8 July 2023
The Month That Was May 2023
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Insight Create Perform
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Insight Create Perform
With summer in full swing, it’s time to slow things down and recap on the busy, busy month that was June 2023.
Social media went wild, Google released a host of new advertising updates and we saw a few exciting updates in the world of design. Ready to read? Let’s get right into it…
Instagram is levelling up for content creators, Snapchat reveals all and TikTok may have made a blunder – lots went down in the world of social media this month. Let’s take a look:
It’s nothing new that Reels are all the rage (or at least, Instagram wants them to be). To continue pushing Reels to the forefront, Instagram has unleashed a wave of five new editing tools for content creators in June.
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Buckle up and let’s break these new features down:
All in all, Instagram is putting in the effort to make Reels better for their users, ensuring creating content is easier, more polished and more engaging.
Ready to get to grips with Gen Z? Snapchat has you covered, unveiling a few secrets to connecting and winning over your Gen Z consumers.
Partnering with Omnicom Media Group (OMG), Snapchat revealed that the way to win over these savvy digital natives is through tailored, authentic and relevant messaging. Forget broad-reaching campaigns – personalisation is the name of the game.
And there’s more! Gen Z report craving positive experiences that match their values, with 75% of respondents stating they’re more likely to be loyal to a company that speaks up on social issues. And this translates to who they’ll purchase from. It’s time to get vocal, share information and promote social change if you want to make those sales.
Today’s young people want to support businesses that go beyond the profit motive and make a real impact in the world. Be a part of something bigger.
It’s time to take notes. Snapchat has handed you the secrets, now it’s time to use them. Embrace authenticity, personalise like never before and stand for something meaningful.
Back in June, TikTok dropped the bombshell that they’re saying “goodbye” to TikTok Now – the platform’s own BeReal-esque feature. Yep, the copycat creation is getting the boot.
Here’s the scoop: While BeReal had its moment, it’s facing some challenges in keeping up the buzz. The growth has slowed down, and that’s made TikTok reassess the direction of this trend. No worries, though – TikTok is ready to explore new avenues, leaving BeReal in the rearview mirror.
It’s unlikely that TikTok users will feel much of an impact from this news, but those who used the separate, standalone TikTok Now app may feel a little bit of a hit. Either way, TikTok is still paving the way for innovation and evolution in the world of social media, so we don’t think this will cause too much uproar for the video sharing platform.
From Google’s new advertising updates all the way to TikTok’s exciting new advertising challenge, let’s take a look at what went down in paid media last month:
Powered by artificial intelligence, Google has added two new ad campaigns to their repertoire – Demand Gen and Video View – helping cement their position as pioneers in the world of advertising.
The Demand Gen campaigns streamlines the ad creation process and leverages tailored creatives, targeting audiences based on their specific interests. Seamlessly integrating your highest-performing video and image assets across platforms like YouTube, YouTube Shorts, Discover and Gmail, these campaigns share reach among a whopping 3 billion monthly users.
Working alongside Demand Gen, Google’s Video View campaign maximises views across in-stream, in-feed and YouTube Shorts formats – reportedly achieving an impressive 40% more views than traditional skippable cost-per-view campaigns during preliminary testing. Now that’s impressive!
At this stage, these tools are not yet accessible. However, Google is expected to broadly rollout later in the year, so keep your eyes peeled.
Another move from Google to help marketers: Google is rolling out brand exclusions in Performance Max, as well as broad match brand restrictions in Search for advertisers. No more wandering in the dark, hoping your ads land in the right places. Now, you have the control to stop your ads from serving on branded queries you’d rather avoid.
Using these settings, advertisers can expect to see increased reach and conversions in their campaigns, while brand restrictions provide more control over Performance Max campaigns. Great news all-round for advertisers!
Introducing the TikTok Creative Challenge, the ultimate collaboration between advertisers and creators! Picture this: advertisers share their ad briefs with savvy creators who can put their creative juices to work to craft amazing video entries.
And of course, if the content creator’s submission gets a nod from the marketers, they’ll be rewarded based on how well their video performs. Talk about a win-win!
The bonus for advertisers is that they’ll get to tap into the world of influencer marketing, giving the brand a deeper insight into their target audience which could potentially result in higher engagement.
TikTok Creative Challenge is currently in testing, but we can’t wait to see what types of unique videos come out of the pilot!
June 2023 saw an exciting brand refresh, as well as good news for aspiring graphic designers looking to delve into the world of Photoshop. Here’s what went down this month:
The go-to tool for editors across the globe, Photoshop is an invaluable software in any graphic designer’s toolkit. But with a subscription fee to use, it’s not always been the most accessible platform, until now…
The company has started testing a free-to-use version of Photoshop on the web. And the best part? They plan to open it up to everyone very soon!
Currently being tested in Canada, users can access Photoshop on the web through a free Adobe account. Adobe describes the service as “freemium”, which means they will eventually gate off some features that will be exclusive to paying subscribers. However, there will be enough tools freely available to perform what Adobe considers to be Photoshop’s core functions. Overall, the move is to make Photoshop more accessible, and in turn potentially hook users who’ll want to pay for the full version down the road.
While Adobe has not provided a timeline on when the freemium version will launch more widely, the company is continuing to update Photoshop for the web with more tools, including refine edge, curves, the dodge and burn tools, as well as the ability to convert Smart Objects.
This announcement is significant for creatives around the world who may have been hesitant to try Photoshop due to its cost or lack of accessibility. Now, with a freemium web version of the app, more people can unlock their creativity!
London’s creative powerhouse, Studio Nari, teamed up with Netflix to create an identity that embraces Most’s – the LGBTQIA+ storytelling platform – diverse community while grabbing the attention of Gen Z and Millennial audiences. The result? A bold and thought-provoking look and feel that breathes life into this platform of influence and cultural resonance.
First things first, let’s talk about that logo! Drawing inspiration from Netflix’s iconic branding and Sans typeface, Studio Nari crafted a powerful wordmark that is as bold as it gets. With its large, rounded forms and an inky feel, the bold lettering feels very much like a masthead – all while seamlessly paying homage to the streaming giant.
But Studio Nari didn’t stop there – they wanted to strike a balance between digital and print media. Inspired by the vibrant and free-spirited design of the ’90s and ’00s, they injected a burst of life into the branding. It’s a masterful blend of vibrancy with a touch of rebellion.
And let’s not forget about the electrifying colour palette! With a striking Most rainbow gradient at its core, this palette oozes contemporary coolness to resonate with its younger audience. It’s a celebration of energy and spirit – which is the essence of Most itself. Studio Nari has truly brought this platform to life in all its vivid glory, and we can’t wait to see where the brand goes from here with their bold new look.
June was busy, and we’re already certain that July will be just the same. So take note and stay ahead of the curve, there’s never a dull day when it comes to marketing!
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