Whether you’re using Facebook to share recent news about your company, telling engaging stories on YouTube, or changing people’s perceptions through intelligent blog posts, there are hundreds of social mediums that brands and individuals can choose from to connect with each other in valuable, and meaningful ways.

Chatroulette, being another one of these mediums, offers a truly unique experience.

By simply clicking the “new game” button on Chatroulette, you’re instantly placed in a face-to-face conversation with a random stranger who could be your next door neighbour, or someone on the opposite side of the world.

The website, which was developed by a 17-year-old high school student in Russia, has raised significant controversy, as much of the site’s content displays nudity, drug usage, and vulgar language. However, this hasn’t stopped both individuals and brands from engaging with the social media platform.

Take French Connection, which recently held a competition where they challenged men to “seduce a women” on Chatroulette for a chance to win a voucher for 250 pounds.

Or Ben Folds, who recently performed on the website during one of his shows in front of 2,000 people.

Note that over the course of only a couple days, this YouTube video went from 6,000 views to now over 600,000 views (update -> now over 1,300,000 views).

The social power in websites like Chatroulette is huge, and with future advances to the site, don’t be surprised to see added features like Facebook connect, geographic filters, dating services, and much, much more that will add value to the site.

But for now, if you can get past the constant cursing, unsubtle nudity, and the random individuals holding up their bongs saying “Wanna smoke?”, then I’d say Chatroulette is great tool to help individuals connect with each other, and help brands connect with their customers.

‘New Game’