Social Media

2018 Predicted By Pinterest

Pinterest, the platform described by CEO Ben Silbermann as a “catalogue of ideas” that inspires users to “go out and do that thing” has evolved into a trend prediction platform.

Launched in the US in 2010 the social media site has, in comparison to platforms Facebook and Instagram, struggled to develop as a commercial retail platform, despite garnering over 175 million daily users.

Media outlets and retailers are, however, now fully realising the benefits of Pinterest as a customer insight tool and not just a sales one. It’s a move that sees the power shift between consumers and retailers move increasingly in consumer favour, with users’ daily pins no longer just capturing trends but informing them.

Published every December Pinterest 100 captures the top 100 biggest trends based on the activity of its subscribers. Style, beauty and home decor are just some of the categories covered, with analysts looking for topics that showed critical mass, grew at least 50% in 2017 and trended up towards the end of the year. You can view 2018’s top trends to try here.

Such is the credibility of the predictions, leading influential media outlets are using the platform as a source for new season forecasting features, the very articles that influence our buying behaviour for the year. Coveteur, WhoWhatWear, the Daily Mail. Metro and Instyle are just a handful of those that have run over recent weeks.

In a world where data is gold, it’s no surprise Pinterest plan to further build on the predictions. This year the platform will launch Audience Insights, a subscriber based tool that will afford businesses the opportunity to take a deeper look at its audience and how it engages. The tool will be available to US business accounts early in the year and is expected to roll out to follow.

With traffic to Pinterest having increased significantly over the last six months, the platform’s potential to inform new product development and business marketing strategies is only set to grow.

The use of the platform by media outlets as a source for seasonal trend features isn’t new but it is gathering momentum. Where trends were once dictated by designers and magazine publishers, consumers are increasingly the ones to watch.

Rule 5 Highly Commended At Prolific North Awards

We were thrilled to receive a ‘Highly Commended’ at last night’s Prolific North Awards.

The accolade, in the Digital / Social Media Campaign of the Year category, was awarded for our work with British Cycling on the UCI Track Cycling World Championships. The campaign – Halfway to a Billion, Taking Track Cycling to the World – for the biggest ever UK track cycling event, delivered an astonishing 451 million impressions on social channels.

The campaign was pipped to the post by the Foo Fighters Headlining Glastonbury Announcement, delivered by Modern English. The award was one of only three ‘Highly Commended’ accolades presented on the evening.

Speaking on the event Rule 5 Managing Partner Rob Brown said: “We’re over the moon to receive a ‘Highly Commended’ for our work on the UCI Track Cycling World Championships, losing out only to Modern English and their campaign for the Foo Fighters; and I bloody love the Foo Fighters.”

Rule 5 Founding Director Jules Wilson added: “It’s fantastic to see the campaign acknowledged for the second time this year. The Prolific North Awards is one of the most respected events in the North attracting a high calibre of entrants. To be recognised is incredible.”

The Prolific North Awards celebrate excellence and reward outstanding campaigns and exceptional talent in the creative and media sectors in the North. This year’s event was the biggest to date and saw over 800 entries.

Four Nominations In The PRmoment Awards

The agency has been shortlisted four times in this year’s PRmoment Awards.

Rule 5 is nominated in four categories including Boutique Agency of the Year, Social Media Campaign of the Year, Best Use of Content, and Health, Beauty, Retail and Fashion Campaign of the Year.

Shortlisted entries include campaigns for The 2016 Track Cycling World Championships (x2) and premium cycle wear brand, Fat Lad At The Back.

The PRmoment Awards recognise the very best communications and PR professionals across the UK and are judged by eminent industry representatives. This year’s awards saw over 850 entries.

Results will be announced at an awards dinner at the Hilton Manchester on March 16.