I samband med att dagens konsumenter blir allt mer medvetna om de globala, sociala och miljömässiga konsekvenser som vår konsumtion medför, har det på senare år ställt större krav ett på företagens arbetssätt mot ett mer hållbart och etiskt verksamhetsutövande. Av denna anledning har företagens ansvarstagande för miljön och samhället blivit en central fråga i företagsekonomiska diskussioner, även känt som Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Syftet med CSR- strategier är att ett företag, på eget bevåg integrerar sociala, miljömässiga, ekonomiska eller/och etiska hänsyn i sin affärsmodell, samt i relation till intressenter, utöver vad lagen kräver. CSR blir allt vanligare bland företag att använda som ett verktyg för att kommunicera sitt CSR-arbete är via sociala medier. Den ökade användningen av sociala medier har förändrat kommunikationen för både företag och konsumenter, då det har skapat nya möjligheter att integrera med varandra. Användningen av sociala medier kan därmed vara ett effektivt verktyg inom marknadskommunikation, då det kan användas som en direkt kommunikation till sina målgrupper, samt användas för att bygga, bevara och vårda relationen till sina konsumenter. Vidare har sociala mediers användning också ökat transparensen, då det skapar en tillgänglighet till information om företag, som konsumenter tidigare inte fått tillgång till. Detta ställer därmed krav på att företagens marknadskommunikation, inte minst inom CSR hanteras effektivt, då CSR är ett starkt debatterat ämne bland dagens konsumenter. Många företag ser möjligheterna med att använda sociala medier, däremot om det inte används eller hanteras rätt, kan det likväl visa sig vara ett hinder som det är en fördel. Eftersom sociala medier skapar en möjlighet för konsumenter att lämna feedback, som i många fall inom CSR kan vara negativt, skapar det också möjligheten till att enkelt sprida Negative Word of Mouth (NWOM), dvs negativa budskap om ett företag. Att kommunicera CSR på sociala medier kan således upplevas som en utmaning för företag. Kan företag hantera sociala medier kan det användas som ett effektivt marknadskommunikationsverktyg. Därför är det betydelsefullt att använda tydliga strategier som kan hantera möjliga konflikter som kan uppstå i samband med diskussioner om CSR på sociala medier. Behandlar företag inte konflikterna kan det påverka konsumenters attityder och köpintentioner, och slutligen deras relationer till ett varumärke. Syftet med studien är att undersöka och observera strategier inom marknadskommunikation med CSR-inriktning på sociala mediet Facebook [Facebooksidor]. Vidare kartlägger studien möjliga utmaningar som de observerade strategierna medför inom kosmetikabranschen, i syfte med att få en ökad förståelse för strategihanteringar inom marknadskommunikation. För att undersöka CSR-kommunikation på sociala medier har studien avgränsats till kosmetikabranschen som en empirisk kontext, då det i dagsläget pågår stora diskussioner om CSR inom branschen. Studien resulterade i en CSR-integrerad relationshanteringsmodell och som observerade två huvudkategorier: Verbala och Icke-verbala relationshanteringsstrategier. Dessa innefattar fyra olika hanteringsstrategier; tillmötesgående, defensiv, censurerande och oengagerade. Studien resulterade även i vilka utmaningar, dvs svårigheter företag har när de använder sociala medier [Facebooksidor] inom CSR. Det observerade tre omfattade utmaningar; (1), det är svårt att kompensera en missnöjd konsument ämnen inom CSR går bortom transaktionen och är mer baserat på en individs emotioner. Då CSR är ett komplext ämne, blir det utmanande för företaget att kompensera en missnöjd kund då CSR handlar om att integrera socialt och miljömässigt ansvarstagande i hela företagets affärsmodell. (2) CSR-diskussioner är svåra att hantera för företag med traditionella kundservice-strategier inom social media marketing och webcare. (3) Företag som inte har CSR integrerat i sin affärsmodell från grunden har svårt att skapa, bevara och vårda relationen till sina konsumenter inom CSR-diskussioner. / As today's consumers become increasingly aware of the global, social and environmental consequences that our consumption brings, has in recent years influenced companies' way towards business ethics and sustainability. Therefore, corporate responsibility for the environment and society has become a central subject in business decisions, also known as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The purpose of CSR is to encourage and integrate the work of ethical, financial, social and environmental aspects of business processes, and in relation to stakeholders, in addition to what the law requires. One tool that is becoming more common among companies when communicating their CSR work, is via social media. The increased use of social media has changed the communication for both companies and consumers, as it has created new opportunities to integrate with one another. The use of social media can thus be an effective tool in market communication, as it can be used as a direct communication tool to its target groups, as well as be used to build, maintain and nurture the relationship with its consumers. In addition, social media has increased the transparency, as it creates accessibility to information, whereas the consumers have more information and insight about companies today. Which demands on companies' marketing communications to be handled effectively, not least in the field of CSR, since social responsibility is a highly debated topic among today's consumers. Companies are becoming more aware of the possibilities of using social media, however, if it is not used or handled properly, it can also prove to be an obstacle as it is an advantage. Since social media creates an opportunity for consumers to provide feedback, which in many cases within CSR can be negative, it can also create the opportunity to easily spread Negative Word of Mouth (NWOM). Thus, communicating CSR on social media can therefore be a challenge for companies. If companies can manage social media, it can be used as an effective marketing communication tool. Therefore, it is important to use strategies that can handle possible conflicts that may arise in discussions of CSR on social media. If it is not handled, it can affect consumers' attitudes and purchase intentions, and ultimately their relationships with a brand. The purpose of this study is to investigate and observe strategies in market communication with CSR discussions on the social media platform, Facebook [Facebook pages]. Furthermore, identify possible challenges that the observed strategies pose, with the aim of gaining an increased understanding of strategy management in market communication. To study CSR communication on social media, the study has delimited to the cosmetics industry, as an empirical context, due to currently great discussions about CSR among consumers. The study resulted in a CSR-integrated relationship management model and observed two main categories: Verbal and non-verbal relationship management strategies. which includes four different management strategies; accommodating, defensive, censorship and non-engaging. The study also resulted in different difficulties companies have when using social media [Facebook pages] within the field of CSR. It observed three major difficulties/challenges; (1) It is difficult to satisfy a displeased consumer within the concept of CSR, due to the concept of CSR goes beyond the transaction and it is more based on an individual's emotions. As CSR is a complex subject, the difficulty of compensating a dissatisfied customer becomes challenging as CSR is about integrating social and environmental responsibility into the entire business model. (2) CSR discussions are difficult to manage for companies with traditional customer service strategies in social media marketing and webcare. (3) Companies that do not have integrated CSR into their business model from start, finds it difficult to create, maintain and nurture the relationship with their consumers within CSR discussions.

Today many companies are using influencers in the marketing strategy. However, there is an expressed need for more research on the topic influencer marketing and on how the marketing strategy should be formed in order to match and facilitate the growth of a company. Therefore, this thesis aims to fill these gaps in literature by forming an influencer marketing strategy in a growth perspective. The goal is to manage the risks with influencer marketing and contribute to the literature with more research in the topics growth and influencer marketing by answering the research questions: How can influencer marketing affect the growth of a company? And How can an influencer marketing strategy be formed to favour growth and manage the risks with influencer marketing? In order to answer the research questions both qualitative data from seven interviews with experts on the topic influencer marketing and quantitative data from a survey regarding the usage of social media. This thesis indicates that influencer marketing can promote growth but needs to be adapted according to which growth strategy the company chooses. The benefits of influencer marketing are intangible, while the risks can be handled through working more strategically and stepping away from the more common trial and error approach. The findings from this thesis are relevant for companies that operate in the demanding business landscape of today, striving for growth through various growth strategies and are invested in influencer marketing. Furthermore, the findings are relevant for anyone interested in how risks with influencer marketing can be managed and how the strategy can favour firm growth. / Idag använder många företag influencers i sin marknadsföringsstrategi. Det finns ett behov av mer forskning inom influencer marketing men också i hur en marknadsföringsstrategi ska utformas för att gynna tillväxt inom ett företag. Den här masteruppsatsen strävar därför efter att fylla gapet i litteraturen genom att forma en influencer marketing-strategi som gynnar tillväxt. Målet med uppsatsen är formulera en strategi i syfte att minska riskerna med användandet av influencer marketing och bidra till litteraturen inom influencer marketing och företagstillväxt genom att besvara de två forskningsfrågorna: Hur kan influencer marketing påverka ett företags tillväxt? samt Hur kan en influencer marketing-strategi utformas för att gynna tillväxt i ett företag och minska riskerna med användandet av influencer marketing? För att besvara dessa två frågor har både kvalitativa data i form av sju intervjuer med experter inom influencer marketing och kvantitativa data från en undersökning om användandet av sociala medier genomförts. Resultaten visar att influencer marketing kan gynna tillväxt i ett företag, men måste anpassas till vilken tillväxtstrategi företaget väljer. Influencer marketing bidrar med immateriella tillgångar som är svåra att replikera medan riskerna kopplade till influencer marketing kan hanteras genom att jobba mer strategiskt och som bygger mindre på “trial and error”. Resultaten är värdefulla för företag som verkar i dagens krävande affärslandskap, strävar efter tillväxt och har investerat i influencer marketing. Resultaten är dessutom värdefulla för alla som är intresserade av hur riskerna med influencer marketing kan hanteras och hur den kan kopplas till företags tillväxtstrategier.

