#Unplugged: How Vodafone’s Digital Wellbeing Campaign in EU Can Inspire Telcos Across Asia

In an era of hyperconnectivity, the Vodafone Foundation’s new pan-European initiative, #Unplugged, offers a timely and replicable blueprint for promoting digital wellbeing among young people. Launched this week across six European countries, the campaign is a social-first movement designed to foster healthier digital habits—without preaching abstinence. For telecom operators and digital foundations in Asia, #Unplugged presents a compelling model for engagement, education, and impact.

What Is #Unplugged?

#Unplugged is an 8-week social media campaign targeting teenagers and young adults across Albania, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, and Spain. It’s hosted on Vodafone Foundation’s Kliick feeds and delivered by local content creators in native languages. The tone is playful, relatable, and challenge-driven—designed to resonate with Gen Z on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

Rather than advocating for digital detoxes, the campaign encourages:

• Mindful screen time
• Offline engagement
• Self-reflection

It’s about balance, not restriction.

Why It Matters

Vodafone Foundation’s study in Germany revealed:

• 69% of youth spend over 2 hours daily on social media
• 29% feel stressed by their usage
• 26% feel guilty about it

These numbers echo trends across Asia, where smartphone penetration is high and digital stress is rising. From Seoul to Mumbai, Jakarta to Manila, young people are navigating the same pressures—constant notifications, algorithmic addiction, and blurred boundaries between online and offline life.

Why Asia’s Telcos Should Pay Attention

Asia is home to some of the world’s most digitally active youth populations. Telcos here are not just connectivity providers—they’re cultural influencers, content distributors, and digital educators. By adapting #Unplugged, they can:

• Build trust with younger audiences through authentic, wellbeing-focused messaging
• Support national digital literacy goals and mental health initiatives
• Strengthen ESG credentials with measurable social impact
• Collaborate with educators, creators, and NGOs to localize content and amplify reach

How to Localize #Unplugged in Asia

Component	European Model	Asian Adaptation
Platform	TikTok, Instagram, YouTube	Add WhatsApp, LINE, WeChat, and regional platforms like Moj or ShareChat
Content Creators	Local influencers in native languages	Partner with youth icons, educators, and mental health advocates
Tone	Humorous, challenge-based	Blend humor with cultural sensitivity and local storytelling
Policy Linkage	Vodafone’s Skills Upload Junior + Save the Children	Align with national digital literacy programs, school curriculums, and CSR mandates
Measurement	Reach, engagement, sentiment	Add mental health surveys, school partnerships, and community feedback loops

A Call to Action for Asia’s Telcos

The digital wellbeing of young people is no longer a fringe issue—it’s central to the future of inclusive, responsible connectivity. Campaigns like #Unplugged show that telcos can lead with empathy, creativity, and impact. By adapting this model, Asian telecom companies can move beyond infrastructure and into influence—shaping healthier digital cultures for the next generation.

God of Cricket Sachin Tendulkar Joins Reddit as Brand Ambassador

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has teamed up with Reddit as their new brand ambassador. That’s right—the man who ruled the pitch is now part of the internet’s favorite hangout spot.

Tendulkar 99 has his own Reddit account, u/SachinTendulkar, where he’ll post personal thoughts, match memories, and behind-the-scenes stories. He’ll also join discussions in popular cricket communities like r/IndiaCricket and r/SachinTendulkar, giving fans a chance to hear directly from him.

Reddit's Vice President of International Growth, Durgesh Kaushik, said, "Sachin Tendulkar, a name synonymous with cricket excellence, possessed a remarkable ability to transcend boundaries and unite people through his extraordinary talent. His presence on the field fostered a powerful sense of community among fans, who were drawn together by their shared admiration for the "Master Blaster".

"This unifying community spirit is precisely what we aim to empower and cultivate at Reddit. We envision Reddit's cricket communities becoming vibrant digital spaces where fans from every corner of the globe can come together, connect, and share their passion for the sport, and most importantly, engage directly with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. We are immensely proud and excited to officially welcome the "Master Blaster" as Reddit's Brand Ambassador. We believe that his participation will enrich the experience for cricket fans worldwide, offering them unprecedented opportunities for interacting and connecting with one of the game's greatest icons."

Reddit chose Sachin as part of its push to grow its sports audience—especially in India. In the past year alone, cricket discussions on Reddit got 3.7 billion views and 32 million interactions. Overall, sports content has grown 30% on the platform.

Sachin said he loves how passionate Reddit’s communities are and is excited to interact with fans in a more personal way. It’s a modern twist on fan connection—where he isn’t just admired but gets to be part of the conversation too.

Not everyone missed a chance to joke about it though. Comedian Rohan Joshi joked that Sachin has "touched too much grass" to truly fit in with Reddit users, who are known for staying indoors. But that’s part of the charm—bringing cricket’s biggest icon into Reddit’s unique, chatty world.

In short, it’s a smart move for both sides: Reddit gets a national hero, and fans get closer to the game’s greatest. Let’s see how many sixes he hits in this digital innings.

How Social Media Affects Your Brain Chemistry

You check your phone without thinking, scroll endlessly, and suddenly—hours vanish. But what’s happening in your brain during this digital trance? Social media isn’t just shaping how we interact—it’s rewiring your neurochemistry in ways you might not expect.

The Dopamine Trap: Addiction by Design

Every notification, like, or comment triggers dopamine, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. Platforms are engineered to keep you hooked, creating a reward cycle like gambling. Studies show that each scroll or swipe delivers micro-doses of dopamine, conditioning your brain to crave more, and often at the expense of real-world interactions.

The Stress Spiral: Anxiety and the Comparison Game

Social media amplifies stress. Constant exposure to highlight reels of others’ lives can make yours feel inadequate. This fuels cortisol, the stress hormone, leading to heightened anxiety, especially among younger users. Studies confirm that excessive screen time correlates with depression and self-esteem issues.[Report]

Attention Hijacking: The Shorter Span Phenomenon

Struggling to focus? Social media may be why. Platforms fragment your attention, making deep concentration harder. Frequent interruptions increase “switch-costs,” meaning your brain wastes energy shifting between tasks. Over time, this rewiring makes sustained focus nearly impossible.

Sleep Disruptions: Blue Light vs. Melatonin

The glow of your screen can suppress melatonin, the hormone regulating sleep. Late-night scrolling tricks your brain into staying alert, leading to poorer sleep quality and cognitive fatigue. Research warns that excessive phone use before bed reduces REM sleep, affecting memory and emotional regulation.

Escaping the Cycle: Reclaiming Your Brain

The good news? You can rewire your brain for balance:

• Curate your feed: Follow content that enriches, not drains, your mind.
• Set time limits: Reduce endless scrolling with intentional habits.
• Digital detox: Scheduled screen-free time resets your dopamine cycle.
• Mindful consumption: Engage actively—don’t just passively absorb.

