(to interact with TV content, most commonly to get additional information about shows. With viewers constantly online and apps making it easier than ever to add social experiences while watching, it’s no wonder social TV is on the rise. Viewers also turn to social media for additional show-related videos, which may be explained by this infographic that compares what brands post to what people post. The most popular content on the site is photos and videos, though brands most commonly post links) (MarketWatch) (AllFacebook)
– Justin Timberlake is no one hit wonder business-wise, adding home decor designer (to his list of many job titles. He and celeb-designer Estee Stanley are launching HomeMint, which will sell everything from pottery to art collections — and what Millennial wouldn’t want to cop JT’s style? Speaking of home dec, we love the way Stitchtagram takes your Instagram photos and turns them into throw pillows! The one-of-a-kind product is a very cool way to translate one’s online life it into offline memories) (Refinery29)
– With Pottermore officially coming out of beta and opening its doors to all fans (book publishers are being forced to consider the new age of storytelling in which readers expect digital components as the number of families with e-readers and tablets grows. Not only must they compete on story and illustration quality, but also on app features and multimedia experiences) (WSJ)
– Girls are picking out the perfect dress for prom, but DoSomething (wants them to think about what they’re going to do with it after the big dance. Most past prom dresses end up hanging in a closet, never again to see the light of day, but thanks to the Prom For All campaign, girls can donate their dresses to give another girl a fabulous outfit for a night they’ll always remember. Nine West and Kelly Cutrone want to crash one lucky school’s prom by giving the whole class a prom makeover to make it the most sensational night ever! Here’s a look at how prom night has evolved and what it means to teens today)
– Handing over an iPad to a kid can give parents an awful feeling — guilt (for allowing their kids to play brain-rotting games or giving them access to all the good and bad content on YouTube. Several new apps, including Happly, are helping parents feel a little bit better by creating curated and original content that’s fun, educational, and customizable. In other app news, Doink! may be the next Instagram or Draw Something. The app allows users to create mini animations using stock line art or their own images and then feeds them in a stream, similar to Instagram) (TechCrunch) (ReadWriteWeb)
– In the on-going debate about the ROI of social media, a new study shows that Millennials (expect and want brands to have a presence on Facebook. They’re two times as likely as the general population to say they’re more likely to buy from a brand that’s on the social net. Brands also benefit from uncensored customer feedback that Millennials willingly share online) (Luxury Daily)
– Pop culture continues to influence baby names, so get ready to greet (Rue, Cato, Adele, and Ivy, which are all among the top baby names for 2012) (Giggle)
