In just a few short weeks, live streaming mobile app Meerkat and its Twitter-owned direct competitor Periscope have taken the mobile media world by storm.
Live streaming isn’t a new phenomenon by any measure. Video game streaming services such as Twitch TV and U Stream have built substantial followings over the last few years; with the former sporting a primetime audience that rivals broadcast TV. Even YouTube has grown into a destination for live streaming major events.
In many ways live streaming in the vein of Twitch TV represents the next stage of evolution in video. It was only a matter of time before Meerkat came along and brought the progressive practice of video streaming to mobile.
The rivalry between Meerkat and Periscope has been a running constant in social media conversation for weeks. This discourse flared recently with the botched premier of a Madonna music video on Meerkat.
#Madonna a no show at #meerkat #meetkatfail
— Jay Gabor (@AquilinoNYC) April 7, 2015
Is @Madonna pulling a PR stunt against @AppMeerkat to promote #TIDALforALL? Sneaky. #MeerKat #publicrelations #marketing
— Alexis Medina (@AlexisMedina) April 7, 2015
Madonna’s Meerkat video premiere utterly failed, displayed a 500 error page instead, #DLG, #SEO, #Mobile, #Web
— Digital Lead Gen (@DLG_NJ) April 7, 2015
Despite this snafu, the potential of mobile live streaming remains a hot topic in social media discourse. Understandably, marketers are paying close attention to the talks.
Has anyone experimented with the app #Meerkat? It could be a huge evangelistic and marketing tool.
— Wisdom Moon (@WisdomMoon) April 2, 2015
#Periscope is a sports marketing gem! Increasing teams ability to interact with their fan base.
— Cam (@theNAMEisCAMM) April 4, 2015
#Periscope early adopters use the app mostly for interactive city walks and – as a result – for local #marketing. Interesting result.
— Gosia Rybakowska (@Apsalaar) April 7, 2015
#Periscope #vine #meerkat #twittervideo slow down there internet, this digital marketer needs to update her strategies. Sheesh.
— Shirien (@ShirienEG) April 2, 2015
