Category: Social Media

Mumbai: The influence of social media is wide-ranging. Everyone uses it everywhere to shape culture, politics, education, careers, business, innovation, and more, whether it is your teenage neighbor who is trying to make Instagram reels, your startup’s founder striving to create a voice on LinkedIn, or your 80-year-old tech-savvy grandmother using Facebook to track-down her childhood friends.

Marketers have left no stone unturned to leverage these platforms to increase brand awareness, engage with the audience, and attract followers and buyers. Today, with total social media users equating to over half of the world’s population – 4.7 billion worldwide, brands are cashing in on this enormous market to avoid missing out on prospective customers. What was once a source to connect with your friends and family has now become a necessity and a vehicle for disinformation and negative issues.

Discovering the Cause of Stagnation

Beyond promotions, information overload, image building, and swift communication, boredom, content replication, and stagnation have emerged. Log into any of these platforms – from Instagram and Facebook to Twitter – and we know what we will get. Maybe a travel influencer or consumer brand will seldom post something out of the ordinary, but the content is analogous and predictable.

This results from the ever-changing social media trends, increased competition among influencers, and complex algorithms. It is no wonder that most accounts of individual personalities and businesses fail to perform as well as they used to, with a visible downfall in engagement, follower count, and overall return on investment. If you are dealing with such a scenario, it is a sign that your social media strategy has hit a plateau and requires a deliberate revised approach, especially to shatter the grip of the status quo!

Revival for Reversing Social Media Stagnation

Stagnancy on social media is inevitable and bound to occur now and then. Fortunately, it is possible to bounce back from this momentary roadblock. The first step to this journey begins with assessing each platform’s success by looking at relevant analytics. Is Instagram underperforming? Is LinkedIn showing slow growth? Has the engagement rate dropped on Facebook? Is there an underlying cause for this, and how can the effect of it be mitigated?

With each platform evaluated, you will have a comprehensive view of where your efforts could be improved or concentrated. An exhaustive examination of existing strategies can reveal such disparities, allowing you to re-distribute your efforts equally and effectively.

Part of the plan to revive your social media strategy also involves taking a fresh approach to your existing channels and exploring new platforms. While 2022 allowed platforms Instagram and TikTok to shine, 2023 shifted the focus to LinkedIn, Twitter, and the newly-launched Instagram Threads. The latter is still nascent; however, individual users and brands are not shying away from experimenting on the platform.

Another important part of the revival strategy entails changing your approach to content creation. Gone are the days of producing a high volume of new content every two to three hours, with little to no relevance to your audience and their evolving interests. Instead of persisting in this futile approach, revisit your existing content and give it a makeover. This could mean fixing outdated information, crediting influencers, adding better-edited videos, adding new insights, and upgrading content.

Lastly, do not undermine the importance of visual content. This year, it is all about visual content, as it has been shown to generate more engagement than any other form. When integrating visuals into your strategy, stick to your brand’s imagery and colors to facilitate recognition among users. Utilize GIFs, especially on fast-paced social channels like Facebook and Twitter. Create long and short videos like Reels and TikToks, which considerably boost engagement and attract leads.  

Dare to Zig When Others Zag

It is common for both brands and individual users to hit a social media plateau. But by innovating your existing strategies and experimenting with new channels that entice your target audience, you can revitalize your stagnant business pages and yield positive results for every social media campaign.   

The author of this article is Spicetree Design Agency founder Shiraz Khan

Mumbai: In an industry first initiative in India, REPRESENT organizes a one-of-its-kind “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) series on Reddit, the home of thousands of communities, endless conversation, and authentic human connection. Leading artists, including Armaan Malik, Anuv Jain, KSHMR, Lost Stories, Savera, OAFF, and Hanita Bhambri, have participated in these REPRESENT-organised AMA sessions over the last six months.

