Media Insider: Twitter Considers Longer Tweets, Snapchat Builds Ad Tech Platform, Yahoo Shuts Video Portal

Welcome to Media Insider, PR Newswire’s round up of journalism, blogging and freelancing stories from the week.

Photo by Maryland GovPics used under CC BY 2.0

Twitter Considering 10,000-Character Limit for Tweets (Re/code)

It appears longer tweets are in the works. Re/code reports Twitter is building a new feature that will allow users to tweet things beyond the 140-character limit. “Twitter is currently considering a 10,000 character limit,” says Re/code. “That’s the same character limit the company uses for its Direct Messages product, so it isn’t a complete surprise.” There is no official launch date yet, but sources say end of Q1 is likely.

Snapchat is Building an Ad Technology Platform (Digiday)

Snapchat is working on an application programming interface (API) that would let partners buy ads with more precision and frequency, Digiday reports. Snapchat reached out to ad tech companies and agencies about its API, sources said. “Snapchat’s ambition going into 2016 is to have many more opportunities for e-commerce on the platform and other stuff that is more about building audiences,” said an ad agency executive with direct knowledge of the plans. Snapchat could begin testing a system by spring.

Yahoo Shuts Down Its Video Portal (The New York Times)

Yahoo recently confirmed its four-year-old video portal, Yahoo Screen, has been shut down. The portal maintained a significant audience through its shut down, with about 15 million unique visitors in the US, according to comScore. The New York Times reports a Yahoo spokesman said the company decided to relocate its video content within the company’s various digital magazines.

What an Outgoing Detroit Columnist Learned From Nearly 40 Years in Journalism (Columbia Journalism Review)

Laura Berman, a metro columnist with The Detroit News, discussed her journalism career with the Columbia Journalism Review. Berman is a “rare writer who can blend original newsgathering with personality, humor, and empathy,” CJR writes. In the piece, Berman answers questions about her start in journalism and what it takes to earn the trust of people she interviews.

How Medium is Breaking Washington’s Op-ed Habit (Politico)

Three-year-old publishing platform Medium has spent time “courting members of the political class,” Politico reports. So far, that effort has paid off. Medium is banking on Washington’s frustration with traditional news outlets, and the San Francisco-based company established a D.C. office last spring, spending months to recruit new voices in Washington, says Politico.

Subscribe to Beyond Bylines to get media trends, journalist interviews, blogger profiles, and more sent right to your inbox.

Christine Cube is an audience relations manager with PR Newswire and freelance writer. Follow @cpcube or check out her latest on Beyond Bylines on PR Newswire for Journalists.