FaraiMedia

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1. What do you propose to do? [20 words]

FaraiMedia is a mobile and online ad network that enables publishers of African content to monetize their traffic and content.

2. Is anyone doing something like this now and how is your project different? [30 words]

There are some ad networks. FaraiMedia is unique because we offer total solutions to African media brands for BOTH online and mobile advertising and revenue generation. We deliver targeted ads to African consumers.

3. Describe the real world challenge that you are trying to solve for African media [50 words]

African media brands are not able to monetize significantly on their traffic and content. Therefore quality of African content, websites and technological innovations are often compromised. We are a publisher and FaraiMedia was born out of the challenges with monetizing our websites.

Almost ALL applicants participating in this competition rely on advertising for revenue generation. We are their vehicle for revenue generation and advertising.

4. How and why will your solution work? [100 words]

FaraiMedia addresses these challenges by connecting African media to advertisers to and giving advertisers access to a defined audience target via African media brands. Our platform aggregates African traffic and sells that inventory to advertisers specifically targeting African consumers.

By acting as the sales forces and marketing team for African media, we create a robust environment that allows publishers to fully focus on their core business. Additionally we plan to re-invest in innovative African media brands with potential for growth.

Our focus is to innovate technologically, asking what can be done in marketing and advertising for African media.

5. Who is working on it? [100 words]

Lorraine Gundan, M.B.A, TV Anchor & Producer for Afrotainment Channel in America and International Correspondent on eTV and MetroFM in South Africa. Lorraine has extensive experience in media and has consulted for KPMG, General Motors & Chrysler.

Gugulethu Mabuza, PhD candidate in Business Administration (Information Systems). He has more than 10-years experience in database, application and web development. He is an accomplished Manager, Scholar and Software Engineer

Dr. Anidnya Ghose, FaraiMedia Advisor, is a Professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business and a well-respected scholar in Information Systems. He has pioneered work in search, online advertising and mobile.

6. What part of the project have you already built? [100 words]

The ad delivery platform has been completed and is currently serving ads on several African publishers’ websites including MyTruspot.com, Njorku, TechZim, FaraiToday. We are currently in talks with iRokoTV, ITNewsAfrica and other leading African media brands to bring them on board. We are also working with advertisers that are looking to target African consumers.

We are developing the business processes for bringing on board publishers and brands to FaraiMedia.

Additionally, FaraiMedia.com is a member of the Digital Media and Marketing Association [DMMA] of South Africa.

7. How would you sustain the project after the funding expires? [50 words]

We expect to be profitable by December 2012. The revenue model is primarily through revenue sharing between Faraimeida and its publisher partners. We have begun to explore Social Media advertising and are working on developing complimentary Social Media applications for the African marketplace as part of our revenue generation model.

Requested amount from ANIC: US$100,000
Expected amount of time required to complete project: 6-months
Total Project Cost: US$250,00

Name: Gugulethu Mabuza
Twitter: @FaraiMedia
Organization: FaraiMedia LLC.
Country: South Africa / Zimbabwe / U.S.A