Blast from the past: Social network pioneer Bebo makes surprise return
Social network trailblazer Bebo is making a return to app stores this month, eight years after closing down due to bankrupcy.
WPP and TikTok strike global agency partnership
Popular social media platform TikTok has joined forces with WPP to give WPP agencies and clients special access to the short form video app’s capabilities.
Online community LoveCrafts raises $22m and acquires WEBS
LoveCrafts, an online crafts community, with millions of users across 140 countries worldwide, today announces the acquisition of WEBS, America’s Yarn Store.
Facebook beats forecasts on Q4 growth, but warns on ‘significant uncertaintly’
Facebook’s fourth quarter earnings were better than expected against a backdrop of growing political and regulatory challenges — but cited “significant uncertainty” as a problem for its massive ad revenue-generating machine.
Silver surfers now dominate social media growth
Silver surfers are the fastest-growing segments among some of the top social platforms’ audiences; users over the age of 50 are growing more quickly than any other age group on Facebook and Snapchat, according to new research.
Customer care Twitter trends: Best practices across 11 industries
Top brands reply to eight times more Tweets than typical brands on Twitter and receive ten times more mentions because customers know they will address their questions, according to new research.
Facebook News goes live in the UK
Facebook has launched its new curated news portal in the UK, marking the social media giant’s first market outside of the US.
Real customer photos driving two thirds of online purchases
Two thirds of global consumers prefer to see brands using real customer photos on social media over big money professional shots.
Facebook stops collecting iPhone app data for ads
Facebook will stop requiring iPhone app makers to feed the company their users’ personal data for advertising as it braces for a new privacy crackdown by Apple that could cut its revenue by billions of dollars.
Interview with Jonathan Abram: The man who rejected a $30m sale of Freindster to Google
In a new podcast, Jonathan Abrams creator of social media pioneer Friendster, answers questions on the past and future of digital media.
Global ad spend doubles as brands shift budgets to social
Global social media ad spend increased by 50.3% in the final quarter of last year compared to Q4 2019, but brand interactions fell by 5.4% on Facebook and 6.3% on Instagram as video ad costs continue to rise, according to new research.
WhatsApp extends update deadline amid privacy concerns
WhatsApp is extending the date to accept its new terms and conditions to May 15 from the previous date of February 8.
Biden to restart @POTUS Twitter account (with zero followers)
Joe Biden has launched a new Twitter account @PresElectBiden, after it was revealed the incoming US leader will not retain all the followers on the official @POTUS account.
Attractive social media influencers ‘can hinder the success of products they promote’
Social media influencers often use their platforms to promote new products, however new research from Trinity Business School reveals that using them to develop new products can ultimately make them much more successful.
Twitter-rival Parler removed from tech firm’s platforms
Social media platform Parler has been shut out of Amazon, Apple and Google over ‘threats of violence’, following the attacks on Capitol Hill after a Trump rally last week.
Smart mirrors top list for most desired bathroom tech
LED mirrors, bathroom TVs, whirlpool baths and japanese toilet are the most searched for bathroom tech, according to new research.
Male millennials ‘will drive future UK growth of TikTok’
While Gen Z are most frequent users, male Millennials lead the way in engagement and in-app buying, according to VidMob research
Reddit to provide third party verification around ad views with Moat collaboration
Reddit and Oracle Data Cloud have teamed up to provide independent, third-party verification around Reddit ad views.
Virtual Christmas: 49% of parents are planning a Zoom party over festive season
Nealry half (49%) of all parents are planning a Zoom party this Christmas and 6 in 10 parents are worried about their children’s social development, according to new research.
The year in review: The digital trends that shaped 2020
From the economic effects and catastrophic loss of life brought on by the pandemic to the growing climate emergency, 2020 was year many would want to forget. But beyond the tragedy and uncertainly there were many positive stories of unity against adversity – and the digital marketing sector was no different. We take a month-by-month look back at how advertisers and tech giants alike adapted to a year like no other.