This document discusses the rise of social media and its impact on communication and branding. It notes that 75% of U.S. adult internet users use social technology, Twitter has grown over 3,000% in the past year, and 120,000 blogs are launched daily. It emphasizes that brands must now engage in social media as consumers expect companies to be present and interact with them online. It advises companies to listen to what is being said about their brand, engage authentically with fans and customers, and continuously monitor social media to understand their online reputation and conversations.