Social media isn’t inherently bad—it’s about how you use it. Understanding its effects empowers you to take control, making it a tool rather than a trap.

Oracle in Advanced Talk With White House to Take Over TikTok's U.S. Operations

Oracle is currently in advanced discussions with the White House to take over TikTok's U.S. operations. This move is part of ongoing efforts to address national security concerns related to TikTok's Chinese ownership by ByteDance. The proposed deal, referred to as "Project Texas 2.0," aims to store U.S. user data on Oracle's servers in Texas and ensure that ByteDance employees in China cannot access it.

However, there are still concerns about whether this arrangement would fully mitigate security risks, especially since ByteDance might retain control over TikTok's core algorithm. The deal's finalization also depends on approval from the Chinese government, which has been resistant to any forced sale of TikTok.

Oracle's potential acquisition of TikTok's U.S. operations is unique compared to other tech acquisitions due to its focus on addressing national security concerns. Unlike typical acquisitions aimed at expanding market share or technological capabilities, this deal is heavily influenced by geopolitical factors and regulatory scrutiny. The U.S. government is playing a significant role in shaping the terms of the acquisition, which is not common in most tech deals.

For example, in contrast to Oracle's situation, Microsoft's acquisition of LinkedIn in 2016 was primarily a strategic move to integrate professional networking with its enterprise software ecosystem. Similarly, IBM's acquisition of Red Hat in 2019 was aimed at strengthening its position in the cloud computing market. These deals were driven by business synergies rather than external pressures.

Oracle's involvement also highlights its strategic pivot towards data security and cloud services, as it aims to oversee TikTok's U.S. user data and algorithms. This aligns with Oracle's broader focus on enterprise solutions but adds a layer of complexity due to the political and regulatory challenges involved.

China in Early Talks to Sell Tiktok US to Elon Musk

China is reportedly considering selling TikTok's US operations to Elon Musk if the platform faces a potential ban in the United States, said a Bloomberg News reported on Monday. The discussions are still in the preliminary stages, and Chinese officials are evaluating various contingency plans.

Summarized Points:

Potential Buyer: Elon Musk, who recently rebranded Twitter as "X," is being considered as a potential buyer.

Reason for Sale: The US government has passed a law requiring TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to either sell the platform or shut it down due to national security concerns.

Geopolitical Factors: The sale is seen as a strategic move to maintain TikTok's presence in the US while navigating complex geopolitical and financial factors.

Musk's Stance: Musk has expressed his opinion that TikTok should remain available in the US, citing freedom of speech and expression.

The situation is still evolving, and it remains to be seen how the negotiations will unfold.

TikTok's presence in the US has been a topic of significant debate and legal scrutiny.

The US government passed a law requiring TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to either sell its US operations or shut down the app due to national security concerns. The law is set to take effect on January 19, 2025.

TikTok has challenged the ban, arguing that it violates the First Amendment's free speech protections. However, the US Supreme Court appears poised to uphold the legislation.

It is to be noted that, TikTok has dismissed reports of a potential sale to Elon Musk as "pure fiction". The company has stated that it cannot comment on speculative discussions.

TikTok has over 170 million users in the US, making it a significant platform for content creators and advertisers.

The potential sale could have broader implications for US-China relations and the global tech industry.

Researchers Develop AI Model That Creates Invisible Digital Masks for Personal Photos

There's an innovative Al model called Chameleon, developed by researchers at Georgia Tech, that creates invisible digital masks for personal photos to protect against unwanted facial recognition.

This breakthrough innovation is a significant advancement in the digital privacy , offering a robust way to protect personal identity in a world where facial recognition is becoming increasingly prevalent.

The P3-Mask

Integrating P-3 Mask technology into smartphone cameras could allow users to automatically protect their photos as they are taken. Individuals concerned about privacy can use the P-3 Mask to anonymize their images in public surveillance footage. Companies can protect employee and client photos from being misused or recognized by unauthorized systems. Brands can use the P-3 Mask to ensure that images used in campaigns do not compromise the privacy of the people featured.

This model generates a personalized privacy protection (P-3) mask for all of a user's facial photos, making them unrecognizable to facial recognition scans while preserving the image quality.

The Chameleon Al model was developed by researchers at Georgia Tech University. The team, led by Professor Ling Liu, includes Ph.D. students Sihao Hu and Tiansheng Huang, along with Ka-Ho Chow, an assistant professor at the University of Hong Kong.

Chameleon creates an innovative single, personalized Personalized Privacy Protection (P-3) Mask for all of a user's facial photos, making them unrecognizable to facial recognition tools.

Unlike physical masks, the P-3 Mask is a digital layer applied to images, making it invisible to the naked eye but effective against facial recognition algorithms. The model is designed to be resource-efficient, requiring minimal processing power.

Further, Chameleon uses a perceptibility optimization technique to ensure that the visual quality of the protected photos is maintained.

A paper on Chameleon, Personalized Privacy Protection Mask Against Unauthorized Facial Recognition, was presented earlier this month at ECCV 2024.

The researchers aim to release the Chameleon code publicly on GitHub soon, allowing developers to integrate this technology into various applications.

Usage

The Chameleon AI model can be applied in various everyday applications to enhance privacy and security. Here are some potential uses:

1. Personal Privacy: Individuals can use Chameleon to protect their personal photos from unauthorized facial recognition scans, ensuring their images remain private and secure.

2. Social Media: Social media platforms can integrate Chameleon to automatically apply privacy masks to user-uploaded photos, safeguarding users' identities.

3. Smartphone Security: Mobile devices can incorporate Chameleon to provide real-time facial recognition protection, preventing unauthorized access and enhancing user privacy.

4. Public Surveillance: In public spaces, Chameleon can be used to anonymize individuals in surveillance footage, protecting their identities while still allowing for security monitoring.

5. Marketing and Advertising: Companies can use Chameleon to anonymize images used in marketing campaigns, ensuring that individuals' privacy is maintained while still showcasing products or services.

These applications demonstrate how Chameleon can be a valuable tool for protecting privacy in various aspects of daily life.

6 Countries that Implemented or Considering Ban on Social Media for Users Under Certain Age

Recently, Australia has passed a bill to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and others. The legislation aims to address concerns over online safety and the negative impact of social media on young people's mental health.

This legislation, which was approved by the Australian Senate on November 29, 2024, imposes fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (approximately Rs 275 crore) on social media companies that fail to prevent underage users from creating accounts. Messaging apps and online gaming platforms are exempt from this ban.

Besides Australia, more countries have implemented or are considering age restrictions for social media use to protect young people from potential online harms.

