Next Wowzi: Bridging the Gap Between Brands and Influencers for Job Creation in Uganda.

In a groundbreaking move towards empowering Uganda’s youth and fostering collaboration between big brands and everyday social media users, Next Media on Friday, August 18, 2023, unveiled “The Next Wowzi” – an innovative online marketplace. This platform aims to democratize influence, allowing micro-creators to earn income by promoting brand messages on social media. With ambitious goals, Next Wowzi plans to create 1.5 million gig jobs for Uganda’s youth in 2023 through its online marketplace.

The Next Wowzi’s core mission is to build a self-serve online platform accessible to brands of all sizes and industries. This platform enables them to design and manage extensive distributed messaging campaigns. These campaigns leverage thousands of real, everyday customers and fans who are compensated for providing genuine endorsements online for products they genuinely appreciate.

Kin Kariisa, the CEO of Next Media, spoke during the platform’s launch and offered a word of caution to the youth and social media users. He stressed the importance of using social media responsibly to avoid missing out on potential opportunities.

Kin Kariisa, the CEO of Next Media, speaking during the launch of Next Wowzi

“The Next Wowzi is a result of a partnership between Next Media and Wowzi, poised to create jobs for 1.5 million youth,” emphasized Kin Kariisa, CEO of Next Media.

Wowzi, originally created in Kenya in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is instrumental in building and nurturing trusted influencer networks. It also organizes niche communities both online and offline, providing brands with a powerful targeting platform in emerging markets.

Mike Otieno, the co-founder of Wowzi, likens the platform to an “Uber for brands and influencers,” highlighting its efficiency in connecting brands with the right influencers.

Speaking at the Next Wowzi launch, the Minister of General Duties in the Office of the President, Justine Kasule Lumumba, emphasized how such opportunities align with the government’s digital agenda and job creation initiatives.

The Next Wowzi goes beyond just connecting brands with influencers. It verifies the identity and authenticity of social media users while continuously learning about these individuals and their interactions with niche audiences.

Since its inception three years ago, the platform has invested USD 4 million in payments. With hopes of broadening its user base, the Next Wowzi aims to engage more Ugandans in this innovative platform. Notably, East Africa boasts 20 million social media users, as reported in the Hootsuite Digital 2021 Data Report.

The Next Wowzi represents a significant step forward in leveraging the power of social media to create economic opportunities for Uganda’s youth. As it connects everyday influencers with brands, it not only democratizes influence but also contributes to the country’s digital and job creation agenda.

VIDEO: We are creating a content hub. – @KKariisa#NBSUpdates #NextWowzi #NBSAt15 pic.twitter.com/vQfsiabtQ7

— NBS Television (@nbstv) August 18, 2023

VIDEO: I came running because you are offering a solution. – @JustineLumumba #NBSUpdates #NextWowzi #NBSAt15 pic.twitter.com/oW3tsRmWSY

— NBS Television (@nbstv) August 18, 2023