Threads: Instagram’s New Twitter
First Facebook, then Instagram and WhatsApp. Now, we can add the Threads app to Meta's social media roster. Threads (available on both Android and IOS) is an extension of Instagram, but it's a Twitter dupe, only with a much more uplifting undertone. Like Twitter, it aims to get users to strike up a dialogue online, sans one of the web's most essential elements used to connect users to their interests—the hashtag. Hashtags are keyword phrases followed by the hash symbol, that enables online users to follow relevant information on a subject. With no way to look up topics on your own, Threads is powered by bright minds who strike up engaging conversations, and the individuals that interact with those who do. Toodaloo, Twitter Can there only be one popular text-based conversational app? As Twitter hangs on by a thread, Meta creates its own. Its simple, yet very familiar interface consists of a minimalist-style dashboard with a scroll-down style (that is very similar to Twitter's) intuitive menu. Why It Works Although Threads is a direct competitor of Twitter, it lacks many of the features that make Twitter distinct. Some of these several features include: Ads/Monetization Audio (Twitter Spaces) Direct messages Hashtag search capabilities Language translation Lists Polls Timeline customization Trending hashtags Getting Started With Threads by Meta For those who have yet to dip into the Threads pond, you're probably wondering if Threads is worth mastering, or if it will be just another fad. One of the advantages of using Threads is it's simple to use and with minimal features, it's also easy to grasp. As you navigate the app, here are some good tips to consider: You can add up to 500 characters of text You can add links You can add up to 10 photos or videos to create a carousel You can upload videos that are up to 5 minutes long You can upload GIFs (using a GIF keyboard or downloaded GIFs) Your video will display as 9:16 Your blocked list will be automatically transported to Threads Secret Threads Features While the Threads app appears to be simple and straightforward, there are some hidden features available that can also add more excitement to your experience on the app. You can modify who you receive likes and replies from (Settings - Notifications - Threads and Replies) You can receive reminders to take a break from Threads (Settings - Account- Take a Break) Mute profiles and view a list of the accounts you have muted (Settings - Privacy - Muted) View all of your interactions with Verified users you follow (Profile - Toggle from Threads to Verified) Exploring Threads on Your Own There's a new social media app in town. The Threads app by Meta is Twitter, but without the flashy ads, loud opinions, and drama. Oh, and without the hashtags. That means, you can forget navigating through the app for easy access to interest-based content. The beauty of Threads is that digital hustle and bustle of browsing through a sea of ideas and personalities (mostly from people who used to be minimized down to photos and...
Meet Google Pixel 7 Pro: iPhone’s Friendly Rival
For years, the Apple iPhone has remained undefeated in the smartphone industry. Just last year, Counterpoint Research released a list of the Global Top 10 Best-Selling Smartphones and Apple iPhones dominated the top 3. In fact, 8 out of 10 of the highest-selling smartphones were born by the Apple brand. Now a new phone by Google has emerged claiming to be superior in many areas. Meet Google Pixel 7! #BestPhonesForever: Plateau https://youtu.be/MIeJ-etE36o Plateau is all about the iPhone's 14th birthday. and in this scene, the iPhone confides in Google Pixel on its glory days and basks in memories of when it used to be the phone of choice for consumers. Funny, according to our research, it still is. "When I was your age, people were showing me off to their friends," said the iPhone. But it wasn't only the popularity of the iPhone that is being challenged. In the commercial, the Phone is no longer considered the cool phone on the block, thanks to these features from the Google Pixel 7: Clearer higher-quality photos Astrophotography mode Call assist 30x zoom #BestPhonesForever: Lifesaver https://youtu.be/0LD5yMUf6KA Lifesaver is all about promoting the Google Pixel's Battery Share capabilities. When iPhone dies, Google Pixel saves its life by jumping on top of it and using its innovative new feature to recharge its friend's battery. This is one of several features the Google Pixel 7 is built with that no iPhone model has, but is it enough to convert loyal Apple iPhone users? Sketchy Wifi https://youtu.be/vv5xN1m-LIM Sketchy Wifi aims to promote the Google Pixel 7's new build-in VPN feature. Unlike iPhone, Google Pixel 7 claims it can safeguard your information from hackers, positioning the smartphone as a safer option for consumers. Is our fear of being hacked strong enough to make the switch from iPhone to Google Pixel? Seeing Stars https://youtu.be/QZ0zoWkzCvE Seeing Stars promotes the Google Pixel 7's astrophotography mode, a feature Apple iPhones lack. But in a world of technology-addicted humans, that could be a hard sell. While astrophotography sounds cool, it may not be as common as Google makes it seem. #BestPhonesForever: Opening Up https://youtu.be/SQStRSw0Fvw "Do you ever wonder if there's something bigger out there? Something just totally new?" When the question was posed in Opening Up, it was revealed that the Google Pixel has an innovative new feature. In the process, a few more of Google Pixel 7's latest features were also revealed: A magic eraser that can remove undesirable from your pics. A VPN that keeps your info safe. A folding phone version of the Google Pixel 7 is available. While a folding phone may be new to Gen X, this is nothing new to users of the classic 90s flip phone, or the ever-so-popular Blackberry Flip phone. Why It Works Who's scared of a little competition? Consumers aren't. One of the reasons this advertisement works is because it shakes up the market, giving other competitors and consumers hope that a change for the better is on its way. Whether it is or isn't, the excitement of a new product on the market keeps people on our toes and gives us something...
