What’s New (and What’s Next) in Social Media: Q&A with Luan Wise and Andy Lambert
Luan Wise, Consultant, and Andy Lambert, Adobe, have been co-hosting monthly social media update webinars for over four years – helping marketers stay up-to-date with the latest platform changes and industry trends.
We’re excited to bring their dynamic double-act to the Social Media Fest stage delivering their insights in person. Ahead of their opening keynote, we caught up with them to find out what’s on their radar – and why you won’t want to miss their session.
What’s the biggest challenge for social media marketers right now?
Luan:
Keeping up! The pace of change can feel relentless – new features, new content formats, new platforms. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. It’s very easy to get distracted by the ‘ooh shiny’ of what’s new, but staying focused on what really matters is key.
Andy:
I’d add that there’s also growing pressure to prove value. Whether it’s ROI, engagement, or community growth – measurement is under the spotlight more than ever.
What’s a social media trend that’s here to stay?
Andy:
Short-form video is still king – but authenticity is the real winner. The polished, perfect content of the past is being replaced by more relatable, human content. The smartest brands are focusing on building trust, not just reach.
Luan:
I’d add that social search is a big one to watch. People are using platforms like TikTok and Instagram as search engines – looking for recommendations, reviews, and ‘how-to’ content. There are now really three players involved when it comes to search – traditional search engines like Google, social media platforms, and increasingly AI tools. It changes how we think about keywords, discoverability, and how content is created and found.
What can attendees expect from your Social Media Fest session?
Luan:
Practical takeaways. We’ll share the key updates from all the major platforms, but also talk about what it means for day-to-day activity – whether you’re a team of one or part of a big agency.
Andy:
We love doing these sessions together because we can share different perspectives – Luan brings a brilliant marketing lens, and I’m all about the data, trends and future-gazing. We’re both a bit nerdy when it comes to digging into the numbers and spotting patterns – so attendees can expect insights backed up with stats, not just opinions.
Final thought — what’s one thing every social media marketer should focus on this year?
Andy:
Consistency beats virality. It’s not about chasing trends – it’s about showing up regularly, being useful, and building a genuine connection with your audience.
Luan:
Keep learning. Social media doesn’t stand still, and neither should we. Events like SocialDay’s Social Media Fest are the perfect way to pause, reset, and get inspired for what’s next. And there’s nothing quite like hearing from other people in the industry – whether that’s within your sector or from completely different worlds – it’s an unmissable opportunity to learn, share ideas, and spark new thinking.
Join Luan and Andy in London at SocialDay’s Social Media Fest as they lead the opening session at 12pm on 20 May. They will also be hosting the B2B Theatre Breakout Sessions from 2pm on 22 May. Get your tickets today: socialday.co.uk