With a vision to give fans direct access to their favorite artists, these AMA sessions were hosted in the popular r/india Reddit community – a community with more than 1.8 million members. During the sessions, fans had the opportunity to directly interact with their favourite artists and have their questions answered in real time – completely live and candidly.  A total of six Reddit AMA sessions have been organized by REPRESENT to date, and collectively they have garnered more than 5.5 million views, and a whopping 7000 questions for the artists.

Talking about the collaboration, REPRESENT head of marketing & promotions Sidhantha Jain said, “At REPRESENT, we’ve always believed in disrupting norms, venturing beyond traditional platforms, and seeking fresh avenues to foster genuine artist-fan connections. The recent Reddit AMA series underscored the importance of authenticity and personal engagement in music marketing. The AMA interviews allowed artists not only to answer questions but also to share stories, build one-on-one relationships, as well as ensure every fan felt seen and heard. They brought a unique, personal touch to the Reddit community that transcended the boundaries of traditional media formats. Through organizing these Reddit AMA sessions, we’ve enabled our artists to connect with an audience that appreciates the meaning behind the art and relishes the opportunity to delve deeper into their favorite artists’ narratives. We’re excited to create even better experiences for redditors in the future.”

Malik’s AMA, in particular, has been one of the most popular AMA sessions in India this year, attracting over 2500 comments and 3000+ upvotes. Core to Reddit’s community of communities for over a decade, AMA sessions on the Reddit platform have firmly established themselves as a digital icon, appearing and influencing far beyond the corners of Reddit. A fan favourite of everyone from Bill Gates to India’s leading artists such as Priyanka Chopra and Ramesh Aravind, AMA sessions provide a peek behind the curtain and candid, real-time access to those who inspire, intrigue and excite. 

Mumbai: Snap Inc. is introducing Lens Creator Rewards, a new way for Snap AR creators, developers, and teams to be rewarded for building top-performing Lenses on Snapchat. India is amongst the top five markets where lenses from Lens Creators achieve the most community engagement.

This program is designed to celebrate the most creative Lenses that help Snapchatters express themselves and have fun with friends – from imaginative new looks to try on to amazing AR scenes they can explore.

Every month, a Lens Creator could be awarded up to $7,200 if they have the top-performing Lens in India, the United States and Mexico. The program is open to new and current Lens Studio community members from nearly 40 countries including India. To participate, AR creators should build Lenses and can check more details on eligibility here: Lens Creator Rewards Terms. In India, Snapchat continues to witness a remarkable emergence of AR creators from various parts of the country, constantly adding to the vibrancy of the platform’s AR community.

Snap AR ambassador and creator Pradeepa Anandhi expressed her enthusiasm, stating “The Lens Creator Rewards program presents an exceptional opportunity for AR creators to receive the recognition and rewards they truly deserve for their creative contributions. The program’s monthly cash prizes serve as a powerful motivation, inspiring both established and aspiring AR creators to push the boundaries of their imagination and offer a truly unique and immersive experience for Snapchatters. As an AR creator myself, I am eagerly looking forward to participating in this program and contributing to our vibrant AR community on Snapchat.”

“Snapchatters love Lenses built by our global AR community of more than 300,000 AR creators, developers, and teams around the world. At Snap, we’re committed to rewarding the value that AR creators bring to the platform as they advance their skills and grow their businesses through the new Lens Creator Rewards Program” said Global head of AR developer relations at Snap Inc Joseph Darko.

Over the past five years, Snap has enabled our AR community to build Lenses for brands and partners, experiment with creating Lenses with digital goods, and explore the future of AR today through our GHOST Innovation Lab and our Spectacles creator program. Today, we’re thrilled to offer a new way for AR creators to unleash new creative possibilities and grow their businesses.

With the incredible scale of AR creation and deep engagement from Snapchatters, Snap Inc. is committed to supporting AR creators as they advance their skills and grow their businesses by empowering and rewarding creativity.  

Mumbai: Lokmat Media Group proudly presented the much-awaited third edition of the Lokmat Social Media Awards 2023, continuing its dedication to recognising outstanding work in the digital media realm. Established in 2021 by Lokmat, the annual event serves as a proactive community of influencers and enthusiasts who are committed to fostering the growth of digital influencers across the state.

