3 6 Ke·2026-01-09 03:12Core Insights - Lei Jun, the founder of Xiaomi, has a net worth of $36.8 billion, which is significantly higher than the market value of Weibo at $2.607 billion, suggesting he could easily acquire multiple Weibo platforms [2] - Despite not acquiring Weibo, Xiaomi and Lei Jun have significantly contributed to Weibo's visibility and engagement, making them a vital part of the platform's ecosystem [4][10] Group 1: Weibo's Performance and Xiaomi's Influence - Weibo has shown resilience in user engagement, with daily posts increasing from 90 million to 105 million and comments from 55 million to 63 million between 2023 and Q3 2024, while other platforms like Toutiao and WeChat have seen declines [5] - Xiaomi and Lei Jun have been instrumental in driving traffic to Weibo, with over 400 mentions in trending topics within a year, indicating their strong presence on the platform [5][6] - The advertising budget from Xiaomi has heavily favored Weibo, with over 46.8% of marketing expenses directed towards the platform during product launches [6] Group 2: The Strategic Importance of Weibo for Xiaomi - Lei Jun's long-standing relationship with Weibo dates back to Xiaomi's inception, using the platform as a primary communication channel, which has fostered a strong connection with users [11][12] - Weibo serves as an effective platform for Xiaomi to engage with users, collect feedback, and manage public relations, making it a critical tool for brand management [14][15] - The absence of a formal acquisition allows Xiaomi to maintain a more objective relationship with Weibo, avoiding potential backlash associated with content control [16] Group 3: Broader Industry Implications - The automotive sector has seen increased advertising on Weibo, with a reported 11% growth in ad spending, highlighting the platform's importance for new car launches [8] - The rise of KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) in the automotive sector on Weibo has been driven by increased investment from brands, with a 32.23% growth in KOL accounts in 2024 [9] - Weibo's unique position as a discussion platform allows for deeper engagement compared to short video platforms, making it a preferred choice for brands looking to foster meaningful conversations [14]