Chat Apps

Heather Bowen@hl_bowen

Why Whatsapp?

Most downloaded chat app in the UK.

Mirror Online launched in February 2015 - since then there’s been an increase in over 200M app downloads.

It’s what our audience uses.

Why politics?

Wanted to test on niche audience to start with.

Run up to the elections.

Give our readers the ability to feel more involved in our coverage.

Why stop there?

1. Technical difficulties.

2. Difficult to scale.

3. Worth the resource?

OK, so why continue?

Over half of those who get a Whatsapp alert, come to the site to read more.

It’s a very engaged audience.

Newsgather

Personal connection with readers.

Gather reaction / interest to a story.

Poll readers.

Create relationship with readers - they’ll be more likely to send you content.

Final thought

While media needs to adapt to chat apps - chat apps also need to adapt to the media.

It’s a great opportunity for us and them.

Any questions?