Mediaboss Marketing

Gen Z is totally over Instagrams identity crisis.

Earlier this summer, the social media platforms head honcho, Adam Mosseri, abruptly announced Instagram was no longer a square photo sharing app and would instead be focusing on video. The pivot widely interpreted to be an effort to keep up with TikTok drew criticism from prominent influencers, most notably Kylie Jenner. Now, it seems Instagram is looking to imitate another buzzy platform BeReal, the social media app that has users take and share relatively authentic snapshots at a specific time each day. Meta what Facebook changed its name to in a questionable rebranding attempt in light of becoming universally reviled for its past actions as Instagrams parent company, confirmed to Fortune last week that the app is internally testing a new prototype called Candid Challenge. The feature is designed to capture a photo using your front and back cameras at the same time each day. It sounds eerily familiar, and the Zoomers arent having it.

Instagram needs to stay in its own lane, Cameron Martin, 23, a community manager from Los Angeles told The Post.

BeReal was initially launched in 2020 by French GoPro employee Alexis Barreyat, and its really taken off with Gen Z in recent months. Its currently the #1 social networking site on the App Store with more than 20 million downloads. Instagram engagement, meanwhile, has decreased about 44% since 2019, a recent study conducted by Later found.

Alessandro Paluzzi, a high-profile leaker, first revealed the news of the Candid Camera prototype on Twitter last Monday, sending social media users into a frenzy. Many expressed annoyance and accused Instagram of copying a competitor.

This isnt Candid, its plandid, one Twitter user commented.

Many just seem to wish Instagram could be what it once was.

Instagram is trying to do too much and keeps copying other apps and its taking away from using the app as a place to share photos and memories, said Lizzie Belcher, a 23-year-old research associate from Boston.

Others have already made the switch to BeReal and love it and dont seem keen on supporting Instagrams latest attempt to knock-off competitors.

[Ive] been able to curate a small group of friends [that I want to see] on a day-to-day basis, Blake Johnson, a 24-year-old creative marketing project specialist Brooklynite, told The Post. Instagram doesnt have that same sort of community or closeness.

But, those lamenting what Instagram is or isnt or will or wont be may be missing the point, according to some tech world insiders.

Ben Thompson, a business analyst beloved by Silicon Valley, recently noted that Instagram has always had an ever-changing identity. When it started out, it wasnt a social media platform it was an app for adding filters to photos. Constantly mutating may be its ultimate purpose.

Changing Instagram is the most Instagram-like behavior possible, he wrote in a recent blog post.

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Instagram is trying to BeReal but Gen Z is not on board - New York Post

Short-form video content is a craze which has swept social media and offers marketers the best return on investment, according to HubSpot. So how are media and social media outfits capitalizing? This article discusses the issue in relation to Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META), Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: GOOGL), Tencent Holdings (OTCMKTS: TCEHY) and QYOU Media (TSX: QYOU) (OTCQB: QYOUF).

QYOU Media (TSX: QYOU) (OTCQB: QYOUF) operates as a media company, producing and distributing content created by social media influencers, artists and digital content creators on television networks, satellite television, over-the-top media and mobile platforms.

The company also manages influencer marketing campaigns for major film studios and key household brands.

The companys most recent earnings showed that revenue for the quarter ended 30 June 2022 came in at a record of CA$6.88m, up by 163% compared to the same period in 2021. This represents the highest quarterly revenue in QYOU Medias history.

Its another quarter of enormous year-on-year growth from the business, which has developed a unique model to capitalize on the popularity of short-form video and the exciting opportunity on offer in India.

The unique offering is a blend of social media marketing and TV entertainment. QYOU Media helps advertisers to connect with influencers on social media, while also producing TV shows constructed from the most popular Indian social media stars short-from video content.

Its a model which ensures simple creation of simple, cheap and engaging shows which are building attractive audiences for advertisers to reach out to on four already thriving channels operated by QYOU Medias Indian entertainment brand, The Q India.

The channels have found success so far, with The Qs flagship Hindi language channel being viewed by 113 million people per week, according to stats released in April. More is on the way too, with a new channel dedicated to videogames set for launch in September.

Mark Zuckerbergs Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) operates as a social technology company. The company builds applications and technologies that help people connect, find communities and grow businesses. Meta Platforms is also involved in advertisements, augmented and virtual reality.

The social media giants most recent earnings showed that the company earned $28.8bn during its second quarter, which constituted a drop of 1% compared to the same period last year. Additionally, net income was down by 36% at $6.7bn.

Meta Platforms is most notably seeking to capitalize on the popularity of short-form video through its Instagram platform. For example, the company is consistently releasing new features for video editing and sharing on the platform.

