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Fun with #FiveWordsToRuinADate hashtag game

Every hour, there is a new trending hashtag on Twitter. This week, #FiveWordsToRuinADate has been the most popular organic trend among users. Brands picked up it to and provide funny and clever additions to the conversation. 

Why this matters

As we all know, it’s important to stay nimble and present in social, as well as stay authentic. Brands had fun, stayed true to their brand and no one tried too hard. It was a natural and easy conversation starter. Brands should remember that keeping your ear to the proverbial streets is important; you’ll never know how much brand lift you’ll be able to receive. 

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Under Armour’s New Fitness Tracking App

At CES this Tuesday, Under Armour unveiled its new health tracking software, UA Record. The app is a health and fitness social network that enable users to track, analyze and share fitness activity with friends, family and strangers a like.

Why This Matters?

As of lately, community building efforts were relegated to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Social networks owned by brands have emerged as a focus this past year now that mobile technology has made a path of least resistance for users. Brands will be able to have full control of audience ownership, instead of having to pay for sponsored posts or social ads. More importantly, the consumer interactions on a brands social network will be able to provide amazing data that will help future marketing efforts

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Google Adds New Features to Hangout App on Android

On Thursday, Google updated its Hangouts App for Android, offering several new features such as visual filters and sticker pages. Most importantly, the app is now smarter, allowing users to share their location with friends on a map (and are prompted by Google to do so). Contacts will also show a “last seen” timestamp, and can integrate with users’ mobile phone contacts to import into the app. 

Why This Matters?

With this update, Hangouts becomes a stronger competitor in the Android market to popular messaging app WhatsApp, imitating features such as integrating phone contacts and “last seen” timestamps. Like WhatsApp, Hangouts only needs a WiFi connection to operate—with Google’s worldwide popularity, it can quickly serve as an alternative to users needing to communicate internationally. With additional features like video chat and location-sharing, it also offers plus-ups to other messaging apps. If Hangouts gains popularity, social platforms such as Facebook (which acquired Whatsapp) will need to strategize additional ways to differentiate their offerings.

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       How messaging apps are media distribution

As we all know messaging apps have becoming increasingly important in the social media landscape, to the point that it has become integral to Facebook and Twitter’s network strategy. Younger Millennials and the Z generation are moving away from open social platforms to more one-to-one and group messaging.

Why this matters

Brands and publishers will have to discover new opportunities to share their message. Case-in-point, Buzzfeed has committed to hire a full-time employee to determine the publication’s messaging-apps strategy.

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Wearable technology

In 2014, one in five Americans wear smart technology, whether it’s smart glasses, smart watches, fitness bands or smart clothing. This year alone, the wearable category is looking to produce 14 billion dollars in sales and balloon to 70 billion by 2024. (PWC)

As wearable technology progresses, an evolution has occurred where wearables that were focused solely on displaying information can now produce content – video and audio.

Why This Matters?

There will be opportunities to integrate wearable technologies with open application programming interfaces (API). As Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Kik, etc focus on one-on-one and private group networks, it can truly open an avenue for telling stories in new and unique ways.