Lead: As streaming playlists have created their own centre of gravity around breaking new acts and tracks, there are mounting criticisms that this same centre of gravity benefits only acts from a handful of already-dominant nations. Just how international are playlists? And how can acts – and genres – from smaller markets gatecrash them to get […]
Tag: Snapchat
Instagram Stories may be biting into Snapchat Stories
Instagram’s ‘Stories’ feature was an unashamed copy of Snapchat’s feature of the same name: providing rolling 24-hour snapshots of people’s photos and videos.
Instagram’s version caught on quickly to the tune of 150 million active users, and now there’s anecdotal evidence that it may be hurting Snapchat.
TechCrunch claimed yesterday that a dozen “analytics providers, social media celebrities, and talent managers” had told it that they have seen a decline in Snapchat Stories usage since Instagram’s version launched in early August.
Snapchat targets nine-figure ad deals ahead of IPO
Snapchat is on a big push to boost its advertising revenues ahead of its imminent IPO, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Its report claimed that Snap, Inc “is in talks with the media-buying arms of several big advertising companies, including WPP PLC, Omnicom Group Inc., Publicis Groupe SA, and Interpublic Group of Cos., and is seeking ad-spending commitments of $100 million to $200 million for 2017 from each firm”.
It would be no mean feat if it succeeds: according to the WSJ, this would be “roughly double or triple” these agencies’ Snapchat spends from 2016. Research firm eMarketer recently claimed that Snapchat’s overall ad revenues in 2016 were around $367m.
Sandbox 171 – The Rise Of Geofilters
Lead: When we asked digital marketers what their most effective tool of 2016 was, geofilters (especially those on Snapchat) came out on top. So to kick off 2017, we’re looking at exactly how and where they are being used as well as if they live up to the grand claims being made on their behalf. […]
Snap IPO investors reportedly will not get voting power
More details are emerging about Snapchat parent Snap Inc’s plans for its forthcoming IPO. People buying shares in the company will be very much viewers rather than participants in its future strategy.
“Investors won’t get any voting power with shares purchased in Snap’s initial public offering,” claimed the Wall Street Journal overnight, citing sources familiar with the details of the IPO.
“That leaves key decisions, such as the makeup of the board, primarily to Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy, co-founders of Snap, the owner of the disappearing-message app Snapchat. The two are expected to hold more than 70 per cent of the voting power despite owning roughly 45 per cent of the stock.”
Ed Sheeran returns with two songs (and one Snapchat lens)
After a year off – give or take penning the X Factor UK single – Ed Sheeran is back in the music game this morning.
The British star has released two new songs, ‘Castle on the Hill’ and ‘Shape of You’, which are already hogging the top two slots on Spotify’s global New Music Friday playlist, as well as front and centre on Apple Music and iTunes.
Snapchat eyes up drone and AR/VR startups as acquisitions
The launch of Snapchat’s Spectacles earlier this year is just the start of the company’s hardware ambitions.
According to Business Insider, Snap Inc is mulling some new acquisitions to bolster its transition from just an app to a company focused on all kinds of cameras.
Facebook Collections could match Snapchat Discover
Facebook is working on another new feature that seems inspired by Snapchat, although this time it’s nothing to do with photos or selfie videos. According to Business Insider, the new […]
Instagram gets live video and disappearing content
The merry-go-round of social apps grabbing one another’s features continues. Instagram is simultaneously getting a little more like Periscope and a little more like Snapchat. On the former count, Instagram […]
Snapchat has filed (secretly) for its IPO
Snapchat’s parent company Snap has filed for its long-awaited IPO, although for now financial data about the company remains under wraps. That’s because it has taken advantage of US legislation […]
Snapchat selling its Spectacles from pop-up machines
Earlier this year Snapchat unveiled its Spectacles: augmented-reality glasses that could be used to record and share video. Now they’re going on sale, but not from regular shops or even […]
Facebook reportedly tried to buy ‘Asian Snapchat’ Snow
Remember the days when Facebook tried to buy Snapchat for $3bn? Three years on, the social app is reportedly shooting for a valuation of up to $35bn in its IPO […]