While the US and northern hemisphere tend to get the lion's share of social stats and studies, the Australian and New Zealand markets are different beasts with different needs.

That's why the Australian and New Zealand Social Media Report on SlideShare makes for refreshing reading.

Kiwi collective

The report finds that marketers on both sides of the ditch plan to increase their activity around blogging (68%), YouTube and Twitter (both 67%) and Facebook and LinkedIn (both 64%).

However the report also found that the majority of marketers surveyed still struggle to understand best-practice when it comes to advertising on Twitter.

Original only please

Australian and New Zealand respondents revealed that original written content is their most prized asset.

This is followed by original visual assets and original videos.

Instagram mad

On this side of the equator Auto, Soft Drink, and Apparel industries are the most dominant on Instagram.

The largest user group in Australia and New Zealand on Instagram is 16 – 24 years olds (41%), followed by 25 – 34 years olds (35%).

It's also worth noting that close to a quarter of internet users in both countries now have an Instagram account.