The selection process for the winners was a comprehensive three-step procedure. Participants first submitted their applications to compete in the prestigious awards. Subsequently, a panel of judges evaluated the contestants, shortlisting three finalists and winners in each category. The official announcement of the competition results and the names of the exceptional winners across various categories followed suit.

As the Lokmat Social Media Awards enters its third edition, Lokmat takes pride in introducing several new and exciting categories this year. The award categories include Influencer of the Year, Rising Star, Viral Creator, Beauty, Celebrity, Comic, Dance, DIY, Education, Entertainment, Parenting, Fashion, Food, Gaming, Luxury, Macro, Micro, Finance, Music, Photography, Regional, Social Cause, Tech, Travel, Health Care, Fitness, and others.

To maintain the highest level of integrity in the judging process contestants were evaluated by an esteemed panel of independent judges, each representing the top experts in the industry. Each nominee underwent a rigorous assessment based on various criteria, such as creativity, engagement, multiplatform presence, execution, consistency, trendsetting abilities, and virality.

This year’s final jury comprises notable personalities, including Humans of Bombay founder Karishma Mehta; Nikhil Chandwani, author; Madhura Bachal, renowned Youtuber (Madhura’s Kitchen) and Krishna Prakash, chief of Maharashtra Police Force one.

The Lokmat Social Media Awards commenced with a warm welcome speech from Sunjay Awate, Editor, Lokmat, Pune. The presence of notable personalities like Punit Balan, chairperson of Punit Balan Group; Saurabh Ghadge and Karan Sonawane, Orange Juice Gang; Pravin Tarde, director and actor; and Girija Oak, actress added to the allure of the event.

The evening was further elevated by captivating performances by the incredible Mentalist Vivek Desai, as well as the talented members of the Orange Juice Gang. Their enchanting acts left the audience mesmerised, making the event truly memorable.

The event was graced by the presence of esteemed individuals, including the Title partner of the event Rahul Talele, Group CEO of Kolte Patil Developers Ltd. The event was powered by Lokmanya Society Pune, Sushil Jadhav, zonal head, while Dr Sanjay Chordiya, chairman of Suryadatta Group of Institutes, played the role of the Academic Partner. Additionally, Dr Saagar Balwadkar, director of Kings Royal Riders, played a pivotal role as the driving partner of the event.

Lokmat Social Media Awards 2023 winners list is given below with the category and the winner’s name:

The Lokmat Social Media Awards 2023 serves as a platform to honour and appreciate the remarkable efforts of digital media influencers who have left an indelible mark on the industry. Lokmat Media Group remains committed to fostering a vibrant community of influencers and enthusiasts, making significant contributions to the digital landscape.

Mumbai: As the digital economy continues to grow and thrive, an increasing number of people are launching their own businesses and exploring the opportunities to make and sell their own products. Creators can be found in almost every industry, from fashion and beauty to gaming, art, video, music, design, even food. Companies realise that creators & influencers are the future and they help them to reach their target audience.

One such industry is Animeta, a Singapore-based creator tech company, which focuses on creating & nurturing digital creators by helping them grow their communities & maximize their earnings across multiple social media platforms & customized brand solutions through the proprietary Animeta AI-based Self-Service Creator Tech platform. The company offers Financial Investment, Data Analytics & Business Intelligence, Content Strategy & Creative Supervision, Brand, PR & Social Media Expertise in addition to data-driven, result-oriented & authentic brand campaigns to content creators. 

Indiantelevision.com caught up with Animeta CEO Devdatta Potnis to know more about how the company helps the digital creators in achieving their goals…

Edited excerpts

On the vision behind creating Animeta 

Animeta is a creator first company. Creators are at the center and our vision is centered around introducing the studio model to the creator economy. We aim at introducing in the burgeoning creator economy products and solutions like BRANDSTAR and our AI buddy, creator app ANI. BRANDSTAR, our AI-enabled influencer marketing platform, ensures high return on investment by enabling brands to discover and execute campaigns with the most relevant creators through advanced data-driven techniques. Another notable product is ANI is a creator content app that provides valuable recommendations, video ideas, trending content insights, channel growth strategies, and overall optimization guidance to creators.

