Vodacom's Grid launches talent content
Vodacom today, Thursday, 11 December 2008, launched gridstar, a mobile talent contest than can be entered by anyone with a cellphone and its location-based social networking service, The Grid. Monthly gridstar winners can win cash, with the grand prize being a professionally produced video to the value of R100 000 to kick-start their entertainment career.
“gridstar is a new, fun talent contest for all South Africans to display their talents captured on video using their cellphones, and illustrates Vodacom's leadership in creating innovative services for consumers in the social networking space,” said Dot Field, chief communications officer, Vodacom Group.
“This competition brings together the best undiscovered local talent in a novel and innovative way that showcases the technology we have at our disposal.”
gridstar offers all South Africans, especially aspiring singers or comedians, a way to enter their unique talents captured on video in three categories,: Music, Funniest and Variety.
A cellphone with video recording capabilities or video recorder is all people need: just point, record and upload video clips from cellphones to http://wap.gridstar.co.za or from a PC to www.gridstar.co.za. Registration to submit entries on gridstar is free and once registered, users can also post comments and rate videos while the resident talent scout, Mr Big, provides ongoing commentary about the progress and performance of the submitted entries.
The gridstar finalists are selected based on votes from users, Vodacom's judging panel and Mr Big.
The gridstar has been running since 1 December 2008 and ends 31 November 2009. The monthly gridstar winner will receive R10 000 and runners-up will receive R1000 each. After 12 months, the winning gridstar performance will walk away with the grand prize.
“We hope to discover new talent in an exciting way which is accessible to most South Africans, and which is entertaining and interactive at the same time,” concludes Field.
For more information on how to enter, send an SMS with ‘gridstar' to 33313 (SMS costs R0.50) or go to http://wap.gridstar.co.za from a cellphone or www.gridstar.co.za from a PC.
