The proliferation of mobile phones, content-driven uptake of technology and a hunger for local content prompted the introduction of a new mobile application through which aspiring artists and SMMEs can make money by imparting their creations, free of charge.
Bozza, a mobile app for local content distribution specifically aimed at musicians, poets and film-makers, was commercially launched last Tuesday, in a bid to promote locally generated, contextually relevant content for the African market.
The app offers individuals, groups and SMMEs a mobile platform to distribute work and, by doing so, earn revenue - 50% of the revenue Bozza makes from advertising - while content is free to end-users.
The official take-off of the app follows an extended process that began on 24 October 2010, when the proof of concept for Bozza was launched on MXit, with seven minutes of made-for-mobile video content. Head of brand strategy for Bozza, Catherine L"uckhoff, says within three days there were 40 000 downloads, which rose to 170 000 within a three-month period. The beta app was released on 23 December last year and, followed by “rigorous testing”, was updated in functionality, look and feel, to produce the app that is now available for download at http://bozza.mobi.
Developing database
Bozza features music, videos and poetry from across the African continent, with SA currently constituting 50% of the content, followed by 20% from Nigeria and Kenya respectively, and the remaining 10% from the rest of the continent. “[Bozza has to date] over 300 artists on its growing database, with new channels being released each day,” says L"uckhoff.
She says the app is the first of its kind in the world. “Where most other third-party content provider apps aggregate, Bozza empowers content providers by giving them their own channel to which they can publish content of their choice.”
Bozza is set to include an m-commerce component by the end of the year, whereby each channel will essentially become a shopfront. “Like with Radiohead, artists will give their music and videos away for free, but will have the ability to sell merchandise, tickets to gigs, etc.”
Ultimately, says L"uckhoff, Bozza aims to empower SMME trade and the team will continue to add features to facilitate this. Founder and CEO of Bozza, Emma Kaye, says emerging economies have been hugely resourceful in using mobility in socio-economically important ways, to empower micro enterprises. “By embracing mobility as a content delivery platform, emerging countries or continents can leapfrog developed economies, establishing a unique societal brand in a vibrant new industry.”
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