Facebook has removed around 364 Russian-sourced pages and accounts for coordinated inauthentic activity; some of them have ties to Sputnik, a Russian state-owned news agency. Additionally, the platform eliminated 41 Instagram accounts and 107 Facebook groups, accounts and pages that also were initiated in Russia based on information from US law enforcement.

Fast-food chains have begun to develop unique personalities on social media, often using witty, snarky remarks to promote their brands. Chains such as Burger King and Wendy's have formed teams to write for their social media feeds and have established followings through witty commentary on topics such as IHOP's temporary rebranding as a burger chain and President Donald Trump's recent misspelling of hamburgers on Twitter.

Increase your Instagram following by ensuring your brand's identity is powerfully reflected in your profile and maximizing the popularity of vertical video on Instagram Stories with content that garners strong engagement from target audiences, writes Matt Smith. Consider creating niche Instagram profiles to appeal to specific segments and work with microinfluencers who are experts in your industry, he suggests.

Acura has created a Facebook Instant Games experience titled "ILX Total Control" that lets users drive the performance sedan by moving their smartphones. MullenLowe teased the game with a 20-second social spot.

Facebook is creating a tool that will enable third-party brand safety firms working on behalf of advertisers to automate block-list management. Agency executives share their concerns that the platform's brand safety controls are insufficient given its plethora of video inventory and say that quality is a concern even with the company's premium ad buying service, In-Stream Reserve.

Instagram posted strong growth in 2018, but its path may not be as smooth in 2019, eMarketer argues. Among the challenges are an increased ad load that may turn off some users and disappointment with trolling and possible election meddling.

Sarah Personette, vice president of global client solutions at Twitter, says that video advertisers produce 50% of the company's revenue and that brand safety drives many innovations and initiatives. She also touts new video partners that Twitter has secured, including the Women's World Cup, the PGA and BuzzFeed.

A Facebook video of Dunkin' employee Bryan Lara dancing with a customer named Donald Simon, who has autism, has attracted more than 144,000 views. "Sometimes the Staff at Dunkin Donuts does a floor show to ensure their Special guests are having fun!" wrote Simon's mom, Donna Maxon, who posted the video.