This week we experienced opposite ends of the media spectrum: Fortnite launched on Android (but bypassed the Google Play Store) and the final physical edition of the Yellow Pages was delivered to UK Households. Meanwhile, Facebook is broadening their offering in several different directions, while Twitter is on the defensive over platform policy.
HEADLINES
- Facebook shut down Friend List Feeds and is likely to bring dating into the core app, with Facebook employees now testing the new feature.
- Facebook also launched AR games to play with friends through Messenger and opened up Mentorship (one of their newer features) to Groups.
- Snapchat opened up shoppable features to the top creators on the platform.
- Pinterest rolled out wider video format to all advertisers.
- Spotify is testing skippable audio ads in Australia.
INSIGHTS
- Get to know the 55 proposed new Emoji for 2019.
- Usage of #Ad increased by 44% in the first half of 2018, but consumers say they want more inventive Influencer endorsements, and 49% want greater regulation.
- How might Google’s entry change the out-of-home advertising market?
COOL
- A new Dua Lipa chat-bot uses facial recognition to send you ‘mood-based’ playlists.
- Wayfair announced the launch of its mixed-reality commerce experience with Magic Leap.
- BBC is set to launch its first Virtual Reality Prom.
DEEP READS
- Twitter is under fire for its stance on extremist profiles. This article goes behind-the-scenes on what content gets banned on the platform.
- Word from Kevin Systrom: the pivot to ‘Stories’ was Instagram’s smartest move yet.
- Nielsen believe collaboration and accountability are crucial for success in the future media landscape.