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The logo for the new Russian Instagram, Rossgram, which was launched to select creators on March 28. Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Russian developers have launched an Instagram alternative called Rossgram, after the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine and international backlash has made it unclear if Instagram has a future in the country.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine at the beginning of February, global social media companies including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook have either blocked or restricted their services in the country, or have been banned outright.

Rossgram joins a slate of Russian versions of major platforms that seek to mimic larger and more popular social media companies, resulting in a landscape of Russian knockoffs that often struggle to attract users while raising questions about how much access the Kremlin has to users' data.

Even before the invasion, experts say that Russia already had generational and economic gaps in how people in Russia get their news and the social media networks they use. Recent bans and restrictions on social media use have exacerbated these divides, with younger tech-savvy people being more likely to work around restrictions, rather than turning to potentially invasive state controlled services.

Russia has been trying to coax internet users to turn to its own versions of popular sites, such as YouTube knockoff RuTube, for years. Authorities this year offered online creators the equivalent of $1,700 a month to move their content to RuTube, according to Coda Story, attempting to make up for its minuscule audience.

A 2021 report by the Levada Center, an independent polling organisation, found that YouTube is used by 37% of Russians, Instagram by 34%, and TikTok by 16%. But some native platforms hold influence too. Out of Russia's 70 million active social media users, according to research by Linkfluence, a market research platform, 83% use a social media platform similar to Facebook called VKontakte, and 55% use another called OdnoKlassniki.

According to Alyssa Demus, an associate international and defense researcher at Rand corporation, Russia has long been building up an ecosystem of alternative social media platforms. But people tend to be more sceptical and cautious when using them out of fear that the government is involved in their operations and users' information isn't secure.

"Either Russia has a hand in the building of the platform from this start, or they strong arm or co-opt whatever is popular later," Demus told Insider. "I know there's significant use of platforms like WhatsApp or others that are believed to be encrypted for that very reason so that there can be open communication without the fear of reprisal."

Russia has also enacted laws to exert influence on non-Russian social media platforms, including passing legislation stating companies need to place their servers for Russian accounts on Russian territory.

"Presumably so they can then sort of meddle and do whatever kind of surveillance they need to," Demus said.

TikTok's refusal to cooperate with this law is what led to the development of a video sharing platform called Yappy at the end of 2021. It was developed with support of the Innopraktika Foundation, a research institute with clients such as oil giant Rosneft and nuclear energy company Rosatom, which Putin's alleged daughter Katerina Tikhonova runs, according to the Moscow Times.

The Russian government has spent years attempting to either recreate or co-opt popular platforms. In 2014, VKontakte's founder Pavel Durov often referred to in media as Russia's version of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was driven out of his company by a coup after the platform was being increasingly used by opposition groups against Putin.

"He left the country for some reason, and then essentially was voted out as CEO by the board," Demus said. "And then subsequently the Russian government took over."

VKontakte and OdnoKlassniki, often shortened to VK and OK, are still very entrenched in the lives of Russian people, Demus added, but they tend to be used with a "growing understanding that anything Russia touches has the potential to land you in jail."

As in the United States, there is also a generational divide in how Russians use different social media platforms and the various demographics associated with each. Younger generations, researchers say, tend to be more attracted to global platforms such as Instagram and Twitter while more older Russians use VK and OK.

"There's a huge generational gap in Russia, not just with social media platforms, but in where they go for their news," Mary Blankenship, a policy researcher at Brookings Mountain West of the University of Nevada, told Insider.

According to the Levada Center report, television is where most Russian people get their news, but its dominance is declining dropping from 90% to 62% in five years. Younger generations are more likely to get their news on social media sites, and use virtual private networks (VPNs) to access sites that have been blocked by the government. The ability to use international platforms with less government control also results in access to media that's more critical of Putin and the Kremlin.

"Typically, the users that are older, that are less wealthy, less educated, and are in rural areas, support Russia and are way more aligned with Russian beliefs and rhetoric about the war in Ukraine than the people who are younger, wealthier, and live in urban areas," she said. "A lot of that has to do with the access to information that they get."

Younger people are less likely to believe Kremlin propaganda, Blankenship said, but are still susceptible to social media platforms reinforcing beliefs and narrowing the range of opinion they see.

"There are a lot of different echo chambers within social media, no matter what political issue or political leaning you are," she said. " You eventually create this bubble of people that are aligned with your views."

