Social media round-up
Wondering why Mo Farah is running away from the Teletubbies or why personal ads are suddenly appearing on your Facebook page? Then you need to read this week’s Siren social media round-up.
When was the last time you put pen to paper on holiday to write a postcard? According to O2 only 16% of British holidaymakers send a postcard while they are away, favouring instant posts on Facebook and Twitter to keep in touch.
Google is set to buy the travel guidebooks brand Frommer’s as the internet company continues to expand on content for its destination reviews. The latest acquisition comes a year after Google closed a deal with Zagat, firmly placing them on the map as a one-stop-shop for travellers.
The Olympics had us all on the edge of our seats for two weeks but it looks like the nation ditched watching it on the box and tuned in on their mobiles instead. More than 1.5m people downloaded the BBC smartphone app, and 39% of consumption of BBC Olympic web content at weekends was on mobile phones and 9% on tablets.
Mo Farah is still hitting the headlines but not for clinching another gold, the iconic image of him crossing the finish line has now been used in a spoof tumblr. blog showing the Mo-bot outrunning the Teletubbies, a stampede of brides and killer zombies.
It looks like Facebook needs to cash in after stock prices hit rock bottom, so the social media giant is to trial placing adverts directly into users newsfeeds in an effort to raise money. The plans have already been criticised by consumers who think that the site’s advertising is already too intrusive.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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