My Thoughts on Technology and Jamaica: Loop is Big News on Apple iTunes and the Google Play Store – Social Media Entity makes big splash in Social Media Scene

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Loop is Big News on Apple iTunes and the Google Play Store – Social Media Entity makes big splash in Social Media Scene

“Under the banner of 'More News Now', Loop is going to change the media landscape across the Caribbean and we are beyond excited about the possibilities. Now, Caribbean news has never been so social with Loop's social media sharing and article commenting features meaning users can read, share and shape the stories as they happen”

Jamaican Media veteran Al Edwards in a Press Release in April 2014 on the launch of Loop

Loop is live. Hot in Curacao and Jamaica, Loop dishes on news in the Caribbean and Globally thanks to the very wide reach of Social Media. In effect, this is a Social Media News Company, powered by its Network of readers using their Android, BlackBerry and iPhone Apps.

So I discovered yesterday, July 9th 2014 in the afternoon. They now have an active Loop Facebook page and Loop Twitter handle @LoopJamaica to complement their Loop Website. For those like me who came late, Loop launched sometime in the last week of April 2014 as stated in “New regional online media company aims to change industry landscape”, published Friday, April 25, 2014, The Jamaica Observer.

Owned and run by Trend Media CEO Richie Kelly, they've got a very experienced Jamaican Media Veteran, Al Edwards, who been a reporter at such noteworthy establishments as Jamaica Observer, Jamaica Gleaner and most recently CVM, where he did a stint as CEO. They’ve joined the ranks of On the Ground News by going the Social Media route with an On the Ground News Facebook Page and Twitter handle @onthegroundjm instead of the Traditional Media route in delivering News.

It was under his stewardship that CVM TV experienced loads of Transmission problems during the Olympics 2012 as stated in “CVM regrets Olympics broadcast issue”, published Thursday, August 02, 2012, The Jamaica Observer. But that's apparently all water under the bridge, as he's back in the role he's most suited to, that being a Journalist's Journalist i.e. an Editor.

Apparently ‘More News Now’ resonates with their core demographic of 18 to 44 years old, which encompasses both the Millennial (ages 18 to 28) and Generation X (ages 29 to 45) demographics. So says Dichter and Neira, who did their market survey for them.

Loop is Big News – Social Media Entity makes big splash on Google Play and Apple iTunes

Looks like Dichter and Neira were indeed spot on. The Loop App, which is on BOTH Apple iTunes as well as Google Play Store, is currently the reigning champion of News App on BOTH App Stores. 4.5 out of 5 and a 4.5 Star Rating on the Apple iTunes Store and the Google Play Store respectively is a commendable feat

According to Pew Research, Facebook is a hub for News used by at least 30% of visitors to get their News, from Entertainment to Business related coverage as per my analysis in “Pew Research posits 3 in 10 get their News via Facebook as Paper set to go live”. In fact, most of my tip-offs are via Facebook along with other sources which I manage using various Social Media Tools as described in my Geezam blog article entitled “Social Media Management Tools help you to manage your Social Networks all at once”.

Their Social Media presence on Facebook is akin to Facebook’s own FB Newswire, which also has a Twitter Feed, @FBNewswire as stated in my blog article entitled “Facebook launches FB Newswire with Verified News from Storyful - Facebook's a bonafide Social Media Newspaper coming soon to a Oculus Rift Smartglasses near you”.

Traffic on their Website has been doubling ever fortnight, especially as they’d snagged some exclusive content as explained by Trend Media CEO Richie Kelly, quote: “Every day, we are bringing the latest news and views and exclusive content like our Tessanne Chin interview, which was watched by 15,500 people in two days alone and our World Cup showcase which features exclusive content, live text commentary and player interviews”.

Obviously, if they’re packin’ in Entertainment News, they’d DEFINITELY experience that, something I can attest to ever since I’ve published that article about Samantha J as explained in my blog article entitled “Samantha J now an International Recording Artiste signed to Columbia Records -  Touring the US of A caught their All Seeing Eyes”.

Look like a pathway I’ll eventually have to pursue, but using fewer resources of course, as I push my blog towards Pro as explained in my blog article entitled “Strategies to mitigate against Blogspot Shutdown – How to do a backup of your Blogger Blog in case Disaster Strikes  as Maintenance is key”. As for now, I’ll be adding Loop News to my already crowded Facebook and Twitter Feeds to keep up with the latest in Jamaica and around the Caribbean.

Here’s the link:

Loop Website

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