Here are some examples:

1. United Kingdom:

While the UK does not currently have plans for an Australia-style ban, it has passed the Online Safety Act, which sets stricter standards for social media platforms, including age-appropriate restrictions. The UK is considering a similar ban for individuals under 16. The Online Safety Act aims to enforce the removal of detrimental posts and protect young people from harmful content.

2. France:

In France, children under 15 cannot create a social media account without parental consent. The government requires legally documented parental consent for accessing social media platforms.

Social media firms that fail to comply with these regulations face fines of up to 1% of their global revenues. France is also advocating for an EU-wide adoption of similar regulations, urging other European countries to follow its lead.

3. United States:

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) mandates that children under 13 cannot legally have a social media account. Some states, like Ohio and Florida, have required parental permission for minors to use social media.

In a proposed Federal Legislation, the Protecting Kids on Social Media Act would set a minimum age of 13 for social media use and require parental consent for users aged 13 to 17.

Montana has banned TikTok within the state. New Jersey has established a commission to study the effects of social media on adolescent.

4. South Korea:

South Korea had a "shutdown law" that limits children under 16 from accessing gaming sites after midnight. However, this law has faced challenges with enforcement.

Initially introduced in 2011, the Cinderella Law or shutdown law banned children under 15 from playing online games between midnight and 6 a.m. to prevent tiredness in school. However, it was replaced in 2021 with a "choice permit" system, allowing parents to set approved playing times.

In August this year lawmakers in South Korea proposed a bill aimed at regulating use of social media by under-16.

5. Norway:

Norway is set to enact a strict age minimum of 15 for social media use following a government campaign against social media giants.

The current minimum age limit to use social media in Norway is 13, which is in line with the requirements of TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat’s terms of service.

Last month, Norway has announced plans to raise the minimum age for social media use from 13 to 15. This decision aims to protect children from harmful online content and data collection practices. Social media platforms will need to implement age verification measures to ensure that users are at least 15 years old.

In India, the country has Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, requires data fiduciaries to collect verifiable parental consent from parents of children under the age of 18 for processing their data online.

In 2023, the Karnataka High Court suggested to the Union Government to implement an age limit of 21 for accessing social media, citing concerns about excessive addiction among schoolchildren and its negative impact.

In the EU, parental consent is required for processing personal data for children under the age of 16, although member states can lower this limit to 13.

These measures reflect a growing global effort to protect young people from the potential negative effects of social media.

e-Curse: 5 Kids in Bihar Learning To Make Bomb By Watching YouTube Got Injured by Explosion

In an incident that is truly tragic and concerning for the society, some children in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, aged between 7 to 12 years were trying to make a bomb after watching a YouTube video when tragically the bomb accidentally exploded, injuring five children.

Unfortunately, the bomb explosion resulted in injuries to five children. The incident has sparked widespread concern and has gone viral on social media.

These children from BIHAR were making Bombs,learning via Youtube. while making it exploded but only caused minor injuries to them they are safe Now..@YouTube should not encourage such videos that harm people. pic.twitter.com/vNV9Dgeknb

— Ashwin.. (@EvilTweetX) August 8, 2024

Local authorities have emphasized the need for parents to monitor their children’s online activities more closely. They also highlighted the importance of educating children about the dangers of attempting to replicate hazardous activities seen online. This tragic event underscores the critical need for better digital literacy and safety measures to protect children from such risks.

This highly concerning incident highlights the critical need to monitor children's online activities. It is essential to ensure that children are safe and aware of what they are watching and learning on the internet.

To prevent such incidents, social media platforms can play a crucial role in preventing incidents like the one in Muzaffarpur by implementing several key measures such as Proactive Monitoring wherein the online video platforms use advanced algorithms and AI to detect and remove harmful content, such as videos showing how to make dangerous items like bombs.

These platforms must also encourage users to report inappropriate or dangerous content and ensure that reported content is reviewed and acted upon promptly.

Besides, parents should also keep an eye on what their children are watching online. Use parental control settings on devices and platforms like YouTube to restrict access to inappropriate content. Parents must teach children about the dangers of attempting to replicate dangerous activities seen online. Encourage open communication so they feel comfortable discussing what they watch.

Need for School and Community Programs:

Safety Workshops: Schools and community centers can organize workshops to educate children about online safety and the potential risks of imitating dangerous activities.

Digital Literacy: Incorporate digital literacy into the curriculum to help children understand how to use the internet safely and responsibly.

Flagging Dangerous Content

From April to June 2024, YouTube received over 23 million flags from human users. This indicates a high level of community engagement in reporting inappropriate content.

The most common reasons for flagging videos include spam or misleading content, hateful or abusive content, sexual content, violent or repulsive content, and harmful or dangerous acts.

A significant portion of flagged content is reviewed and acted upon. For instance, from October to December 2017, 75.9% of all automatically flagged videos were removed before they received any views.

Improvements in automated flagging systems have also helped detect and review content even before it is flagged by the community. More than 80% of auto-flagged videos were removed before receiving a single view in the second quarter of 2019.

Reportedly, YouTube employs trained human reviewers who evaluate flagged content 24/7 to ensure it violates the Community Guidelines before taking action. This helps maintain a balance between automated systems and human judgment.

By taking required steps, both by parents are and social media platforms, a safer online environment can be created which would help prevent such tragic incidents. 

With Personalization & AI Algorithms, Social Media Platforms Are Fast Becoming Mere Echo Chambers

Echo chambers are social environments where individuals are exposed primarily to information, opinions, and ideas that reinforce their existing beliefs or ideologies. These chambers can occur both online (such as on social media platforms) and offline (within specific communities or groups). Here's how echo chambers form and their effects:

Formation of Echo Chambers:

Selective Exposure: People tend to seek out information that aligns with their preconceived notions. On social media, algorithms often show content based on users' past behavior, creating a feedback loop.

Confirmation Bias: When individuals encounter information that confirms their existing beliefs, they are more likely to accept it without critical evaluation.

Homophily: People naturally associate with others who share similar interests, values, and ideologies. This leads to the reinforcement of existing viewpoints.

Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms are significant enablers of echo chambers. Algorithms personalize content based on users' interests and history, leading to selective exposure. Users primarily see information that reinforces their pre-existing views, while dissenting opinions are often disregarded.

» Algorithmic Personalization

Social media platforms use algorithms to tailor content to individual users. If you engage with certain types of posts (e.g., political content), the algorithm learns your preferences and shows you more of the same.

Users tend to interact with content that aligns with their existing beliefs. As a result, they see more of it, creating an echo chamber effect.

For instance, feeds on Facebook/Instagram/YouTube can become epistemic bubbles, where users get all their news and political arguments from like-minded friends, reinforcing their existing beliefs.

Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit exhibit varying degrees of echo chamber effects. Facebook's algorithmic personalization leads to higher segregation, while platforms like Reddit allow users more control over what they see. 

Effects of Echo Chambers:

Reinforcement: Echo chambers reinforce existing beliefs, making them more entrenched. Users become less open to alternative perspectives.

Polarization: When people are exposed only to like-minded opinions, polarization occurs. Extreme views become amplified, leading to societal divisions.

Closed-Mindedness: Echo chambers discourage critical thinking and intellectual curiosity. Users may dismiss dissenting opinions without considering their merit.

False Consensus: Individuals within echo chambers overestimate the prevalence of their beliefs. They assume everyone agrees with them, which can distort reality.

Hostility Toward Outsiders: Echo chambers often foster an "us vs. them" mentality. Those outside the chamber are seen as adversaries.

Resistance to Change: Echo chambers hinder adaptability and growth. New information is filtered through existing biases, preventing learning.

Mitigating Echo Chambers:

Diverse Exposure: Actively seek out diverse viewpoints. Follow people with different perspectives on social media, read varied news sources, and engage in respectful discussions.

Critical Thinking: Encourage critical evaluation of information. Fact-check, consider multiple angles, and be open to changing your mind based on evidence.

Media Literacy: Understand how algorithms work and recognize when you're in an echo chamber. Be aware of emotional manipulation and misinformation.

Bridge Building: Engage with people who hold different beliefs. Constructive dialogue can break down barriers and promote understanding.

Remember that echo chambers are natural tendencies, but being aware of their effects allows us to counteract their negative impact.

Instagram Launching Creator Marketplace in India and 7 More Countries

Meta, the parent of Facebook and Instagram, is expanding the creator marketplace to eight new markets including India. Over the next few weeks, the social media giant plans to invite creators and brands based in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Japan, India and Brazil to join Instagram’s creator marketplace.

Besides the above seven markets, Meta said that Chinese export brands will also be invited to connect with onboarded creators but in countries outside of China.

Instagram is touted as one of the best places for brands and creators to collaborate. Introduced in 2022, Meta began testing the creator marketplace in the US, a tool for brands and creators to connect and collaborate around partnership opportunities. This was followed by introducing new features and onboarding thousands of creators and brands in the US to creator marketplace.

Brands join Instagram’s creator marketplace in Meta Business Suite. Creators join from their professional dashboard in the Instagram app. Creators can indicate brands and interests relevant to them. Creators can also create a portfolio to highlight what makes them unique.

Machine Learning for the Right Match Recommendation

A screen capture of machine learning-powered creator recommendations.

Meta said that it is testing new custom, machine learning-powered creator recommendations for each brand to help match the right creators and brands for campaigns. Brands can also search for creators, filtering for creator and audience attributes. They can also see a list of creators who have expressed interest and check out creator portfolios.

The new machine learning-based recommendations use Instagram data to help brands more easily discover creators who are the best fit for their campaigns. Eligible brands can access these recommendations over the coming months on Instagram’s creator marketplace in Meta Business Suite.

Instagram’s creator marketplace helps brands find the right creators and helps creators get discovered by brands.

A phone screen showing a designated Partnership messages folder

Creators receive brand messages in a dedicated Partnership Messages folder at the top of the Primary tab. Brands can reach out to creators directly or create and send a project to multiple creators outlining the branded content or partnership ad opportunity. Creators can review the details and requirements of the opportunity, as well as the rate, all within the Instagram app.

Once brands and creators come to an agreement, they are ready to create. Advertisers can boost organic Instagram content as partnership ads, including branded content with the paid partnership label, or they can create new partnership ads in Ads Manager.

A screenshot of a phone showing branded content with the paid partnership label

X's (Formerly Twitter) India, South Asia Govt Affairs Head Resigns

Samiran Gupta, Head of Government Affairs & public policy at X (formerly Twitter) has reportedly resigned, according to his latest update on the LinkedIn profile.

Samiran Gupta, who joined X in February 2022 before Elon Musk acquired the social media platform, will serve at X till September, said his LinkedIn profile,

The LinkedIn profile further mentioned that he "enabled transition leadership for Twitter post acquisition by Elon Musk led X-Corp."

Mr Gupta was the most senior India employee for X, and he was responsible for "key content-related policy issues" and "defending Twitter's position with new policy developments and support in-country sales organization," according to his LinkedIn profile.

Notably, Mr Gupta step down from the social media platform at time ahead of India's General Elections and amid the company's legal battle with the Government of India over content removal.

Before joining X, Samiran Gupta was the Head of India for ICANN, a non-governmental organisation responsible for allocation of Internet domain names. Prior to that, Mr Gupta was the Senior Director with APCO Worldwide responsible for counselling clients in business and public affairs strategy.

Mr Gupta was also a founder and managing director of a leading management consulting and business advisory practice known for working on distinctive projects for a range of corporations from Fortune 500 clients to top Indian businesses and mid-sized entities.

Driving Business Growth: 4 Ways Small Businesses Can Utilize Social Media Management Tools

Starting a business requires support. Business owners are looking for the easiest ways to market their companies. How can a minor firm deal with ROI when it has a limited budget and resources? This is when digital technology becomes a solution. As everyone uses social media platforms daily, it has become a channel for instantly advertising companies. Furthermore, adopting the right social media marketing tools is an excellent approach to making it easy to navigate accounts. These solutions enable users to watch, post, and manage all accounts from a single dashboard.
What is social media management?

Social media management is the method of managing a company's social media activities. It includes providing content and communicating with users. Some businesses manage this informally with staff posting on social media sites. Others hire a social media manager. They handle social media postings and manage social media profiles across several websites. Companies can also employ social media management organizations. They specialize in social media marketing. Social media managers, whether staff or independent contractors are responsible for all parts of social media strategy. They are responsible for idea generation, scheduling, and uploading the material that appears on the platform.

Benefits of managing social media:

Engaging in social media management services might benefit you as a small company owner. You profit in three ways when your staff manages marketing across social media networks:

1. You contact customers where they spend most of their time. Engaging people on social media networks can help you reach more customers because that is where they spend most of their time.
2. You educate those who are willing to know about your items. Some customers use social media to investigate a product, while others purchase directly through a social media site. Some of these customers may not bother visiting your website to learn more about your company. You may gain from teaching them through social media.
3. You discover what the general people are thinking. You understand market trends and can watch user-generated material from your target demographic. You may also track reactions to your social media efforts to determine what the public thinks about your products and services.

Top four ways small businesses can use social media tools:

Now let's look into four ways small businesses can use social media management tools to boost their business and profits.

