How LinkedIn overcame challenges to become a record-breaking social media platform

By Rachel Swatman
Published

Guinness World Records was thrilled to present LinkedIn with an official record at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in June.

15 years after it was launched, LinkedIn has accumulated an incredible 260 million monthly active users, making it the world’s Largest professional online networking site (as of April 2018).

LinkedIn operates a global professional network with more than 562 million registered members in over 200 countries and territories.

We caught up with Josh Graff – LinkedIn’s UK Country Manager and VP Marketing Solutions – to discuss Cannes Lions, the challenges of running a social media platform and the best pieces of content he’s seen.

"LinkedIn has changed almost beyond recognition since 2002, when it first launched," said Josh.

From a simple business networking site, millions of members now use it in many ways – from recruitment to content.

Official Guinness World Records adjudicator Kimberley Partrick was on hand at Cannes Lions to present Josh with a certificate.

"I was obsessed with the Guinness World Records book when I was a kid. From the person with the longest fingernails, to the fastest person on Earth, the fastest animal on Earth, I consumed that book at a crazy pace."

Asked what record title he’d like to break next, Josh mentions the Most marmite eaten in one minute – a record currently held by Germany’s Andre Ortolf.

"I love it. It’s definitely a record I would consider breaking."

More from Cannes Lions:

Speed texting record broken at Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity

Transparency, trust, talent and tech: Has Cannes Lions grown up?

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