNS) | 6.3% increase YoY
- 56.8% netizens are using email service | same
- 45.8% netizens are using social networking service | N/A
- 42.3% netizens are using net literature| N/A
- 30.5% netizens are using forum / BBS service | 0.7% decrease YoY
- 28.1% netizens are using online shopping service | 13.3% increase YoY
- 24.5% netizens are using online banking service | 26.9% increase YoY
- 24.5% netizens are using online paying service | 39.2% increase YoY
- 14.8% netizens are using online stock speculation service | 29.8% increase YoY
- 7.9% netizens are using online travel reservation | 41.1% increase YoY
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V. Mobile Internet
The penetration of mobile Internet was very high, but it was still dominated by traditional messaging and information based applications. However, mobile search was a star point for marketers and music kept the popularity.
- Base:
- 233 million mobile netizens (60.8% of total netizens)
- Popular Mobile Applications:
- 77.8% mobile netizens are using mobile instant messaging
- 75.4% mobile netizens are reading mobile information (WAP news, SMS/MMS newspaper, and e-novel)
- 55.2% mobile netizens are using mobile search engine
- 50.4% mobile netizens are listening/downloading mobile music content
- 22.8% mobile netizens are connecting to mobile social networking
- 19.3% mobile netizens are playing mobile online game
- 18.4% mobile netizens are using mobile email service
- 16.5% mobile netizens are watching mobile TV
.
Below is the full report (in Chinese), and you can also download it here in PDF.
Google.cn Has Already Stopped Filtering?
Posted on | January 13, 2010 | 2 Comments
This morning, it came a HUGE news for everyone who involves in the China Internet industry. Google announced in its official blog that it was going to say NO to China government’s censorship policy due to amount of highly sophisticated hack attacks to Gmail accounts. “We recognize that this may well mean having to shut down Google.cn, and potentially our offices in China,” said Google.
Google Inc., owner of the most popular Internet search engine, is considering shutting its Chinese Web site and offices after discovering a “highly sophisticated” attack last month aimed at gaining access to e-mail accounts of human-rights activists.
In investigating the attack, Google said it discovered that at least 20 other large companies in industries such as finance, technology, media and chemicals had been targeted. The company also said it plans to stop censoring results on its Google.cn site and hold talks with Chinese authorities.
Click here to continue reading reading the new on BusinessWeek.
Around the noon, the Google.cn search results indicate the search giant may have already stopped filtering.
For more updated information, please keep following the HASH tag #GoogleCN on Twitter.
Tags: #GoogleCN, Chinese Internet Censorship, GoogleEYES ON ME: Monthly Highlight of China Viral Video (Dec 2009)
Posted on | January 7, 2010 | 2 Comments
EYES ON ME is a post series on IN2marcom. It is a monthly highlight of popular Chinese viral brand videos in the period. A viral video is a video clip that gains widespread popularity through the process of Internet sharing, typically through email or instant messaging, blogs and other media sharing websites.
In December, automobile brands were still the major players, as well as FMCG brands. I’m very excited to see more and more domestic brands like Chery, Harbin Beer, and Zhonghua Toothpaste started investing in viral marketing and presented very cool video clips. 2010 is the year of Expo and World Cup, so Coca-Cola and Adidas delivered relevant videos respectively at the end of 2009.