What makes our journey truly rewarding goes beyond the fact that we are building a business in one of the rapidly growing or in better words sunrise sectors. It is the fact that we are actively involved in an enabling and empowering business, which forms the core of our company. We take great pride in fostering the growth and success of talented individuals in the creator economy. This vision has been the driving force behind Animeta from its very inception. It all started with this thought.

On Animeta catering to the increasing diversity of content creators in today’s landscape

Digital and social media is a democratized landscape. Content and creators are not bound by any genres or formats. That being said, creators specialize in certain forms of content and certain formats perform well. Here Animeta comes into the picture. We actively focus on 16 genres including food, fashion, science, technology, comedy amongst others.  To ensure the success and growth of content within these genres, we have assembled a team of domain experts. These experts possess specialized knowledge and expertise in their respective fields, allowing them to provide valuable insights and guidance to creators. While technical infrastructure, such as upload frequency, thumbnail quality, SEO etc. forms the foundation of our approach, we also emphasize the importance of the “X factor” – the art of storytelling. This is where our domain experts contribute their unique perspectives. By finding the perfect balance between science and art, we can effectively shape and present content in a compelling manner, adding diversity to the genres. For example, they might suggest incorporating comedy into a fashion piece. 

On specific tools or features does the platform offer to assist creators in realising their creative goals

One of the crucial observations we have made is that creators often encounter obstacles when it comes to content planning and production. It can be a time-consuming and challenging process, requiring hours or even days of preparation for a mere 30-second content piece. Animeta eases the work flow of the content creators using tech to give ideas, helping in quick execution methodologies and overall helping them in creating efficient processes and enabling them to overcome any hurdles they may face. We ensure that their ideas are not bound by any execution issues. As we discussed earlier, we have products like BRANDSTAR and ANI which are huge enabling factors in creator journeys. We create creator centric products which help creators achieve their creative goals with original ideas, and create a sustained revenue pipeline and sources. This ensures longevity of their career and enables them pursue a creative career. 

On Animeta providing opportunities for creators from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, helping overcome geographical barriers and enabling these creators to access a global audience

The democratized creator economy holds immense beauty in its ability to transcend geographical limitations. However, language can still pose a significant obstacle for creators. We actively address these challenges through localization efforts, ensuring that content can be adapted appropriately across languages without losing its essence. By doing so, we empower creators to expand their reach and connect with audiences. In our approach, we strive to bring a certain degree of semantics to the storytelling style and structure, making it universally relatable across different geographies. We draw inspiration from global streaming platforms that have successfully eliminated language barriers by focusing on the fundamental grammar of storytelling. By assisting creators in mastering this grammar, we place them on a level playing field. There is not much difference in creators from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, other than the fact that these creators are hungrier, have a higher entrepreneurial spirit that we enable them to harness. For Animeta, the geographical location of the creators does not really matter.

On Animeta ensuring AI technology applied ethically in a way that genuinely benefits creators

This can go on to be a lengthy answer for which this interview space will fall short. To summarize, ensuring right SOP’s being followed across all processes and loops is the only way to use AI efficiently. Ethics is something that needs to be followed at every stage, process and operating day, which is what we at Animeta believe. It is also important to note that the only way one can harness AI for the better is by following ethics and SOPS. That is how you avoid getting affected by AI’s potential perils.

Mumbai: Meta profits shot up 16 per cent with $7.7 billion in the second quarter, said the company as it released its earnings report. Revenue saw an uptick of 11 per cent, standing at $32 billion.

In Q2, Meta’s ad impressions delivered across its Family of Apps increased by 34 per cent year-over-year and the average price per ad decreased by 16 per cent year-over-year.