Master of Science / Department of Communications and Agricultural Education / Lauri M. Baker / Garden centers are facing increasing market pressure from big-box retail stores that offer similar products at more competitive prices but lack a quality produce and exceptional service. In order to differentiate themselves from big-box stores, garden centers must build relationships with their customers which can increase marketing reach. Marketing ability and reach is limiting the expansion of Kansas garden centers which spend the majority of their advertising dollars on traditional media. However, social media can be an effective method for not only understanding consumers but also developing profitable relationships with customers. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of stakeholders of metro and non-metro garden centers as they use new media to market their business. Findings indicate garden center stakeholders prefer to use traditional media channels to market to their customers, lack a clear strategy and objectives related to new-media marketing, and are not effectively implementing relationship marketing principles.

This master's thesis deals with marketing and building communities on social networks with an emphasis on Facebook. Its purpose is to present the possibilities utilization of social networks in marketing with a focus on building communities. The thesis analyze the possibilities of using social network Facebook for the specific case of an internet portal then formulate proposals and recommendations for work and then evaluate the implemented activities. At first, the author defines the social network, attends to their historical evolution, defines the types and describes the most widely known world and Czech services. Further, the master's thesis discusses a marketing potential of social networks and especially of Facebook, on which is the practical part applied. At that is described and evaluated the specific case of building a community of web site Marketing Journal.

As social media platforms are increasingly becoming more popular and a part of everyday life, Business-to-Business (B2B) marketers from different industries are realizing social media’s potential for achieving marketing purposes. However, scientific literature regarding social media usage in B2B contexts is still filled with gaps in knowledge; especially when compared to literature about social media usage in Business-to-Customer (B2C) contexts. One of these research gaps is the lack of niched information about each effect of using social media. This paper aims at contributing to filling this research gap by presenting an extensive literature review about social media marketing in B2B; followed by an analysis of empirical data gathered from 11 different cases of B2B companies engaged in social media marketing. Moreover, this is to answer the research questions; how are B2B companies using social media to increase brand awareness? Which types of content inspire the most customer engagement? And how can B2B companies amplify their chances of succeeding in increasing brand awareness through social media? This paper will further contribute to this research topic, by identifying further research gaps and present suggestions for future research.

