Newzik - Songs that Follow the Beat of African News

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

Partner with African musicians to create weekly songs that convey news, message the mp3 to mobile phones, tour with musicians.

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

No one is doing anything like this that I am aware of.

3. Describe the real world challenge that you are trying to solve for African media [50 words] Multimedia Messaging technology and partnering with African musicians increases audience reach, engages them in a new manner. We create content generated by African voices. Our revenue stream relies on sponsors who have a guaranteed audience because of pushing to mobile phones. This solves revenue stream, audience engagement and locally generated content challenge

4. How and why will your solution work? [100 words] Newzik uses MMS to send a weekly ‘news’ song that is co-written by a local musician and a journalist in each of three regions – West, East and South.  The song will convey the news in an educational and entertaining soundbite. There will also be a kickoff concert tour to promote the new product and gather local feedback. Listeners can use their mobile phones to suggest news topics and themes. It will work because of the entertaining and accessible way we will reach our audience.

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

Jackson Mvunganyi hosts Hip Hop Connection and UpFront Africa, an interactive Voice of America program that connects youth in Africa and the U.S. Originally from Rwanda, Jackson has a bachelors degree in multimedia development from American University and a master’s in Information Management from the University of Maryland. Ricci Shryock is a multimedia journalist who has produced radio for Voice of America’s various Africa programmes since 2008 and whose TV, print and photo clients include Reuters, New York Times, Global Post and more. Ricci was based in Senegal from 2008-2011 and now travels between West Africa and D.C.

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

Both Jackson and Ricci have extensive contacts with musicians in West and East Africa, as well as a network of journalists to create content.

7. How would you sustain the project after the funding expires? [50 words] Advertising for local companies,charging payper view, royalties from syndication on other mediums.

Requested amount from ANIC: $90,000
Expected amount of time required to complete project: One year
Total Project Cost: $150,000

Name: Jackson Mvunganyi
Twitter: @UpfrontAfrica
Organization:
Country: U.S.A.