Russian speakers who believe the conspiracy theories and propaganda coming from the Kremlin will have their beliefs confirmed by other users sharing those same views, she said. For Russian people who are critical of the government and distrust its disinformation campaigns, Demus said, watching propaganda thrive as platforms with freedom of speech diminish must be "terrifying."

"They're becoming even more oppressed in their own country and have fewer civil liberties and less of a voice," she said. "But they're also being villainised by the world. It's a really tough position to be in."

Original post:
Russia launches its own version of Instagram, adding to its list of knockoff social media platforms - Business Insider South Africa

Some social media influencers have recently been promoting tanning products containing melanotan II, an illegal artificial hormone that can accelerate tanning. These products come in the form of injections and nasal sprays.

Authorities in multiple countries have issued safety warnings surrounding melanotan IIs use due to its link to conditions such as skin cancer and kidney infarction.

To understand more about melanotan II, Medical News Today spoke with four experts about the risks of using the hormone, what regulators could do to prevent its usage, and safe alternatives.

Melanotan II is a synthetic melanotropic peptide that is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is not approved for human use, said Dr. Anand N. Rajpara, associate professor of Dermatology at the University of Kansas.

It is either injected into the skin or inhaled through the nose. It works by stimulating our melanocytes to produce the skin darkening pigment melanin, he explained.

In conversation with MNT, Dr. Faraz Mahmood Ali, from the Department of Dermatology and Wound Healing at Cardiff University, the United Kingdom, listed several side effects of the drug:

Furthermore, there are long-term concerns about the increased risk of developing new moles and skin cancers such as melanoma, said Dr. Ali.

Dr. Elena Minakova, assistant professor of pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine, added that setmelanotide, a recently FDA-approved drug for obesity-associated genetic syndromes, works similarly to melanotan II.

Its side effects, she said, thus overlap with those for melanotan II and also include:

When asked what regulators could do to prevent people from using melanotan II, Dr. Faraz said [t]here needs to be increased awareness regarding the potential harms of using melanotan, especially for the youth who may be subject to misinformation.

Social media and other popular news and media outlets need to do more to stamp out false or misleading content [while] allowing experts to disseminate scientifically-accurate information, he added.

More studies and case reports are necessary to ascertain long-term unknown harms and side-effects. People wanting to consider tanning options should do so by discussing options with a dermatologist, he explained.

MNT also spoke with Prof. Tony Cass, professor of chemical biology at Imperial College London, the U.K., who was involved in a recent analysis of 10 tanning kits.

While Prof. Cass and his colleagues expected to find around 10 ingredients in a licensed medication, they were shocked to discover that some of the products analyzed contained over 100 unidentified ingredients, alongside melanotan II.

With unregulated/ illegal products, the label has no information, and as our analysis showed there were many other constituents, [and] there is no way for the consumer to find out what these are, Prof. Cass told MNT. Regulation is very difficult in this case, especially as internet influencer-based promotion is in any case difficult to control.

Making consumers aware may help, although as we see with smoking, even lurid warnings dont necessarily work. Internet companies [] could use AI [artificial intelligence software] to put a warning on the screen, but Im not sure they have the will to do so, he added.

We already know about the damaging effects of chronic sun exposure, including skin cancers and premature aging. Therefore, this method of tanning should always be avoided, Dr. Ali emphasized.

Sunless tanning options are the safest to consider in the long-term which include spray-on bronzers and stainers. One should always consult a dermatologist to discuss potential risks, side effects, and benefits prior to embarking on any new treatments.

Dr. Faraz Mahmood Ali

Dr. Rajpara agreed that spray-on options could be an alternative:

Sunless tanners and sprays containing DHA (dihydroxyacetone) are generally considered safe as long as you are avoiding inhalation and eye contact. However, they offer zero sun protection, so sunscreen is still a must.

More here:
Melanotan II: Tanning injections, nasal sprays harmful to health - Medical News Today

The McGowan Government today announced Cancer Council WA has received more than $2.4 million in funding to deliver the Make Smoking History campaign over the next three years.

The Healthway funding will support the Cancer Council WA to continue Make Smoking History TV education campaigns and help Western Australians accessing services to quit smoking.

The funding will also be used to research the rise of e-cigarettes and other novel tobacco products.

Despite significant decline in tobacco use over the past decade, smoking continues to be the single most preventable cause of death and disease in Australia, accounting for 8.6% of total burden of disease.

