World’s first streetcasting project kicks off


17 Nov 2009

If you’ve ever felt that perhaps uploading your video to YouTube just didn’t have the same immediacy as busking or street performance, you might be a candidate for Zozzy TV, the world’s first-ever “streetcasting” project broadcasting user-generated content to the general public across Dublin city.

ZozzyTV, sponsored by Vodafone Ireland, is basically three virtual busking spots for the entire population of Ireland: there are large screens at Grafton Street, Henry Street and in Temple Bar that will play footage for eight weeks until 9 January, 2010.

Launched Sunday, 15 November, ZozzyTV was named after Dublin’s legendary street performer, Zozimus.

If you’re the next Jimi Hendrix, John Belushi, Joan Rivers or Joaquin Phoenix … or even just Jedward, go to ZozzyTV.com, register and upload your video footage for a chance to be broadcast on ZozzyTV.

“We have just launched our Christmas campaign and ZozzyTV provides a different dimension for accessing existing and new customers close to the point of sale during the festive season,” said Carolan Lennon, consumer director for Vodafone Ireland.

“This is a world first and what makes it even better is the fact that it’s totally Irish, from the technology to the people who will be using it.”

Each clip gets 30 seconds of screen time and it is estimated that around 7 million viewers will see the screens in the eight weeks ZozzyTV is on.

Aside from video, there is also a ticker tape scrolling across the bottom of the screen, where text messages from viewers are shown in real time.

“We are expecting the funniest, wackiest, heart-warming and creative videos that only the Irish public can deliver,” said Billy Brennan, managing director of ZozzyTV.

“We are very fortunate that Vodafone has recognised the potential of ZozzyTV and the benefit of real interaction between viewers and our video stars.”

By Marie Boran

Photo: Dustin the turkey gets in on the act.