Connect with us

Social Media

Whatsapp Ventures Into The World of Entertainment, Set to Premiere Short Film ‘Naija Odyssey’

Whatsapp is set to premiere an original short film ‘Naija Odyssey’ on YouTube and Amazon Prime Video on the 21st of September

Published

on

whatsApp

Meta-owned messaging app, Whatsapp has ventured into the world of entertainment as it is set to premiere an original short film ‘Naija Odyssey’ on YouTube and Amazon Prime Video on the 21st of September.

‘Naija Odyssey’ is a short film that features Greek-Nigerian professional basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo as he reconciles his roots, birthplace and two cross-cultural worlds.

The film also features his mother Veronica who narrates the different moments in her son’s life as a journey loosely based on the Greek epic poem ‘The Odyssey.’

 “In Greece, my teachers told stories of travelers battling the sea, fighting to find their way home to find themselves. “I was on that same journey”,  Antetokounmpo narrates in the trailer.

Speaking on the role WhatsApp plays in the short film, WhatsApp’s global head of marketing on the inspiration for the short film, Vivian Odior said ‘Naija Odyssey’ is a story that reinforces how WhatsApp helps us embrace our multifaceted lives.

“In navigating relationships, identity, and even adversity, WhatsApp is there, enabling you to embrace all sides of you by connecting you to those who matter most.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo signed an endorsement contract with the social messaging platform, he is the first brand ambassador of WhatsApp.

The short film ‘Naija Odyssey’ seems to be a strategic way Whatsapp seeks to not only promote its brand but also show the brand’s ethos of connecting people around the world.

Giannis has already taken to his social media accounts to post the trailer of the short film, as he is seen in places like Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and several other places.

The tagline, “Across worlds, across cultures, across identities”, like the film tries to capture the duality of belonging to two different places, which tells the story of the basketball player.

‘Naija Odyssey’, was Directed by filmmakers, Nono Ayuso and Rodrigo Inad (2021 short film ‘Terra Cene’), edited by Mikkel E G Nielsen, who won the 2021 Oscar for film editing for Amazon Studios’ ‘Sound of Metal’.

Continue Reading
Comments

Social Media

Trump Media & Tech Group Plummets, Wiping Out $2.8 Billion in Value

Published

on

Trump Truth Media-Investors King

Trump Media & Technology Group Corp., the social media predominantly owned by former U.S. President Donald Trump, has lost $2.8 billion in market value in the last few days.

The tumultuous downturn comes as a wave of retail traders who once fervently boosted the stock have begun to offload their holdings.

The company, which encompasses the Truth Social platform, has seen its stock plummet by 36% since its closing high on March 26.

This nosedive not only erased the gains achieved in the aftermath of its merger with Digital World Acquisition Corp., but it also pushed the stock below its pre-merger trading levels.

Initially, Trump Media enjoyed a meteoric rise in its early days as a publicly traded entity following the merger with DWAC, the blank-check company facilitating the deal.

However, the allure of the stock among individual investors, who saw it as a means to express support for the former president’s potential 2024 reelection bid, has waned significantly.

As the stock continues its downward spiral, the once-projected paper windfall for Donald Trump himself has also dwindled.

Trump’s anticipated gains from the venture have plummeted by approximately $1.6 billion, leaving him with an estimated $2.9 billion in paper wealth.

However, realization of this wealth remains contingent upon a six-month lock-up agreement, delaying Trump’s ability to sell shares.

The timing of Trump Media’s downfall coincides with a flurry of legal troubles facing the former president. With just a week until the commencement of his first criminal trial in Manhattan, Trump faces charges related to falsifying business records in connection with hush money payments to a pornographic actress prior to the 2016 election.

Also, Trump is slated to undergo deposition in a civil lawsuit filed against him and Trump Media by two co-founders alleging share dilution prior to the merger.

Despite the substantial loss in value, Trump Media retains a market capitalization of approximately $5 billion, underscoring the paradoxical valuation dynamics in the current market environment.

The company’s meager revenue of $4.1 million in the preceding year contrasts sharply with its lofty market capitalization, raising concerns about the sustainability of its valuation.

The dramatic downturn of Trump Media & Technology Group mirrors the volatile trajectory of past meme stocks like GameStop Corp. and underscores the inherent risks associated with companies emerging from SPAC mergers.

As the company grapples with its dwindling valuation and mounting legal challenges, the future of Truth Social and its associated ventures remains uncertain in the ever-shifting landscape of the digital realm.

Continue Reading

Social Media

TikTok Faces Existential Threat as US House Votes Overwhelmingly to Ban Unless Sold

Published

on

tiktok valuation

The US House of Representatives has voted overwhelmingly to ban TikTok unless its Chinese owner, ByteDance Ltd., sells the video-sharing app.

The measure, passed by a vote of 352 to 65, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing scrutiny of TikTok, which has come under fire over concerns about national security and data privacy.

The bill, if enacted into law, would require TikTok to divest its US operations within 180 days or face a ban from US app stores, including those run by Apple and Google.

This move represents the most serious challenge yet to TikTok, which boasts a massive user base of 170 million Americans but has been criticized by some lawmakers as a potential national-security threat due to its Chinese ownership.

President Joe Biden has signaled his support for the legislation, stating that he would sign it into law if it passes the Senate.

However, the bill’s fate in the Senate remains uncertain, with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer yet to endorse it and some members, including Republican Rand Paul, expressing opposition.

TikTok has vehemently opposed the proposed ban, arguing that it would violate the First Amendment and have a detrimental impact on the economy, small businesses, and the millions of Americans who use the platform.

The company has also faced accusations of being a tool for Chinese propaganda, although it has consistently denied sharing user data with the Chinese government.

The House passage of the bill comes just days after its introduction, reflecting growing bipartisan concern over TikTok’s influence and potential risks to national security.

The swift action underscores the urgency with which lawmakers are seeking to address these concerns and highlights the mounting pressure on TikTok to address them or face significant consequences.

Continue Reading

Social Media

Reddit Eyes $748 Million in Landmark Initial Public Offering

Published

on

Reddit

Reddit Inc. is setting its sights on a colossal initial public offering (IPO) aiming to raise $748 million.

This ambitious move represents one of the most significant IPOs of the year as Reddit looks to capitalize on its vast user base and unique market position.

The social media giant, beloved for its diverse forums and vibrant community discussions, plans to offer 22 million shares at a price range of $31 to $34 each, according to sources familiar with the matter.

If successful, this would catapult Reddit’s valuation to as high as $6.5 billion, solidifying its status as a major player in the digital landscape.

What sets Reddit’s IPO apart is its innovative approach to shareholder inclusion. The company intends to reserve approximately 1.76 million shares exclusively for its dedicated users and moderators who created accounts before January 1st.

This groundbreaking move not only fosters a sense of community ownership but also underscores Reddit’s commitment to its grassroots origins.

Despite its meteoric rise, Reddit has faced its fair share of challenges.

From navigating volatile market conditions to addressing user concerns over content moderation and profitability, the company has weathered storms while staying true to its core values.

With heavyweight investment banks like Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Bank of America spearheading the IPO, anticipation surrounding Reddit’s market debut is palpable.

As the company prepares to trade under the symbol RDDT on the New York Stock Exchange, all eyes are on Reddit, poised to witness history in the making.

Continue Reading
Advertisement




Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending