Top Highlights from September 10 - 16!
Catch the Weekly Buzz with BAL! Discover the top social media news, creative highlights, and exciting collaborations.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri revealed that Reel cover photos have minimal impact on engagement, as they only appear in profiles and Explore, not in feeds. While they may help with maintaining a cohesive profile aesthetic, they don’t significantly influence reach. Mosseri’s advice to creators: focus on the quality of your Reels rather than spending too much time on custom covers.
Pinterest has launched the next phase of its promotional campaign to boost awareness of its ad tools, focusing on party planning, recipes, and shopping discovery with animated visuals. Aimed at younger users and increasing revenue, the campaign highlights Pinterest’s value as a shopping discovery platform, targeting increased engagement and spending ahead of the holiday season.
Instagram has introduced a dedicated section for ‘Add Yours’ sticker templates in Stories, organized into Trending and International Hits categories. Users can easily browse and select templates with a single tap, encouraging more user-generated content and boosting community engagement. This update simplifies content creation and promotes global trends on the platform.
Snapchat is testing a new feature allowing teens aged 16 and 17 to share posts more broadly via a new content page in their profile, with added privacy protections. This update will let them post public Stories or videos to Spotlight with controlled visibility, though Snapchat must carefully manage this expansion amid ongoing scrutiny over user safety.
X, formerly known as Twitter, is moving to decouple its Direct Messaging (DM) functionality from the main app. This shift aims to improve the overall messaging experience by creating a standalone service, potentially allowing users to engage in more seamless and secure conversations. The update reflects X’s broader strategy to enhance its platform and diversify its features, aligning with the growing demand for more focused communication tools in social media.
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TikTok has announced a multiyear partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment, making it the official branding partner of the NHL’s Washington Capitals and engaging with other Washington-based sports teams. This deal includes branding on the Capitals' road jersey, the team’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, and unique programming for multiple teams and leagues. Despite ongoing regulatory challenges in the U.S., TikTok’s expansion into sports aims to enhance its connection with fans and boost engagement, especially in Washington, where many government employees work.
Google has removed a demo video for its AI Gemini product following a complaint from the National Advertising Division (NAD). The video, which showcased Gemini’s AI capabilities, was criticized for potentially misleading claims about the product's functionality. The NAD argued that the video overstated Gemini’s capabilities, prompting Google to pull the video to address the concerns and avoid further scrutiny. This action reflects ongoing scrutiny and regulation around advertising practices in the AI sector.
Adobe is set to launch its AI-powered video tool, Firefly Video, in beta later this year, building on its successful suite of Firefly AI models. The new tool promises to assist creatives and video editors by generating five-second video clips from text prompts and seamlessly integrating AI into existing workflows. Trained on licensed content, Firefly Video offers a significant advantage for marketers concerned about intellectual property issues. With features like AI-powered camera controls and the ability to expand footage, Adobe aims to streamline video production and cater to the growing demand for short-form content.
The North Face has launched a powerful new brand anthem, “We Play Different,” celebrating diversity and pushing boundaries in outdoor exploration. The campaign highlights the brand's commitment to inclusivity and challenges traditional perceptions of who gets to explore the outdoors. Featuring diverse athletes and adventurers, the ad showcases how The North Face empowers everyone to embrace adventure in their own unique way. The anthem aligns with the brand’s mission to make the outdoors accessible to all, reinforcing its position as a leader in the outdoor industry.
The BBC has launched a new platform, offering public access to its vast and iconic graphic design archive. Spanning decades of work, the archive showcases a rich history of British graphic design, featuring logos, branding, and visual identities from some of the BBC’s most renowned shows and channels. This initiative invites designers, historians, and enthusiasts to explore and be inspired by the evolution of visual communication at one of the world’s leading broadcasters. The platform serves as a tribute to the creativity that has shaped the BBC’s visual identity over the years.