The HM DL

Hoffmann Murtaugh brings you the media download on the global shifts impacting our lives.

If you'd like more customized and specific media guidance for your business and situation, we're ready to help.
  Volume 6 Issue 44
November 5, 2021
Instagram Post Preview Cards Are Back On Twitter
It’s been a long time coming, and a much-requested update, and today, finally, Instagram has announced that IG posts shared in tweets will appear with preview cards once again, helping to improve cross-platform sharing.


The DL: In the earlier days of Instagram, users could share a link to their newest Instagram post on their Twitter feed and it would show a preview of the image with the link. Unfortunately, that feature was removed in 2012, making it less appealing to cross-post content directly from the Instagram app to Twitter because the image wasn’t being posted with it. After years of this not being an option, the two platforms have finally worked together to bring the post previews back. This isn’t the only collaboration between the platforms that has happened in 2021: earlier this year, Instagram and Twitter started working together again when they allowed users to start sharing tweets as stickers in Instagram Stories. While these things could be improved upon, such as making the preview link a full image or being able to make the tweet stickers clickable, these are great steps to making cross-platform content sharing better than ever.
Twitter Launches Spaces Recording Option To Some Hosts
As Twitter looks to make Spaces a bigger element of the in-app experience, it’s now rolling out a key update that could help to take it to the next level.


The DL: Last week Twitter had launched a new recording feature on Spaces for selected hosts on iOS. This will provide a new way to share and edit audio as a podcast or audio clips to help promote your business’ latest content. If you are unfamiliar with Spaces, this is one of Twitter's newer features where users can hold live audio conversations with up to 11 speakers at one time. Users can share relevant tweets to get the conversation going and allow captions to become more accessible.

The addition of launching recordings to Spaces could exponentially help businesses create authentic conversations to build a broader audience. Used in a strategic way, these recordings can be a key connective tool to maximize engagement on your business’ Twitter page. It may be time to consider looking into Twitter Spaces to stay ahead of the curve. 
Survey data shows how DISQO measured the in feed performance of TikTok ads — aided and unaided.


The DL: TikTok had grown significantly since March 2020. Many brands are now starting to advertise on TikTok. This week DISQO, which is a consumer insights platform, recently built a tool that lets brands measure the impact of their ads on TikTok. With users ages 18-54 reporting that they use the app almost every day, they also love the ads that are shown compared to other platforms. A recent survey showed that of 39,452 adults, 52% found ads on TikTok to be “fun” and “engaging”. According to Kevin Whitcher, vice president of product and enterprise applications at DISQO, “TikTok is changing the perception of ads”. DISQO is releasing the tool to brands as a way to measure their performance on the platform. For brands that utilize the platform, this could change the way they view advertising on TikTok. In our expert opinion, if you are not already considering advertising on TikTok, what are you waiting for? 
A Quick Guide to Effective Hashtag Use
While they’ve been a part of the social media landscape since pretty much the beginning, many people still don’t understand the use or value of hashtags, or how to choose the right tags to include in your posts.


The DL: Believe it or not - there are proper ways to utilize hashtags to get the results that you want on social media! Many people continue to hashtag random words in their posts (ex. #IDontLikeHashtags). Unfortunately, these types of hashtags serve little to no purpose in terms of promoting engagement. 

Effective hashtag use requires actual research, bringing a more measured approach to posts within a social media feed. Here are four components to take into consideration when selecting effective hashtags - 

  1. Check to make sure the hashtag you want to use is active.
  2. Find a few hashtags that are regularly used by others in your industry.
  3. Use hashtags that are relevant to the content you are sharing.
  4. Use a combination of popular (mid-sized) hashtags and smaller, niche hashtags.

For help with hashtag research and generation, contact Hoffmann Murtaugh today!
TikTok Provides New, Step-by-Step Guides To Creating Branded Content On The Platform
TikTok is looking to help more brands take the leap into TikTok content creation with a new set of detailed, step-by-step guides on how to create some of the most common, engaging video types on the platform.


The DL: TikTok has launched a new set of step-by-step guides that help brands create some of the most popular video types on the platform. These guides are designed to help users get started creating engaging video content on the app.

TikTok suggests that businesses create an introductory video that explains what they do and why they do it. Their shot-by-shot guides detail the steps needed to create an effective video. They also suggest creating a product showcase clip. While it does provide an outline for creating a customer story video, it also comes with a few keynotes that will help you create an effective clip. TikTok also encourages brands to promote their clips on the platform, as it allows them to reach a wider audience and help establish their brand’s presence.

TikTok is now up to a billion users, and its community-focused approach is helping it rise much faster compared to Instagram’s beginning years. Instead of trying to interrupt ad campaigns, try implementing TikTok trends into your creative.
Around The Town...
We want to extend a sincere congratulations to two incredible leaders that will help continue to move Pittsburgh in the right direction. First, we want to extend our congratulations to Ed Gainey, Pittsburgh’s newest mayor. Gainey plans to use his time as mayor to promote a vision of unity and progressive change throughout the city. He pledges to make it safer, more affordable, and more diverse.

Another congratulations is extended to Wrenna L. Watson, Esquire, a new Judge in the Court of Common Pleas. This year, Hoffmann Murtaugh had the pleasure of assisting Wrenna with her election campaign. Wrenna sees the need for judicial reform, equal treatment, and fairness to be exhibited and exercised for the bench. Additionally, she believes in equal justice for all. Congratulations Wrenna, we cannot wait to see your positive impact in this new position.

History has been made in Pittsburgh!
If you would like to pick our brains on how to navigate the evolving integrated media landscape during this time,
we'd be happy to help.

Hoffmann Murtaugh
 Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (412)741-8618
Hoffmann Murtaugh is an integrated media planning and buying agency based in Pittsburgh, PA with offices in Cleveland, OH, Harrisburg, PA, and Rochester, NY. Our approach combines media strategy and intelligence with formidable negotiations to deliver smart, efficient, and customized media solutions to our clients.