IntroductionVirtual communities & online social networking sites are providing a new.
powerful, & extremely popular medium for human connection.
In the near term, infrastructure providers, social network providers, & wireless players stand to profit largely.ScopeDelivers recommendations to each element in the developing social networking value chain.Quantifies trends in social networking by site in selected countries.HighlightsThe hothouse atmosphere of easy capital, media attention, and user curiosity which stimulates creativity will not be sustained indefinitely.
All players, therefore, must develop a two-pronged strategy in order to survive the extremes of heat and eventual chill which this market will undergo.Social networking services must be prepared to absorb demand in countries they did not anticipate and might not have selected as a lucrative market for advertising.
New markets, both demographic and geographic, are becoming available as the wave of social networking gains momentum.Technology providers should isolate elements in the emerging value chain that they can own and take a long-term view of which of these can be sustained after consolidation.Reasons to PurchaseDevelop strategies to suit each stage of a volatile market.Isolate opportunities in multiple geographies.Understand the competitive positioning of major market segments.