Instagram outplays Snapchat with new replay options
#SendNudes advocates and social voyeurs, here’s an update you’ll take pleasure in. Instagram has made a move to encourage even more ‘intimate’ sharing on its platform by giving users some new options to choose from when private messaging. When sending an ephemeral video or image using the Instagram Direct camera, you’ll now be able to choose whether recipients can view it once, replay it temporarily or see a permanent thumbnail of it in the chat log. On Snapchat, you can only (and always) temporarily replay videos, and users have no way to deactivate that. Probably best to keep your intimates off social altogether, but if you do choose to get lewd, looks like Instagram is your new DTF BFF.
Snapchat collaborates with Shopify and Jordan Brand for a first-of-its-kind in-app sale
To unleash new Air Jordan IIIs, Jordan Brand collaborated with Snapchat in its first brand collaboration, which lets people buy fully in-app with the help of Shopify (who’ve also partnered with Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest previously). The new Js sold out within – you guessed it – 23 minutes! Seriously, did they plan that??? Users just needed to scan in a Snapcode, which linked them to the purchase process. Would this experience have been better with an I Believe I Can Buy soundtrack in the background? I’d argue yes…
Kylie Jenner, and so it seems, Wall Street “sooo over” Snapchat
Kan Snapchat Keep Up with Kylie? Apparently it Kannot, as $1.3 billion was (allegedly) Knocked off its share price after Kylie Jenner sent a Tweet asking her (enormous) audience “sooo does anyone else not open Snapchat anymore? Or is it just me…ugh this is so sad.”
The company responded to criticism from users with a consolation Tweet – “We hear you, and appreciate that you took the time to let us know how you feel. We completely understand the new Snapchat has felt uncomfortable for many…The new Friends page will adapt to you and get smarter over time, reflecting who you’re most likely to be Snapping with at that moment. This same personalisation is also true of the new Discover, which will adapt to you the more that you use it.”
Sooo does anyone else not buy Snapchat’s Trump-style “we-hear-you-but-don’t-care” #sorrynotsorry response to criticism? And is anyone else concerned that a not-even-legal-to-drink-in-her-own-country Jenner may be influential enough to impact the NYSE? Ugh, this is so sad…
Snapchat integrates Giphy and introduces a Tabs function
It’s the social platform equivalent of turning up to an event wearing the same outfit – Snapchat has now integrated GIFs onto the platform, just like Instagram did. It’s also rolling out a new Tabs feature that will help users organise and see the Stories they want. Tabs, which is rolling out on the Friends and Discover pages, will allow users to sort through friends with active Stories, Group Chats, and Discover subscriptions.
FB moves forward with 3D posts
So many acronyms, so little time! Facebook has made it so users can now drag and drop 3D objects into the newsfeed. It is also now possible to bring them into Facebook Spaces – the VR social hangout room. Next step? Developing the objects to be taken into AR. #FB #FTW
New Anti-Facebook social platform, Vero, has users flocking
Not so fast, Facebook. A new app called Vero is on the scene, and people have been quick to sign up as the first million users are given a free subscription. So, what’s different about Vero? We’re guessing it doesn’t have 3D, but also it claims to not target users using algorithms for advertising and charges merchants when they sell products using a “buy now” feature. Vero says it only uses personal data for registration, which could attract those more privacy-conscious users among us.
The 13-year wait for Manchester United on YouTube is over Manchester United is to kick off its official YouTube channel just 13 years after the platform was originally launched. Despite its noted absence (it’s the only Premier League team not to have a channel), it is the most-viewed club in the world on YouTube. Tomos Grace, YouTube’s head of sport for Europe, Middle East and Africa noted that “The plans they have are very exciting. They want to go big.” Hands up if you think they should call their channel ManUtube.
KFC apologises about the chicken shortage in the U.K. Why did the chicken trend on Twitter? KFC found itself in an odd crisis this week when they ran out of chicken. The police were inundated with emergency calls about the situation. The London and Manchester police had to remind angry KFC fans that #KFCCrisis isn’t a police matter.
KFC recognised that an apology to its customers was due. Crafted by Mother, London, they took out full-page ads in The Sun and Metro. This ad has now been shared online, with a majority of positive reception. They were truly sorry for their FCK up.
GIFs continue to bring joy to the world.
@MartinaMartian is the original Instagram Stories GIF challenges creator. She shares a template in Instagram stories, you screenshot it, share it and populate it with GIFs in the boxes for people to get to know a little bit more about you in GIF formation. A great way to work in a fresh engagement mechanic. We launched on a client channel this week, and we don’t think it will take long for these to start appearing everywhere. How do you make your own? Click here.
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