Business use of Social Media

I believe social media will eventually be the primary way that businesses connect with their customers.  I don't know the last time I watched a commercial the whole way through when it wasn't the Super Bowl.  Social Media is the most effective way the small business can grow.  Where print media (newspapers, magazines, etc.) are on their biggest declines and also very expensive for a small business, social media's free for businesses to connect with their customers and are very effective.  From being able to search who is talking about your company and what people are saying, it's also an effective way to gauge how your product is selling compared to the competition.  I believe it will only be a matter of time before large corporations really harness the power of what's available for them to leverage their brands online and really develop social media as the top advertising vehicle for business.