Could we have accidentally stumbled into one of the most uniquely creative periods in modern history?

Despite the limitations of our social and cultural lives, creatives have been forced to come up with ideas, no matter their access to space, tools, or like minds. Things are happening on the fly right now. And, to our collective credit, we’re hitting the mark.

Social media is, of course, at the forefront of this creative boom. From time-honored network shows like SNL staging Zoom skits to Facebook and TikTok creating online graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020, we might have been forced into these new mediums, but the point is we’re excelling in them.

This week in the Social Sphere, we’re highlighting all the creative ways social media is at the forefront of our new norm. And not just the way we consume information, but how we work out, how we consume entertainment, and how we stay close while being physically apart.

Let’s dive into this week’s Social Sphere!

In the News

Instagram Rolls Out Stories Challenge Sticker

Instagram is taking social media challenges up a notch with an all-new sticker option in Stories. Challenges have been all the rage in 2020, and Instagram makes things much easier when a friend nominates you to share personal details, have a Toosie Slide dance-off, or show the records you can’t live without in that weird Bill Clinton meme. It’s simple to use: enter your hashtag challenge, nominate friends, and let that Story fly!

Facebook Celebrates the Class of 2020 with Graduation Features & Commencement Program

Graduating right now can’t be easy. But Facebook is making this celebratory time a lot more fun with new graduation features and commencement programs. On May 15th, Facebook and Instagram will launch #Graduation2020 – featuring commencement addresses by Oprah Winfrey, Awkwafina, Jennifer Garner, Lil Nas X, Simone Biles, and more. Each will offer a few words of encouragement for the Class of 2020 while Miley Cyrus will even do a special performance of her song “The Climb.”

Pinterest New Tools and Resources for Creators

These days, everyone is looking to Pinterest for inspirational content and positive reinforcements. To celebrate the creators across the globe, Pinterest has launched new “Creators” tools and resources with specialty brand partners to provide additional support for creators and small to medium-sized businesses. New Pinterest partnerships include Adobe Spark, Over, PicMonkey, and Canva.

LinkedIn is Working on New “Presentation Mode” and Polling Features

Among the fasting growing social networks in 2020, LinkedIn is more interactive than ever – and their new plans are proof. With a hashtag “presentation mode” and polling features in the pipeline, communication on the platform is growing more social and impactful. They may be following the likes of Instagram and Twitter with polling options, but the upcoming hashtag “presentation mode” is prime for Linkedin.

What’s Trending

Yes, Facebook “Virtual Dating” is a Thing, and It Might Actually Be Cool

Although virtual dating is as old as MySpace and AOL chat rooms, Facebook “Virtual Dating” is a thing of the future. The company announced this week that a new video feature will allow users to access a Facebook Dating service. They’ll be able to connect and make a video call over Messenger, where on the other side, a virtual date awaits.

Of course, this comes at a time when virtual dates are the only dates anyone can have. And soon enough, you’ll be able to make that love connection while being fully socially distant, all thanks to Facebook.

Instagram Live is the New Gym and It’s Kinda Poppin’

You won’t find any germs at your local Instagram Gym. Nor will you find any sweaty machines or a lack of clean towels. That’s right, with gyms and spas closed until at least mid-May, IG Live has been the place where we collectively catch a burn or get a mean stretch. Gyms, fitness instructors, yoga studios and more, have all taken their services to IG Live. And, more often than not, at a discounted rate or for free-99.

This leap to IG Live is a way for companies and individual instructors to maintain brand awareness and potentially reach new clients. For us, it’s an interactive way to stay in shape and, you know, see another human-being that’s happy to see us.

Prime Video is Streaming All the SXSW 2020 Films That You Need to See

Remember when South by Southwest (SXSW) got canceled and the world wept? Ok, so maybe not the world, but certainly Austin, Texas, and a large number of faithful festival-goers. But don’t fear, Amazon Prime has our back. Starting on April 27th, Prime Video presents the SXSW 2020 Film Festival Collection from Amazon Prime Video and SXSW.

They will showcase 39 films featuring narrative and documentary features, short, and episodic features. All movies will be available for free starting April 27th through May 6th in the U.S. You do not have to have an Amazon Prime membership, just a free Amazon account. See the full list of films in the link above.

StoriesEdit – The Latest

We couldn’t be more excited about the upcoming template collections on StoriesEdit. In the months ahead, we have so many new templates that you’re going to love! Some are free templates, and others will be available through StoriesEdit Pro.

Currently, our Floral + Bloom collection explores radiant floral trends and spring aesthetics. Stay tuned for more. You won’t want to miss what we have coming up!

That’s it for this edition of the PLANOLY Social Sphere. Stay tuned for more updates later this month!