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John Salley and The Spark Network Built On Bitcoin

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Photo Source: nftglee.com & johnsalley.com – edited by Betty Tundik

NFTglee has partnered with John Salley in a meaningful move to own the rights, distribution, and ongoing value creation associated with his content and brand.

John Salley and NFTglee will launch The SPRK Network, built exclusively on Bitcoin, to unlock the freedom rights that have been taken by media conglomerates for decades. Celebrity tokens will now be associated with the ‘NIL’ (name, image, likeness) rights rather than unfair and upside-down contracts pilfered by Hollywood for far too long.

John Salley and Bitcoin

“Bitcoin is freedom. In consistently searching for avenues to empower myself and all of my friends, I’ve come to the conclusion that true ownership of our work is a must. Non- fungible tokens built on Bitcoin is the foundation of that opportunity.”

“Instead of intermediaries and entertainment industry roadblocks, I’ve found the key that unlocks the direct to consumer media and content model. The technology provides incredible upside and value to both the consumer and the creator – and more and more of us creators are beginning to see it.”

“I’m so excited to be a first mover in taking back what is ours… our work, our content, our names, ownership. And again, Bitcoin provides the rails by which we can connect directly with the public. I can’t wait to show everybody what’s to come!” – John Salley, 4- Time NBA Champion, Media Personality, and Wellness Advocate.

Name, Image, and Likeness NFT’s Surge

NFTglee’s newly hired President of Media and Entertainment, Jonah Hart, agrees with the explosion in NFT’s associated with content and media across the industry.

“The value proposition for the artist and their fans is unprecedented. I believe 2022 will prove to be a wave of mass adoption of NFT’s across the music and creator economy that will have labels and brands scrambling to keep up. The ability for artists to go directly to consumers with a remarkably better value proposition is powerful. John Salley and his network are on the cutting edge here, but we believe (and are already seeing) a wave of those like him ready to follow in his footsteps.”

The SPRK Network ‘Effect’ And Bitcoin

Building on Bitcoin continues to grab mindshare within celebrity and influencer communities. The Spark Network will capitalize on John Salley’s considerable talents; but also his ability to walk his celebrity colleagues through a narrative that allows them to be set free from the captivity of media conglomerates that do not have the artists’ best interest in mind.

The SPRK Network — which will be launched along with John’s partners, Greg RomanoRoss Mark, and Dr. Dan Ratner — is the first of its kind: a new streaming network that will be built exclusively on Bitcoin, to unlock the freedom rights that have been taken by media conglomerates for decades. Celebrity tokens will now be associated with the ‘NIL’ (name, image, likeness) rights rather than unfair and upside-down contracts pilfered by Hollywood for far too long. SPRK Network launches on 2/22/22 and will include channels on mind-body wellness, sports, cryptocurrency, education, documentaries, comedy specials, and original shows and movies.

“The SPRK Network is about making a one-to-one connection with consumers and fans, unlike anything that has been done in media. The artist is in complete control of their work, their revenue, and the ways in which they engage with consumers. The shackles are being removed here, and it’s so exciting.” – John Salley, 4-Time NBA Champion, Media Personality, and Wellness Advocate.

Specifically, The SPRK Network will issue NFT tokens directly to consumers that will give those individuals direct and unprecedented access to celebrities, artists, creators, and their content. Podcasts, AMA’s, reality tv series, concerts, appearances, experiences, and events – all facilitated by The SPRK Network token and series of tokens.

“We are passionate about giving creators and artists of every genre access to all of their value. No more friction, middlemen, or inflated costs. In many ways, this is the real-world application of ‘Bitcoin fixes this’ – a well-known phrase in the Bitcoin community. We are thrilled to have partnered with John Salley, whose been a voice of economic freedom in many areas.”

“We remain so impressed by his enthusiasm and energy to unlock incredible opportunities for his friends and colleagues across media and entertainment. 2022 is going to be a big year for NFT’s built on Bitcoin.” – Tillman Holloway, CEO NFTglee.

About John Salley: A proud native of Brooklyn, New York, John found a love for basketball at an early age. He accepted a Basketball Scholarship to Georgia Tech to play for legendary head coach Bobby Cremins. He went on to great success in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers. After he hung up his NBA sneakers Mr. Salley went on to media success via

The Best Damn Sports Show Period and E! Entertainment. Mr. Salley is passionate about health and wellness and practices a vegan lifestyle and is known as an accomplished Chef.