Jeremy’s Chocolate: Ha, Ha, Hershey’s
For years, Hershey's chocolate has been America's favorite. But there's a new chocolate brand in town and it isn't afraid to position itself as Hershey's unfriendly rival. In "celebration" of International Women's Day, Jeremy's Chocolate launched its first anti-Hershey's campaign, introducing its very own line of chocolates and solidifying its brand as a market competitor. https://youtu.be/ww5Lf97hXQM Why It Works For starters, it works because it's a commercial about chocolates, even though it isn't really about chocolate at all. It becomes clear when in the commercial, they let the audience know that one of their chocolate bars has nuts and the other does not (and to buy Hershey's chocolate if you can't tell the difference). Yikes! It's also a very bold move to position your brand as the direct opposite of Hershey, America's favorite. In the commercial, Jeremy's Chocolate takes its stand as a conservative chocolate alternative, that is tired of Hershey's oh-so-liberal marketing agenda, so it constructed a unique one of its own. In marketing, this is called brand competition, or a rivalry between two brands that operate in the same market. When a company establishes itself as a market leader, or has a very high market share in an industry, they gain a competitive advantage—which makes it difficult for similar brands to win over consumers. At times, striking up a brand competition can be one of the best strategies to get your product or service noticed by your target audience. But if you're going to start a brand war, it can only be effective if you've done your research and mastered the art of knowing what your audience wants and will respond well to. They're Real Chocolates Image from Jeremysrazors.com I initially chalked this up to be a joke or a spoof, but this is a real chocolate brand. While it is very comical, it is also a brilliant strategy and there is certainly an audience for it. Why? Chocolates are like people, everyone has a preference. For the record, saying you like vanilla or toffee when we're talking about chocolates isn't considered a preference. But liking your chocolate with nuts, or no nuts is, isn't it? According to Jeremy's Chocolate, Hershey's doesn't think so. So they are introducing two viable options to their customers: HeHim bars (with nuts, how else) and SheHer bars that are made without nuts, of course. What do you think of this advertisement? Whether it takes a stance you agree with or not, do you feel it is persuasive enough for its target audience to buy into it? I would love to know. ...
Best 2023 Super Bowl Commercials
Around 70 exciting new commercials are generally run each year during the Super Bowl. Every advertisement may not stand out. But the ones that do are treasures we can enjoy all year long. Did any new commercials catch your eye? Here are some of my favorite 2023 Super Bowl commercials that are just too good to be forgotten. Clueless: Rakuten Clueless, Rakuten Commercial (2023) In the words of Alicia Silverstone, "You have to be butt crazy not to shop at Rakuten." This commercial is a blast from the past and reenacts a nostalgic moment from the classic 1995 movie Clueless. As we enter a new year and fear of the unknown starts creeping out, sometimes you just want to see something familiar that can provide you with comfort in this new space. Rakuten created one of the best 2023 Super Bowl commercials by using an effective marketing strategy called nostalgia marketing. Nostalgia marketing taps into an audience's fondest memories of classic pop culture moments and evokes those positive emotions to connect them to a brand. Now when Clueless fanatics like myself see this commercial, we'll think of Rakuten, and we'll want to go shopping. Watch the Commercial The Roast of Mr. Peanut: Planter's The Roast of Mr. Peanut Commercial (2023) Who knew there was more than one way to roast a peanut? In this Planter's Nuts commercial, The Roast of Mr. Peanut, featuring: Atsuko Okatsuka, David Lucas, Frank Castillo, Jeff Ross, Natasha Leggero, Sarah Tiana, and Yamaneika Saunders, entertained us with a little dry humor to roast Mr. Peanut to smithereens. What makes it one of the most memorable 2023 Super Bowl commercials is its clever use of wordplay. In promotion of Planter's Dry Roasted Peanuts, we were able to watch the brand's dedicated mascot take the heat and practically everything from its fashion sense to its inability to pair well with certain desserts was put on the chopping block. Watch the Commercial Saving Sawyer: Amazon Saving Sawyer, Amazon Commercial (2023) Dogs are just like humans. That's why when Amazon centered its commercial around the family pet, it tugged at our heartstrings and earned its badge as one of the best 2023 Super Bowl commercials. Fur babies are no strangers to the world of marketing and advertising. In fact, studies show there are psychological benefits to why several of the world's favorite advertisements include animals. According to (Lancendorfer et al., 2008) the presence of an animal triggers positive emotions in those who view the advertisement. This is especially true for viewers who have animals or have a love for them. Sawyer, Amazon's 2023 Super Bowl commercial's protagonist, quickly went from being a good boy, to becoming the villain. The whirlwind of emotions you experience as you see life through the eyes of the family pet is what makes this commercial one of this year's best. Watch the Commercial Breaking Bad: PopCorners Breaking Bad, Popcorners Commercial (2023) In Pocorner's 2023 Super Bowl commercial, it revived memories of...