Facebook buys yet another social software: the WhatsApp App for up to $19 B

Facebook announced Wednesday, February 19, that they have plans to buy the mobile messaging site WhatsApp. The company plans on buying the app for up to $19 Billion. It is paying $12 Billion in Facebook stock, and $4 Billion in cash for the messaging application. Finally, the app’s staff will receive $4 Billion in restricted stock that will mature over the next four years.

Here’s the kicker: it is the largest acquisition by a long shot. Facebook only paid about $715.3 Million to buy out Instagram, as opposed to the possible $19 Billion WhatsApp gets.

Facebook said they are keeping the app separate from the other social networking sites, as it did with Instagram.

The recent buyout must have been largely due to the increased amount of users WhatsApp has. WhatsApp has been bounding in users and message counts since August 2012 and growing every month. The App currently has around 450 Million monthly active users. 

Facebook CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg believes this messaging app will continue to grow to a Billion users.

It will be interesting to see if/what will change now that the buyout has taken place. In some ways Facebook seems to be taking over social. Not that anybody seems to mind though. It doesn't seem like much has changed, yet we have to ask – what is going to happen to our privacy when almost all of the social platforms are owned by the same company? Does it matter?

Comment below!

Chick-fil-a making moves to switch to antibiotic-free chicken...but in 5 years

Chickfila announced this week that they are moving toward switching their traditional chicken breasts to antibiotic-free chicken.  This move, however, could take up to 5 years to integrate throughout the franchises.

                                                                                 

A spokesperson from Chickfila said that a shift this significant will take longer than expected because it requires a change in every step of the supply chain. The company knows that this move will take them a while because of the amount of demand the franchise requires. Any supplier willing to take them on will have to know this up-front.

The FDA, just few months prior to Chickfila’s decision, released an update to consumers about phasing out particular antibiotic usage in farm animals. The antibiotics are added to animals feed or water to help the animals gain weight on a faster scale.

Each year, more than 2 million Americans are infected by what researchers call “Superbugs” or bacteria that grow and spread by the overuse of antibiotics. According to the CDC, some 23,000 people have died from these “superbugs”.

Chickfila says that their decision was not stemmed from the FDA’s report, but rather by listening to their customers’ needs and responding to what they ultimately want. Their customers stressed having antibiotic-free chicken, and the company responded.

According to Jean Halloran, director of Food Policy for Consumer’s Union, Chickfila’s 5 year plan is better than never. Jean said that ultimately Chickfila deserves credit for taking an important step to protect public health.

Chickfila, in 5 years, will be among Chipotle and Panera Bread who have also pledged to serve meat that is free of antibiotics.

What do you think? Do you think Chickfila is just responding to the FDA’s report, or are they genuinely listening to their customer’s suggestions? Leave your comments below!

Google, among others, shows their support for the gay community

Recently, Google has changed the image on their homepage to winter Olympic player sketches in a sequence that represents the gay pride flag.

 Below the image, Google has placed a message saying that every human has a right to play sports and that in the Olympic spirit, every person should show mutual respect and understanding for one another.

Google is doing this in response to Russia’s prohibition of the discussion of gay rights around minors. Although the country has allowed same-sex activity between consenting adults, there are currently no laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity and households for gay couples are ineligible for legal protections that opposite-sex couples inhibit.  Russia has been known to be very conservative and one of the most hostile countries towards homosexuality.

Google isn't the only one speaking out about Russia’s intolerance for gays. AT&T also spoke out in their blog, saying that they support all gender equality globally and condemn violence, discrimination, and harassment towards LGBT persons abroad. They even stated that Russia’s law was harmful to the gay and transgender communities and society.

Chobani and DeVry University were among others that spoke out towards Russia’s laws. Both stated that they are against Russia’s regulations and that they support efforts to improve LGBT equality.

I, personally, love to see big companies take a stance when it comes to a controversial issue. It shows that they do not care about the customers or supporters they may or may not lose, they care more about the issue at hand. It makes me so happy to see Google was willing to take a stance, and that billions of people will see that message when they use the search engine. With Google and AT&T showing their support, I hope more companies join them and stand up for equality and respect for everyone.

What do you think of Russia’s anti-propaganda law? Do you think Google and AT&T are doing the right thing? Leave comments below!

Superbowl XLVIII Viewers: Get ready for the munchies

According to Ad Age research, this Superbowl viewing will have more packaged food and beverage companies advertising than any year since 2003.

Twelve grocery brands, ranging from Cheerios to Heinz, are expected to air nineteen advertisements during the game. That’s up from nine the year previously, and far more than earlier in the century. In the 2000’s, three or four grocery brands would typically buy Superbowl ad time. The ads were typically taken more by car companies, global businesses like Google, and big-whig cable and phone industries.

The usual beer, soda, and snack companies will appear again in the viewing including Coke, Pepsi, Budweiser, and Doritos. Among the bigger companies will also be smaller brands like SodaStream and Wonderful Pistachios, which debuted last year.

The game is a “second Thanksgiving,” according to Claudine Cheever, chief strategist at Saatchi & Saatchi, New York whose clients include General Mills and Cheerios. The game is prime time for advertisers to reach a wide variety of clientele.

The rise of digital video, mobile, and social engagement opportunities in recent years have increased the Superbowl ads appeal. Companies like Budweiser and Doritos have already released teaser videos to increase excitement and engage with consumers on several platforms. Strategists want to encourage consumers to view the teaser ads and look for their “sequel” on the Superbowl. The teaser ads are a fantastic way brands can increase awareness and engage consumers through an integrated campaign.

Finally, grocery brands, now more than ever, are buying time for the Superbowl. Grocery brands are realizing that by using ads during the Superbowl, they can have a dual goal of raising long-term awareness with game-day consumption. Brands like Chobani are doing this by advertising during the Superbowl to raise company awareness, but pushing for game-day consumption by sharing recipes for Superbowl dips and super snacks using their yogurts.

What are your thoughts? Do you think brands like Chobani and Cheerios will succeed in such a greasy, anything-goes type of event? What do you think about grocery brands advertising during the Superbowl? Will they ultimately be successful? 

To read more, please visit this website: http://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/super-bowl-advertising-turned-a-packaged-food-fight/291440/