Watch here, what he said, about vegan lifestyle some years ago:

About NFTglee: NFTglee specializes in partnerships and collaborations with artists, unique personalities, social media influencers, and brands to bring exclusive NFT collections, built on the Bitcoin blockchain, of limited edition, high quality digital, and physical art to market.

NFTglee’s NFT collections are exclusive to our platform and available through our partners. We believe in the value-driven model of digital access paired with luxury goods, experiences, and physical possessions – as much as we value digital access as a stand-alone.

About SPRK Network: The SPRK Network is a new streaming network with its main mission being to promote real and meaningful change in the world, whether it comes in the form of financial freedom, mental health awareness and advocacy, or content that gives the creator their full voice and control over their projects. The SPRK Network was formed by John Salley, along with his partners, Greg Romano (TV and film producer/ editor/graphics designer), Ross Mark (long-time producer for The Tonight Show), and Dr. Dan Ratner (internationally known chronic pain and symptoms expert).

SOURCE: NFTglee

Fintech

How finance brands can drive the ROI with content creators

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The FinTech industry is highly competitive. In 2017, global FinTech industry revenue was approximately $90.5 billion, and it has grown by over 100% by the end of 2023.

Finance brands are constantly seeking innovative ways to connect with their target audiences, as a result, their marketing channels have also changed. The once-traditional financial sector, often associated with formal advertising, such as billboards, TV commercials, and print advertisements, now commonly uses influencer marketing. 

Today, trust in traditional advertising methods has weakened, and consumers now are turning to sources they perceive as authentic and relatable. Influencer marketing, with its ability to build trust and credibility, has become a common strategy for finance brands aiming to enhance their ROI and their engagement with audiences. At the same time, 67% of brands are increasing their influencer marketing budgets that also proves the effectiveness of this channel. 

The rise of influencer marketing in finance

Influencers’ recommendations are highly effective, with 92% of consumers trusting influencers more than traditional advertising channels. Social media platforms have further amplified the impact of influencer marketing, allowing influencers to engage directly with their audiences and foster trust within niche finance communities. 

Influencer marketing is commonly used by such companies as Binomo, Olymp Trade, Ego, Klarna, Exness, Pay Senger, Capital.com, and many more. If you are interested to see the example of a strategy, here is how Famesters helped FxPro drive 18K+ installations and more than 18M views.

Trading services, especially those strongly connected with cryptocurrencies, get the largest influencer marketing budgets among finance brands. According to Famesters, in 2022 Binance was the top-mentioned finance brand on YouTube.

Choosing the right influencers

Selecting the right influencers is key to the success of influencer marketing campaigns in any business sector, and it is especially crucial for the finance sector due to its specificity. To find the right influencers with authentic audiences, you have to spend time and resources. But if aligned with a creative strategy, such publications can pay off greatly: brands can earn around $5.78 for every dollar spent on influencer marketing. Here are some key considerations to pay attention on: 

  1. Alignment with brand values. This ensures that the influencer’s content will reflect the brand’s mission, maintaining consistency in messaging.
  2. Target audience compatibility. Effective influencer marketing hinges on reaching the right audience. Finance brands should thoroughly analyze an influencer’s follower demographics to ensure they match the intended target audience. For instance, promoting credit cards to young adults may require influencers with a predominantly youthful and financially active audience.
  3. Domain expertise. In the world of finance, domain expertise is a significant asset. Influencers who demonstrate a deep understanding of financial matters and can communicate complex topics in a clear and accurate manner are considered to be the best choice to cooperate with. 

Not all financial products are best promoted by financial influencers. For instance, if you’re marketing a banking product designed for children, it’s more effective to collaborate with influencers who are able to reach the parents of potential users. Similarly, for B2B financial products like business bank accounts, it makes more sense to partner with influencers who cater to entrepreneurs rather than those focused on personal finance or budgeting advice.

  1. Engagement and trustworthiness. High engagement rates, authentic interactions, and a track record of trust-building are indicators of an influencer’s effectiveness in conveying messages and recommendations (that are crucial for finance brands). Besides, the FinTech creators market is full of fraud and scam, this is why it is worth taking time and ensuring the quality of potential partners.

Ask for a screencast of the creator’s statistics instead of a screenshot if you have doubts; a trustworthy creator would provide it, and if the statistics are fake, the influencer will likely refuse.

