In the midst of the worst economic and media recession in more than a quarter-century, spending on Word-of-Mouth Marketing increased 14.2% to $1.54 Billion in 2008, as WoM activities played a bigger strategic marketing role according to exclusive PQ Media Word-of-Mouth Marketing Forecast 2009-2013. The category PQ Media was first to size, structure, and forecast in 2007 is expected to increase another 10% in 2009.
PQ Media defines Word-of-Mouth Marketing (WoMM) as an alternative marketing strategy, supported by research and technology, which encourages consumers to dialogue about products and services. PQ Media's econometric research methodology was strengthened when the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) – the leading industry trade organization, provided PQ Media with access to its entire membership. A majority of WOMMA's 400 members participated in PQ Media's Key Opinion Leader Panel™ survey and interview process, enabling the most comprehensive bottom-up review of the WoM industry to date.
The PQ Media Forecast provides unique perspective on this emerging industry with drill down data by sector and segment. This year's report continues to track the key WoMM industry segments of Content & Service Providers, which include Strategy & Consulting, Agencies and Online Communities and Media, and Ancillary Products, which include Research & Measurement and Technology & Tools. More than 280 WoMM companies are profiled and 42 case studies are included.
The PQ Media Forecast analyzes an emerging industry which is changing and growing as consumers become more connected to one-another through high tech devices, such as smart phones, and social media outlets, like Facebook and Twitter. The Report is the most comprehensive ever assembled on the WoMM industry and reveals brands are allocating more and more of their budget to long-term word-of-mouth campaigns, executing effective online and offline activities that resonate with the consumer and their core group.
This definitive Report will help you answer these important questions, among others:
- How big is the industry and how fast is it growing?
- What's been the impact on WoMM from new technology, changes in consumer behavior, media consumption and measurement?
- What trends are driving growth?
- Which product categories spend the most?
- Have strategic brand initiatives employing WoMM proved successful?
- What does the future hold for WoMM post-recession?
- Which segments and categories are poised for fast growth?