These include the July announcement of the companys enhancement of Instagrams Reels feature with new innovations such as giving users the option to preload audio and clip placeholders to use as templates in new videos they create.

However, the news from Meta Platforms short-form video technology is not all positive. Advertisers are reportedly struggling to get their heads around the Reels feature, which is available on Facebook as well as Instagram.

The company is even urging advertisers to conduct tests using rival social media platform TikTok in order to optimise their content for the platform.

Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: GOOGL) operates as a holding company and is headed by Sundar Pichai. The business, through its subsidiaries, provides web-based search, advertisements, maps, software applications, mobile operating systems, consumer content, enterprise solutions, commerce and hardware products.

Alphabet Incs latest earnings update showed that its revenues climbed by 13% to $69.7bn in the three months ending 30 June. However, the same period saw net income decline from $18.5bn in the second quarter of 2021 to $16.0bn.

YouTube ads revenue came in at $7.3bn, while the company gains further revenue from the video platform through subscriptions to its premium service. Like other social media and online media giants, the platform is attempting to get users hooked on its short-form video offering.

Alphabet Inc is achieving some success here too, having notably attracted 1.5 billion users to the YouTube Shorts feature. In order to encourage continued growth of the feature, the company put together the YouTube Shorts Fund.

This initiative is a $100m fund for distribution over the course of 2021-2022, which all YouTube Shorts creators are eligible for. The idea is, at the end of each month the platform distributes funds to the creators who have attracted the most views and engagement, essentially functioning as a reward for bringing new users to the platform and keeping them Interested.

Alphabet Inc is clearly hoping that a creator-first stance will help them win the battle for supremacy among short-form video platforms.

Tencent Holdings Limited (OTCMKTS: TCEHY), helmed by Ma Huateng, operates as a holding company. The company, through its subsidiaries, provides social networking, music, web portals, e-commerce, mobile games, Internet services, payment systems, entertainment, artificial intelligence and technology solutions. The business serves customers worldwide.

The companys most recent earnings showed that revenues had dropped by 3% compared to the comparable second period of 2021. Operating profits were also lower as the business saw margins compressed.

This is the first drop in sales reported by the business since 2008 and many investors appear concerned that Tencent Holdings Limiteds future prospects have been damaged by Chinas struggling economy.

Though social media users and investors in the West might not be clued in, Tencent Holdings Limited is another major player attempting to capitalize on the growth of short-form video.

The companys WeChat platform has short-form video functionality and with a total user base of more than 1 billion people Tencent Holdings Limited has a huge platform through which it can push this content format.

However, with the parent company now showing a downturn in revenues as well as its first reduction in workforce, WeChat might not be destined to hold the throne as the top dog in China. Indeed, its worth noting that the business faces intimidating competition from ByteDance, the company behind TikTok.

See the article here:
How Are Social Media Companies Riding the Short-Form Video Wave? - Value the Markets

In its earliest stages, the Covid-19 global pandemic forced business leaders everywhere to put domestic and international travel plans on hold and cancel their annual in-person conferences until further notice.

As creative virtual teams came to the rescue with alternative solutions that went off without a hitch, on-site events eventually returned, slowly, in the process. Although some executives may be hesitant about re-engagingeven after a few years, others are excited about their upcoming speaking engagements or networking prospects alongside longtime industry friends and peers they have missed.

Whether its sharing industry knowledge with the next generation of leaders, landing a feature interview for publication, or identifying a future potential business partner, the following Fast Company Executive Board members below are here to support their reasons for returning to the main stage as a guest panelist and how being back in the building is impacting their continued career growth.

1. GENERATE SALES

A couple of years ago, I was a guest panelist at an e-commerce event in New York, and one of the other speakers shared many of the same values as me. After the event, I made sure we connected to exchange contact information, and it turned out he owned a large sales agency. At the time, my offer was plateauing at around $250,000 a month. Three months later, I launched an offer using his sales team and I hit more than $1 million during my first month. Josh King Madrid, NFT Magazine NFTMagazine.com

2. MEET THE PRESS

Two years ago, I took part in a social impact panel for Deed. A writer from Forbes was in the audience, and they contacted me directly after via Linkedin, asking for an interview. If I hadnt put my nerves aside and stepped up for the panel, I would never have landed the article. You never know who might be in the audience and the impact they could make on your career. So, do the panel! Nina Rauch, Lemonade

3. MAKE THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS

Participation as a guest panelist can improve your growth in the market in a few ways. First, you are seen as a thought leader on the subject matter you speak on. Second, it builds awareness of you and your company to audiences who are unfamiliar. Third, it is an opportunity to establish connections and expand your network. You never know where your future client or partnership comes from. Jevon Wooden, Live Not Loathe

