Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Drew Benvie

@drew.battenhall.com

1.3K followers 660 following 510 posts

Social media commentator, CEO of @battenhall.com and public speaker. Featured on BBC telly, radio and in other places. Wrote the Wikipedia page on social media, did a TED talk on it, and shout at various sports. Proud father & husband & dog dad. LDN

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Nov 20

Seems it was May 2023 when I wrote this piece for @prweekuk.bsky.social.

Thanks to the #battenhall team who are all here on a handy starter pack: bsky.app/starter-pack...

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Nov 20

My piece for PR Week on Bluesky is aging well I see www.prweek.co.uk/article/1822...

And nice one @eviebarrett.bsky.social on the new piece today too. www.prweek.co.uk/article/1896...

Bluesky: a genuine Twitter alternative for brands and PRs?

Twitter has been the tech-savvy PR pro’s best friend for more than a decade, trusted by journalists and media houses for story-gathering, audience-building and reputation management.

www.prweek.co.uk

1 11

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · 3d

Looking for followers on Sora 2. And yep I have invite codes but mainly want to follow my network on there 👋🏼

sora.chatgpt.com/profile/drew...

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · 28d

Decided to start writing my Substack again. Thoughts on the year ahead in social media… open.substack.com/pub/drewbenv...

Crystal ball time: social media in 2026

On 5th November I’ll be presenting at Battenhall’s annual social media keynote in London, and as I look at what's shaping the year ahead, it feels like the perfect time to restart this Substack.

open.substack.com

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Jul 30

woohoo! Here for Bluesky being used more by ppl

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Jul 30

Loving Bitchat so far. Feels like OG Twitter meets WhatsApp meets Reddit. Dorsey’s new experiment leans into social media culture: it works offline, disappearing content, anonymous users, no tracking, panic mode, etc etc.

Good or bad idea?

I’m @drew on there, look forward to finding out!

1 5

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Jul 1

Chatted to the BBC earlier about whether Twitter can reinvent itself with new product chief Nikita Bier at the helm www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Musk's X appoints 'king of virality' in bid to boost growth - BBC News

Nikita Bier has previously developed platforms that have proved popular with teen users.

www.bbc.co.uk

1 1

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Jun 25

Pier 57 is my new favourite place (and the bits around it where I’ve been spending much of this week)

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Jun 24

It’s 5am, big day ahead so two coffees it is. Can’t ever remember it being as hot as this in New York ☀️🥵

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Jun 10

I don't often get interviewed like this but here's a new one. Thank you to Logging Off Club for the chat... loggingoffclub.substack.com/p/what-is-mi...

“What is missing is not social media bans. It’s safeguards.” Interview with Drew Benvie

Guest interview with Drew Benvie, founder of social media safety non-profit Raise

loggingoffclub.substack.com

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Jun 3

Three entry level social media agency roles just opened in my U.S. team for anyone looking.

🗽 Junior Social Media Analyst (New York) lnkd.in/ehFEHEqX
🌇 Junior Account Executive (Los Angeles) lnkd.in/ekNEafHg
🚕 Junior Account Executive (New York) lnkd.in/eEQd_rs3

Reposted by Drew Benvie

Battenhall @battenhall.com · May 19

As global lawmakers step up their efforts to ban social media for under-16s, Battenhall CEO @drew.battenhall.com says it will only make the situation worse.

In Digital Frontier, Drew argues for education, safe spaces, and guidance to help teens navigate social media responsibly: bit.ly/3YPJBT8

Screenshot of online article entitled "The case against kicking kids off social media".

1 1

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · May 16

Something from me in Digital Frontier today: digitalfrontier.com/articles/chi...

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · May 14

Overheard in Clerkenwell: what would be a great debate is if we got two analog people, and two AIs talking on the stage.

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Apr 30

Waiting in the wings to talk at the launch of Speak Up. Hats off @alexlockwood.bsky.social epic crowd 👏🏼

1 1

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Apr 29

This ridiculous Arsenal run offside free kick drill is genius!!!

Reposted by Drew Benvie

Battenhall @battenhall.com · Apr 29

Yesterday we announced we are a PRCA Dare Awards finalist… Today we’re can share we’re in the running for Specialist Consultancy AND PR Consultancy of the Year at the CIPR Excellence Awards 2025! 🥳

Well done to our incredible global team for all the work that makes this recognition possible! 🙌

1 2

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Apr 25

Team vibes 💯 this week. And if you’re looking for a career start in a place like this (I sit on the left close to coffee) then check out the battenhall Instagram as we have two internships up for grabs. See you this summer 😎☀️🌞

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Apr 17

YES BEST 5 MINS OF FOOTBALL EVER MAINOO MAGUIRE!!!!!!!!

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Apr 14

Have a read of @kerihudson.bsky.social 👏🏼

Battenhall @battenhall.com · Apr 14

Is AI the secret weapon for your social strategy? 👀 Keri Hudson's dropping 3 killer techniques we're using now. Don't sleep on this: btnhl.com/4i95dAx

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Apr 14

@montymunford1.bsky.social 👋🏼🤛🏼

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Apr 8

Currently in Devon taking a break but managed to get this to the BBC this morning 👋🏼

Battenhall @battenhall.com · Apr 8

Meta is expanding Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger.

Our CEO @drew.battenhall.com shared his perspective with the BBC: “For once, big social are fighting for the leadership position not for the most highly engaged teen user base, but for the safest."

Read more: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Meta expands Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger

The system imposes more restricted settings on younger users - though campaigners say it's unclear what difference they make.

www.bbc.co.uk

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Apr 4

Bumper week of press work for Battenhall crew. Hats off dudes
Euronews: btnhl.com/3E9mLyH
PRWeek: btnhl.com/3E7GJtK
eConsultancy: btnhl.com/3FSmRep

Social media has a misogyny problem. How can children be protected?

The hit Netflix series Adolescence has fueled discussion about banning social media and smartphones for children. But experts warn a ban won’t work.

btnhl.com

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Mar 27

Strong contender for biggest PR fuck up of 2025

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Mar 27

Good luck tonight to everyone. @battenhall.com’s up for Large agency of the year and Independent agency of the year later at the PRmoment awards in London.

Here’s a clip of Grace, Issie, Christopher & Becky picking up the ‘Large’ award for us this time last year 🥂🍾

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Mar 19

TikTok’s 2 weeks away from another ban in the U.S. Will it sink or swim? Keen to hear thoughts on the situation

Reposted by Drew Benvie

Battenhall @battenhall.com · Mar 17

Meta’s new Community Notes program launches tomorrow in the US. 🇺🇸

Battenhall CEO @drew.battenhall.com explores what impact this could have on brands – and why it’s more important than ever to keep a close eye on social communities. 👀

btnhl.com/3FusG1I

Meta begins testing Community Notes program

Meta's Community Notes system goes live in the US on 18 March – what will it mean for brands on Facebook, Instagram and Threads?

btnhl.com

1 1