The Social Media & Influencer News in August You Need to Know
Welcome back to another installment of the social media and influencer marketing news that you need to know in August. There’s been a lot going on in the social media world this summer, and the past week is no different.
This week, we’ll be talking about the release of the desktop version of Threads, TikTok’s attempt to improve its e-commerce efforts, and the story regarding the former social media manager of NBA and its viral post.
Meta Launches The Destkop Version of Threads
Threads' initial release was a big deal for social media users but quickly disappeared. Meta has now announced that Threads is releasing their desktop version of the platform to rekindle the initial buzz. Most Threads users have access to Threads.net, where you can access your main Threads feed and write news posts just like you would on the app. However, functionality could be improved in comparison to the mobile version of Threads. For example, you cannot currently search for or schedule posts on the web version.
Users on social media have been looking for a credible Twitter—er, X—alternative. Threads could have been the ideal solution, but app usage slowed following the app's first debut and rise. Many of the brands that were active at the platform's inception are no longer so. Meta is still striving to improve the desktop version and finish the app in terms of product features.
TikTok Shopping Gets a Boost
A $44 pickle sweatshirt making the rounds on TikTok is the new "I mustache you a question" merchandise for a generation who has only known life with the Internet. But we're not here to talk about merchandise; we're here to talk about TikTok's official launch into e-commerce: TikTok Shop. The new feature, fully rolled out in the US this month, lets TikTok users purchase anything from fashion to life hacks with just a few clicks, right from the comfort of their For You Pages.
TikTok is looking to sell more than $20 billion in products through TikTok Shop by the end of the year, taking on e-commerce giants like Shein, Temu, and even Amazon. How would a company generate nearly $20B in product sales in less than a year? The algorithm, of course, with TikTok being accused of boosting videos that sell products through the new feature, which are marked with an orange shopping cart icon. The pickle sweatshirt, for example, is suddenly all over people's screens despite having been around since January.
NBA Social Media Manager Calls It Quits Publicly
The NBA was recently the subject of a whistleblower report in which a former social media manager alleged that the NBA's social media team was overworked and underpaid. The marketer, Nick Joannou, said he and his colleagues were often asked to work long hours with little time for breaks or vacation. He also said they needed more training and resources to do their jobs effectively.
Joannou's allegations were made public after he allegedly accidentally posted a message about the team's work conditions on the NBA's official Facebook page. The post was quickly deleted, but it had already been seen by many, including NBA and marketing fans alike. The NBA has since responded to Joannou's allegations, saying it is committed to providing a positive work environment for its employees. The league said it is reviewing its policies and procedures to ensure its social media team is adequately supported.
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