The October Favola Five
October 2023

By Emily Ryan

Social media is a realm of constant innovation, where platforms regularly roll out new features and partnerships to captivate and engage their audiences. This month, we’ve sifted through the digital noise to bring you the five most exciting social media innovations.

This month, we’ve noticed that most of the activity seems to be coming from two giants in particular. From TikTok’s foray into live concerts to Instagram’s extended broadcast channels, these developments are making waves in the social media world.

  1. TikTok’s Live Concert Event to Showcase Music Trends

TikTok, the platform known for its viral short videos, is taking a step into the world of live music. With the announcement of their Live Concert Event, TikTok aims to bring music enthusiasts closer to their favourite artists. This innovation promises to showcase the latest music trends and provide a unique experience for users to interact with their musical idols in real-time. TikTok continues to redefine the way we experience entertainment, and this move is a testament to its dynamic nature.

TikTok’s Partnership with Disney: A World of App Activations

In a surprising move, TikTok has partnered with the magical world of Disney. This partnership is not just about creating content but offers an entire spectrum of app activations. Imagine Disney-inspired filters, stickers, and augmented reality experiences on TikTok. The app has even tapped into the world of card collection, creating one-of-a-kind moments in the app. It’s a win-win situation for both platforms as they engage users in the magic of Disney storytelling and the creativity of TikTok content creators.

  1. Instagram’s Nearby Feed Stories: The Hyper-Local Connection

Instagram is all about visual storytelling, and now it’s diving into local narratives with its Nearby Feed Stories. This feature allows users to explore stories and content from people and businesses in their vicinity. Whether you’re checking out a local cafés new menu or a community event, Instagram’s Nearby Feed Stories is about to connect you with your neighbourhood in a whole new way. This innovation offers a unique blend of social and local engagement and could be a game changer for businesses wishing to tap into their local community.

  1. TikTok’s Out of Phone Ad Option: Expand Your TikTok Clips

TikTok’s looking to expand its promotional opportunities for brands, with a new ‘Out of Phone’ feature, which will enable brands to use TikTok content on billboards, within in-store displays, cinema promos and more. In essence, TikTok’s new ‘Out of Phone’ process enables brands to replay TikTok clips on a range of option, expanding the exposure potential of their promotions. Think, your brand on Piccadilly Circus.

  1. Instagram’s Expanded Broadcast Channels for Creators to Facebook Messenger

After initially launching its Broadcast Channels option to selected US creators back in February, Instagram’s now making the additional DM engagement option available to all users that have an active Creator account. It looks to lean into the broader shift away from feed posts, and into more private discussions.

Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg announced the expansion on his own Instagram channel, which will enable more creators to share updates with a broader group of people via DMs in the app. Channels isn’t a chat option as such, as members can’t directly contribute to the interaction. But it provides another way for creators to share relevant updates with their fans, via text, images and polls, all within IG Direct.

In a constantly changing digital landscape, this month’s innovations highlight the social media platforms’ commitment to keeping things fresh, engaging, and entertaining. Whether you’re a fan of TikTok’s music initiatives, intrigued by Instagram’s local connections, or a marketer exploring new ad options, these innovations are sure to influence the way you engage with social media. As we continue to ride the wave of innovation, it’s exciting to anticipate what the future of social media holds. Stay tuned for next month’s Favola Five, we wonder what the world has in store for us within the next 30 days…

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