CAPE TOWN - African News Agency(ANA) has launched a global PR Wire platform which promises to take Africa to new heights.
The platform allows businesses, organisations and individuals to share their news releases instantaneously with the world beyond.
The launch sees ANA's existing wire attaining a new functionality, that being the public wire - accessible to the public to participate.
The desired outcome and aim of this service is to "remove the predominantly Westernised perspective of Africa." "We want to use this platform to have Africa heard", said President and Chief Executive Officer of ANA, Grant Fredericks at ANA's Launch today.
Fredericks, who has spent six years in Lagos, Nigeria declares that he has built mutual-beneficial relationships with various businesses during his stay and this transcends across the world.
The primary focus of the platform is Africa, whilst also aligning with the emerging BRICS (Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa) Nations.
ANA's target market is everyone.
However, Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) , Non-Profit Organisations (NPO's) and Non-Government Organisations (NGO's) are among their significant market.
Notably, ANA has positioned key strategic hubs in Dubai and London.
The operational team of the public wire are based locally and internationally.
The service will be a "free-view" platform.
According to President and Chief Executive Officer of ANA, Grant Fredericks said that the platform will be subscription-based to users who want to share content.
The subscription fee is based on a pricing model which tailors to offer more value for money.
In addition, the platform provides registered subscribers a unique selling proposition (USP) in the form of a media tracking report which monitors the reception of content worldwide.
Access to the PR Wire will enable individuals to upload text, video and picture content.
This content is however subject to a vetting process which will either qualify or disqualify content for the platform.
The anticipated turn-around time for this process is between 20-30 minutes.
Subscribers are also subject to a disclaimer which declines content that is obscene, harmful, sexist or discriminatory.
"We really want to take Africa to the world and we are looking forward to see it grow and succeed", declared ANA's Editor in Chief, Lindiz Van Zilla.
In response to where ANA sees itself in the near future, Fredericks pronounced that ANA's aim is to be the #1 PR Platform.