Quarter of Top Yorkshire Firms Ignoring Social Media

Online, July 23, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Of the region's 150 biggest businesses, 29 per cent have no social media presence and a further 10 per cent are limiting their marketing efforts to Twitter.

According to the 'Social Yorkshire' report, just four out of ten (42 per cent) of the region's top firms have an official Facebook page, and only five per cent are actively using YouTube to promote their businesses and brands.

The report, by Leeds-based social media agency Aberfield Communications, also reveals that when it comes to Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+, Yorkshire companies are way behind the rest of the UK.

While 42 per cent of Yorkshire's biggest firms have an official Facebook page, the UK total is 61 per cent. Yorkshire businesses are also well behind the UK on LinkedIn company pages (20 per cent vs 30 per cent) and an official Google+ presence (19 per cent vs 33 per cent).

Researchers at Aberfield highlighted the lack of any apparent social media presence for the likes of Allied Glass Containers, Country Style Foods and Yorkshire Building Society, and the relatively low presence for brands such as DFS Furniture and Provident Financial.

At the other end of the scale, researchers picked out Sheffield-based outdoor clothing and equipment retailer Go Outdoors as the region's most social media-savvy brand, for its strong presence across all social networks and active engagement of its followers and fans.

Phil Reed, managing director at Aberfield Communications, said: "Unfortunately, the likes of Go Outdoors are the exception rather than the rule in Yorkshire.

"Too few companies in the region appear to be using social media effectively in order to develop their businesses. The real danger is that a half-hearted approach could be creating negative perceptions which may actually damage their brands longer term."

The key findings from the 'Social Yorkshire' report:

Overall presence
None 29%
Twitter only 10%
Using at least two networks 34%
Across all key networks 27%

Presence by platform
None 29%
Twitter 49%
Facebook 42%
LinkedIn 20%
Google+ 19%
YouTube 5%
Pinterest 4%

Yorkshire vs UK
Yorks UK
Twitter 49% 44%
Facebook 42% 61%
LinkedIn 20% 30%
Google+ 19% 33%

ends
For further information:

Phil Reed/Tim Downs, Aberfield Communications 0113 357 2070
[email protected] / [email protected]

Notes to Editors
The full 'Social Yorkshire' report and associated infographic can be downloaded from

The top 150 companies are based on those appearing in the BDO 'Yorkshire Report 2012'.

UK social media statistics are taken from the following:
• Insights Consulting Social Media Report, June 2012
• Econsultancy/Netbooster UK Search Engine Marketing Benchmark Report 2012
• Steelhouse Social Shopping Survey 2012
• Experian 2012 Digital Marketer Benchmark & Trend Report