Doctor Who is a video on demand service that is well aware of the over 750 million active members on Facebook and the fact that it has become the place to spend time online, especially given that half log in to the site everyday. Facebook credits were launched June this year and are used to buy virtual goods on the platform in much the same way as real money with one Facebook credit being worth $1.50
Doctor Who is the first on demand service to offer episodes to rent through the Facebook platform, with nine stories available for 48 hours for one Facebook credit. With a large existing fanpage, this commercial endeavor is proving popular.
Implications - Businesses should be aware that purchases and transactions made through the Facebook platform will be socially shared on news feeds, providing a way of reaching a larger audience. Word of mouth is still relevant, but social media has proven itself to be a valuable marketing tool.
Facebook Movie Rentals
Doctor Who Brings Classic Episodes to Social Media
Trend Themes
1. Video-on-demand Services on Social Media - Offering video-on-demand services on social media platforms such as Facebook provides an opportunity for businesses to reach a wider audience and increase sales.
2. Facebook Credits as Virtual Currency - Using Facebook credits as a form of virtual currency for purchasing goods and services on the platform provides a disruptive innovation opportunity for businesses to increase revenue and engage with customers.
3. Social Media as Marketing Tool - Leveraging social media as a marketing tool by sharing transactions and purchases made on the platform can provide businesses with opportunities to increase brand visibility and reach a larger audience.
Industry Implications
1. Entertainment Industry - The entertainment industry can take advantage of offering video-on-demand services on social media platforms to increase revenue and reach a wider audience.
2. Virtual Goods and Services Industry - Businesses offering virtual goods and services can utilize Facebook credits as a form of virtual currency to increase sales and engagement with customers.
3. Marketing and Advertising Industry - The marketing and advertising industry can leverage social media as a tool to increase brand visibility and reach a larger audience by sharing transactions and purchases made on the Facebook platform.