Phan+T.+Press+Release

Phan T.


 * For Immediate Release**

Contact: Paul Miers- Proximity- 1.410.555.7894


 * Traffic to Retail 500 from Social Networking increased by 37%**

Proximity to Present Social Media Marketing at 2010 New Market/New Media Conference


 * Baltimore, MD - April 21, 2010** - Proximity, a Gen-Y on demand strategy group, announced today that Truc Phan, a researcher for Proximity, will be presenting at the New Market/New Media conference at the Burkshire Marriott Conference Hotel in Towson on Monday, May 17, 2010. The topic "Social Media Marketing", will be presented//.// As retailers are increasing their efforts to advertise on social media, they are coming across problems with attracting the audience's attention.

In the past couple of years, traditional media has been in decline. Newspaper companies are filing for bankruptcy and Gen-Y are no longer watching television on a regular basis. Companies must change their marketing strategy in order to capture their attention.


 * Social networking sites have provided a major source of traffic for retailers. It has increased by 37 percent from December 2008 to December 2009.
 * Our focus group result indicated that Gen-Y is not paying attention to most of the ads on social networks. Companies have to create a social media marketing campaign that stands out, engaging, and open.
 * Companies are going to spend $23.6 billion on online ads this year, with 5.5 percent of it going to social networks, up from 5 percent in 2008.
 * Traditional media consumption is declining. Users of Network TV new went from 71% to 65% from 2006 to 2008. Blogs and social network users increased by 11% and 9% respectively.

"Social media is a great marketing tool because you can track the progress and successfulness of it. By putting in enough effort and being open to the public, it will yield higher sales and profit." said Truc Phan.

**About Proximity** Proximity is a Gen Y on-demand media strategy group. Its analysts know how to connect with their generation using campaigns designed for the new media landscape. Because it is associated with Towson University, Proximity has immediate access to a large student population and the expertise of faculty who specialize in marketing and media research.

Proximity offers its clients a full range of services for developing and executing customized campaigns that can reach any segment of Gen Y. It regularly conducts on-line surveys and focus group sessions to keep marketers up to date on the social trends and emerging technologies that determine how this cohort communicates and what it purchases. Visit Proximity's blog at [] to read more about its take on the social media revolution.