2016 Twiplomacy Study

Global strategic communications firm Burson-Marsteller, known for their annual Twiplomacy report, have expanded their 2016 study to include other social media platforms in digital diplomacy. The report examines government communications on nine social networks—Facebook, Google+, Instagram, LinkedIn, Periscope, Snapchat, Twitter, YouTube and Vine—to assess how world leaders communicate, engage and utilize digital diplomacy platforms. The study found that Twitter is the "ultimate channel for digital diplomacy....used by heads of state and governments in 173 countries," with world leaders including U.S. President Barack Obama, Pope Francis, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi topping their list of the "Top Twenty Twitterati of 2016." The report concludes with specific case studies and lessons to help digital diplomats create successful social media engagement. 

The full report is available here. 

Photo by Pete Souza via Wikimedia Commons