1. Increase your search engine ranking:

Social networking can help your search engine ranking. When your website's social media sharing rate rises, so does its domain authority. This improves the search engine rating of your sites. But it goes beyond that and many customers will check your social media pages before visiting your website. In this way, they can better understand your business before making a purchase. More visits to social media profiles will ultimately improve their rating and chances of being among the top-rated sites.

2. Drive traffic:

Small companies generally use social media to drive customers to their websites. You will get organic visitors if you have a solid social media presence. It means your traffic consists of the same small group of individuals already following you. Moreover, you must broaden your brand's reach to attract more traffic. So, how do you drive traffic? What is the most efficient method? Create an appropriate social media profile for your small company on each social media network. Then, capitalize on these platforms by distributing customized content to each. A solid social media presence may motivate your fans to follow you through your lead funnel. It would finally lead to your product purchase page. Second, make it easy for people to share your material by showing off social sharing icons on your website. You may also include a Click to Tweet option on a catchy statistic, statement, or other pieces of information to make it more shareable. Moreover, readers can share your articles with a single click.

3. Keep an eye on competitors:

Social media is an excellent method to watch your competition. It allows you to observe and gain inspiration from their performance. You can observe what kind of stuff they post and how they connect with their fans. You may also learn from your competitors by using social media. There must be a simple reason why your competitors are outperforming you. Learn their methods, but do more than copy and paste them. What works best for them may work better for you, instead of modifying their concepts and make them your own. In addition, competitive analysis on social media is all about learning from your competitors. Conducting a self-analysis to determine where you are with your competitors is beneficial. You may undertake competition analysis using a variety of tools. The technology you use should fit the unique needs of your marketing team. Before you select which tool to use, see if the firm has a free trial period.

4. Build brand recognition:

Raising awareness should be a primary priority for any small business. This is usually the case since we know that consumers like to buy from familiar brands. However, this is where social media comes into play. Compared to conventional media, social media can bring your brand in front of your target audience more quickly and easily. Furthermore, it makes your target audience consider your organization. So, make an effort to create and share relevant information. Create cover pictures and user profile photographs on social media networks. Moreover, you can place your brand strategically to have a long-lasting effect on your customer. But don't put your brand anywhere that will be intrusive or overbearing, and remember to pay attention to your brand's aesthetic aspects.

Note: Apart from these things, paying attention to digitizing your business using tools is vital. For instance, many payroll management software offers paystub templates to understand functions before making a final purchase.

The bottom line:

Social media marketing (SMM) uses social media platforms to communicate with customers. It helps to establish brands and drive website traffic. As social media use develops worldwide on computers & mobile devices, the potential to generate revenue is a booming business with fierce competition for views and clicks.

Meta (Facebook) Launching New Twitter Rival 'Threads'

Meta, the parent of Facebook and Instagram, is unveiling a new app that appears to directly compete with Twitter, a micro-blogging platform owned by Elon Musk.

Named "Instagram Threads", the app is expected to be launched on July 6, according to the App Store listing of the upcoming app showing a version ready for Apple’s iPhone.

A new Wikipedia page of Thread also appeared saying — "Designed as a platform for real-time conversations and sharing, Threads aims to provide users with a similar experience to Twitter, with an emphasis on public, text-based posts and conversations (also known as microblogging), and is closely linked to and based on sister social networking service Instagram."

Existing Instagram users will be able to keep their user names and follow the same accounts on the new app, according to screenshots displayed on the App Store listing.

Of late, a number of Twitter competitors have emerged including former Twitter CEO, Jack Dorsey’s Blueskey, and Donald Trump’s Mastadon.

The choice of the name Thread is also interesting as a Thread, is one of the features of Twitter that is — a linked series of tweets, which was introduced as an official feature in 2017.

However, few reports suggest that 'Threads' was originally the name of a 2019 app Meta launched to compete with the popular messaging app Snapchat. The product was later abandoned but Meta retained the branding.

Mishi Choudhary, Technology Lawyer & Online Civil Rights Activist, and founder of SFLC.in, said, "The current state of mayhem at Twitter presents a great opportunity for Meta to offer an alternative to users. But Meta's abysmal privacy record is bound to raise concerns. Threads is perfectly capable of acquiring a large user base considering it's based on Instagram that boasts of over 2 billion users."

Revealing the Final List of YouTube Panel 2023

YouTube is the second largest search engine. This makes it a hit among the companies. Every business owner focuses on being visible on YouTube as well as Google. Yet, this is not a piece of cake. It might be possible with a lot of effort, or a YouTube panel.

In this blog post, you will find a list of YouTube panels. You can choose the right one for your YouTube channel and start boosting it.

What is YouTube Panel?

It is a social media marketing service that especially focuses on YouTube. You may be wondering what SMM panels do. They provide its customers with YouTube growth via services such as subscribers, likes, and views.

You can buy views or whatever you need to grow your YouTube presence. These services can assist in increasing your audience size, traffic to your channel, and engagement within your social networks. Here is the list of five SMM panels that will make you the most of YouTube.

JustAnotherPanel - Rising Star of Social Media Services

Choosing the best SMM panel for your YouTube channels can be difficult. Luckily, there is JustAnotherPanel - it's the best SMM panel out there. Let's take a look at its features to understand why it is the best among YouTube panels.

For starters, JustAnotherPanel is one of the cheapest SMM panels. To grow your social media presence on YouTube, you need views, subscribers, and likes. Its service quality is unquestionable. It offers services from high retention YouTube views to subscribers. All you need to do is choose one and start your YouTube journey.

While purchasing YouTube services, the last thing you should worry about is the security of your payment. The platform processes all payments and ensures that all transaction information remains confidential. This offers an additional layer of protection for customers.

It is the most trustworthy SMM panel. JustAnotherPanel cares nothing but your safety. This SMM panel provides users with the ability to remain anonymous while making internet purchases. Users are not required to provide any personal data, including names or addresses when buying.

The feature that will make your YouTube video stand out from the competition is not video length, but its rapid growth. Your orders from JustAnotherPanel will be delivered in minutes. Also, it allows you to monitor the progress of YouTube campaigns in real time, eliminating the need to wait days or weeks for results.

JustAnotherPanel offers high-quality services for its clients. When you buy SMM services, your audience will be segmented based on gender, geographical location, and other relevant demographics. This way you will be able to engage with your target audience and gain organic views. So, you do not violate YouTube's Terms and Services under no circumstances.

Most people worry about not being able to solve their problems on the YouTube views panel. However, thanks to JustAnotherPanel's customer support team, all your problems will be resolved during and after the purchase. These are the key reasons why JAP is one of the leading SMM panels available in the market today.

