Asia now Facebook’s largest continent
With more than 242 million registered users, Asia has been crowned the undisputed champion, ahead of Europe, in the race for Facebook’s largest continent based on member numbers. Latest statistics show that Asia has about 1 million more members than Europe, and about 6.5 million more than North America.
What’s most interesting however is that Facebook has signed up just 6.26 per cent of the Asian population, a pittance compared to nearly 30 per cent in Europe and 45 per cent in North America.
Facebook is also the dominant social network in most countries, and while the numbers show that there is huge potential in Asia, the service clearly needs to do more than simply raising its profile among existing internet users to grow its Asian user base – targeting mobile and basic devices is key in this part of the world for one.
Read more here.
Facebook to charge merchants to run offers
Since its much-publicised IPO earlier this year, Facebook has been under pressure to show investors that it can realise its commerce potential. It seems that the company is making a concerted effort to prove that they can do it, as Facebook Offers will no longer be free for retailers and merchants.
The service, which enables retailers and other local merchants to send deals to their Facebook fans, will cost merchants at least $5 on related ads to promote each Facebook Offer to a targeted audience. Cost varies depending on the size of the company’s Facebook page.
Part of the reason Facebook has not become the moneymaking machine investors expect it to be is because retailers have been able to use a number of tools on the platform to attract customers for free.
Could charging merchants for the use of Facebook Offers be the first of many moves that will add to advertisers’ and marketers’ budgets?
Read more here.
Facebook Singapore gets a facelift
You may have recently read that Facebook is getting ready for a legal battle Down Under, but did you know that it was also busy celebrating a milestone nearer the equator this week?
For the first time since it set up shop in 2010, Facebook Singapore opened its doors and gave local press a glimpse into their newly refurbished office
The Singapore office is the region’s headquarters and houses the company’s sales and marketing team as well as the business development unit.
The new décor boasts a local flavour, recreating an old-time coffeeshop ambience and features a workspace with an industrial appearance. Graffiti and artwork by local artists adorn the office walls, while the well-stocked pantry offers employees a wide mix of Asian and international snacks. The office layout also clearly echoes the company’s flat hierarchy and open culture – it’s an open plan and bosses sit together with the team. The company ethos is also displayed on the walls in the form of posters.
With sayings such as “Move fast and break things” and “Proceed and be bold”, it’s no wonder the company has grown as fast as it has.
See more pictures of the spanking new office here.
Tags: Digital PR, Facebook, IPO, Singapore, social commerce, Social Media
