Teen social networking app Wishbone jumps into video
LOS ANGELES -- Teen-geared social networking app Wishbone is diving into video.
In addition to utilizing photos in their cards, users can also compare two 10-second side-by-side videos.
Videos will auto-play and music can be muted for either video or played simultaneously.
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Regularly, the app gives users the ability to compare and vote on various trends by looking at side-by-side photos.
For example, one 'card' will have photos of characters Aria and Spencer from Pretty Little Liars and ask users: "Does Aria or Spencer have better style?" They then choose their option, and see how others voted to the same question.
Video was the next logical step for the platform, especially given the rise in competition from Snapchat, Instagram and other platforms that are more video-centric.
"Wishbone is a community, it allows teens to express their preferences and choices on music, celebrities, fashion, travel etc.," Jones told Mashable. "Over the last year, we've been hearing a consistent request: 'when can we do video?'"
Jones said after conducting focus groups with teens, it became apparent there’s a lot of insecurity happening on Instagram and other places. If photos don't get enough likes, teens remove them from their profile.
The Wishbone app was created in 2014 by Science Inc, led by Michael Jones. Jones, the former CEO of Myspace, has spent the past four years at the helm of Science Inc., which is best known for incubating hit startups like Dollar Shave Club and DogVacay.
Since launching, Wishbone has amassed more than four million monthly users across the U.S., a large majority of which are teens. Wishbone’s audience is roughly 95 percent female, roughly 80 percent 18 to 13 year olds and 20 percent 19 to 25 year olds.
Also announced: Wishbone's partnership with Disney's Freeform network (formerly known as ABC Family). The app will creative native mobile campaigns in conjunction with the channel’s most popular shows, including Pretty Little Liars, Young & Hungry and The Fosters.
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Topics Apps & Software
Saba was a Los Angeles-based reporter who covers all things digital entertainment, including YouTube, streaming services and digital influencers. Prior to that, she spent two years at the Los Angeles Times covering entertainment for the Calendar and Company Town sections. Saba grew up in Santa Monica and graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in journalism and B.A. in political science. When not reporting, she is usually binge watching shows online or looking for new coffee shops to frequent.
