Answered => “Brands that ignore social media…will die. It’s that simple. Agree or Disagree? and Why?” on Quora.

http://www.quora.com/Social-Media/Brands-that-ignore-social-media-will-die-Its-that-simple-Agree-OR-Disagree-and-Why

=> My answer…

Disagree, kinda.

It would help if you could clarify / define “ignore”.

Contrary to popular belief, social media is not a panacea. The other myth is that the key is the brand self-broadcasting. The truth is, it’s about the power of the network, the connections. Thrill a customer and there’s potential for the spreading of joy with zero budget spent. Piss’em off and you run the risk of push back (to put it kindly).

If you define “ignore” as being in denial about the depth and breadth – both good and bad – of social media, then the answer is probably. It’s certainly possible a great brand can survive without social media, provided that brand makes people so happy that those people talk about their experience(s) . It unlikely that such a guest-centric brand wouldn’t be part of the network, but in theory it’s possible.

As for those in denial, they”d die anyway. Brands (and people) who don’t understand social media (i.e., the power of a network) are the same types that don’t listen, aren’t authentic, don’t walk the talk, think it’s all about them, etc. Basically, they are all the things a good/great brand is not. Social media and the internet just magnify that disconnect.