While You Were Sleeping - Social Media and Marketing News Roundup
Today in social media and marketing news...
Instagram is upping the ante, Bitstrips is set to take over the world and Scottish people love their crazy soda ads featuring elderly orgies and transexual 50s housewives.
Instagram Tells Twitter to “Bring It”
In a move that ultimately plays out in my mind as a Toros vs Clovers showdown, Instagram has introduced a new private messaging feature throwing down the proverbial gauntlet to tech-giants Twitter.
Users will be able to send messages to up to 15 people at once in a new feature called Instagram Direct.
Kevin Systrom, the chief executive of Instagram, say the new messaging feature is "a simple way to send photos and videos to your friends". Meaning you can now privately spam your friends with photos of your breakfast.
Instagram users can gain access to the update by downloading the latest version of Instagram from either the Apple Appstore or the Android Play Store.
Bitstrips - Still the Most Annoying Thing Ever only $3 Million Richer
If you feel the Facebook-spam Bitstrips has become the bane of your existence ever since your Aunty Doris discovered the “adorable” online web comic and started Bitstripping her feelings/responses to everything than you will be none to pleased to hear that they have just pulled together a $3 million investment round.
'Bitstrips has been on a bit of a tear lately, too: In the past two months alone, users have created over 30 million avatars on the service. The idea is that you use the app to create an avatar (which sort of resembles a Nintendo Mii) to use in comics that can be assembled quickly using pre-made elements via an easy-to-understand composer. You can use your friends, too, and the team pumps out new scenes daily so it appeals to a group with a wide range of creative impulses.'
Scottish Soft Drink Commercials are Crazy and Hilarious
IRN BRU has to be the most Scottish name ever for a soft drink. The commercials for every Scotsman’s favourite soda are equally Scottish - and absolutely mad. Marketing and media news is a bit slow today; so whilst this isn’t anything new it is rather hilarious.
“It’s fizzy, it’s ginger, it’s phenomen-ahhhhhrrrrl.”