  1. Content quality. FinTech brands should assess an influencer’s content quality and relevance to ensure it aligns with their campaign goals. Consistency in producing valuable, informative, and engaging content is key. 

You can analyze around 10-15 of the latest videos on the channel, review the comments, and ensure that they have not been purchased from a shady website. For example, when you come across comments such as “Yes sir,” “Great video,” “Thanks!”, “Love you man!”, “Quality content,” etc., they should raise red flags, as these are most likely bot-generated comments.

  1. Past collaborations and reputation. Examine an influencer’s past collaborations and reputation. For instance, if a FinTech company partners with an influencer known for promoting risky investment schemes in the past, or associated with controversial practices, it could harm the brand’s credibility and integrity. 

Besides choosing the right creators for your campaign it is also crucial to craft a well-thought brief – a clear communication tool that helps convey your app or platform’s value. Provide influencers with guidelines on your brand message, goals, budget, and content expectations, including tone of voice and key messages. Trust influencers to communicate naturally while ensuring essential ad points are covered. 

Influencer fraud risks and how to reduce them

Influencer fraud is actually decreasing year by year as more tools to detect it appear and improve. But still, 64% of companies name influencer fraud an issue that worries them. And yes, there are significant risks that can be divided into two major categories: distorted ROI and brand reputation risks. 

 

Distorted ROI:

 

  • Brands engage with influencers expecting benefits like enhanced brand recognition, sales boosts, or greater audience interaction. However, influencer fraud distorts these projections. 

 

  • Investments in influencers who have artificial followers or engagement don’t deliver tangible outcomes, resulting in a reduced ROI.

 

Brand reputation risks:

 

  • In the finance market where authenticity is highly valued by consumers, the discovery of deceit by an influencer connected to a brand can breed doubt, not only about the influencer but also about the brand itself. This association can damage the brand’s reputation and weaken trust with its audience.

 

Influencer fraud in the FinTech sector doesn’t just affect individual campaigns; it threatens the integrity of influencer marketing as a whole. In an industry built on trust and precision, deceptive practices have far-reaching consequences, making vigilance and informed decision-making imperative for FinTech brands.

 

To avoid fraudulent influencers and reduce risks, finance brands should prioritize vetting influencers. To do so, brands can:

 

  • Review content history, engagement rates, and alignment with brand values. 

 

  • Look for genuine audience interaction and content that resonates with your brand’s message. 

 

  • Engage directly with influencers to grasp their audience’s age, gender, and location. 

 

  • Seek personal stories of audience interactions, indicating authentic connections.

 

Here are some FinTech brands’ self-audit tips:

 

  • Engagement analysis. Check the ratio of followers to engagement; low engagement with high followers is a warning sign.

 

  • Audience location. Be wary of influencers with most followers from regions irrelevant to their supposed base.

 

  • Content evaluation. Genuine influencers mix sponsored and organic content, showing true interest in their niche.

 

  • Feedback checks. Seek testimonials from other brands or agencies.

 

  • Consistency. Authentic influencers show regular posting and engagement patterns.

 

And last but not least: for brands venturing into influencer marketing, especially in sectors like FinTech where trust and credibility are essential, the importance of formalizing collaborations through contracts cannot be overstated. Contracts serve as a foundational safeguard against influencer fraud, clearly delineating expectations, deliverables, and terms of engagement. This formal agreement helps to ensure that both parties are accountable and that the influencer’s following and engagement metrics are authentic and aligned with the brand’s objectives. Contracts also provide legal recourse in the event of misrepresentation or non-compliance, significantly reducing the risk of financial loss and reputational damage. 

 

A well-structured contract is not just a formal requirement; it is a strategic tool in mitigating the risks associated with influencer fraud, ensuring transparency, and maintaining the integrity of the brand’s marketing efforts.

Conclusion 

You can see that the success of influencer marketing in the FinTech sector hinges on a strategic and analytical approach. Its key aspects include:

  • Selective influencer engagement. Choosing influencers with a deep understanding of financial products and alignment with brand values is crucial for effective audience engagement.

 

  • ROI and risk management. It’s vital to employ robust analytics for assessing influencer authenticity to mitigate risks to ROI and brand reputation.

 

  • Audience and content analysis. Detailed examination of the influencer’s audience demographics and content relevance is essential for ensuring alignment with the brand’s target market.

 

  • Adaptive strategies. Staying adaptive to the evolving digital marketing trends and consumer behaviors in the fast-paced FinTech industry is key.

