Tasmanians all a Twitter over social media

A new study by the University of Technology in Sydney has found that Hobart is the Twitter capital of
the nation, and that is no surprise according to Font Public Relations Managing Director, Becher
Townshend with opinion leaders clearly active in the local online community.

Mr Townshend said an EMRS study earlier this year into social media usage showed the vast
majority of Tasmanians were in engaging in some form of social media and that the rising star was
Twitter.

“Our Font Social Media Index found that six per cent of the Tasmanian community were using
Twitter,” Mr Townshend said.

“While on its own the six per cent of the community that use Twitter is not huge, what is clear is that it
is used by opinion leaders and so will only grow in importance and usage over time.”

“Users clearly see Twitter as an efficient form of gathering and dispersing news of the day and
knowledge.

“Local hashtags are prevalent in every day discussion now with #politas and #innovatetas always
sparking heated online debate using the medium.

“The use of the medium by local media outlets has also served to grow the popularity and prevalence
of Twitter and television shows are also encouraging people to use the rising star.

“What this study brings to light yet again is that these forms of media are now main stream and that
they must be taken seriously both by personal and business users.”

Mr Townshend said that it was important to remember that the lines between work and home were
continuing to blur and that the personal use of social media could have a profound impact on work life
if not taken seriously.

“People need to remember that actions online on social media can have ramifications in the real world
and to be mindful of the fact that much of what is said online is publicly available,” Mr Townshend said.

Earlier this year the Font Public Relations Social Media Index 2011*, which surveyed 1000 adults,
revealed 58 per cent of people in the North and North East, 59 per cent in the South and
54 per cent in the North West and West are using social media.

Font Public Relations provides expert strategic advice and ongoing support for Tasmanian
businesses looking to communicate with their networks through social media.
Font PR Managing Director Becher Townshend