Meta’s ad revenue stands at $31.5 billion in Q2 compared to $28.2 billion in the same quarter last financial year.

Mumbai: The release of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, one of the most highly anticipated films of the year, has taken India by storm both on the big screen and across online and social media platforms. Barbie saw a steady increase in online mentions in recent weeks leading up to its release, owing largely to the tremendous hype generated by its quirky marketing campaigns and vivid visual trailers. This excitement peaked over the release weekend, as excited fans logged on to gush about the movie and post pictures of their all-pink outfits for the occasion – making it one of the most talked-about cinematic events of the year online.

As Barbie continues to paint the online world pink, we have compiled a snapshot of the trends and data surrounding Barbie on social media platforms over its opening weekend. This data has been compiled using the social listening capabilities of Sprinklr Insights, aggregating mentions from India across selected news outlets, and social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit.

Sprinklr Insights allows businesses and organisations to monitor, track, and analyse social media conversations and mentions related to their brands, products, or topics of interest.

Most Popular Regions

Of the 200,000+ mentions that Barbie received online in India over the last few weeks, a majority came from the metro regions across the country. The pinktacular motion picture made the biggest splash in Mumbai with over 15.6k online & social media mentions, while Delhi and Bengaluru followed closely with 12.4k and 8.8k mentions respectively.

Most Popular Hashtags

Buoyed by the sea of conversations surrounding the release, Barbie made its way to the top of the trending charts while its release date twin, the Christopher Nolan biopic Oppenheimer, took the runner-up spot. The two films, which have been affectionately given the online moniker ‘Barbenheimer,’ dominated the India trending charts throughout the weeks leading up to their opening weekend. Actor Priyanka Chahar Choudhary’s recently released song ‘Baarish Aa Gayi Hai’ also boosted her into the top five, setting up the trending hashtags list in India to look as follows:

Most Popular Collaborations

Redefining the realm of marketing, the Barbie film has launched a number of high-profile collaborations to delight fans and let them channel their inner Barbie every day. A number of iconic brands have caught the Barbie fever, unveiling vividly designed collaborations in the style and aesthetic of the film – and the fans are loving it! From clothing and makeup to tabletop and console games, here is a full list of the most popular Barbie collaborations that have gotten fans buzzing online:

Mumbai: Weeks after the launch of Threads, a lookalike app of Twitter, and its ongoing rivalry with Twitter’s owner Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur announced a major rebranding of the microblogging site. In a tweet, Musk revealed that Twitter will now be known as “X,” with its iconic bird logo being replaced by a glowing, bright ‘X.’

The move is part of Musk’s vision to create a ‘super app’ similar to China’s WeChat, which offers a range of services beyond social networking. The rebranding also includes Twitter’s parent company, now called “X Corp,” wholly owned by “X Holdings Corp.”

Here’s what industry experts have to say about the latest announcement.

TheSmallBigIdea COO and co-founder Manish Solanki

The platform has always set a benchmark with its trail-blazing innovations. With evolving times, Twitter is now ready to set the bird free. No frills or fancy designs, just a minimalist X is enough to rattle the many users. While this may divide the community, the timing of this rebranding is crucial. This could signify a significant departure from the platform’s current identity and potentially pave the way for Twitter’s evolution into a more multifaceted and innovative digital space.

FoxyMoron, Zoo Media business head-North Alin Choubey

Twitter’s rebranding as ‘X, the everything app’ certainly introduces a wave of anticipation, but I also recognize certain apprehensions surrounding this shift. While a logo change is just the surface, questions arise about how the platform will execute its vision and differentiate itself from competitors. WeChat’s success in China sets a high bar for ‘X’ to deliver a seamless, comprehensive experience to users worldwide. As Twitter merges into X Corp, concerns arise about potential disruptions or challenges during the transition. However, I remain cautiously optimistic, ready to navigate these uncertainties and collaborate with ‘X’ to harness its immense potential for reshaping digital communication and connections.

