Social Media

Twitter Provides Examples of Positive Brand Communications Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

What do communicate with your customers and clients amid the overwhelming news influx of the coronavirus pandemic? That’s what many social media and content professionals are now considering as they grapple with the new reality of social distancing and self-quarantine lockdowns, while also contending with revenue declines and significant business changes as a result. In some ways, you want to communicate that your business cares, and is doing all it can to assist, but in others, you also need to consider the longer-term viability of your workplace, and how you can keep revenue flowing despite the conditions. It’s a lot to take in, but if you’re looking at social media communications specifically, Twitter has gathered together a listing of brands that are communicating in effective, positive and responsible ways amid the coronavirus pandemic.

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Facebook Creates $100 Million Grant Program to Assist Small Businesses Dealing with COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging and troubling in many ways, and the reality is that it’s only going to get worse. With a vaccine still months away, and the virus still spreading into new regions, the likelihood is that we’ll be dealing with this for months, which will have a major impact on many sectors and businesses. To help ease this burden, at least for some organizations, Facebook has this week announced a new $100 million grants program to assist 30,000 SMBs, in 30 nations, supporting the communities in which Facebook and its teams operate. As explained by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg: “Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities, and many of the people who run these businesses are heavily affected by the crisis – especially as more and more people sensibly stay home. The longer the crisis goes on, the greater the risk to small businesses and to the livelihoods of their owners and employees. That’s why today I’m announcing that Facebook is investing $100 million to help 30,000 small businesses in over 30 countries where our employees live and work.”

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Marketing

Amazon Could Win Big in the Post-Coronavirus Retail Economy 

Pundits are already speculating about the post-coronavirus culture and economy. Among the lasting, potential changes are more diversified supply chains, the mainstreaming of online education, more companies embracing work from home, stricter hygiene rules for restaurants and hotels (that survive) and other public places. And beyond all that, a great deal more online shopping. The physical world is giving way to the virtual world for perhaps the foreseeable future. Yet online shopping cannot entirely pick up the slack from offline stores. Grocery deliveries from stores like Whole Foods are subject to incomplete inventory and uneven delivery. Amazon has run out of some popular items and household staples (e.g., toilet paper – although you may find it on the site, it’s not available when you check out). E-commerce sales are up across many categories, in some cases by triple digits, though sales are down in others (i.e., travel). And although complete data aren’t yet available, Amazon is likely the primary beneficiary of much of the online buying frenzy. As evidence, the company said this week that it would be hiring 100,000 full and part-time employees in its fulfillment centers and delivery network “to meet the surge in demand from people relying on Amazon’s service during this stressful time.”

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Virtual Event Platforms Scramble to Meet Demand as Coronavirus Knocks Out Conferences: What to Do

Extreme measures being put into place by local and federal governments banning mass gatherings to slow the spread of COVID-19 are drastically impacting our industry. Marketing conferences scheduled to take place within the next several weeks are being canceled, postponed or going digital-only. The direct economic loss from canceled marketing conferences and business activities has surpassed $1 billion and continues to climb, according to data intelligence company PredictHQ. As marketers, we can’t bring every aspect of our business — including our events — to a complete halt, which is why companies are flocking to virtual event platforms to deliver content to attendees. But with the surge of complex requests coming in, how are these martech companies managing the increased demand?

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