Twitter is introducing brand pages and just as many of us haven't yet experienced the new Twitter account changes, the first brand pages being rolled out aren't even necessarily viewable to all. In fact, the demo video of Twitter's account changes has been marked private and you can't even see those. Fortunately, screenshots are available.
Rafe Needleman took a screenshot of Pepsi's new Twitter brand page which you can check out by clicking on the thumbnail above. It's a nice look that Needleman feels beats out Facebook and Google+ on the design front in his three-way brand shootout. He points out that "Twitter gives managers the capability to change the color scheme of the entire brand page, as well as put in their own header art and background image."
The overall format is a nice match for the new Twitter accounts that are viewable as a screenshot in Daniel Terdiman's CNET article on those changes.
In a client letter for Digitas, Donna Tocci breaks down the new brand page layout and features:
Leaderboard - "The leaderboard is the name Twitter has given to the top portion of the brand page. This space allows brands to promote themselves through the use of graphics, written information and links."
Promoted Tweet Area - "At the top of the timeline, each page has a stationary spot for tweets...The brand can rotate this message as often as it likes, but the option is to have this pinned to the top of the timeline."
Timeline (formerly "stream") - "Regular Twitter account streams include a combination of original tweets and @replies...A brand’s timeline will now not include the @replies...However, for brands who are focused on customer service or who want to show their participation with the community, this function can be turned back on."
Mobile Brand Pages - "While Twitter did not unveil mobile brand pages yet, Digitas has been told that they will be consistent with the web version at launch."
Most users won't get access to brand pages until some time first quarter 2012. Tom Edwards, SVP, Digital Strategy & Emerging Technology Red Urban (Omnicom) has more discussion and screenshots.
Hypebot contributor Clyde Smith maintains his freelance writing hub at Flux Research and blogs at All World Dance and This Business of Blogging. To suggest topics for Hypebot, contact: clyde(at)fluxresearch(dot)com.
