Reporter's Notebook: How to Learn What's Cool

Thu, 08/20/2009
Jeremy Nedela, 1to1 Media

What's the value of connecting with teens via social media sites? They provide feedback about everything, from the mundane to the remarkable. A popular way for social media users—particularly teens—to express themselves is through quizzes that can be found on social networks like Facebook or Myspace. Pangea Media, one company that creates online quizzes, recently surveyed teens in two quizzes called "How Do You Know What's Cool?" and "Which is Cooler?" Here are some of the results:

  • 24 percent said they learn about new brands on social networking sites
  • 71 percent are not 'fans' of any brands on social network
  • When asked to choose between well-known brands:
  • 53 percent prefer Converse versus 26 percent for Nike
  • 57 percent prefer PCs versus 43 percent for Macs
  • 73 percent prefer Google versus 22 percent for Yahoo
  • 58 percent prefer Coke versus 42 percent for Pepsi