Top Highlights from November 12-18!
Catch the Weekly Buzz with BAL! Discover the top social media news, creative highlights, and exciting collaborations.
TikTok introduces Symphony Creative Studio, an AI-powered platform that simplifies video creation for businesses and creators. With features like AI-generated previews, captions, scripts, and video translations, users can produce TikTok-ready content efficiently. The platform also offers avatar videos, multilingual dubbing, and daily video suggestions, enhancing creativity and streamlining workflows for impactful campaigns.
Snapchat has introduced new location-sharing features within its Family Center to help families stay connected. Parents can now request their teen's live location and receive notifications when their teen arrives at or leaves designated places like home or school. Additionally, parents can view which friends their teen shares their location with, fostering informed discussions about sharing choices. These features are rolling out over the coming weeks, aiming to provide peace of mind and enhance safety for families.
YouTube introduces Jewels & Gifts, a fresh way for creators to earn during vertical live streams. Viewers can purchase Jewels to send animated gifts, which translate into Rubies for creators (1 Ruby = $0.01). Currently available to U.S.-based YouTube Partner Program creators, this feature boosts real-time engagement and replaces Super Stickers on vertical live streams. With limited-time bonuses offering up to $1,000 extra per month, Jewels & Gifts promises an exciting new earning opportunity for creators.
YouTube introduces innovative features to boost brand engagement through Shorts and creator collaborations. Brands can now run exclusive campaigns within the Shorts feed, utilize horizontal in-stream creative, and incorporate interactive elements like stickers on Shorts ads, set to roll out to all retailers by year-end. These updates aim to provide brands with versatile tools for connecting with audiences across YouTube’s expanding formats, enhancing both reach and creativity in advertising.
A new Pew Research study uncovers key social media trends for 2024, revealing that YouTube remains the top platform among U.S. adults, followed closely by Facebook and Instagram. The study highlights shifting engagement levels, with platforms like TikTok gaining traction among younger users. Conducted with over 5,600 participants, the research also explores emerging behaviors, including increased video consumption and the rise of niche platforms, offering valuable insights for marketers and content creators.
Google’s 2024 “Holiday 100” list highlights the year’s most sought-after items across various categories. In electronics, the Dyson Airwrap and Google Pixel Buds Pro are top choices. Fashion trends feature baggy jeans and ballet flats, while beauty enthusiasts favor products like the e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter. Home and garden selections include washable rugs and cotton sheets. This curated list offers valuable insights for holiday shoppers and marketers aiming to understand current consumer preferences.
CAMPAIGNS & COLLABS
Coca-Cola’s 2024 Christmas advert is turning heads with its groundbreaking use of AI. The ad takes viewers on a heartwarming journey following a group of children creating a magical “reindeer-powered sleigh” for a friend. Seamlessly blending festive traditions with cutting-edge technology, the campaign showcases how AI can bring imaginative storytelling to life. This bold move is sparking excitement for the future of holiday advertising while keeping the spirit of connection and creativity at its core.
Starbucks’ Drink In, Breathe Out campaign brings a moment of peace to the holiday rush. Highlighting the brand’s role as a welcoming pause point, the campaign spans digital, outdoor, TV, and experiential platforms across EMEA. The centerpiece is a stop-motion TV ad that blends 3D and 2D animation, showcasing a man slowing down from the seasonal hustle with a Starbucks drink, reminding viewers of the warmth and connection Starbucks offers during the festive season.
McDonald’s festive campaign, The Gift of McDonald’s, captures the joy of indulgence during the holiday rush. In the ad, two parents spot the golden arches while Christmas shopping, sparking a kaleidoscopic light show featuring McDonald’s icons like Grimace and the Hamburglar. Directed by Nicolai Fuglsig and set to Benny Benassi’s Satisfaction, the ad highlights McDonald’s as a beacon of comfort. The campaign includes a nationwide “McDonald’s Gift Drop” with daily offers, free food, and exclusive merch via the app.
John Lewis’s 2024 Christmas advert, The Gifting Hour, follows Sally as she searches for the perfect gift for her sister. A magical door takes her through cherished memories—childhood moments, arguments, and celebrations—helping her realize the true essence of giving. Set to Richard Ashcroft’s acoustic Sonnet, the ad blends nostalgia with festive warmth. Viewers are also invited to create their own covers of the track, adding a personal touch to the holiday magic.