Whether it’s retirement, pregnancy, divorce or election details, Twitter is being used increasingly as a way for celebrities, athletes and politicians to make important announcements.

Here are just a few of the recent notable announcements made by celebrities via Twitter:

• After 19 years in the NBA, Shaq announced his retirement via Twitter with a brief statement “I’m retiring” and a video to elaborate.

• President Obama took to Twitter to announce that he was running for reelection stating,  “Today, we’re filing papers to launch our 2012 campaign.  Say, that you’re in:” 

• Rachael Zoe announced that she was pregnant via Twitter. “Hey everyone! I want to officially confirm to my loyal friends and followers that I am pregnant!

• Pink takes to Twitter to announce birth of daughter Willow Sage Hart. “We are ecstatic to welcome our new beautiful healthy happy baby girl, Willow Sage Hart. She's gorgeous, just like her daddy. #beyondblessed.”

• Jim Carrey announced his split from girlfriend Jenny McCarthy via Twitter (I hope she knew before!) “Jenny and I have just ended our 5yr relationship. I’m grateful 4 the many blessings we’ve shared and I wish her the very best! S’okay!”

This is something that, for the most part, is exclusive to Twitter. I mean, you don’t see these important announcements being made on MySpace or Facebook. Twitter provides these celebrities with an outlet to let their fans know about something important in a timely manner and gives their fans the ability to share the message with their friends as well.

Seems as though Facebook may be taking a back seat to Twitter in the land of celebrity. Here’s a quote from Martha Stewart explaining why, “I just love it so much more than Facebook … First of all, you don’t have to spend any time on it, and, second of all, you reach a lot more people. And I don’t have to ‘befriend’ and do all that other dippy stuff that they do on Facebook.”

To quote my lovely boss Leanne Bucaro ….”Watch out Facebook!”