 

Effectively navigating these elements can significantly enhance ROI and market positioning for FinTech brands in an industry that values innovation and trust.

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Fintech

Revolutionizing Play and Pay: Fintech Leader Ibanera Redefines Financial Dynamics for the Gaming Sector

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Ibanera, an online fintech institution, announces an exciting array of gaming-focused financial services- a fully optimised suite of applications designed to align with the evolving financial paradigms within the global gaming industry.

In the realm of electronic gaming, where a staggering $400 billion was amassed in 2023, poised for sustained growth, a transformative shift in revenue generation is underway. The prosperity of contemporary games is intricately linked to in-app purchases, compelling game developers and publishers to explore innovative economic models. This exploration extends into the realm of tokenized digital assets within games, tradable assets stemming from in-app transactions, and unprecedented opportunities for professional gamers to prosper through a sophisticated play-to-earn framework

Ibanera’s strategic initiative materializes through a portfolio of services, notably featuring the introduction of PORTL, a solution meticulously designed for buying and selling digital assets. Moreover, Ibanera extends white-label solutions to gaming entities, facilitating the seamless integration of embedded payment tools for web3 game developers. The compatibility with blockchain and provision of multi-currency accounts underscore Ibanera’s unwavering commitment to delivering a suite of services that transcend conventional financial norms.

This venture represents a substantial investment for Ibanera, propelled by the strategic vision of CEO Michael Carbonara. In his statement, Carbonara remarked, “We are addressing the pressing need for heightened functionality within gaming companies. The pace of evolution in the gaming industry has surpassed the capacities of traditional banking institutions.”

The company’s foray into gaming-focused financial services signifies a significant milestone at the intersection of fintech and gaming, positioning the institution as a vanguard in an industry undergoing unprecedented transformation. The suite of applications not only addresses current demands but also strategically anticipates and caters to the future financial intricacies that will define the gaming experience.

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Fintech

Fwd: Portuguese bank BPI, subsidiary of CaixaBank group, launches AGE Planet Craft Tycoon, a game developed for the Roblox platform

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Today, the bank BPI, Portuguese subsidiary of CaixaBank group, launches AGE Planet Craft Tycoon, a game developed for the Roblox platform, inspired by financial education and sustainability concepts, targeting young audiences. Roblox is one of the largest immersive gaming platforms in the world, with around 70 million daily active users. The game is available here: https://www.roblox.com/games/15042392733/AGE-Planet-Craft-Tycoon

The experience unfolds in a galaxy where players embark on a journey on a deserted planet. The aim is to make strategic investments in resources to develop the planet in a sustainable way. Players can interact, socialise and visit other players’ planets. The financial education component associated with the game features, among other concepts, a bank where players can exchange resources for their planet’s development or invest resources in applications that simulate, in a simplified manner, the behavior of financial applications.

According to Afonso Eça, executive director responsible for innovation: “Virtual worlds, whether on Roblox or other platforms, are increasingly popular, especially among younger users. With this launch, we aim to explore another channel for our customers to engage with the AGE brand.”

The game contributes to the expansion of the BPI AGE brand, aimed at young people up to the age of 25. Young AGEs have access to various financial services at no cost or bureaucracies and have a dedicated platform in the BPI App and a space in the BPI VR immersive shop.

This project was developed in partnership with Simple Magic, a videogame studio from Estonia, focused on designing and developing games on Roblox and bringing the best brands to Metaverse.

BPI strengthens metaverse/web3 holistic strategy

Over the past year, BPI has launched several innovation projects focused on metaverse/web3, addressing three dimensions: (1) immersive and augmented realities as a new way to interact with customers; (2) custody and transaction of digital property supported by blockchain technology; and (3) position the bank in virtual worlds, which are attracting more users worldwide.

According to Francisco Barbeira, BPI executive board member, “The game AGE Planet Craft Tycoon is the final component of a strategic learning path we are undertaking in the metaverse. In the three dimensions we consider relevant, we already have initiatives underway, and the learning process has been very enriching. As of today, we can say that BPI has indeed a holistic presence in what we call the metaverse.”

In 2022, the bank launched BPI VR, its immersive reality application where customers and non-customers can experience interaction with the bank through this technology. Last month, BPI launched D-VERSE, its digital collectibles platform where digital property can be transacted in Euros, with custody provided by the Bank itself. Now, the launch of AGE Planet Craft Tycoon marks the entry into virtual worlds.

 

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