1 Billion Followers Summit: NASA, IMF Reveal Social Media Strategies For Engaging Younger Audiences

NASA and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) shared their strategies for connecting with younger audiences through social media at the "1 Billion Followers Summit." The event, held from Jan. 11 to 13 in the UAE, focused on how these institutions are using digital platforms to engage people.

The summit, which attracted over 15,000 content creators, 420 speakers, and 125 CEOs, featured a session titled "Staying Connected: How NASA & IMF Connect with a New Generation Through Social Media," WAM reported.

It highlighted how both agencies are adapting to reach a wider audience. Brittany Brown from NASA and Pierre Mejlak from the IMF discussed creating engaging content for diverse groups.

Brown explained how NASA uses eye-catching visuals, like photos of Mars robots taking selfies and sounds from spacewalks, to inspire and engage millions around the world. She emphasized NASA's effort to adapt its content to reach younger people, noting that their Instagram account is one of the top 40 most-followed globally.

She also mentioned that NASA invites content creators to share behind-the-scenes stories, giving an authentic view of their work. Brown said that by collaborating with influencers, NASA can reach even more people.

Brown shared NASA's careful approach to using AI, focusing on protecting the agency's reputation in a time of deepfakes. While acknowledging AI's potential to improve workflows and generate ideas, she stressed that human creativity remains essential in storytelling.

Looking ahead to 2025, Brown shared NASA's plan to improve content strategies by tailoring posts for specific audiences to increase engagement.

Mejlak mentioned the IMF's upcoming meetings as opportunities to use influencers to spread the organization's message to a wider audience. He talked about the importance of keeping a consistent tone and staying ahead of trends on the IMF's social media.

He explained the challenge of sharing complex economic data with experts while making it relatable for a wider audience, showing how economics affects daily life. Mejlak also discussed how the IMF works with influencers to boost content, start conversations on important economic issues, and reach more people.

He emphasized that these partnerships are crucial for creating relatable and impactful stories. The session also explored how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping content creation, noting that AI helps automate tasks and improve brainstorming, but human oversight is needed to ensure content stays authentic and relevant.

The session highlighted how social media is changing the way organizations connect with younger people. By embracing creativity, collaboration, and innovation, NASA and the IMF are reaching new audiences, sparking meaningful conversations, and promoting positive change in the digital world.