We Are Social’s Tuesday Tune-Up #122
Over three quarters of US online adults use social networks
Research by Pew Internet has found that 73% of online US adults now use social networking in some form. Facebook is the predominant platform, with 71% of all online adults having a presence in 2013, up from 67% in 2012. Interestingly, Pinterest (21%) was more popular than Instagram (17%) and Twitter (18%), while 42% of adults are active on multiple networks.
There were some findings on individual demographics, too: for example, women are four times more likely than men to use Pinterest, while 45% of those aged over 65 are on Facebook. In terms of crossover, Facebook sees the most user crossover: 80% of the users of all other sites spend time on Facebook as well, while Pinterest and LinkedIn have the least crossover of all.
Social ad spending per user rises around the world
Social network ad spending is set to continue growing until at least 2015, according to eMarketer research. In 2012, advertisers were spending an average of $5.14 per user, up to $6.18 in 2013 and forecast to continue to $6.97 this year, then $7.98 in 2015. Growth is slowing, however: compared to a 38.8% change in 2012, 2015 will see an increase of just 25.4%.
Vine launches for web browsers
Twitter’s video sharing platform, Vine, has launched its web version. This includes everything you’d expect: a home screen, plus the functionality to like, comment and share, as well as a new feature: TV mode. This allows users to view all videos in one, continuous stream.
FC Barcelona hit 50 million Facebook fans
Spanish footballing giant Barcelona has become the first club to reach 50 million Facebook fans. The figure depicts the rise of sports clubs on the network – we’ve no doubt that others will follow in their footsteps.
Target use Pinterest for ‘awesome shop’
Clothes retailer Target has created an online ‘awesome shop’, with content curated via Pinterest. The most pinned items from the company’s boards will appear at the top of the shop’s site, allowing users to easily browse the items their peers love.
Ben & Jerry’s react to marijuana legalisation
Ben & Jerry’s last week produced a terrific piece of reactive content after recreational marijuana became legal in the US state of Colorado. At the time of writing, it’s received almost 10,000 RTs and over 5,000 favourites.
BREAKING NEWS: We’re hearing reports of stores selling out of Ben & Jerry’s in Colorado. What’s up with that? pic.twitter.com/zBs8nyxZWn
— Ben & Jerry’s (@benandjerrys) January 2, 2014
Fashion brands have same-y new year
Happy New Year! Of course, it means a lot coming from us, but when four different fashion brands post the same update at roughly the same time, it ends up having little marketing value. Four indistinguishable posts were uploaded to Instagram on New Year’s Day by Forever 21, Victoria’s Secret, Gucci and Free People.
Happy New Year on Twitter
Fashion brands weren’t the only ones looking to send the same message. Twitter has produced a blog post on how people wished each other a Happy New Year all over the world, with this colourful visualisation showing the time lapse.
Tweet appears as full-page ad in NY Times
Repurposing content from social media for print, CBS Films took out a full-page advertisement in the Saturday edition of The New York Times to include a tweet from film critic A.O. Scott about the new film ‘Llewyn Davis’. The tweet was modified to exclude original mention of 2 other films. Interestingly, CBS Films violated Twitter’s Guidelines regarding endorsement without permission. We await to see if any legal ramifications take place.
Source: Mashable, Kristine Stewart
Google launches the Open Automotive Alliance
Google and a number of automakers are planning to bring Android to cars with the launch of a new group called the Open Automotive Alliance. The alliance consists of Google, GM, Honda, Audi, Hyundai, and chipmaker Nvidia, and will focus on integrating the OS into in-car systems. The potential for developers to extend their products into the driving experience makes for many exciting opportunities.
Source: The Verge
Polaroid has partnered with Socialmatic to release a camera
Polaroid is partnering with Socialmatic to develop and release a camera that will allow photographers to either instantly share their shots on “major social media networks” or just run off a hard copy using the device’s built-in instant ZINK printer. The Socialmatic features a 14-megapixel sensor up front and a much smaller two-megapixel sensor on the back for snapping and sharing selfies. Running on Android, offers the potential to extend the camera via apps and there is talk of Wi-Fi connectivity included as well.
Source: Gizmodo