NewComma_Portal

New Comma, A Social Media Platform for African Creatives Launched in Ghana.

by with No Comment Africa StartupsAfrican EntrepreneursDigital InnovationDigital MarketingDigital SkillsGhanaSocial MediaTechnology

In Ghana, a social media platform for African creatives called ‘New Comma’ has been launched by Natalie Narh and Nigel Atta-Mensah.

Natalie Narh and Nigel Atta-Mensah are the co-founders of New Comma – a 2020-based online platform focused on discovering, supporting, and providing opportunities to African and Black creatives.

According to the platform, they are on a mission to make it easier for businesses around the world to identify and engage with an untapped pool of brilliant African creatives influencing the future of the creative economy, allowing them to adopt unique and authentic ideas on art, culture, and beyond.

From L-R: Natalie Narh and Nigel Atta-Mensah, Co-Founders of New Comma.

The co-founders are both based in London with over 16 years of combined experience in their crafts – Natalie is a Creative at a Social and Influencer Agency while Nigel is Co-Founder of The CREC – a collective of young professionals creatives.

In addition to these jobs, offering a platform for creatives to express their talents has always been a passion of theirs. Their first partnership was with The Cool Kids Project, which documented rising creative potential in Accra, Ghana, in September 2017.

The goal was to emphasize the necessity of providing these aspiring entrepreneurs and creatives with the support they need before they reach the world stage.

Interested in joining this platform, request an invitation code to try it out by joining their waiting list via http://new-comma.com

GeoPoll Report

GeoPoll Report: Online Influencers’ Influence In Kenya And Nigeria

by with No Comment African EntrepreneursAfrican Innovations & IdeasDigital InnovationDigital MarketingKenyaNigeria

The rise of the internet and the global digital revolution over the last decade has given rise to a modern way of marketing known as ‘influencer marketing’. An online influencer is an individual who has created an audience or fan base that they are able to influence via online channels such as social media networks. In many cases, influencers profit through promoting products to their audiences, which has now become a multi-billion dollar industry. Many businesses, from multinational brands to smaller businesses, are now engaging online influencers to push their product and improve brand awareness among target audiences, especially youth consumers.

google-youtube-innovation-funding-750x408

3 Nigerian & 2 South African media organizations receive GNI Youtube Innovation funding.

by with No Comment Digital MarketingDigital SkillsInnovationsNigeriaSouth AfricaUncategorized

Nigeria’s Channels Television, The Guardian Nigeria, Legit.NG and South Africa’s Eye Witness News, and Tiso Black Star are recipients of GNI Youtube innovation funding.

In July, as part of the Google News Initiative (GNI), they announced innovation funding to help newsrooms and publishers strengthen their online video capabilities and experiment with new formats for video journalism.

The Google News Innovation is a program designed to “help quality journalism thrive in the digital age” by providing grants – cash without equity – to media organizations that are considered to have potential.

The initiative started in Europe in 2015 with a $170 million fund. This later extended to YouTube after the Google News Innitiative set aside $25 million and pledged to work with media figures to combat fake news and develop new features.

Hundreds of organizations submitted proposals through an open application process and today they’re sharing the 87 recipients.

Hailing from 23 countries around the world, they represent a diverse array of broadcasters, traditional and digital publishers, local media, agencies and creators, but all share a commitment to quality journalism and a spirit of innovation.

Nigeria

South Africa

Image Credit: YouTube

Ho Node_1

Ho Node Hub Bridging the Gender Digital Skills Gap for Female Entrepreneurs

by with No Comment Digital InnovationDigital MarketingDigital SkillsEntrepreneurship & StartupsGhanaInnovation HubsMobile TechnologyWomen in Technology

An all-inclusive hub; Ho Node in the Volta Region is offering digital skills training, business support and a conducive space to female entrepreneurs.

The demand for capable personnel with digital skills is soaring as more companies are undergoing digital transformations. However the supply of these skilled personnel is low. Many employees are being laid off but several new digital roles are not be filled.

Women and girls would be the hardest hit and will struggle to find jobs as technology advances because the widening digital literacy skills gap.

Globally, the proportion of men using the internet in 2017 was 12 percent higher than women, (International Telecommunication Union). In Ghana, less than 20% of women have access to the internet. (world wide web foundation)

The creative sector consists of industries that have their origin in individual creativity, skill, and talent, and have potential for job creation through the generation and exploitation of ideas or imagination. These include graphic design, fashion design, advertising, digital marketing, animation, video and photography, handcraft, film etc

The creative sector like other industries is embracing new digital technologies hence need for digital skills training.

Though is there is limited published data on the gender employment and digital skills gap in the creative sector in Ghana, how many female graphic designers, illustrators or photographers have you engaged recently as compared to men?

To bridge the digital skills gap in the creative sector in Ghana, we launched #SheIsCreative, a skills training program designed for ladies

Though is there is limited published data on the gender employment and digital skills gap in the creative sector in Ghana, how many female graphic designers, illustrators or photographers have you engaged recently as compared to men? To bridge the digital skills gap in the creative sector in Ghana, we launched #SheIsCreative, a skills training program designed for ladies

 

The first cohort of 50 ladies would learn the concepts and digital tools for graphic design for 6 weeks. Subsequent courses would be in digital illustration, photography, 3D Animation, Virtual/Argumented Reality content creation and others.

#SheIsCreative is our contribution to the sustainable development Goal goal 4, 5 and our passion to ensure inclusion in the digital economy.

To support a the program, contact 0545101172 or email: info@honode.org