While Absa is known for its dynamic approach to the younger generation, winning Sunday Times/Markinor Coolest Bank Award in 2006 and 2007, its entry into Facebook highlights the growing importance of social networking sites to traditional corporations.
“More and more companies around the world are embracing social media as a way to develop deeper connections with their customers. We're excited about the possibilities our Facebook profile will bring,” adds Vrey.
South Africa has a surprisingly large Facebook following: various sources confirm there are about 700 000 members, putting it inside the world's top 10 countries in terms of Facebook members. Absa already has a significant online presence, with 1.25 million individuals visiting its site each month, and nearly one million Internet Banking customers.
Absa's Facebook profile has launched with a competition to win an Apple MacBook, around the theme of the bank's ‘Put your best foot forward' campaign. People will be able to view images and TV videos of the campaign; and have their say.
“We are encouraging people to tell us how they ‘put their best foot forward', and tell us about their philosophies towards life, all summed up within a sentence or two,” says Vrey.
Absa's Facebook profile can be found at www.facebook.com/pages/ABSA/12216188250.
