On September 24, UM launched Wave 7, the world’s largest and longest-running social media survey representing more than 1 billion active internet users. The launch was kicked off with successful events in both London and New York City.

Wave, the first social media study on a global scale, has tracked the dynamic shifts that have taken place within the social media landscape for the last seven years. As part of this year’s survey, the importance of the human need to connect combined with the proliferation of smartphones reveals compelling insights into consumer behavior. These insights offer brand marketers an opportunity to create customized media strategies that speak to consumers locally at the global level.

Launch events were held in both New York and London on September 24 followed by the introduction of the first Latin American regional edition of Wave presented exclusively for the first time to the Latin American media and advertising community on September 26 in Miami. The Miami event took place during the Festival of Media Latam at the iconic Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. Look for the global roll out of Wave 7 to take place starting this month in markets around the world.

The full-length video of the U.S. Wave 7 launch is available on UM’s YouTube channel. Click here to watch the full Wave 7 research presentation by our Global Chief Performance Officer, Huw Griffiths, and the special panel discussion featuring all-star industry leaders such as Mashable’s Chief Strategy officer, Adam Ostrow, and AOL’s Digital Prophet, David Shing.

Kudos to Glen Parker and the entire Wave team.