Trend cluster
Category

Social Media
Intervention

Social media switches tones to push for more in-person socialization.

Touchscreen Sampling BarsHashtag Currency ShopsTweet-Leased Weenie MobilesFear-Of-Missing-Out AppsLocalized Social Media Marketplaces

Trend

What is the Social Media Intervention trend?

Social Media Intervention: Consumers and brands alike are putting a strong focus back on in-person socialization by creating real-life experiences that are complimented by the use of digital mediums. Brands are offering incentives to get shoppers off the Internet and into stores or experiencing their brands in more immersive ways. Many businesses are realizing that digital and physical strategies are best when paired.

Trend themes

Themes within the Social Media Intervention trend

Three behaviours holding the trend together
01

In-Person Interaction Resurgence

An emphasis on in-person socialization experiences augmented by digital mediums, demonstrated by brands like Trinity Kitchen and the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile contest. Augmented reality, gamification, and social media can each further enhance these experiences.

02

Social Media-Powered Information Aggregation

Innovations such as Tarikh Korula's 'Seen' app and the Uniiverse app combine all social media relevant to a certain event or location in one easily identifiable place. This opens the door for other specialized platforms that perform similar functions within different domains.

03

Interactive Brand Sampling

Brand activations such as Beam Suntory's bourbon tasting station offer interactive and memorable brand experiences for consumers. Immersive technology, like AR and VR, could take this to the next level by enhancing sensory experiences and customer education.

Industry implications

What the Social Media Intervention trend means for industry

Where the trend changes the playbook
For

Retail

Brick and mortar stores can use social media to enhance the in-person experience and offer incentives for physical interaction. Interactive technologies such as AR can elevate these experiences to new heights.

For

Event Planning

Companies and individuals can use social media aggregation apps to better promote and publicize events to interested parties. Innovations in location-based advertising can take this even further by enhancing discoverability for relevant events and experiences.

For

Food and Beverage

Food and beverage companies can use social media campaigns to engage with consumers and offer interactive and enjoyable sampling experiences. The use of gamification and social media-powered contests can also make these experiences more memorable and shareable.

Trend signals

Trend signals for Social Media Intervention

Trend score 4.9 out of 10, from popularity 86%, activity 54%, freshness 8%.

Popularity86%
Activity54%
Freshness8%
Audience
30%Men
70%Women
  • Gen Alpha
  • Gen Z
  • Millennial
  • Gen X (not a primary audience)
  • Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific

Evidence

Examples of the Social Media Intervention trend

6 featured examples from Oct 19, 2013 to Aug 14, 2015