Friday, we missed you! Here are some of the stories we were following along with this week:
Google’s International Women’s Day Doodle, a new index fund for cryptocurrencies, a burger-flipping robot, content trends for 2018, and Oscars fun.
Google Doodle celebrates International Women’s Day 2018
March 8 marked International Women’s Day 2018 and Google marked the occasion with a global, interactive Doodle.
What’s different about this Doodle from the many others that feature prominent female inventors, scientists, writers, artists, activists, and philanthropists is that it focuses on sharing the stories and voices of another group of extraordinary women – the everyday women living all over the world.
Be sure to check out the stories in full at the link above, and share your own story using the hashtag #HerStoryOurStory.
We're gearing up for #IWD2018 on 8 March! 🙌
Stay tuned and find out what Kali, Sara, Ava & Mina have in common—and why THEIR stories matter to YOU! 🤔 #HerStoryOurStory #SpotlightENDViolence pic.twitter.com/S982gPstSI
— Global Goals (@GlobalGoalsUN) March 6, 2018
#HerStoryOurStory is part of the #SpotlightENDViolence Initiative. To learn more about this global, multi-year initiative focused on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls, visit their #HerStoryOurStory’s website.
Coinbase to launch index fund for cryptocurrencies
Coinbase, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, is launching an index fund for cryptocurrencies.
The fund will give users exposure to all of the assets listed on Coinbase’s exchange, GDAX, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin.
For now, the CIF is only available to accredited investors who are also US residents. “We’re working on launching more funds which are available to all investors and cover a broader range of digital assets,” Coinbase said in a blog post.
The Coinbase Index Fund is currently accepting applications, though there’s no word on when it will begin trading.
Say hello to Flippy, the burger-flipping robot
Flippy, a burger-flipping robot located in Pasadena, LA, started work this week. He is the first of his kind destined to replace human fast-food workers in dozens of locations.
What’s your take on Flippy? It’s got us wondering what’s to come for fast food restaurants of the future – and beyond.
When Twitter is better than TV
You don’t have to be a Bachelor franchise fan to know what happened this week. Twitter was totally abuzz with live updates from fans, critics and celebs.
A lot of people are saying that last night’s episode of #TheBachelor was one of the most dramatic finales ever. That sounds sorta familiar… #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/IN0Pb4uJGm
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) March 7, 2018
I'm calling my therapist tomorrow #TheBachelor
— Astrid Loch (@astrid_loch) March 7, 2018
In any case, the Twitter commentary was almost more entertaining than the on-screen drama, and definitely confirms that the best part of the show is community that’s grown around it. If you don’t watch the show, we recommend at least sticking around for the hilarious highlights on your feeds.
BuzzSumo’s Content Trends 2018
BuzzSumo’s Content Trends report for 2018 launched last week, and it’s got some interesting findings:
- Social traffic referrals have declined sharply, with Google sites now driving twice as many referrals to publishers.
- Average sharing of content on social networks fell due to increased competition, a rise in private sharing and Facebook algorithm changes.
- The Facebook changes have had a major impact on levels of engagement and the types of content that gets shared. As a result:
- Brands and publishers are gaining less organic referral traffic from Facebook and less engagement with their Facebook posts.
- There has been a sharp decline in viral posts that gain hundreds of thousands of shares.
- Clickbait style headlines and listicles are far less effective at generating social engagement than they were.
- The volume of content published continues to increase, and new topic areas get rapidly saturated with content.
Spodek & Co. will be keeping an eye on these trends for our clients to help maximize reach and enhance strategy.
Alexa’s strange and spontaneous laugh is giving people the creeps
This one is too weird, Amazon. Some Alexa users are reporting that the virtual assistant has been randomly laughing – cue the creepiness:
@amazonecho alone in the dark kitchen, with no trigger, a sudden creepy laugh emerges and freaks out owners #justwrong. Replay: pic.twitter.com/vR684u8mbN
— anne (@anniebonannieTN) February 21, 2018
Lying in bed about to fall asleep when Alexa on my Amazon Echo Dot lets out a very loud and creepy laugh… there’s a good chance I get murdered tonight.
— Gavin Hightower (@GavinHightower) February 26, 2018
People are hoping that something is accidentally registering a command to laugh from some other noise. Amazon has yet to comment.
Friday Fun
Did you catch the Oscars last weekend? Host Jimmy Kimmel had his sidekick Guillermo ask the hard hitting questions on the red carpet with plenty of tequila and treats in tow. The results did not disappoint!