There has been a lot of research and studies done about the positive effects of inbound marketing and previous research clearly states that engaging customers is crucial when developing a successful inbound marketing strategy. However, a gap in connecting inbound marketing to a B2B-perspective is evident. Little information can be found about this specific field of practice when using inbound marketing strategy. Therefore, the aim of this study is to increase the understanding of in what way business to business companies use inbound marketing and the reasons they have for applying this strategy. This study was constructed by a qualitative method with an abductive approach where six companies were interviewed. The interviews were then compared with each other and the collected data from the Frame of Reference in order to gain a deeper understanding of the companies work with inbound marketing. The result of the study gives an insight into how companies can implement inbound marketing in their marketing strategy and the benefits it will lead to if executed correctly. Furthermore, a model has been created to help companies implement inbound marketing and shows which inbound marketing tools that can be used in the different stages of the sales and marketing process.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to increase the understanding of what makes Swedish millennials follow and unfollow influencers on Instagram.   Metod: This study had a deductive and qualitative approach and has collected data through twelve semi-structured interviews.   Conclusion: This study concludes that millennials mainly follow influencers on Instagram to get inspiration for their own lives. One of the most common reasons why millennials are unfollowing influncers on Instagram is that influencers tend to publish too much content, which leads to information overload. Millennials also unfollow influencers due to the fact that their posts no longer appeal to them because they changed preferences or because influencers shift the focus of their content. This study also concluded that there is nothing that inhibits a millennial from unfollowing an influencer on Instagram other than the fact that it takes a little bit of effort to visit the account and press the unfollow button. / Syfte: Syftet är att öka förståelsen för vad som får svenska millennials att följa respektive avfölja influencers påInstagram. Metod: Den här studien har haft en deduktiv och kvalitativ karaktär och har samlat in data genom tolv semi-strukturerade intervjuer. Slutsats: Den här studien drar slutsatsen av att millennials främst följer influencers på Instagram för att få inspiration till sina egna liv. En av de vanligaste orsakernatill att millennials avföljer influncers på Instagram äratt influencerstenderar att publicera för mycket inlägg vilket leder till en informationsöverbelastning.Millennials avföljer också influencers för att deras inlägg inte längre tilltalar dem på grund av att de bytt preferenser eller att influencers bytt inriktning på sitt innehåll. Den här studien drar också slutsatsen att det finns egentligen inget som hämmar en millennial från att avfölja en influencer på Instagram annat än att de upplever det som tids-och energikrävande att gå in och avfölja.

Ett examensarbete om modebloggar för herrar/män. Hur ska modebloggen utformas för att uppfattas som en effektiv informations- och kommunikationskanal? Vilka betydelsefulla säljande argument är särskilt intressanta i modebloggar för män? Hur skall bloggen kommuniceras för att attrahera många läsare och aktiva deltagare?Vi har studerat om det finns ett behov av modebloggar hos män.A thesis about fashion blogs for men. / Program: Butikschef, textil och mode

With the rise of social media and the emergence of smartphones, new possibilities have arisen for companies to create and maintain customer relations. Today, customers expect companies to be represented on social media platforms. Customers today will discuss companies and products on social media, regardless of whether the companies are represented on the platforms or not. Therefore, it is important for companies to be present on these platforms in order to be a part of the discussion. On Instagram, a company can share content that would perhaps be unfitting for any other medium. This thesis researches how the top five Interbrand companies on Instagram have worked with marketing and PR, and how their posted content affects the users’ level of interaction.    Two methods of analysis have been used in the writing of this thesis. In the first one, content analysis, the content and level of interaction of 200 Instagram posts were examined. Furthermore, a survey was conducted, with the aim of investigating Instagram users’ motivations for using the platform and of following a company profile on Instagram.   The material has been researched with an overall marketing and public relations perspective. Other theories that have been used concern customer relationship management, self-representation and self-disclosure, back stage and front stage and word-of-mouth theories.   The results show strong indicators that different kinds of posts evoke different levels of user interaction. The companies mainly use Instagram to market their products and to share information about events and new releases. These kinds of posts mainly receive a low level of interaction, with as little as one percent of the companies’ followers liking, and two in 10 000 commenting on the pictures. However, when the companies utilized Instagram’s co-creative features, for example by encouraging the users to use company specific hashtags, the level of interaction increased by as much as five times. Other interesting results concern back stage sharing and how interaction affects trust in a company’s message.

The purpose of this thesis was to gain an understanding of how the use of social media can build customer relationships and how interactions in these communication channels can be managed and optimized. A qualitative and deductive method was chosen for a deeper, more detailed and descriptive explanation of the considered topic. Three case studies have been implemented since this method was optimal to the purpose. Creating customer relationships through social media demands an understanding from a company perspective regarding how to treat customers well, encourage interactions and offer valued information. There are challenges working with social media and it is essential to consider the risks because the word-of-web can spread quickly.