Social networks continue to grow up via formalized partnerships with publishing companies and media outlets, which will definitely be interesting to watch as Facebook continues to add features for and put weight on traditional news outlets. This weeks reads include test uses of Periscope by VH1, tips for getting the most out of the Tumblr platform, and ways new technologies are allowing us to track image views rather than just page views. Happy reading!
The Verge: Facebook Begins Adding Critics’ Reviews to Restaurant Pages
In the latest “partner with publishers” move, Facebook has teamed up with Bon Appetit, Conde Nast Traveler, Eater, New York Magazine, and the San Francisco Chronicle to add critics’ reviews as regular editorial content. “Thousands” of restaurants are included in the test, and to date all published reviews have been “best of” type articles rather than negative reviews, but it’s a sure sign of how the social platform is focusing more on rich content from “traditional” publishing companies.
Live Streaming Video
Multichannel News: VH1 Raises its Periscope Profile
The potential for live streaming video apps like Periscope and Meerkat is somewhat mindboggling, from streaming live sports events to catching criminals live and in the act. And of course big brands and television shows are starting to get in on the act. VH1 has been testing Periscope as a complement to its primary programming, with some impressive early success.
Metrics
Ad Age: As Social Media Gets More Visual, Its Gotten More Invisible to Marketers
It’s one thing to be able to track all online mentions of your company, its products and related terms, but what about images that show your company’s logo or one of its products? How can we track non-written brand “mentions” in a world where visuals are as (if not more important) than the words? New technologies are making it possible to do so.
Tumblr
Ragan.com: 5 Ways to Use Tumblr to Promote Your Brand
Have you been in one of those brainstorm meetings where someone (probably someone younger) says, “Maybe we could start a Tumblr for this campaign?” Your first thought might be, “that sounds like just one more platform,” or even, “what’s Tumblr?” This article does a good job of breaking down the huge upside (420 million users) and simple, visual uses of Tumblr for brands and organizations.
