Each year, dozens of new social platforms are launched with the hope of becoming the next Snapchat, Pinterest or YouTube. The latest platform to reach that tipping point is the TikTok, an app for sharing short form video which promotes itself as a platform for capturing the world's creativity, knowledge and moments that matter.

Dubbed the “Donald Trump of TripAdvisor” by The Washington Post, Oobah Butler turned a non-existent restaurant, The Shed, into the top rated dining establishment in London on TripAdvisor through social manipulation. Speaking at this week’s Online Retailer conference, Oobah Butler delivered his keynote on ‘Cutting through the bullsh*t of social influence manipulation’ where he detailed his scheme while working as a journalist for Vice.

​Have you seen the video with US speaker Nancy Pelosi appearing to be drunk and slurring her words? Or perhaps you’ve seen the one with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg joking about knowing the public’s secrets? Or the videos of Rasputin singing Beyonce, Andy Warhol eating a Burger King burger or Salvadore Dali being brought back to life? In 2018, Barack Obama warned in a video about enemies making it look like anyone is saying anything at any time.

Instagram is trialling the removal of ‘likes’ tallies from photos and videos in Australian consumer feeds, a move it says is about turning the tables on the way people engage with the social platform.

​The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US has reportedly hit Facebook with a record $5 billion settlement for privacy violations, according to a story first reported by The Wall Street Journal and numerous subsequent online reports.

There are some products and services consumers can’t help but shout about from the rooftops. Then there are plenty of others which many people wouldn’t be caught dead discussing in public.

Amid talk of a retail recession in Australia, there is a real opportunity for savvy brands to meet and exceed customer expectations to create a retail renaissance.

​Facebook is expecting a huge swing in businesses using Messenger to target and personalise to consumers in the weeks leading up to Christmas this year, as consumers change how they expect to be communicated with.

​Sofitel Melbourne On Collins is definitely painting outside the box with its latest experiential campaign.

In an era where technology is being blamed for declining mental health, Lifeline Australia is instead looking to use a chatbot to help improve consumer well-being.

Tourism NT is looking to connect directly with millennials through its latest social media marketing campaign that will feature a group of seven social media influencers including travel bloggers and content creators on a trip around the Territory. The influencers will provide owned content for Tourism NT including images, videos and travel articles. Tourism NT has also engaged Facebook, Pedestrian TV, Spotify and YouTube to reach the millennial market.

Better reporting, stronger and more relevant community engagement and transparency are just some of the wins Victoria Police’s online communications manager has seen since deploying a new social management platform six months ago.

Brands have immediately suspended advertising and the industry is calling for fresh reassurances from digital platform providers around brand safety after allegations that YouTube’s recommended algorithm has been used by paedophiles to connect and promote their activities.

An investment into data-driven social media marketing has seen South Australia Tourism Commission lift online engagement, grow average visitor spend into the Festival State – and importantly, prove marketing ROI.

A homegrown company focused on scooping up Australia’s dog poop problem has seen sales and brand reach exponentially increase off the back of improving its social media management approach.

Augmented reality (AR) is increasingly being used by Virgin Holidays to breathe new life into its email marketing campaign efforts and deliver dynamic, personalised and engaging content to future travellers.

The decision to give employees control of marketing its iconic 2018 Christmas campaign on social media has not only driven stronger consumer take-up of in-store services for John Lewis & Partners, it’s also improved employee engagement.

The digitisation and transformation of marketing, power of the personal, building and retaining customer trust, and striving for online retail relevancy are just some of the big themes to dominate the news this year.

Holden’s Kristian Aquilina is the first to admit the situation he finds himself in as brand promoter isn’t one you’ll find in a marketing textbook.

A new experiential activation by WWF-Australia in Sydney showing what the state would look like sans koalas is just one a strategic plan to get more weight behind deforestation, its CMO says.

Marketing and strategy leaders at Arlo & Co, Tourism WA and Qantas along with several agency chiefs are among the top marketing and professionals viewed on LinkedIn this year.