4. IMPROVE SELF-CONFIDENCE IN PUBLIC SPEAKING

Participating in industry events can be very beneficial for professional development in three ways. First, they allow you to hone your public speaking skills, whether on stage or just talking shop with your peers. Second, they are excellent forums to network and meet people who can be potential customers, partners, or future colleagues. Finally, they enable you to stay informed and learn new things. Chad Engelgau, Acxiom

5. GATHER NEW INSIGHTS

I have found that you are usually connected to a group of leaders that you might not normally get to meet on a regular basis. The conversations from those connections have led to insights that have helped push our own internal innovation. Mark Bryan, MA Design

6. SHARE A BOLD POV

The more you can share your point of view (POV), whether that be for the company or individually, the more you gain a following that relies on the type of thought leadership you bring. I find the best way to stand out and improve is to read the room and then be the one who is willing and bold enough to be different and unconventional versus the other panelists. Hold strong to your POV while doing this and then network afterward James Gilbert, RedRoute

7. BOIL DOWN KEY PRESENTATION POINTS

A boss of mine used to say, Pressure makes diamonds. And few things are as pressure-packed as standing in front of hundreds to deliver a presentation. But Ive learned to love that pressure. It forces me to boil my thoughts down to only the most powerful points, to balance advice and entertainment, and treat every moment on stage as a precious opportunity for my personal brand to shine. Barry Fiske, Merkle

8. IGNITE BRAND AWARENESS

Panel discussions can be tough for the inexperienced but can be powerful for growing a companys (or someones) personal brand. We use them all the time to gain international exposure in our industry. Train your internal staff to always ask, How did you learn about us? and then track the metrics on their effectiveness, because all conferences are not created equal. Dean Calhoun, Affygility Solutions

9. DEBATE HOT TOPIC STRATEGIES

The growth that stems from panel engagement is twofold. The participants will become even better at public speaking, presenting the companys strategy and debating hot issues, while also learning from others. Hearing different perspectives while expanding ones network and developing skill sets is a great way for leaders to engage with their professional community. Anna Malhari, Veris Residential

10. OBTAIN INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE

Participating in panels is a wonderful learning opportunity to engage in interactive dialogue that organically invites diverse topics, perspectives, experiences, and expertise. Panelists are a force multiplier, providing new connections across many networks with shared business objectives for cross-collaboration. Britton Bloch, Navy Federal

11. INCREASE SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWING

Being a panelist at conferences is a great way to get yourself or your company out there. Ive been a guest panelist at several conferences, which has allowed me to become more visible in the market as an individual and company. Ive also increased my social media following by over 200% because of the connections Ive made at these events. Kristin Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC

12. BUILD NEW RELATIONSHIPS

With a business that relies heavily on referrals, relationship building is essential. Often, I build these relationships in intimate settings, but I have also built powerful relationships by delivering keynotes to larger audiences. To connect in this setting, you need to bring your whole self to the stage and be just as honest and authentic as you would be were you talking to someone one on one. Camille Preston, AIM Leadership, LLC

13. STRENGTHEN YOUR REPUTATION AS A THOUGHT LEADER

Participating in a panel is a great way to build a thought leadership position for you and your company. I always try to record the panel (or ask for the recording) so I can share the questions and my answers on my personal and company social platforms and websites. This type of social proof helps people who dont know you want to learn more. And that is a win. Steve Anderson, Catalyit LLC

See more here:
13 reasons business leaders are ready to resume in-person networking - Fast Company

Snap's (SNAP 6.99%) stock popped nearly 9% on Aug. 31 after the company announced that it would lay off about 1,200 employees, or approximately 20% of its workforce, as it grapples with a severe slowdown.

Snap will discontinue its investments in its Snap Originals videos, its Minis mini-programs, its video games, and its Pixy selfie drone. It will also shut down its location-based social networking app Zenly, which it acquired in 2017, and its music creation app Voisey, which it bought in 2020.

In an internal memo, CEO Evan Spiegel said Snap's revenue had only risen about 8% year over year so far in the third quarter, which was "well below" its own expectations and would represent its slowest growth rate as a public company. Spiegel said Snap "must now face the consequences" of that slowdown and "adapt to the market environment."

Image source: Getty Images.

Spiegel said Snap's restructuring would focus its future on just "three strategic priorities: community growth, revenue growth, and augmented reality." Everything else would likely be cut. Two of Snap's top executives -- its chief business officer Jeremi Gorman and its vice-president for ad sales Peter Naylor -- also abruptly left the company and joined Netflixin that seismic shuffle.

That's a lot of information for Snap's investors to process, so let's take a breath and review its prior problems, its aggressive turnaround plans, and the potential challenges to see if its stock can recover over the next 12 months.

