Facebook sorry for drag queen name ban
Facebook has apologised for imposing a ban on fake names, a move that particularly affecting performers and drag queens, and has clarified that it will now allow ‘authentic’ names on the social network, even if they are not the user’s real name. Drag queens challenged...Reddit gets $50m funding boost- will give 10% back to users
Social news site Reddit has won $50m (£31m) in funding from venture capitalists and investors including actor Jared Leto and hip-hop star Snoop Dogg, and is preparing to give 10% of the new shares back to the website’s users. Reddit, the so-called front page of the...Hong Kong protestors flock to FireChat to bypass web lockdown
Pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong are using FireChat to keep in touch and bypass an internet and network lockdown in the country. Watch this unedited video showing a protester using Firechat here: The app relies on ‘mesh networking’ to let users send messages to...The dual screen football fan: Match day digital habits revealed
Social media and dual screening now play a central role for the average football fan on match days, according to new research. The study from fan site FootballFanCast.com and social media agency Snack Media, reveals the habits of fans before, during and after a big...Which TV dramas generate most word of mouth? Lucan gets most social buzz
The show Lucan on newly launched ‘ITV Encore’ was the biggest generator of word-of-mouth buzz on UK TV in the past 3 months, according to new research. For the first time Nielsen and Keller Fay have combined data that shows which TV dramas are the most productive /...Facebook ads will now follow users around the web
Facebook ads have started appearing on other sites based on each user’s behaviour, as the social network looks to rival Google with a new level of targeting for brands. Facebook has rolled out an updated version of its advertising platform, dubbed ‘Atlas’, giving it...Is social shopping over-hyped? New report casts doubt on Facebook effect
There is a growing importance of digital consumer engagement, but a new report casts doubt over role of social media in shopper journeys. New research from Capgemini examining the digital shopping experience reveals mature markets such as the UK demand more control...Ad-free social network Ello aims to become ‘anti-Facebook’
Facebook has come under increased criticism for ad overload and forcing people (including performers) to use their real names. Now, a new social network called Ello has gained popularity by positioning itself as the anti-Facebook- with no ads and a more open...Bad day for Apple: ‘Bendgate’ and ‘brickgate’ spoil new iPhone launch
Apple’s record breaking iPhone 6 sales have been marred by two high-profile fails, as users flock to social media to complain about bent phones and a software update that renders their devices useless. Watch this Bloomberg video discussing the issues here: A...Amazon turns tweets into shopper wishlists with new hashtag
Amazon has expanded its partnership with Twitter via a new hashtag function that lets customers to add items to their Amazon Wish List without leaving the social network. When Amazon customers discover a Tweet from their favourite artist, expert, brand, or friend with...Twitter and TV: New metrics prove social buzz can boost viewing figures
Twitter activity can provide key insights into TV viewing for brands and broadcasters, complementing existing TV ratings, according to new research. A Year in the Life of TV and Twitter – published by Kantar Media – provides the first in-depth look at the relationship...Interaction with social network advertising: Global
This chart shows the Path to Purchase during which customers worldwide are most likely to interact with social network advertising, by site, Ql, 2014. View high quality image hereConversion rates for paid vs organic social network advertising: Global
This chart shows that paid ads on social networks have better conversion rates than organic content. On Twitter, ads were more than twice as likely as organic tweets to convert users. On Pinterest, the situation was reversed, but overall, brands using Convertro saw...Budweiser trials ‘birthday gift’ mobile coupons with Facebook
Budweiser is testing a Facebook campaign letting fans send vouchers for free Bud Lights to people celebrating special occasions. The program is currently being trialed in Denver and Chicago, and Facebook worked with Anheuser-Busch on its new promotion. The ‘Bud Light...Instagram ads launch in UK: Cadbury, Starbucks and Waitrose among first to sign up
Facebook-owned photo sharing app Instagram has launched its ads in the UK with an initial partnership with Omnicom Media Group. Seven brands managed by Omnicom Media Group agencies Manning Gottlieb OMD, OMD, and PHD have become the first to roll out ads in users’...Digital marketing ROI: Five food brand campaigns that prove digital works
How do you measure success in a digital campaign? Getting more YouTube fans, Facebook likes or newsletter sign ups is all well and good, but do these actually translate to more sales and justify the initial spend? We look back at some of the best food campaigns of the past year that show how digital success translates into real world cash.