RunLikes - Best Choice for Social Media Marketers

RunLikes is the cheapest SMM panel where you can buy YouTube views. You will never observe a drop in your view count since they are only selling high-retention views.

If you are worried about buying services from an unknown SMM panel, you should not. Since the friendly dashboard of RunLikes eases buying experience, you will never be lost. On the contrary, you will see your options and make an excellent choice for your YouTube growth.

The more views you have, the fast your YouTube channel will grow. However, how can you be sure that you will get fast views? Thanks to RunLikes, you will get your order in just a few minutes. It offers super fast delivery, top of the industry!

RunLikes' dedicated customer service team consists of highly knowledgeable professionals. They are 24/7 available to assist you in case of any problems. Sometimes problems can be encountered as growth in YouTube is a long journey. However, don't let that deter you. The quality services of RunLikes will ensure your success eventually.

BulqFollowers

This SMM panel is an automated social media marketing provider that will help you monetize and promote your YouTube account. You will be able to generate revenue without having to dedicate any time or effort to target the appropriate audience.

It provides services for those interested in broadening their reach not only on YouTube but also across various social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. For example, you can buy YouTube subscribers, YouTube likes, views, and YouTube watch time to attract people to your videos.

This site offers organic services to clients. You can buy subscribers, and they are not restricted to traditional clients.
Instant Fans

This SMM panel helps you increase your social media reach, via more likes, comments, followers, and views. It works not only on a particular social media platform but also on all popular ones, including YouTube, Twitter, and newer platforms.

You don’t need to learn how to use their packages. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, it is an easy-to-use SMM panel.

This website offers a variety of packages. Custom packages are available allowing you to choose among services to prevent overspending. Additionally, its customers have access to email support for minor problems or delays. It also offers the ability to watch their YouTube followers grow overnight. Eventually, they help you convert your potential customers into your target audience.

SMM Rush

This SMM panel offers marketing solutions that provide businesses with a social media strategy to help them develop their brands through its SMM panel.

For clients, SMM panels offer a mass order option, which has been beneficial to many users in the past achieving YouTube growth and will continue to assist them in pushing their boundaries in the future. Other users can try to create their reseller panel so that they might sell their own YouTube services.

Furthermore, none of the data used while registering with this site is shared with any other websites.

Unleashing the Power of Connection: Introducing Shestel, the Revolutionary Social Networking Platform

In this digital age, where technological advancements seem to dominate our lives, the irony of feeling more disconnected than ever is hard to ignore. But what if there was a platform that harnessed the power of technology to bring people together, fostering meaningful connections and transforming the way we engage with entertainment? Enter Shestel, a groundbreaking social networking platform that seamlessly intertwines content and community, revolutionizing the way we experience and connect with entertainment.

Segment 1: The Digital Disconnection Issue

In a world where our screens dominate our attention, we find ourselves facing an alarming trend of extreme technological isolation. While the digital realm offers vast opportunities for content consumption, it often lacks the crucial human element that fosters genuine connections. Shestel aims to bridge this gap, serving as an online direct-to-consumer platform that leverages digital content to bring people together. By transcending the limitations of traditional social media, Shestel offers users an immersive experience that goes beyond mere entertainment consumption.

Segment 2: Transforming Entertainment Engagement

Shestel embraces the power of movies, TV shows, books, and music to facilitate online conversations and promote emotional vulnerability through entertainment-driven discourse. Available on both iOS and Android devices, the user-friendly app encourages users to explore and discover new content, sparking conversations with others who share their media interests. Shestel is not just a content discovery platform; it's a creative space where users can share their opinions, thoughts, and interpretations. Through innovative engagement features, Shestel empowers users to become critical thinkers and active participants in the content they consume.

Segment 4: Connecting a Global Community

With a global reach across 18 different countries and plans for further expansion, Shestel offers a unique platform for individuals to connect and engage with like-minded people from diverse backgrounds. Regardless of geographical boundaries, users can forge meaningful connections, share their passion for entertainment, and gain a deeper understanding of different cultures. Shestel transcends borders and builds a worldwide network of friends who love what you love, creating a global community of thinkers, critics, and content consumers.

Conclusion:

In a world hungry for genuine connections, Shestel emerges as a transformative force, blending the realms of social networking and content accessibility. Through its innovative approach, Shestel encourages users to go deeper with their entertainment, become critical thinkers, and find a place where they truly belong. By fostering intelligent discourse around movies, TV shows, books, and music, Shestel aims to revolutionize the way we engage with entertainment and create a lasting impact on the digital landscape.

Experience the power of connection and join the Shestel community today. Download the app by visiting our website, unleash your passion, and embark on a journey that transcends borders, elevates understanding, and fosters a global network of friends who share your love for entertainment.

Also follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and most importantly don't miss our podcasting "Thoughts From The Couch" where Doloreste Jean Baptiste, the female founder and CEO of Shestel holds biweekly podcasting events. The podcast is also available on Podbean.com, Itunes.com and others.

Telegram introduces Power Saving Mode along with other interventions in its latest feature update

Telegram Messenger has launched new features in its latest update for iOS and Android such as Power Saving Mode which will work automatically once the battery charge percentage reaches a certain level. In addition to this, the app has added a Granular Speed track to control further the playback speed of media files and Auto-Send Invite links for groups with restricted users.

Power Saving Mode

Telegram's animations and lightweight effects are optimized to make any phone feel powerful, but can now be disabled to extend battery life and improve performance on older devices. Power Saving Mode can be set to automatically turn on when any user’s device battery reaches a certain percentage. With individual toggles that let the users disable specific effects.

iOS users can also use power-saving settings to limit background updates. However, Telegram doesn’t recommend doing this, because users might see the app updating more frequently. For Android users, Telegram has manually tested more than 200 device types to see how well Telegram performs and created optimized default settings to ensure all users get the best experience.

Users can toggle Power Saving mode or tweak individual settings for autoplay, animations, and effects in Settings > Power Saving.

Granular Play Speed

Telegram enabled users to change the playback speed for videos, podcasts, voice and video messages for years now. Now users have even more flexibility by holding the 2x button to choose any speed they want between 0.2x–2.5x. To change the playback speed of videos, tap the menu button, then tap 'Playback Speed' and move the slider.

Auto-send Invite Links

Telegram users can control who is allowed to add them to groups. If any user is inviting someone who restricts this, they can now quickly send them an invite link as a message. Invite links now show previews in chats so that users are able to see where they lead at a glance.

To control who can add any specific user to any group directly, they need to go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Groups & Channels.

Read Time in Small Groups

To make collaboration in small teams easier, read receipts in groups under 100 members now show the exact time when any user’s messages were read by each person in the group.

Dynamic Order for Sticker Packs

As of the previous update, recently used sticker packs move to the top of the panel for easy access. If any user wants packs to stay where they are, they can tap the icon in the sticker panel and switch off Dynamic Pack Order.

