crowdsourcing | storytelling | citizenship
People’s Insights: Volume 1, Issue 4
Facebook Timeline Apps
Introducing Facebook Timeline Apps Facebook recently rolled out 60 apps that sync with its new timeline, allowing users to share experiences around their interests – shopping, cooking, working out, etc – in a better manner.
Source: http://econsultancy.com/us/blog/8732-facebook-launches-60-new-timeline-apps,
Taking the Open Graph to the next level Open Graph, a set of application interface tools that allows developers to create apps on Facebook, has evolved from allowing third-party websites and pages to be 'liked' and displayed on the newsfeed to letting apps model user activities based on 'actions' and 'objects'
Source : http://developers.facebook.com/docs/opengraph/ , http://developers.facebook.com/blog/post/634/
'Actions' and 'Objects' For the apps, ‘actions’ are things that users do (listen, for instance), while ‘objects' are what these actions apply to (a song, in this case). A magazine app, for example, lets users read (action) an article(object).
Source : http://developers.facebook.com/docs/opengraph , http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/18/facebooks-new-timeline-app-platform-introduces-newverbs-like-bought-want-and-love/
The thinking behind the apps The apps tap into users’ growing feelings of ‘curiosity’ and ‘satisfaction of the ego’ by keeping friends updated hour-by-hour of their activities through ‘actions’
Source : http://www.johnhaydon.com/2012/01/facebook-timeline-applications-ultimatelyabout-mobile/ , www.facebook.com/about/timeline/apps
More accurate user depictions The apps give a truer representation of users' personalities by allowing them to tell their stories. Content sharing is easier as users give the apps permission to track their activities for Facebook friends, such as a daily account of their travels, favourite music, movies watched, etc.
Source : http://www.communityorganizer20.com/2012/01/23/facebook-timeline-apps-newway-to-engage/ , http://mashable.com/2011/09/21/prepare-for-the-new-facebook/
Opportunity for brands that thrive on personal interactions or high social value Brands have a better chance of appearing in users' news feeds as the apps encourage users to share experiences in real time. It offers significant opportunities for brands by allowing them to tell their stories and demonstrate ongoing conversations with fans.
Source : http://www.fastcocreate.com/1679443/facebook-update-yes-brands-are-coming-tofacebook-timeline-open-graph, http://www.twitter.com
Facebook user activity for brands won't be defined by 'likes' An app is a deeper commitment than a passive 'like'. The increase in app discovery could lead to heightened word-of-mouth activity, subscriptions and sales. Overexposure of actions from consumers, however, might be detrimental to brands and users.
Source : http://technorati.com/blogging/article/why-facebooks-new-timeline-apps-will/, http://www.twitter.com
Sense of nostalgia for businesses, users Timeline apps record all user activities across time in an organised manner, which help users reminisce or peek into friends' lives. Users can also track their activities by date.
Source : http://marketingbyraj.com/2012/01/25/new-apps-let-facebook-record-your-personalhistory/ , http://www.facebook.com/find-friends/browser/?ref=ler#!/profile.php?id=1748963404
Plenty of criticism too Just like every innovation on Facebook, this one received flak from many users, who cited intrusion of privacy, over-information and the setit-and-forget-it nature of the apps as the biggest flaws.
Source : http://mashable.com/2012/01/18/facebook-60-apps-timeline/ , http://www.thinkdigit.com/Apps/Facebook-introduces-60-new-Timeline-apps_8532.html
A clear vision for the future FB wants to create an app eco-system comparable to that of Apple's iOS by reaching out to top content providers, ensuring more time spent on the platform. It recognises that mobile devices are the future; hence encouraging frictionless sharing via mobile through actions
Source : http://www.johnhaydon.com/2012/01/facebook-timeline-applications-ultimatelyabout-mobile/
More People’s Insights Weekly reports Every week, we dive into one topic for discussion on the MSLGROUP Insight’s Network and discuss insights and foresights, in three key areas: crowdsourcing, storytelling and citizenship.
Crowdsourcing
Storytelling:
Citizenship
Mahindra Spark the Rise
@MarsCuriosity
#Kony2012
For more reports, visit: peopleslab.mslgroup.com/peoplesinsights/
Read People’s Lab insights and foresights The People’s Lab team shares the insights and foresights from the MSLGROUP Insights Network on the People’s Insights weekly blog and the People’s Insights Quarterly magazine.
MSLGROUP Insights Network
People’s Insights weekly blog
People’s Insights Quarterly magazine
50+ MSLGROUP planners share and discuss inspiring projects on corporate citizenship, crowdsourcing and storytelling.
We deep dive into conversations around one project -- on the MSLGROUP Insights Network itself but also on the broader social web -- to distill insights and foresights.
Every quarter, we will compile the best insights from the network and the blog in the iPad-friendly magazine, as a showcase of our capabilities.
For more, visit http://peopleslab.mslgroup.com
Coming soon: People’s Insights Annual Report In early January 2013 we will publish the People’s Insights Annual Report, in which we synthesize our insights from throughout 2012 and provide foresights for business leaders and change-makers for 2013.
People’s Lab: Crowdsourcing Insights & Innovation People’s Lab is MSLGROUP’s proprietary crowdsourcing platform and approach that helps organizations tap into people’s insight for innovation, storytelling and change.
For more, visit http://peopleslab.mslgroup.com
For People’s Lab solutions, contact pascal.beucler@mslgroup.com