Since the Beijing Summer Olympics of 2008, the number of global internet users has increased from 1.5 billion to 2.3 billion, and the online outreach for the games has subsequently risen. Social media has no doubt played a significant role in Olympic exposure, helping the overall viewership increase by 200 million viewers since 2008 and by a massive 1 billion viewers since 2004. 87% of Olympic fans plan to share game-related news and information over various social media outlets.
As a result, competing athletes have been encouraged to interact with online fans and followers. The effects of social media have even inspired physical implementation into the Olympic experience. The gargantuan London Ferris wheel, London’s eye, will change its color in response to trending tweets, creating a de facto mood ring for the games. Social media has therefore created an Olympic event that is not only entertaining for fans, but one that is interactive. Take a look at this infographic we have dubbed “London 2012 Socialympics”
Shaq?
Hi Darin, the infographic shows that in only 4 years, how big difference the social media is.