How one text changed video for millions in Africa

The story of a publisher revolution that changed video and video ads in Africa forever, and improved news coverage across an entire continent...

I’m sharing this story today as I travel across North America and Canada meeting publishers focused on rebuilding the news industry after the Google and Meta era.

We have a lot to fix but with gumption, energy, new thinking and probably some new leadership, it can be done.

This is how a text led me and some determined publishers to introduce premium video into Africa, transforming news coverage and earnings for tens of millions.

Just before we dive in, please join me in welcoming new subs from Apple in Cupertino, California, from Paramount Pictures and NBC Universal in Hollywood, from UK magazine giant Immediate, the Polish press agency PAP in Warsaw, Exact Ads in Israel, and Nine Entertainment and the Yarrawonga Chronicle in Australia among others. Great to have you all here :)