Research also shows that e-cigarettes and novel tobacco products pose a significant risk to the health and wellbeing of the WA population, particularly for young people.

Comments attributed to Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:

"Cancer Council WA plays a significant role in leading tobacco control efforts through the Make Smoking History campaign.

"This funding will help Cancer Council WA to deliver the next phase of the program and to continue to work alongside services to provide tailored support for Western Australians to help them kick the habit.

"The funding will also generate a new program that will address the rise of e-cigarettes and novel tobacco products."

Minister's office - 6552 5900

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Media statements - More than $2.4 million in funding to continue to make smoking history - Media Statements

RICHMOND, Va. After finishing last in the opening race of the 2022 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season in February at Floridas New Smyrna Speedway, Justin Bonsignore was in need of a rebound.

That came Friday at Richmond Raceway, where Bonsignore triumphed in the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150, the second race of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season.

Bonsignore started from the pole and led early, but pit strategy shuffled him out of the lead and into the pack for much of the race. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Tommy Catalano was the star of the race, taking multiple turns at the front of the field as he appeared destined for his maiden Tour win.

However, Bonsignore had other plans.

RELATED: Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150 race results

Restarting seventh with 49 laps left, Bonsignore worked his way to second and set off in pursuit of Catalano. It took Bonsignore 20 laps to run down Catalano, but once he did, the fight for the lead was on.

With 11 laps left, Bonsignore made the move to Catalanos inside. The two stayed side-by-side for the next lap before Bonsignore ultimately emerged with the race lead. He led the rest of the way for his first Tour win of the year and 32nd of his career.

Its been a long seven weeks, just driving home from work every day and youre like, Man, we are dead last in points, Bonsignore said. Deep down we know New Smyrna was out of our control. Youre going to have parts failures in this series. It was just important to come back and try and have a good day.

Its nice to bounce back. More than anything its the confidence that itll give our team.

Catalano settled for second after leading a majority of the race. Its his best Tour finish in 51 starts dating back to 2018.

Its one of those deals where youre so excited, but at the same time, youre disappointed, Catalano said. We came here with the goal of finishing in the top 10. A good day for us would have been a top-10 finish. To come 10 laps short of winning the race is definitely nothing to hang our heads on.

Chuck Hossfeld rallied late to finish third, with Kyle Ebersole overcoming a spin during qualifying to finish fourth ahead of Tyler Rypkema in fifth.

Eric Goodale, Jimmy Blewett, Jon McKennedy, returning NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Donny Lia and Ron Silk completed the top 10.

Ryan Newman, making his first Tour start of the season for the debuting SS Racing team, led a few laps early in the race before fading to a 13th-place finish.

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season resumes May 14 at New Yorks Riverhead Raceway.

Excerpt from:
Defending champion Justin Bonsignore rebounds with big Modified Tour victory at Richmond - NASCAR

Updated Feb. 1, 2021

Concerned the impending demise of cookies will make audience behaviors harder to track across social media? Not sure if your business needs to make time for TikTok? Curious if misinformation and declining user trust make social media an unsafe space for your brand? Youre not alone.

Social media can be a tough nut to crack. The rules, opportunities, audiences, and value propositions vary greatly from one channel to another and can shift gears without notice.

The one thing to conquer those social media concerns is a channel plan an advanced directive for how your brand manages its content on these evolving platforms. It also spells out what you should (and shouldnt) expect to achieve.

Many brands mistakenly assume they must distribute content anywhere and everywhereto maximize its reach. But plastering your brands content across every social network, trendy news site, and video platform is not a channel plan. It holds no regard for whom it reaches, how they might be impacted, or how that impact might reflect on the business.

Remember: Yourcontent marketing strategyshould define your social media marketing strategy. Evaluate each social channel against your business goals and audience needs. Turn this evaluation into an actionable plan so everybody on your team will know where, when, and what they should post on each channel and what their efforts are meant to achieve.

Heres how to create and implement a channel plan for social media marketing that will enable you to do just that.

The channel-planning process involves three steps: (1) understanding the platforms value proposition, (2) creating your brands use case for engagement, and (3) ensuring everyone on your team works from the same set of guidelines. Lets look closer at each one.

Each channel and its core communitys engagement preferences play major roles in deciding if your content is a good fit. Your audience might be open to connecting with your brand in a Twitter chatbut reservesSnapchatfor personal conversations. Authoritative long-form content might play well onLinkedInor Medium, whilememes, mash-ups, and captioned photosare more appropriate for platforms like Instagram.

