Utilities are discovering that some of the pressures they face are alleviated through better use of new social media. LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and the corporate blog are increasingly important. Monitoring and really listening to the conversation is key to developing a robust communications strategy. Successful use of social media requires a reallocation of communications dollars toward more effective dialog and engagement with customers. DEFG-EcoAlign believe that all utilities would benefit from a strategic assessment of their communications goals and objectives within the context of social media.