M4ID

M4ID empowers not-for-profit organizations to realize the immense potential of social media and new communication technology so that they in turn can make a greater impact in development and health.

M4ID was founded in 2007. It serves clients globally, and is based in Helsinki, Finland, a hub of online and mobile technology innovation. M4ID provides a wide range of social media services and acts as a bridge between the not-for-profit and technology sector. M4ID also forges new partnerships, shares knowledge, highlights trends and compiles best practices.

Why social media?

Social media has brought about a fundamental shift in the way people communicate and collaborate.  Millions are now interacting through blogs, microblogs, chats, RSS feeds, widgets, social networking, social bookmarking, video and photo sharing, virtual worlds, mobile applications, wikis and more.

These tools provide the non-for-profit sector with novel ways of engaging diverse audiences in development and health.

Specific benefits include, among others:

• Substantially increasing visibility and building support among the public, media, political decision-makers and corporates.
• Sharing real-time information, particularly facilitating communication in and from the field.
• Creating conversations on development as well as ensuring better reach for news and information material.
• Building and communicating with a support base who advocate and fundraise on behalf of the organization/issue
• Spurring real-life action and social mobilization, for example health-message uptake, policy change, resources mobilized etc.

The potential of social media is tremendous, and with ever evolving technologies it will become an even more pervasive component of any communications, advocacy and fundraising effort.

BIO: Mari Tikkanen, Managing Director M4ID

M4ID was founded in 2007 by Mari Tikkanen to link the not-for-profit sector with the latest in communication technology and creative marketing.  Prior to heading up M4ID, Mari worked for 12 years in development related external relations and campaigning, including for WHO, UNFPA, IPPF, AMREF, Health Unlimited and Aurat Foundation. Mari holds an MSc in Population and Development from the London School of Economics.  Mari is a mom, a photography enthusiast and an active blogger on the subject of social media and development.