Translated Bot Descriptions

Bot developers can now fully localize their bots by translating bot descriptions and the 'What can this bot do?' sections into multiple languages.

Improved folder support on iOS

iOS users can mark all chats in a folder as read with one tap. When forwarding messages, folders can be used to quickly find the right chat. This improvement is also coming to the Android app in one of the next updates.

New Animated Emoji(s)

This update includes ten new packs of custom emoji for Telegram premium users.

Interactive emoji(s) along with Chat Reactions

Telegram animators added new interactive versions of . Users can send any of them in 1-on-1 chats, then tap to unleash a full-screen effect for the sender and receiver. Everyone can also use these emoji(s) as reactions.

The Great Bug Hunt

Under this latest update, Telegram successfully rectified more than 400 known bugs from the platform. While Telegram is working on the next update, the app welcomes everyone to use bugs.telegram.org to report issues to our team and leave suggestions via suggestions.telegram.org

For more information, please visit Telegram’s latest blog: Power Saving Mode and More (telegram.org)

ReelStar Raises $5+ Mn from ITO of ReelToken (REELT)

• Launches ReelStar, ReelToken & ReelPay logo
• ReelStar is the principal sponsor for the Delhi Bulls cricket team
• Also the title sponsor for Nora Fatehi and Guru Randhawa’s The Unity Tour in Australia

The ReelStar app, India’s most advanced Web3 integrated social media platform, announced that it has raised over USD 5 mn from the Initial Token Offering (ITO) of its utility token ReelToken (REELT). ReelToken is based on a multi-blockchain platform and architecture. It uses the Polygon (MATIC) and Binance Smart Chain (BSC) extensible to multiple blockchain networks.

ReelStar is an ‘everything app’ with integrated multiple social media, Web3 and payment functionalities. It features in-app tailor-made NFT creation features, Smart Contract customisation and an NFT Marketplace in an easy-to-use Android and/or iOS environment. The app provides creators (at any level) with the needed in-app tools and global access to consumers other without requiring large budgets or technical knowledge. This will democratise and level the playing field for User Generated Content (UGC). Best of all every creator can easily monetise their content!

Well-known industry leaders attended an event, ReelTalk, in Melbourne, Australia organised by Reel Star. Topics presented and discussed included Web3 integration with social media and its importance as a game changer for the media and entertainment industry especially relevant to India but with global application.

Former Indian cricketer, Irfan Pathan, was just one of the celebrities that graced the event where Navdeep & Nick the Co-Founders of ReelGroup were excited to reveal the logos of ReelStar, ReelToken & ReelPay. The philosophy behind the logo was revealed; the Reel Mark is formed using an alphabet R enclosed in square with 2 sharp edges and 2 rounded edges. The sharp edges stood for the group’s commitment to transparency & fairness while the rounded corners stood for politeness & adaptability to the future world. These all underpin each company’s user-centric values and approach.

Speaking, at the event, after a successful ITO, Co-Founder, Navdeep Sharma, said, “ReelStar aims to energise and reinvigorate the global media and entertainment industry. Our app will provide a global platform for creators thereby enabling a positive network of communities that inspire connection, collaboration and inclusion. Our UVP lies in our seamlessness and our easy-to-use platform that is accessible to almost everyone to create, collect, trade, and monetise an exciting array of NFTs and User Generated Content.”

India has the second-largest media and entertainment industry in the world. Indian revenue is estimated to be USD 30+ bn by 2023 with 900 mn users by 2025. ReelStar is already working closely with key industry players to give access for both fresh new talent and reinvigorate industry veterans to showcase their art to a global audience on the platform and be rewarded for doing so.

ReelStar will be the main sponsor of the Indian Sneaker Festival happening in December 2022, it is also the principal sponsor for the Delhi Bulls cricket team and is organizing the ReelStar cup to be hosted in the UAE. It is also the title sponsor for Nora Fatehi and Guru Randhawa’s The Unity Tour in Australia.

Following on from the ITO, Reel Star aims to raise an additional USD 31.275mn via staged releases to the public. It has established a capped supply of 15 bn REELTs, of which 5% will be in the first series of releases.

ReelStar’s board of advisors include global crypto leaders like Evan Luthra, Naveen Kapoor and Indian-American serial entrepreneur Ms. Nikita Sachdev, among others.

About ReelStar:

ReelStar is India’s latest Web3 integrated social media platform, created with a revolutionary vision to globally democratize access to Web3, metaverse and future technologies. The company’s goal is to bring the ‘everything app’ - a functional, easy to use, private and secure social media, video streaming, messaging and payments platform that is the bridge to the Web3 Metaverse beginning with our NFT minting and open NFT market place/platform. Indian, born and raised, serial entrepreneurs, Navdeep Sharma and Nick Bahl, now based in Australia are the co-founders of this breakthrough app. The entire Reel Star ecosystem is powered and enabled by the blockchain utility token, ReelToken (REELT).

Telegram Launches A Major Update Including Features Like Topics for Groups, Blockchain-based Collectible Usernames and More

The latest update comes with other astonishing features for premium subscribers such as Video Transcription and a bunch of new expressive emoji packs

Telegram Messenger in its latest update has rolled-out Topics in Groups, Collectible Usernames, new interfaces for operating systems and more to enhance the user chat experience. Moreover, the platform brings some unique features for its premium users such as Voice-to-text for Video messages. Earlier, the premium users were only able to transcribe voice messages. A bunch of 12 new emoji packs have also been added to Telegram Premium. The app has also released several interface-driven updates for Android, iOS and desktop apps.

In the latest blog by Telegram’s CEO & Founder, Pavel Durov wrote, “I feel particularly excited about today’s Telegram update. It adds topics to large groups, transforming these linear chats into slick mobile-friendly versions of good old Internet Forums.

Ironically, the very first popular internet service I built around 20 years ago was also an Internet Forum – a message board for students of my university, which eventually grew into the biggest student portal in the region.

16 years ago I again incorporated forums into the Communities section of VK, a social network I founded. Since VK was the most popular communication platform in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other countries, tens of millions of people used the forum feature there.

I feel nostalgic about those times: I had yet to learn the skill of hiring engineers and designers back then, so I programmed and designed everything on my own, working 20 hours per day.

Today I am fortunate to have the best coding team in the world to recreate the forum experience for hundreds of millions across all platforms in a more modern, fast and accessible form. Telegram will now support organized conversations where thousands of people can concurrently discuss different subjects in the same group.

Topics today come packed with lots of features including the ability to close and pin topics, flexible notification options and lots of fun animated emoji to be used as topic icons. But this is just the start. Taking advantage of the two-week delay caused by Apple’s review, we have begun to expand these new threaded groups into something even more powerful.”

