Over a period of 25 years I developed a process to influence a specific organization to become a corporate alliance partner; to create seven digit OEM revenue, and to open the door to M&A discussions.

The technology I used to influence this process, would be called Social Media today..

Starting in the early 1990's I began using utilities of the then new Internet, to target specific groups of employees within a targeted large technology company; to promote my product or alliance proposal by first influencing recommenders within that organization. I used Usenet, Email, and Info-Bots to locate, attract and communicate with these people, and set in motion viral dissemination and discussion of the information I wished to convey; ultimately enlisting them to advocate for my proposition to their upstream business decision makers, all from the inside. 

At the appropriate moment, as suggested by the insiders, I would approach the now, much more receptive decision makers from the outside, and articulate a business and technical rationale to become strategic alliance partners. Often presenting a new business model; I would ultimately negotiate the terms of a "win-win" license or sales agreement, thereby leveraging the target company to buy, license as an OEM, or to resell my offering.  

Over several years with a few different startups, this process resulted in merger or acquisition discussions,  resulting in three acquisitions and one IPO, either by the target or an effected or affiliated third party.

Most Social Media campaigns today are used to create B2C consumer sales. This is different... this use of social media is to create B2B alliances, and can be used to develop the initial high profile marquee customers that a new technology  start-up desperately needs. Or to create strategic alliance partners for licensing or OEM revenue. Or to strongly influence the beginning or outcome of a corporate alliance or equity event.