1. “Theory of Relativity” | New Regal / BUICK / Shanghai GM
View: 963,636 | Comment: 173 | Favorited: 169 | Embed: 426
2. “The Fatty’s Love Story” | smart / Mercedes-Benz
View: 243,342 | Comment: 232 | Favorited: 79 | Embed: 238
3. “The Beauty Comes Across The Most Tough Egg” | Chery A3
View: 1,821,951 | Comment: 1,243 | Favorited: 172 | Embed: 771
4. “If You Are The One” | Chery Fengyun II
View: 901,858 | Comment: 816 | Favorited: 399 | Embed: 228
5. “Swiping The Card Amazingly” | Mobile Phone with Public Transportation Card Inside / China Unicom
View: 1,719,943 | Comment: 62 | Favorited: 7 | Embed: 155,284
6. “The Most Impressive Launch” | e-surfing 3G / China Telecom
View: 879,009 | Comment: 500 | Favorited: 1,157 | Embed: 2,885
7. “School Beauty Throwing Famous-branded Goods” | Zhonghua Toothpaste / Unilever China
View: 1,258,797 | Comment: 53 | Favorited: 177 | Embed: 5,233
8. “-34℃” | Harbin Beer
View: 1,090,038 | Comment: 239 | Favorited: 341 | Embed: 23,076
9. “Blind Date” | Mengniu (果蔬酸酸乳)
View: 1,058,368 | Comment: 717 | Favorited: 951 | Embed: 811
10. “The Best Medicine for Mania” | Mengniu (果蔬酸酸乳)
View: 442,899 | Comment: 250 | Favorited: 61 | Embed: 96
11. “Happiness in China – Our Dream” | Coca-Cola Shanghai Expo2010
View: 406,068 | Comment: 479 | Favorited: 12 | Embed: 11
12. “The Lionheart of Lampard” | Adidas Football
View: 476,943 | Comment: 35 | Favorited: 70 | Embed: 128
Any time, when you come across a Chinese viral video, please do me a favor to dig it out. You just need to send the video URL to EYES-ON-ME@in2marcom.com, I will add it to the monthly list. I believe EYES ON ME will be a comprehensive and authentic highlight for China Viral Video under everybody’s collaboration. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
Tags: Adidas, BUICK, Chery, China Telecom, China Unicom, Coca-Cola, EYES ON ME, Harbin Brewery, Mengniu, Mercedes-Benz, SGM, Shanghai Expo2010, Unilever, Viral Marketing, Viral Video, ZhongHua Toothpaste, smartTags: Adidas > BUICK > Chery > China Telecom > China Unicom > Coca-Cola > EYES ON ME > Harbin Brewery > Mengniu > Mercedes-Benz > SGM > Shanghai Expo2010 > Unilever > Viral Marketing > Viral Video > ZhongHua Toothpaste > smart
ChinaMode: First Grassroot Award for Chinese Internet
Posted on | December 9, 2009 | No Comments
2009 is a special year for Chinese Internet. In a digital world which fill with Grass Mud Horse, Green Dam Girl, Website Maintenance and segregated from Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and even World of Warcraft, it has released a tidal wave of creativity, activity and grassroots collaboration, with individuals coming together like never before to cooperate, innovate and produce. Of course, there are already many awards for China’s web and mobile industry to reward such efforts. But now we have a totally new awards, ChinaMode.
ChinaMode is the first grassroots award to encourage innovative Internet and mobile applications and services in China, initiated by OpenWeb.Asia and operated by the 14 most influential Chinese tech bloggers Appin, Williamlong, Web20share, Kenengba, Jandan, MobiNode, Webleon, Showeb20, Vista2.o, Yunkeji, Riku, Herock, China Web2.0 Review and MobiNode.TV.
Who are the real winners, which application and services are the most valuable ones and which are the most innovative startups in 2009, now their names are in Chinese Internet users’ hands. Details of this awards, including nomination details, award categories and etc, will be available on the official site on 15th Dec, 2009.
Tags: Appin, China Web2.0 Review, ChinaMode, Chinese Internet, Grassroot, Herock, Jandan, Kenengba, MobiNode, MobiNode.TV, Mobile, OpenWeb.Asia, Riku, Showeb20, Vista2.o, Web20share, Webleon, Williamlong, YunkejiTags: Appin > China Web2.0 Review > ChinaMode > Chinese Internet > Grassroot > Herock > Jandan > Kenengba > MobiNode > MobiNode.TV > Mobile > OpenWeb.Asia > Riku > Showeb20 > Vista2.o > Web20share > Webleon > Williamlong > Yunkeji