Blogging and the CEO: Social Media Tool Gaining Increased Popularity

STAMFORD, Conn., May 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MXenergy CEO Jeffrey Mayer has always been a communicator; first as a young attorney and years later as the President and CEO of MXenergy, one of the nation's leading independent energy providers.  Now though, rather than using his voice in the courtroom as he did in his younger days, he connects with employees, customers, and investors through his CEO blog, MXpressions.

The trend of CEO blogs is increasing exponentially.  For many it is an opportunity to connect on an authentic level with employees and customers and share their voice in a way normally not possible.  Mayer is a veteran.  Back in 2007, when the term "blogging" was still unfamiliar to many, Mayer saw it as a vital communications tool.

"I felt there were many ways in which the culture and values of our business could be expressed to both to our customers and our own people," says Mayer.  "Just as a picture is worth a thousand words, a story is worth more than a thousand lectures.  I try to illustrate the values of our company – integrity, honesty, hard work, accountability – through stories and observations about every day experiences we all share."

Mayer posts when he has something important to say – a critical key to success according to many social media experts.  

"People follow CEO blogs because they have some personal interest in that CEO," says social media consultant Jennifer Fong.  "The CEO must be willing to share personal stories in addition to brand information. It is, after all, SOCIAL media."

Over the years, Mayer has covered such topics as energy trends, customer service, politics, green living, world events and even his purchase of his new Chevy Volt.

Mayer says the benefit of blogging is definitely a two-way street.

"I will never forget an email I received from the mountains of Afghanistan, after I wrote about a doctor who had been murdered by the Taliban," says Mayer.  "A month later I received a note of appreciation from other aide workers assuring me they were still at work in the mountains.  I think about them all the time, struggling against enormous odds while risking their lives.  If that story were to inspire one person to stretch themselves it would be more than adequate compensation for this effort."

Mayer's blog and archive can be found at http://mxpressions.mxenergy.com/.

About MXenergy

MXenergy is one of the fastest growing retail natural gas and electricity suppliers in North America, serving approximately 500,000 customers in 41 utility territories in the United States and Canada. For over 11 years, the company has provided millions of customers with a choice in how they purchase energy to run their homes and businesses.  Founded in 1999 to provide natural gas and electricity to consumers in deregulated energy markets, MXenergy helps residential customers and small business owners control their energy bills by providing both fixed and variable rate plans MXenergy is committed to best practices in environmental conservation, supporting local communities through various outreach programs and is a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange.  For more information about MXenergy please visit www.mxenergy.com.

SOURCE MXenergy