The headlines are particularly self-explanatory in this week’s edition of Marketing in the Digital Age.
Instagram Adds Shopping Features
Summary: Instagram unveiled three new shopping features ahead of the holiday season.
After tapping a product tag in a Story or on a post in their feed, a user can tap the save icon button which will prompt a “Save to shopping collection” option.
Branded videos can include a a hopping icon which will feature products and prices of items in the video.
A shop tab will be added for business profiles, which will also users to browse products from the retailers.
Opinion: If I were Instagram, I would go a step further and setup an affiliate sales program to take a small fee from sales originating from the platform to expand revenue. This would require making the links clickable. As a retailer, I would welcome this since it’s a new avenue from which to directly sell via clickable links (another method of paid media).
Netflix Testing Cheaper, Mobile Only Plans
Summary: Netflix is testing out cheaper mobile only plans in order to test out expansion into Asia. The first test is in Malaysia at about $4/month.
Opinion: If a company wants to expand into Asia, mobile plans are the right target given its penetration rate over smart tv’s and laptops. It also allows the company to enter at a more favorable price point in countries where salaries are lower.
Facebook Fundraisers Raised Over a Billion Dollars
Summary: Facebook announced it helped raise over a billion dollars for charities through its fundraising and donate tools. They have over a million non-profits registered in 19 countries that can receive donations directly through Facebook and over 20 million people have donated or started a fundraiser.
Opinion: I thought I would end this week’s edition on the positive that can also come from social media and community giving.