The headlines in the digital and social media world this week:
What has Happened this Week
Twitter Tops 100 Million Active Users Worldwide
The micro-blogging site has announced that it has reached 100 million monthly active users worldwide for the first time this month. 230 million tweets a day are sent on average, amounting to 5 billion tweets per month. Twitter also claims that half of its active users log on every day and 55% access the platform on mobile devices. The announcement comes ahead of the site’s ad products launch next month.
Facebook’s Revenue Reaches £1 Billion
The social networking site’s first half-year revenue has almost doubled, equating to £1 billion, according to Reuters. Facebook does not discuss financial matters and did not comment on the report. This year, Marc Zuckerberg’s company has faced competition from Google with the launch of the search engine’s Google+ service.
Facebook Test Friends Filter in News Feed
Facebook is testing a range of changes to the News Feed, aiming to make content in the feed more relevant. Changes include friend list filters and lists that automatically categorise friends, similar to how Google+ introduced Circles. The social network said: “Feed filters make it easy to see a selected set of friend’s updates in one place and share exclusively with them.”
What we have Learned
Twitter Prepare for UK Ads Service
Twitter is finalising the brands for its UK targeted ads service, in time for the launch in October. Launched in the US last year, the service offers brands promoted tweets, promoted accounts and promoted trends. Brands pay for a tweet to appear in a user’s timeline in order to promote their account and to pay for subjects that appear as trends. The social network is currently in talks with Vodafone, Sky and Sony to become the first brands to utilise this platform.
Tech and Digital PR Professionals Most Content
A survey of 656 in-house and agency PR professionals by recruitment company, The Works, found that PR’s in the technology and digital sector are the happiest. Both corporate (27%) and financial (44%) PR professionals were eager to change their career path. 80% of PR’s stated they were ‘very happy’ and ‘OK’ in their current roles.
Cool Stuff
Nike Reveal ‘Back to the Future’ Trainers
Nike unveiled a ‘sneaker-peek’ of a pair of new iconic trainers, made famous by the movie, Back to the Future II. Released in 1989, the movie saw Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) travel to the years 2015 and 1955. The film’s producer, Frank Marshall, fuelled speculation online with a tease on Twitter: “Something big is happening soon”. A video was later released, which created buzz and heightened discussion online. Watch the video here: http://bit.ly/pDfMn2
Fashion Trends – Facebook Commerce
Topman has debuted a store on its Facebook Page, offering shoppers a selected range of clothing and accessories. With a click, users can ‘like’ and add items to their shopping basket. This year, ASOS was the first brand in the UK to launch a transactional Facebook store. In recent months, there has been a trend in fashion brands selling products on the social networking site.
Heinz Trial Facebook Loyalty Scheme
To coincide with the launch of its new chilli-flavoured Tomato Ketchup, Heinz has created a loyalty-based campaign on Facebook. The campaign offers discount vouchers that double in value when they have been shared with friends. This is the latest social media push by the FMCG giant, which has increased its Facebook advertising spend by 20% this year. Discount vouchers are a major part of Heinz’s Facebook strategies in rewarding existing fans, as well as creating new ones.
British Airways Teaser on Facebook
The largest UK based airline created hype online this week with a 20 second video teaser on their Facebook Page. This is British Airways’ first brand campaign in more than two years. The complete ad will be premiered on 21 September and viewers are invited via a Facebook event. The latest campaign draws upon the British airline’s heritage by addressing five decades of its role and services in the aviation industry.
Where to Find More
Tips for More Video Views
Video content has become the most popular medium for online communication. Recent research found that the emotional connection of video wins over consumers. The question arises: how does a brand ensure its video touches ‘play’ by consumers. Justin Nassiri, founder and CEO of VideoGenie, highlights five tips: location; tap your fan base; share smartly; gamify; and be authentic. Read more here: http://on.mash.to/nhjGTR
10 Years of TV
On 7 September 1926, the first electronic TV was available. In the past decade, television has gone a long way with changes in audience consumption, technology, sales and choice. The average television in 2004 was 27 inches, and today, this has grown as large as 42. Check out the infographic by VoucherCodes.co.uk that illustrates the past ten years of TV: http://on.mash.to/qOezpf
