Top Highlights from September 24 - 30!
Catch the Weekly Buzz with BAL! Discover the top social media news, creative highlights, and exciting collaborations.
Pinterest has launched two new features for its collage tool: Collage remixing and Collage sharing. Collage remixing allows users to build on existing collages, fostering creativity and collaboration, especially popular among Gen Z. College sharing enables users to download and share their creations as videos across social platforms. These updates aim to enhance user creativity and make it easier to showcase collages, a popular interactive format introduced in 2023.
YouTube has expanded its conversational AI tool to all US Premium members, initially introduced to a limited group in November. Available on Android, the tool features an “Ask” button below videos, allowing users to ask questions, find related content, and explore topics without pausing playback. This update aims to enhance engagement and improve content discovery. YouTube is actively seeking feedback from Premium members and creators to refine the tool and improve its functionality. This rollout highlights YouTube’s focus on AI-driven features, creating more interactive and personalized experiences for users.
TikTok has announced the closure of its music streaming app, TikTok Music, at the end of November 2024, following operational challenges and limited user interest. Originally launched in India in 2019 under the name “Resso,” the app was later rebranded as TikTok Music and expanded to Brazil, Indonesia, and other regions. However, the app struggled to compete with established music streaming services. Users can transfer playlists until October 28 and request refunds until November 28. TikTok will now focus on enhancing music engagement through its main app, benefiting artists and the music industry.
X (formerly Twitter) is planning a major change to its block feature, allowing blocked users to view public posts from accounts that have blocked them, while still preventing engagement. Elon Musk confirmed this update, emphasizing the public nature of posts. This shift could affect user privacy and content management, sparking conversations about how users handle visibility and engagement on the platform. There is no specified timeline for the change, but users are encouraged to stay informed and adjust their privacy settings as needed.
At its Meta Connect event, Meta emphasized new AI and AR developments, launching the Llama 3.2 AI model and upgrades to Ray-Ban smart glasses, alongside AI-powered avatars and automatic dubbing on Instagram and Facebook Reels. While Meta continues to push VR with its new Quest headsets, experts doubt VR will go mainstream due to its limited appeal. CEO Mark Zuckerberg highlighted the company’s commitment to AI and AR as the future of human connection, signaling a shift away from the metaverse-first focus of previous years.
Instagram has introduced 38 new stickers for Stories and Reels, including popular designs like hearts and days of the week, offering more creative ways to connect. Additionally, the platform has relaunched its “Emoji Pong” game, allowing users to challenge friends through direct messages with updated features and a refined interface. Aimed at students returning to school, these fun updates, while not major, bring fresh interactive elements to enhance engagement on the app. The features are available now in the latest version of Instagram.
CAMPAIGNS & COLLABS
Woolmark has launched the second ad in its 'Wear Wool, Not Waste' campaign, depicting a zombie apocalypse where discarded synthetic clothing haunts the planet. The dramatic spot highlights the environmental dangers of synthetic fibers, with projections showing they will make up 73% of fiber production by 2030, and polyester garments taking over 200 years to decompose. Shot in Cape Town using CGI and air-pressure cannons, the ad serves as a stark reminder of the lasting impact of synthetic clothing waste, with future campaign chapters set to explore solutions like wool’s biodegradability.
领英推荐
Five years ago, the company announced its work on augmented reality (AR) glasses. Today, they unveiled a new prototype called Orion. Orion bridges the physical and virtual worlds, aiming to offer users enhanced digital experiences while remaining connected and efficient in daily life. The glasses feature large holographic displays and AI capabilities, all within a lightweight design. Following the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, Orion combines a large display and AI support in a compact form. Currently in development, the product is expected to be made available to consumers in the near future.
Gemini for Google Workspace is an AI tool integrated into popular applications like Gmail, Docs, and Drive, allowing users to save an average of 105 minutes per week while improving work quality. Currently available in Workspace Business, Enterprise, and Frontline plans, Gemini offers robust data protection and security. Additionally, Google is launching a new Security Advisor to help organizations tackle cyber threats, enhancing overall security. Gemini is certified according to industry security standards, making it a reliable AI solution across various sectors.
Perplexity is working with Nike and Marriott to challenge Google’s dominance in the $300 billion digital ads market. This innovative system will allow brands to bid for “sponsored” questions featuring AI-generated answers that have been approved by advertisers. Set to launch by the end of the year, Perplexity plans to charge over ￡50 for every 1,000 impressions, positioning itself as a cost-effective alternative to Google. The success of this initiative will hinge on scaling up operations, as Perplexity recently reported 250 million queries in July alone.
Spotify Advertising has launched a new experiential OOH campaign in London, transforming iconic red phone booths into festive winter wonderlands to showcase the power of audio and video for brand engagement. The ‘Q4 is Calling’ activation highlights how consumers start streaming festive music and shopping early, with one in four Spotify users beginning their gift buying in October. Marketers are encouraged to use multi-format campaigns, leveraging Spotify’s data to engage users effectively during key moments in the holiday season, particularly with Gen Z, Spotify’s fastest-growing audience.
Burger King’s new ‘Bundles of Joy’ campaign highlights the joy of a mother’s first meal after childbirth, inspired by a Mumsnet survey showing that 39% of mums found their post-birth meal unforgettable. Launched on September 26, the day most babies are born in the UK, the print ads feature new mums enjoying burgers while cradling their newborns in the hospital.
In Uber Eats’ latest ad, Matthew McConaughey humorously suggests that football was invented for food, pointing out playful connections between the sport’s terminology and culinary references. The ad, which debuted during Thursday Night Football, is the first in a series planned for the season, aiming to entertain viewers while promoting Uber Eats’ game day deals and delivery services.
Milk-Bone and Jif have teamed up to create Milk-Bone Soft & Chewy Peanut Buttery Bites, the first dog treat made with real Jif peanut butter. The campaign, led by BBH USA, includes a humorous short film where a model hilariously rejects a peanut butter-scented perfume in favor of the new dog treats. This collaboration is part of Milk-Bone’s ongoing ‘More Dog’ initiative, celebrating the bond between dogs and their humans. The campaign features TV ads, social media promotions, and influencer partnerships, with a national expansion planned for February 2025.