Weekly External Insights - 28.08.20
This week features... Facebook expands Shop, Adidas bake a cake, TikTok lose their CEO and face UK restrictions, KFC drops 64-year-old slogan, Ocado drops Waitrose and Flight Simulator nerdiness!
What Is This?
Each week, Socially Powerful get together and share industry news and what is inspiring us from The World of Social Media, Advertising, Influencer Marketing, Gaming and more...
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PLATFORM NEWS -
1. Facebook launches a Shop tab in its app, just like Instagram (+ expands it Shops product)
As a test in the US, the company is launching Facebook Shop, a tab within the main Facebook app where people will be able to find products to purchase within the app. At the same time, the company is expanding its Shops product to all eligible businesses globally, along with new customization options, messaging, insights and live streaming. Via The Verge.
BRAND DOING COOL THING -
2. Adidas jumps on ‘Everything Is Cake’ meme with hyper-realistic sneaker creation
The brand has created a limited set of hyper-realistic chocolate cakes that look exactly like pairs of Adidas Originals ZX 2K Boost sneakers using chocolate ganache-coated sponge cake, yellow buttercream and orange flavor. Adidas’ tasty sponge sneakers were made available to residents of Whitechapel, East London, who could order them via Deliveroo. Via Adweek.
NERD NEWS -
3. Microsoft Flight Simulator players are flying into Hurricane Laura
Microsoft Flight Simulator players have turned into virtual stormchasers this week, hunting down Hurricane Laura as it approached the US Gulf Coast. The real-time weather inside Microsoft Flight Simulator is providing a surreal spectacle for players. Via The Verge.
INDUSTRY NEWS -
4. TikTok chief executive Kevin Mayer resigns after Trump's call to sell US assets
TikTok’s chief executive, Kevin Mayer, has quit less than three months after he joined from Disney to lead the next stage of its expansion, amid a “sharply changed” political environment and with Donald Trump accusing the Chinese-owned video app of threatening national security. Via The Guardian.
OP ED -
5. Why KFC isn't stickin' with its famous finger lickin' slogan... for now
KFC whipped up headlines by censoring Colonel Sanders’ 64-year-old 'finger-lickin’ good’ slogan in its latest ads. As the UK campaign is rolled out across the globe, Kate Wall, head of advertising at KFC UK explains why the chicken chain has put all of its eggs in one basket. Via The Drum.
PLATFORM NEWS:
6. TikTok faces restrictions in UK, launches new 'Not Going Anywhere' merch
As negotiations over the app's future continue in the US, the UK Government is reportedly leaning towards implementing restrictions on TikTok, due to data gathering and sharing concerns, as opposed to following America's lead and imposing a full-scale ban on the app in the region. Via Social Media Today.
BRAND WARS -
7. Waitrose vs. M&S: The brand battle for Ocado shoppers
From next week the middle classes will have a condundrum on their hands. Ocado is ending its 18-year partnership with Waitrose, replacing it with Marks & Spencer. Percy pigs are going online and both supermarkets are battling it out to be middle England’s favourite online supermarket. Via Marketing Week.
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Lloyd Williams, Head of Strategy @ Socially Powerful.