ACQUIRE - Facebook Acquires TBH Application

According to industry sources, Facebook paid just under US$100 million for the 'tbh' app but they have not released the details. 

Several weeks ago Facebook acquired social media application 'tbh'. The months old application has already attracted 5 million users (downloads) who have sent more than a billion messages. The application reportedly has 2.5 million active daily users.

The application allows users to anonymously answer questions about their friends, fellow employees and other parties in their network. The 'tbh' application works by giving users a description, such as "always the best dressed," then allowing them to anonymously choose which person meets that description from a small set of names in their network. By keeping the activity structured, 'tbh' expects to maintain positive conversations, instead of regressing into bullying as other anonymous apps have done.

It is unusual for Facebook to acquire an application that is focused on anonymous activity. However, the social media giant is seeking new ways to reach young users who are fickle but savvy and often responsible. While this cohort may not be as loyal as others they can be engaged to communicate in different ways that attract their interest. 

In her statement Vanessa Chan, a Facebook spokesperson, said, “TBH and Facebook share a common goal -- of building community and enabling people to share in ways that bring us closer together. We’re impressed by the way TBH is doing this by using polling and messaging, and with Facebook’s resources TBH can continue to expand and build positive experiences.”

The staff of 'tbh' will move into Facebook infrastructure and use FB resources but maintain their autonomy from other FB activities. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:  Facebook’s advertising business model requires people to use their real identities, make clear what they like or don’t like and have their social behaviours attached to their identity. This acquisition seems to show the rising value of acquiring an ecosystem with lots of activity and widespread appeal even if it doesn't fit the old paradigm. Perhaps a new recipe is required to grow a giant but mature social media play.

The Human Walking Program

An innovative adoption program in Melbourne, Australia changed the way people look at shelter dogs and helped rescue thousands. 
The Lost Dogs' Home launched its Human Walking Program earlier this year to provide desk-bound Melbourians with a chance to get out of the office, get some exercise and get to know a shelter dog. Promoting healthy living and shelter adoption, the Human Walking Program turned the tables on shelter adoption by sending the message that the dogs are, in fact, rescuing the humans.  
Studies have shown the average working hours of full-time employees in Australia are long and have been steadily getting longer which is contributing to extra stress, poor family relations and a lower quality of social relationships. 

"We don't always realize as office workers how many hours we spend cooped up inside rarely getting out. So what better way to spend a lunch break than with a friend who will  no doubt take the stress out of your day!" - Kate Hoelter, The Lost Dogs' Home General Manager, Fundraising and Communications. 

During the event, over 5,000 office workers were rescued and every dog was adopted. 

Canadian Texting Explodes Past 2011 Records

According to the Canadian Wireless Telecommunication Association (CWTA) Canadians sent 71.5 billion text messages in the first nine months of 2012.

This Canadian text traffic represents more than 90% of the 78 billion messages sent in all of 2011. In September 2012 alone, Canadians sent approximately 274 million messages per day amounting to 8.2 billion messages for the month.

Access the CWTA Report

Special Holiday Stats: Approximately 424.5 million text messages were sent by Canadians on Christmas Day (December 25, 2012) and another 429.4 million text messages on New Year’s Day (January 1, 2013).

Sorting out how to message/communicate with stakeholders in this environment is a challenge every enterprise faces. On the other side, protecting lips while sipping from the fire hose becomes the issue for consumers.