Twitter is hoping users retweet ads with new ad format

Twitter is continuing to beef up its advertising offerings with a new interactive format.

The ads, debuting today, are called “conversational ads,” and they combine video, polls, hashtags and the ability for people to retweet it with a customized message. In a statement, Twitter said the new format makes it “even easier for consumers to engage with and then spread a brand’s campaign message,” because it apparently thinks people really want to share ads.

The intent is to get users to retweet the ad with a “call to action” button (i.e. a poll), personalize it, and share it to their followers. While that could lead people to trolling a brand’s hashtag, Twitter hopes the format entices people to share ads by being more engaging than a promoted tweet or hashtag.

Lifetime and Samsung were some of the first brands to test it. The cable network used it to promote to its new a cappella series, as seen below:

Screen Shot 2016-01-05 at 11.13.39 AM

 

It’s one of the many ways the company is hoping to boost profits to appease investors. Last month, Twitter announced it’s going to serve ads to users who are logged out of the service, which is apparently as many as 500 million people. Also, Twitter is hoping to attract brands to its new Moments feature and sell a glossy Promoted Moment for a reported $1 million.

https://digiday.com/?p=154135

More in Media

From sidelines to spotlight: Esports events are putting creators center stage

Esports events’ embrace of content creators reflects advertisers’ changing priorities across both gaming and the wider culture. In the past, marketers viewed esports as one of the best ways to reach gamers. In 2025, brands are instead prioritizing creators in their outreach to audiences across demographics and interest areas, including gaming.

Condé Nast and Hearst strike Amazon AI licensing deals for Rufus

Condé Nast and Hearst have joined the New York Times in signing a licensing deal with Amazon for its AI-powered shopping assistant Rufus.

Media Briefing: AI payouts may be entering a new era 

AI compensation is evolving — and new models, not just publisher demands, are driving the shift beyond flat-fee licensing.