During Snap's investor day presentation last February, the company impressed the bulls by saying it could grow its annual revenue by more than 50% over the next few years. But since then, Snap's year-over-year growth in daily active users (DAUs), average revenue per user (ARPU), and total revenue have all significantly decelerated.

Period

Q2 2021

Q3 2021

Q4 2021

Q1 2022

Q2 2022

DAU growth (all figures YOY)

23%

23%

20%

18%

18%

ARPU growth (decline)

76%

28%

18%

17%

(4%)

Revenue growth

116%

57%

42%

38%

13%

Data source: Snap. YOY = year over year.

Snap's growth ground to a halt for three main reasons. First, it vastly underestimated the impact of Apple's privacy changes on iOS, which enabled its users to opt out of data-tracking features and ads.

Second, Snapchat likely lost a lot of its younger users to ByteDance's TikTok, even after it launched a similar Spotlight short-video feature in late 2020. TikTok also overtook Snapchat as the top social media platform for U.S. teens for the first time this spring, according to Piper Sandler's latest Taking Stock with Teens survey.

And third, the entire ad sector cooled off as inflation, rising interest rates, and other macroeconomic headwinds rattled the broader economy.

But despite facing all those bright red flags, Snap refused to officially abandon its long-term target of achieving more than 50% annual revenue growth. Analysts had expected Snap's revenue to rise 11% to $4.58 billion this year, but they could significantly reduce those estimates in light of its recent update.

Snap's net loss narrowed from $945 million in 2020 to $488 million in 2021. But in the first half of 2022, its net loss widened year over year from $439 million to $782 million. Analysts had expected Snap to post a net loss of $1.34 billion for the full year, but its forthcoming layoffs and restructuring efforts might reduce that red ink.

The layoffs make sense because free cash flow -- which had turned positive in 2021 -- turned negative again in the first half of 2022. The company was still sitting on $2.3 billion in cash and equivalents along with $2.6 billion in marketable securities at the end of the second quarter, but its elevated debt-to-equity ratio of 1.6 doesn't give it much room to raise fresh cash.

Nonetheless, Snap's decision to stop investing in new original videos, games, and mini programs altogether douses the hope that it can turn Snapchat into an all-in-one "super app" like Tencent's WeChat in China. That reversal might also reduce the stickiness of its ecosystem, throttle its DAU and ARPU growth, and erode its defenses against other social media platforms.

Snap plans to keep supporting the creation of new augmented-reality lenses, but Meta's (META 1.49%) Facebook and Instagram, TikTok, and other social media platforms have also started rolling out similar features over the past year.

The stock has already plunged about 85% over the past 12 months, and it's now trading far below its IPO price. But it still doesn't seem like a screaming bargain yet at 4 times this year's sales. It's merely reasonably valued relative to its peers: Meta trades at 4 times this year's sales, andPinteresttrades at 5.5 times this year's sales.

Therefore, I don't expect Snap's stock to make any meaningful gains over the next 12 months. Its desperate cost-cutting and the elimination of its ecosystem-expanding projects indicate it's bracing for a brutal slowdown that could easily last for more than a year. So investors should stay away and stick with more-promising tech stocks instead.

Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Leo Sun has positions in Apple and Meta Platforms, Inc. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Meta Platforms, Inc., Netflix, Pinterest, and Tencent Holdings. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long March 2023 $120 calls on Apple and short March 2023 $130 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Where Will Snap Stock Be in 1 Year? - The Motley Fool

Written by Harshit Sabarwal | Edited by Aryan Prakash, New Delhi

Social networking giant Meta is mulling more paid features for its platforms Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. It will also set up a new group for these new features, Reuters reported.

"Any new product will be complementary to our existing ads business," a spokesperson from Meta told Reuters.

The move will put Meta on the same course as other social media giants including Snap Inc and Twitter that launched paid tiers to unlock additional features.

The news of identifying and building more paid features for WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram was first reported by the Verge on Wednesday.

Also Read| Facebook Gaming app to be discontinued on October 28: Report

The group now called New Monetization Experiences, will be headed by Pratiti Raychoudhury, who was the former head of research at Meta.

Speaking to the Verge, John Hegeman, Metas VP of monetization overseeing the group, said that the company has no plans to let users pay to turn off ads and is committed to growing the ads business.

I think we do see opportunities to build new types of products, features, and experiences that people would be willing to pay for and be excited to pay for, Hegeman added.

The top Meta executive pointed out that in the long term, the company saw paid features becoming a more meaningful part of its business.

The Verge reported on Tuesday that the revenue of Meta Platforms' revenue almost entirely comes from ads. While Meta has several paid features already across its apps, the company giant had not made charging users a priority until now.

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Get ready to pay for added features of WhatsApp, Facebook & Instagram: Reports - Hindustan Times