© 2014 Media Storm LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Digital Trends:

October 3rd, 2014

© 2014 Media Storm LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Facebook Officially Launches The Mobile Like Button

What is it?Facebook officially launched a method for developers to include the “Like” button within their apps. The “Like” button has been prevalent across the web to bookmark/share content. With the increasing usage of mobile apps, Facebook is now able to gain data from the implementation of this “Like” button.

How does it work?Examples provided include “liking” an in-game achievement and

sharing it with friends. Users can also be driven to like app developer pages, in-app videos, articles, e-commerce pages, or any other piece of content available. Users are quickly taken to the Facebook app to confirm the “like”, and then returned to the app.

Opportunities?As with any page on the web where the button is implemented, in-app likes are saved to a user’s profile through Facebook’s“Open Graph” API. The increasing presence of the “Like” button allows for more data sources to improve targeting across the network.

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© 2014 Media Storm LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The Washington Post Takes Native Advertising to Print

What is it?The Washington Post published its first native ad in print for Shell in Thursday’s print edition. The sponsored ad ran on page A13 and highlighted ways to maximize fuel efficiency, and how Shell can help. The native ad is integrated among other editorial stories on the page featuring the light yellow background shading and “sponsor generated content” labeling.

How does it work?WP BrandConnect, similar to Forbes’ BrandVoice, is an extension that connects marketers with the Washington Post audience through sponsored articles. Other news publications, such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, have reluctantly started running native ads online but haven’t in print yet.

Opportunities?Deeper partnership between digital and print teams to create a unified storytelling strategy across platforms.

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© 2014 Media Storm LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Adam Sandler Signs Exclusive Deal with Netflix

What is it?Happy Madison Production Company has an exclusive deal with Netflix to release four feature films exclusively on Netflix’s platform.

How does it work?Netflix, the world’s largest subscription video service with customers in over 50 countries, has been successfully dabbling with content creation. With the success of their Netflix Original shows, they are now expanding into exclusive movie deals. Adam Sandler signed a 4 movie deal where the films will be exclusively available on the platform. Netflix executives say they jumped on the deal mostly due to Adam Sandler’s content being so popular on Netflix at a worldwide level. Another deal surfaced recently with Netflix and The Green Legend where the movie will release to Netflix customers concurrently with it’s release in IMAX Theatres.

Opportunities?Netflix is demonstrating its ability to take the place of the old “Direct To DVD” model with more cache, similar to linear integrated programming like HBO Originals. Entertainment Studios compete with Netflix, but should also see this as an opportunity for creative/distribution partnerships.

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