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Customer communities can be a powerful ally to any brand, offering a multiplier effect for your message that resounds throughout the web. But how can a brand harness the power of unpaid spokespeople to amplify its message and reach as much of its target audience as possible? The key is to convey a sense of shared purpose, be authentic and speak their language.

Skype, Houseparty, your days may be numbered: Facebook has now entered the arena. Its recent announcement enthuses that “Chatting face-to-face live as a group is perfect for those spontaneous moments when text just isn’t enough… or when you have a major case of FOMO.”

Celebrities: They’re just like us. At least when it comes to Snapchat perks, that is. Unlike other social platforms that serve as advertising opportunities for celebrity influencers, Snapchat has kept the influencer marketing door firmly shut. A ban on all paid influencer posts on the platform has helped boost Snap Inc.’s reputation as a bastion of raw, authentic content. This vacuum of celebrity endorsements on Snapchat creates a perfect opportunity for brand communicators seeking to experiment with posting more spontaneous, raw content.

As the digital divide narrows and more people turn to the internet to research, make and discuss holiday purchases, it only makes sense that social media is playing a larger role in the season. Sprout Social surveyed more than 1,000 consumers on their social media habits and expectations for brands this time of year. The key takeaway: Social matters at every step—from along the path to purchase to afterwards enjoyment.

[Editor’s Note: Due to popular demand, Rebecca Haynes is back with us to provide gift ideas for the discriminating PR pro. And in accord with the findings of the PR News Pro Salary Survey, Rebecca has listed few gifts that cost more than $40.]

There were so many candidates for Image Patrol this month, and with the year ending we decided to forego the usual comparison of two brands and instead create the ultimate image disaster list for 2016. This PR News Pro premium content is offered to you free in the spirit of the season.

Facebook: Almost Everyone’s Doin’ It: How many times have you heard it said that everything flows from the top down? Well, not quite everything. In the case of social media, some CEOs trail their employees, particularly communicators. That needs to change, at least for CEOs using Facebook for business, Facebook says.

Each year at this time we ask communicators what issues loom large for them in the new year. Last year integration, mobile and content dominated (PRN , Nov. 16, 2015).

PR pros need to think ahead and anticipate the future—so figuring out the top trends in the industry for the coming year always will be important. Will there be something totally new coming to light in 2017? Perhaps. Here are seven trends for PR pros and communicators to consider.

This week’s Data Dive, which looks at consumer engagement with U.S. B2C brands during Q3 (July 1-Sept. 30) on Instagram, is more proof that brands shifted their effort to the photo-based platform, as opposed to Facebook, where engagement was relatively tame during the quarter. The data, provided by Shareablee exclusively to PRNews Pro, also shows the power of video, even on Instagram, which was designed originally as a platform for mobile photos.