Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, Twitter, Yelp, YouTube and other social media sites are transforming not only the daily lives of consumers, but also how companies interact with consumers. Indeed, even the largest, most conservative blue-chip corporations have embraced social media; one recent study reveals that, of the Fortune Global 500, 97% are on LinkedIn; 86% have Twitter accounts; 84% have a presence on Facebook; 66% have a YouTube channel; and 45% actively use Instagram; these numbers will only increase over time.
However, along with the exciting new marketing opportunities presented by social media comes challenging new legal issues. In seeking to capitalize on the social media gold rush, is your company taking the time to identify and address the attendant legal risks? The good news is that, merely by undertaking simple, low-cost precautions, companies seeking to use social media can significantly reduce their potential liability exposure.
Fenwick's Co-chair of employment practices will be participating in a panel titled "Social Media in the Workplace: Emerging Issues".