Updating your mates on your stories, adding that all-too-familiar dog filter with the floppy tongue and or beautifying yourself with big eyes and a flower crown, sound familiar? It’s what Snapchat’s about right? And it’s all fun and games until, that is, Snapchat makes updates, unbeknownst to you and its other X million users.
The controversial new Snap Map allows you to see exactly where mutual friends are and what they’re doing; whether that’s the location of where they’re driving or sleeping, it’s an undoubtedly ‘stalky’ way to keep tabs on people in already ‘stalky’ social media culture. The new map was met with major scepticism especially from parental groups and advocates of child safety which led the US based company to issue the following statement addressing such concerns: “With Snap Map, location-sharing is off by default for all users and is completely optional. Snapchatters can choose exactly who they want to share their location with, if at all, and can change that setting at any time.
“It’s also not possible to share your location with someone who isn’t already your friend on Snapchat, and the majority of interactions on Snapchat take place between close friends.”
It has certainly caught the attention of the UK media even Nadia Sawalha of Loose Women stressed her worries of the safety of children on the show, after posting a video on her personal channels warning parents about the new update.
It’s possible to argue that these kinds of updates can heighten the paranoia that social media is adding to younger generations and allowing unknown users (people who might not be true friends) on the channel to follow you around if Location Services or ‘Ghost Mode’ aren’t switched on, and then there is a potential threat. However, some people have welcomed the update, coining it as ‘cool’ due to the use of heat maps and the ability to publicise your story wherever you are, as well as being able to avoid people you might not want to see and we all know that feeling!
Scouting the floor of Lucre HQ, it seems we rarely leave our location services on but if you do – who’s watching?
Unless you’ve been very disconnected from social media the past six years, you will no doubt be aware of the popular photo-sharing app Snapchat and its infamous filters. First came the funny filters, then Snapchat story and now Snap Inc have launched their very own recording sunglasses – Snapchat spectacles.
They may look like your normal shades, but the specially adapted buttons on the glasses allow you to record and take pictures from a camera embedded in the lenses. The pictures and videos then go straight to your Snapchat account, meaning your followers get a virtual view of your world wherever you go.
The product was first brought out in the US last year and caught the eyes of the UK public when the BBC followed a UK surgeon as he used the spectacles to live stream one of his operations.
Now the high-tech glasses have been launched in the UK and you can get your hands on them for around £129.99.
At Lucre we know the importance of keeping up to date with social media networks like Snapchat and how they can provide our clients with access to an audience they have never reached before. We also believe that creating customised content is key in keeping up with the latest trends.
Recently in Leeds the local branch of Health Education England used the Snapchat filters to help persuade young people to take a look at NHS apprenticeships as an option for them.
And where Snapchat leads other social networks are hot on their tails as we have already seen with Facebook adding filters to their camera and the ‘your story’ feature, likewise Instagram with their Instagram stories. So with that in mind, it will be interesting to see what follows from the social networks and their loyal band of followers obsessed with documenting every moving moment of their lives!
Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38314539
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/how-snapchat-filters-could-attract-new-nhs-apprentices-in-leeds-1-8422438
You can purchase your spectacles here: https://www.spectacles.com/uk/
The Valentine’s hype hit us hard this week with countless brands all competing to win the hearts of their audiences using clever stunts and creative campaigns.
As expected, the M&S Dine in for Two deal remained a popular talking point ensuring that shelves in the retailer’s food aisles were stripped bare by supper time. Competing for the quirky content title, Dominos launched novelty pizza engagement rings and Poundland created a £7 meal for two (including meatballs avec Pot Noodle on the cards). In fact, throughout the food and leisure industries there were countless examples of Valentine’s campaign coverage in mainstream and social media alike.
But what about those outside of the gift or food markets? How do companies based in the tech sector still woo the public (and media) without a clear link to wining and dining or traditional romantic treats? The answer is simple, they provide content/services that people can use to enhance the day itself. Rather than dedicated discounts or dramatic dresses made of rose petals, they use innovation to grab our attention and enhance our experience. After all, that’s what technology is all about.
Some of our favourite examples included a Valentine’s themed filter from the photo sharing app Snapchat, providing its users with an opportunity to create themed-content for their feeds. Tech giant Apple also surprised us with a great Valentine’s upgrade from our favourite voice controlled PA Siri. From reminders to pick up flowers and romantic restaurant suggestions to cheeky chat up lines, it had lots to offer those hopeless romantics among us.
For us, this just goes to show that you don’t always have to be at the ‘heart’ of an occasion to make the most of it. Technology isn’t always seen as the most romantic of sectors. However, as long as you create your campaign from a consumer-led insight, habit or need, the opportunities are endless whatever sector you are in!
