SURVEY RESULTS ON DIGITAL TRENDS IN EU AFFAIRS – FEBRUARY 2014

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CONNECTING

THE DOTS

WHAT are the survey findings?

91% of respondents plan to use social media in 2014 – more than any other digital medium.

93% of respondents said that they are likely to use digital communications for their EU Affairs campaigns in 2014, up from 78% in 2013.

70% said that engagement and dialogue is one of their main objectives

70% will regularly use digital communications for year-long communications and engagement on numerous issues and topics, not just for one-offs.

4 MEGA TRENDS :

Social media leads the way:

Digital communications is on the rise:

Engagement is key:

Year-long digital planning is the new strategy:

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“Digital communications is an increasingly important platform” says the Communications Director of a major European Association.

“We are only just at the point of establishing corporate social media channels so hopefully going down this path more so in 2014 and beyond” adds the EU Communications Director of a global corporation.

Q1. Did you use digital communications for your EU Affairs campaigns this year? This includes any online advertising, social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc), website creation, blogging, email newsletters, event videos, etc.

SURVEY QUESTIONS

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Q2. What was your objective? Click all that apply.

It’s clear that perceptions are changing: engagement and dialogue was outlined as one of the main objectives (almost 70% said that it was a priority), which means that digital communications for EU Affairs is evolving into a platform for listening and exchanging ideas, not just for posting opinions and publishing policy papers.

SURVEY QUESTIONS

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Q3. How likely are you to use digital communications in 2014?

In total, if we add up those that answered “extremely likely”, “very likely” and “moderately likely”, over 90% of respondents said that they are likely to use digital communications in 2014. That’s a 17% increase from 2013 (in the first question 78% of respondents said that they used digital communications in 2013).

SURVEY QUESTIONS

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An overwhelming 91% of respondents plan to use social media for EU Affairs in 2014 – more than any other medium. Email newsletters (60%) and EU Affairs websites/blogs (34%) are also high on the list. Even the creation of mobile apps (8%) is being considered. However, lack of time and budget as well as political and legislative risks were all issues that were mentioned. And of course the issue of control always comes up when we talk about social: “There is an organisational nervousness with social media” admits the head of a Brussels office.

Q4. Which digital tools and services do you think you might use? Click all that apply.

SURVEY QUESTIONS

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Q5. In what context will you use digital communications? Click any that apply.

The overall trend is strong since an overwhelming majority (over 70%) of respondents said that they will regularly use digital communications for year-long communications and engagement on numerous issues and topics.

This means that digital is seen as a tool to foster regular contact with EU policy makers throughout the year – not only for one-off campaigns on specific topics and legislation.

“I wish we could do more and have a more innovative approach” added the EMEA Communications Director of a major pharmaceutical company.

SURVEY QUESTIONS

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Business: 53.85%Association: 30.77%NGO: 5.77%Consultancy: 5.77%Government agency: 3.85%

Q6. Which type of organisation do you work for?

DEMOGRAPHIC QUESTIONS:

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Q7. What is your job title?

DEMOGRAPHIC QUESTIONS:

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