Despite issuing an apology just hours after updating its terms of use, Instagram has found itself in full-scale social-media crisis, with one of its top brand-users, National Geographic, threatening to leave. While the terms were updated to allow Instagram to “experiment with innovative advertising”, it seems that advertisers and brands are the parties Instagram runs the highest risk of alienating.
Google has launched a new format for mobile ads designed to address the issue of accidental clicks by "fat fingers". Google's new "confirmed clicks" ad unit will ask users whether they meant to click on an ad.
While 37 per cent of marketers in Hong Kong and 46 per cent in Australia are using mobile to drive sales, most are only focused on sales that are either online or offline, not both, according to Experian. For the study, ‘The Digital Pocket: Embracing the Mobile Age’, Experian commissioned independent research with 320 Australian marketing professionals while its Hong Kong office surveyed 314 marketers from a range of industries.
Nielsen and Twitter have launched the Nielsen Twitter TV Rating for the US market. Under the multi-year agreement, both parties will deliver a syndicated-standard metric around the reach of the TV conversation on Twitter, slated for commercial availability at the start of the fall 2013 TV season. However, Nielsen has no timeline on introducing the ratings system in Asia-Pacific.
IPG Mediabrands has hired Chris Chiou as head of strategy, in line with its resolve to turn itself into a hybrid media agency. Chiou's main responsibilities are to study key account industries, gain consumer insights, develop new revenue streams, and implement new media tools.
SapientNitro has launched Ferrero China's new integrated one-stop website featuring a customised, experiential gifting campaign in time for Christmas. The campaign on Ferrero Rocher’s new official Chinese website allows online visitors to personalise and send a virtual Christmas greeting card by email, share it on social media sites, or have it printed.
OgilvyOne has promoted Sheilen Rathod to the position of general manager, completing the agency’s recent management alignment. He was instrumental in chasing down new business, including BlackRock and Crocs Asia-Pacific, as well as other unannounced wins in the retail and luxury categories.
Ex-Nielsen hand Darin Williams has joined Facebook Singapore as its new head for Southeast Asia. Williams takes over from Stephen Dolan, who will be moving into a new role at Facebook. He will oversee sales support functions across markets like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines.
Social commerce platform glomp will allow users to buy vouchers for friends over social media. Currently, the service focuses on food and beverage merchants but has plans to increase the range of its gifts. Current partner merchants in Singapore include Cedele, Häagen-Dazs and Le Noir.