In 2014 PH to become mobile-first country and other social media trends

MANILA, Philippines—By the last quarter of 2014, the Philippines will be a mobile-first country—meaning people will likely use their mobile phones to access the Internet rather than the traditional desktop computers, former Google Philippines said.

Britain, Japan and the United States lead the globe in using their mobile phones first when surfing the web, according to a 2012 Forbes.com list of figures.

Early March, B2C through Talkwalker’s Community Manager Julie Hong released the top social media marketing trends for 2014 according to industry experts.

Here is a roundup which is believed to impact social media in the Philippine setting:

1. “Micro video will become increasingly popular,” says mediapreneur Ian Cleary. Vine started this trend with its six-second clip; Instagram followed suit with 15-second video.

2. London-based social media consultant, author and blogger Jemima Gibbons see that Focusing on Social Good in social media will be massive for this year. She reveals: “If you’re a marketer or business owner you need to start thinking about what your brand is doing in terms of giving back (to all stakeholders—not just customers but employees, suppliers and local communities)—and how to amplify that message to the max using social channels.”

3.  Hotwire Group CEO Brendon Cragie says that social laws, anonymity and business maturity are the next steps in social media marketing. “The existing legal system is unevenly applied at present across the internet and our social networks,” stresses Cragie. “Disparate sentences are given out depending on the different crimes.”

While the recent Supreme Court (SC) ruling upholding of Republic Act 10175, or what is popularly known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act, can be a giant step against online child pornography as well as sharing and distribution of incriminating viral videos posted in the social network, members of the media criticize the decision, which upholds the legality of online libel.

Critics say it’s unconstitutional and it curtails the freedom of speech. Whichever is the case, one thing is for certain: there is now a growing awareness for social laws in social media in the Philippines.

4. Strategist, digital editor and researcher Lisa Talia Moretti stresses the importance of long term vision for digital content. She writes: “In 2014, people will start to take content a lot more seriously and view it as a fundamental first step towards launching a successful social media presence. There will be far fewer rookie errors of signing up to a social media channel without knowing what you’ll be saying in that space. As a result, content budgets will grow and more brands will start to work as publishers: hiring editors, copywriters and ex-journalists in the process.”

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