Its important to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of each channel and its corresponding community before joining the conversation. Use this helpful tip sheet from Aaron Agius as a primer for matching the content to the best distribution channel to achieve your brands goals.

With a short list of potential channels in hand, map existing content assets to their most appropriate distribution channels. Remember to consider the content experiences audiences expect, determine if you have the resources to meet those expectations, and evaluate the potential to deliver meaningful business results with your efforts.

Answer these questions (adapted from CMIs Social Media Survival Guide) to decide if a channel is the right fit for your business. Your responses also can provide clues as to how to position your content to compel the audience to act:

Who uses this channel and what are they using it for?

Will it help us meet our objectives?

Does it fit with oureditorial mission?

What results do we want to achieve?

What kinds of content work best on this platform?

If your responses dont reveal a compelling opportunity to engage on that channel or if the platforms environment isnt suited to your brands unique content vision and mission, take a step back and reserve your teams resources for channels that are a better fit.

While your companys goals are important, you also need to establish the right tone, the right topics, and the right conversations to ensure the content delivers the experience your audiences want.

Everybody who posts your brands content should understand and align with a set of social media guidelines to maintain a consistent voice and quality standards.

I recommend reviewing your company style guide to refine your social personality and instill factual accuracy and precision. That includes correct usage (and spelling) of unique terms like company trademarks, product names, personnel, and service offerings.

Also consider how to draw attention to your social media content, including the use of hashtags. Wally Koval, former CMI team member and author of Accidentally Wes Anderson created from his popular Instagram account by the same name, has pointed out that pursuing too many audiences at once can dilute your contents impact. He suggests aiming for five to 10 of the most relevant hashtags including two or three unique to your brand.

Take note of topics or issues your team should avoid discussing on social media, as well as any legal or regulatory policies they must follow. For example, if you dont want to risk falling afoul of the EUs GDPR rules, North Coast Medias Bethany Chambers suggests documenting these criteria in your social media guidelines:

Consumption preferences and audience trends: Are there industry events, media innovations, or consumer behaviors on which your content distribution can capitalize (e.g.,livestreamingvideo consumption habits, device-specific capabilities like memojis, popular memes)? How might these impact the tone/velocity of your distribution? Are there controversies oralgorithm shiftsthat might causeyou to reconsider their value to your brand?

Current events: Trending topics can present timely distribution opportunities. For example, important, culture-related topics like diversity and inclusivity, racial sensitivity, and gender equality are at the forefront of the U.S. medias conversations right now. When brands use their social content as a podium to express their values and lend their support to important issues like Chase and Fubu CEO Daymond John did by co-creating Black Entrepreneurs Day, a Facebook livestream event that featured roundtable discussions, audience Q&As, and musical performances it can earn them a critical boost in visibility and relevance in social media conversations that may have been closed to them.

Team resources: If you only have an editor or two managing the content marketing process, the bandwidth for consistent distribution and conversation monitoring may be limited to a few outlets; however, if you have a full team of writers, editors, and other distribution partners at your disposal, the extra manpower (or womanpower, see above) affords increased flexibility and control to manage content across many more channels.

Now that you have the information to determine where, when, and how to distribute your social content, building the plan is simple. Create a matrix of the channels that make the most sense for your brand and note engagement specifics for each one. When all the fields are filled, you have a template that can be referenced easily, updated as necessary, and shared throughout your organization.

In my experience, it can be useful to outline as much information as possible in your initial plan so your team can refer to it when new opportunities emerge or a snap decision needs to be made. But its perfectly OK to start simply then build on or refine your data fields as you learn whats working and what isnt.

The following is a snapshot of recommended information for your initial channel plan. (You candownloadand customize the template [go toFile > Download As >and select the format.]):

Editors note:While CMI was used as a reference for this template, the content does not reflect its channel plan.

Click to download

You may also want to consider including:

No matter how far and wide your business intends to extend its reach, successful content marketing distribution often comes down to having a strategic, systematic, and scalable approach. This model ensures that everyone works from the same social media blueprint, but its not the only way to get the job done. Let us know what processes you use to determine where, when, and how you share your content and spread your brand influence.

Cover image by Joseph Kalinowski/Content Marketing Institute

Original post:
Social Media Content Plan: Strategy Tips and Template