crowdsourcing | storytelling | citizenship

People’s Insights: Volume 1, Issue 4

Facebook Timeline Apps

Introducing Facebook Timeline Apps

Source: http://econsultancy.com/us/blog/8732-facebook-launches-60-new-timeline-apps,

http://www.marketingvox.com/brands-remember-facebook-timeline-will-be-on-mobile-other-

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.

Taking the Open Graph to the next level

Source : http://developers.facebook.com/docs/opengraph/ ,

http://developers.facebook.com/blog/post/634/

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'

'Actions' and 'Objects'

Source : http://developers.facebook.com/docs/opengraph ,

http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/18/facebooks-new-timeline-app-platform-introduces-new-

verbs-like-bought-want-and-love/

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).

The thinking behind the apps

Source : http://www.johnhaydon.com/2012/01/facebook-timeline-applications-ultimately-

about-mobile/ , www.facebook.com/about/timeline/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’

More accurate user depictions

Source : http://www.communityorganizer20.com/2012/01/23/facebook-timeline-apps-new-

way-to-engage/ , http://mashable.com/2011/09/21/prepare-for-the-new-facebook/

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.

Opportunity for brands that thrive on personal

interactions or high social value

Source : http://www.fastcocreate.com/1679443/facebook-update-yes-brands-are-coming-to-

facebook-timeline-open-graph, http://www.twitter.com

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.

Facebook user activity for brands won't be

defined by 'likes'

Source : http://technorati.com/blogging/article/why-facebooks-new-timeline-apps-will/,

http://www.twitter.com

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.

Sense of nostalgia for businesses, users

Source : http://marketingbyraj.com/2012/01/25/new-apps-let-facebook-record-your-personal-

history/ , http://www.facebook.com/find-friends/browser/?ref=ler#!/profile.php?id=1748963404

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.

Plenty of criticism too

Source : http://mashable.com/2012/01/18/facebook-60-apps-timeline/ ,

http://www.thinkdigit.com/Apps/Facebook-introduces-60-new-Timeline-apps_8532.html

Just like every innovation on Facebook, this one received flak from

many users, who cited intrusion of privacy, over-information and the set-

it-and-forget-it nature of the apps as the biggest flaws.

A clear vision for the future

Source : http://www.johnhaydon.com/2012/01/facebook-timeline-applications-ultimately-

about-mobile/

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

More People’s Insights Weekly reports

For more reports, visit: peopleslab.mslgroup.com/peoplesinsights/

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.

CrowdsourcingMahindra Spark the Rise

Storytelling:@MarsCuriosity

Citizenship#Kony2012

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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.

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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

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