Since partnering with Habari Media in 2010, LinkedIn has gone from strength to strength in both the local and African market. Towards the end of October 2013, LinkedIn South Africa reached a remarkable three million members, and 11 million in total for the continent, representing a phenomenal 460% plus growth since 2010.
LinkedIn has not only seen an impressive growth in their membership figures, their advertising revenue shows a similar growth trajectory. In the third quarter of 2013 LinkedIn recorded worldwide revenue of US$393 million – a 56% increase from the same quarter year on year. Marketing Solutions, the umbrella term for all brand-related advertising opportunities which exist on the LinkedIn platform, increased revenue by 38% from Q2 2013 to Q3 2013.
The financial numbers speak to the efficacy of the platform. More people are realising that LinkedIn is the perfect platform from which to engage with the right audience, and the numbers reflect that,” says Marius Greeff, commercial director at Habari Media.
“South Africa is mirroring the growth seen globally. LinkedIn now has over 259 million members worldwide, and is growing at a rate of two new members per second, or 200,000 a day. If you consider the number of active professionals in our South African economy, then the figure of three million represents a substantial portion of white collar workers and above active in the local market.”