Topics in Groups

Telegram groups can support huge communities with hundreds of thousands of users. To keep these chats easy to read, groups with over 200 members can now enable topics and create separate spaces for any subject. Topics function as individual chats within the group – supporting their own shared media and notification settings. Members are free to chat on any topic of their interest, using all their favourite features like polls, pinned messages and bots.

This feature is intended specifically for large groups, adding new ways to customize their chats and promote discussion. Later this year, Telegram expect to introduce a different set of tools, tailored to small groups. If users want to give topics a test drive, try them out in this public group.

Group admins can enable topics in their Group Settings, and can control who is allowed to create and manage topics in Permissions. Telegram plans to release further updates that will bring more powerful tools for both admins and users of this feature.

Collectible Usernames

Telegram users can make it easy for others to contact them or find their public groups and channels via usernames. In addition to one basic username, users can now assign multiple collectible usernames to each of their accounts and public chats. The ownership of collectible usernames is secured by TON, a fast and scalable blockchain network. They can be bought and sold through a new platform called Fragment, enabling a simple and secure way to acquire and exchange valuable Telegram domains.

Collectible usernames work just like basic @usernames, they appear in Global Search results and have their own links that can be used outside of Telegram: username.t.me and t.me/username.

Unlike basic usernames, Collectible usernames can be less than 5 characters long – making it possible to get unique names like @news or @game. Once acquired, a user has full control over their collectible username, able to trade it or retain it for later use. Users can deactivate any of their collectible usernames by making them invisible in search results without losing the name.

Voice-to-Text for Video Messages

Since the launch of Telegram Premium, subscribers have been able to convert any voice message to text – for times when it's more convenient to read than listen along. This update adds the same functionality to video messages, allowing Premium users to get an instant text transcript.

New Emoji Packs

While thousands of users experiment with uploading custom emoji sets, Telegram artists have completed 12 new emoji packs. Premium users can use these emoji in any messages and captions – or set them as statuses for Halloween.

Redesigned Night Mode for iOS

Dark themes have been updated for users on iOS, making colours more balanced with better blurring effects as they scroll in chats and the chat list.

Resizing Text on Android

Changing the text size in Chat Settings on Android now increases the size of all chat text – including link previews, reply headers and more.

New Interactive Emoji and Reactions

For those times when our users are studying, sleeping or being suspicious, this update brings 4 new interactive emoji that play full-screen effects in 1-on-1 chats and can also be used as reactions. Additionally, all users can celebrate the spooky season with 3 more reactions in any chat.

Web3 Integrated Social Media Platform ReelStar Announces Initial Token Offering of ReelToken

ReelStar announces Initial Token Offering of ReelToken

• ReelStar app is India’s latest Web3 integrated social media platform
• Aims to democratise access for content creators, content consumers, and enhancers
• Board of advisors include global crypto leaders like Evan Luthra and Nikita Sachdev among others

The ReelStar app, India’s latest Web3 integrated social media platform, launches the ReelToken (REELT). In its Initial Token Offering (ITO), ReelStar aims to raise USD 4.98 mn via private sale and an additional USD 31.275mn via public sale. It has established a supply of 15 bn REELTs, of which 5% has been capped for the ITO and private sale.

The co-founders are, Indian born and raised, serial entrepreneurs, Navdeep Sharma and Nick Bahl. Currently based in Australia they have planned and designed the ReelStar app as an ‘everything app’ with multiple social media and payment functionalities integrated with an access ramp to the Web3 Metaverse/Omniverse. It will feature in-app NFT creation feature and an NFT Marketplace in an easy to use and familiar environment for both Android and iOS devices. NFTs made within the app can be integrated with extensive smart contract technology irrespective of the format or style of social media content. The social media functionality incorporates the best features of multiple existing apps in a single app. ReelStar app’s payment functionality works through the built-in digital wallet that can store fiat as well as digital assets, such as, coins and tokens including NFTs and provides access to the global utility of a Debit Card and fiat currency.

Creators and artists, irrespective of their medium, can use the ReelStar App to mint their own NFTs, build in smart contract functionality and monetise their creative efforts by selling or trading NFTs on the ReelStar NFT marketplace. By incorporating all this functionality into a smartphone app, almost anyone can enter the media and entertainment industry, and have access to a global market for their creative output. This democratises and levels the playing field, providing creators and consumers global access to each other without requiring a large studio or corporate middle-man.

The ReelToken which underpins the ReelStar app and ecosystem is based on a multi-blockchain platform and architecture. As a token, REELT is unique due to its integration with ReelStar’s proprietary technology stack which efficiently fuels the app’s ecosystem facilitating its seamless usage by both creators and consumers.

Navdeep Sharma, Co-Founder, Reel Star, said, “Our app will provide global opportunities as well as a Web3 passport to every creator and artist. Anyone with a flair for artistic creativity or a knack of entertaining an audience is warmly invited to join our platform. Through the platform they have access to a global audience, can cost-effectively scale their fan base and monetise their creative output. We offer a plethora of Web 2 and Web3 monetisation options, which can be customised to maximise both benefits and returns for consumers and creators. Creators can seek patronage as well as share returns and profits with their patrons through our platform with the utmost of transparency and efficiency through smart contract technology and controls present within the ReelToken ecosystem.”

ReelStar’s board of advisors include global crypto leaders like Evan Luthra and Indian-American serial entrepreneur Ms. Nikita Sachdev, among others.

Nick Bahl, Co-Founder, Reel Star, said, “The Indian media and entertainment industry is ready for significant growth between 2022 and 2025, a growth primarily delayed owing to the pandemic. Our app and ecosystem are designed from the ground up to be fully functional on a mobile platform and therefore almost completely remove the entry barriers to NFT, Web3 and Metaverse/Omniverse technologies. Anyone’s smart phone can now not only deliver social media content and NFTs but also a range of services to a global audience. The ReelToken will invigorate and fuel, at all levels, the next exciting phase of growth for the Indian M&E industry.”

About ReelStar:

ReelStar is India’s first multi-blockchain social media platform, created with a revolutionary vision to globally democratize access to Web3, metaverse and future technologies. The company’s goal is to bring the ‘everything app’ - a functional, easy to use, private and secure social media, video streaming, messaging and payments platform that is the bridge to the Web3 Metaverse beginning with our NFT minting and open NFT market place/platform. Indian, born and raised, serial entrepreneurs, Navdeep Sharma and Nick Bahl, now based in Australia are the co-founders of this breakthrough app. The entire Reel Star ecosystem is powered and enabled by the blockchain utility token, ReelToken (REELT).

Website link: www.reelcrypto.io