Matthew Leach | @MatthewLeach13 43-year-old Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner is breaking online and sound barriers alike after descending from space with a peak velocity of 833.9 mph during the Red Bull Stratos jump.

In addition to setting multiple world records, including the highest human free-fall at 24 miles, Baumgartner’s leap broke a YouTube record with more than 8 million concurrent live streams via Red Bull’s YouTube channel.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHtvDA0W34I&list=PLnuf8iyXggLF2b7bYQU5s2FqW1sLE1ywh&index=2&feature=plcp[/youtube]

Facebook and Twitter echoed this Stratos hype with over 2.6 million social media mentions on Sunday alone. Some popular Twitter hash tags included #Livejump, #redbullstratos, and #spacejump.

This space jump is just one more example of how social media can be used to achieve brand awareness and advance marketing initiatives, something Red Bull has been doing successfully for years.

Through flooding the web with tweets, Facebook up-dates, breathtaking Instagram images, and live stream YouTube video, Red Bull has tied its brand to one of the most globally buzzed about events of the year.

Accordingly, Red Bull leads the energy drink industry with 4.6 billion cans sold annually in 160 countries with the help of 8,294 employees. Red Bull’s progressive and engaging social media marketing strategies like the Stratos will only reap more brand benefits for the years to come.

So whether your business is an up-and-coming or an industry leader, a social media presence can do wonders for your brand. Just grow some wings and take the leap.

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