Pulp Strategy founder and MD Ambika Sharma

“I have mixed feelings about the change of the Twitter logo. On one hand, the blue bird logo was iconic and familiar, symbolizing Twitter’s unique identity. On the other hand, I understand Elon Musk’s desire to modernize it, as the current logo might seem dated and not reflect Twitter’s cutting-edge path.

The new “X” logo appears more modern and minimalist, potentially attracting new users while distancing Twitter from its murky recent past. Whether the new logo will be a success in revitalizing Twitter or alienate existing users remains to be seen. Only time will tell how users will receive the new design.”

Mumbai: When it comes to winning hearts with relatable content, Krutika has always been at the top of her game! Known as ‘themermaidscales’ in the digital world, Krutika boasts of 7.3 million followers on Instagram and 8.5 million subscribers on YouTube. The social media star has now added another feather to her vibrant cap by representing India at the NYX X BARBIE WEEKEND among global influencers. The leading professional makeup and beauty brand, NYX Professional Makeup has joined hands with Barbie to bring the magic of Barbie Land to life.

Courtesy of NYX Professional Makeup, Krutika was part of a grand welcome event and a special dinner, before gracing the pink carpet to witness the biggest movie of the year. Held at AMC Theatres in Los Angeles on the 13th of July, the exclusive screening saw Krutika in attendance as not only the only Indian content creator but the only Indian influencer to grace the event, courtesy of NYX Professional Makeup.

The much-loved fashionista also flaunted some breathtaking Barbie-inspired looks that delighted the self-confessed Barbie fan in her.

Talking about her entire experience, Krutika said, “Barbie is a warm and cherished memory of my childhood. I was honoured to be part of its movie premiere. Being the only Indian influencer to attend the exclusive event is an unforgettable milestone, and I am thankful to NYX Professional Makeup for this opportunity. I had the time of my life experiencing Barbie on the big screen, and look forward to watching it in India again”.

An exclusive talent of the NOFILTR.GROUP, Krutika has rapidly built a sprawling social media presence all across the world. Her inclusion in marquee global events like the ‘Barbie’ premiere is a testament to Krutika’s rising stocks as an Indian content creator.

Mumbai: In today’s digital age, virtual dating has become increasingly common. With the rise of online platforms and dating apps, people are connecting and forming relationships in the virtual realm more than ever before. However, many individuals find themselves uncertain of when to transition from a virtual match to a real-life date often arises. To help navigate this exciting phase of online 

dating, here are three key signs that indicate the right time to ask out your crush on a date. 

Consistent and engaging communication: Effective communication is key in any relationship,  virtual or otherwise. If you find that your virtual match consistently engages with you, responds promptly, and demonstrates genuine interest in getting to know you, it may be a sign that they are ready to take the relationship offline. When both parties are actively involved in the conversation,  it indicates a solid foundation for a potential real-life connection. 

Shared interests and values: When you and your virtual match have discovered common interests and shared values through your conversations, it signifies a deeper connection beyond mere attraction. If you find yourselves discussing hobbies, passions, or beliefs that align, it may be a sign that you have enough in common to explore a real-life date. Sharing activities and experiences together can help strengthen the bond between two individuals. 

Mutual consent: Consent is of utmost importance in any dating scenario, including virtual dating.  It is crucial to respect the other person’s boundaries and ensure that they are comfortable with the idea of going on a date with you. French dating app happn brings to you their ‘Ready to date’  feature, the easiest way to know if your match is ready to meet in real life. This feature works by asking the users if they are ready to meet their crush in real life and keeping them private until the other person also gives their consent for the offline date. Once this happens, happn lets both users know. Singles may also decide that it’s still too early, in which case, they can continue to get to know each other via messaging. This helps to solve the problem of constant double guessing about the other person being ready to meet or not. 

As virtual dating continues to reshape the way we connect with others, it is crucial to recognise the signs that indicate the right time to ask out your virtual match for a real-life date. By considering consistent and engaging communication, shared interests, and values, as well as mutual consent and enthusiasm, individuals can navigate the delicate balance between the virtual and real worlds of dating.