Mediatastic: SnapChat launching Planet Snap, Dog Scanner and Health Kick #Socialday2020

#Socialday2020 - I was invited by an old friend from OMDUK to Social Day 2020. I had the opportunity to watch a range of brilliant presentations. Below are the takeouts from Day1.

Snapchat's Ed Couchman talked about augmented reality and enabling shared areas through local lenses. An example of The Gateway of India was presented, in 2019 key landmarks were made interactive. New intiatives for 2020 include local lenses unlocking interactive augmented reality dimensions around whole blocks and buildings. The idea is that you and your friends can now enjoy new dimensions through AR as insight reveals sharing such realities with friends increases engagement.

Additionally, Snapchat is launching Planet Snap - where users can learn the name, origin and how to take care of new plants and trees becoming a flora and fauna expert. Dog Scanner allows users to find out the exact name and breed of a dog, and it also works on people(!), so you know what dog you resemble. Health Kick is another exciting initiative which allows users to scan bar codes on food and gain nutritional insight. In the future, voice scanning and voice activation are areas which Snapchat will be developing. For example, you could say 'Hey Snapchat make my hair pink' which will turn your hair pink. Snapchat is pioneering new forms of storytelling through premium content and working with key partners.

During lockdown, Will from Home reached 35 million Snapchatters, Will Smith brought self-isolation to the home from his garage. Snapchat also encouraged children to read through the A-List Book Club with celebrities like Kendell Jenner and Alicia Keys recommending booklists, read here https://achieve.lausd.net/alistbookclub

The key things to look out for in 2020/2021 is the 'Happening Now' feature which is a new product providing current news, this will be rolling out in the UK. Snapchat has partnered with the WashingtonPost, Buzzfeed, ESPN and various credible news sources in the USA. Snap Games was launched in 2019 and is at the heart of Snapchat allowing Snapchatters to play games and seek experiences with friends. Users play twice as long on games when playing with a friend. Games include Bitmoji Party and Ready Chef Go. There will be further game developments so watch this space.

Snapchat is pioneering augmented reality and continues to roll out new innovations to engage their audience. There are lots of new features to look forward to as their audience continues to grow. Snapchat have over 350 partners, over 60 shows and increasing engagement. A chart has been provided to show the size of Snapchat in comparison to how the platform ranks compared to other platforms, whilst the platform is smaller in size, it is at the heart of celebrity and pop cultures. There is real opportunity for brands to stand out and particularly reach a millenial and Generation Z audience.