When one launches a new digital service one tries and connects with the very incestuous but ever engaging web 2.0 community. In order to do so one needs a press release. This is what we have released. Comments/changes are welcome.
The first Mekwa Press Release:
An innovative and fun social networking site that allows you to connect with strangers and be surprised.
Who: Mekwa was created by Kwame Ferreira and a few friends in Lisbon and London. The service presentation can be found here: http://www.kwamecorp.com/mekwa/presentation
What: At mekwa.com the user is asked to put his head into a creature (the Mekwa) and then to state a few wishes/desires. Someone somewhere will see that Mekwa at mekwa.com and try and fulfill those wishes by creating an entry with pictures/video that the Mekwa gathers and then conveys back to its owner. Mekwa is about a creature which is part of you and that goes out into the world in order to surprise you. The iPhone app makes it possible to look for Mekwas around you, using a neat map feature, and to surprise Mekwas on the move by taking pictures and adding them to Mekwa entries.
Mekwa can be used for dating: fulfill my desires and I will get in touch, but Mekwa can also be used to escape, to have part of you go places and do things you can't. Connect with people you usually would not.
Mekwa bodies are designed by artists from all over the world and change every month.
Why: If you know what people want, their desires, you'll have a better chance of surprising them, of connecting meaningfully. Mekwa is about digital altruism. The fact that you can beam down someone's Mekwa to your iPhone and surprise it whilst your Mekwa may be on the other side of the planet being surprised by someone strange and wonderful. That's why we created the Mekwa.
With social networking sites you already know who your friends are and you just confirm that fact online and then sustain that connection. I've always thought of social networking sites as address books on speed. (...) But what about strangers? How can you also connect with strangers in a meaningful way? Well, Mekwa is an attempt.
Mekwa is for everyone and anyone who wants to go beyond their social network, to go places they can't, meet strangers... Anyone who wants to be surprised, have a wish fulfilled.
How: Mekwa has had no venture capital. Through the blog www.kwamecorp.com/mekwa, users who are interested in what it takes to create a service like this, can follow us as Mekwa tries to raise a first round of investment amidst an economical crisis. Fun, fun, fun. We want to connect with our audience and adapt the system accordingly but at the same time stay faithful to that founding principle of escapism/surprise.
In many ways, Mekwa feels like something Disney would pick up for a movie... It feels like twitter with a twist with lots of maps... it feels playful, special. I hope you you enjoy it.
The first Mekwa Press Release:
An innovative and fun social networking site that allows you to connect with strangers and be surprised.
Who: Mekwa was created by Kwame Ferreira and a few friends in Lisbon and London. The service presentation can be found here: http://www.kwamecorp.com/mekwa/presentation
What: At mekwa.com the user is asked to put his head into a creature (the Mekwa) and then to state a few wishes/desires. Someone somewhere will see that Mekwa at mekwa.com and try and fulfill those wishes by creating an entry with pictures/video that the Mekwa gathers and then conveys back to its owner. Mekwa is about a creature which is part of you and that goes out into the world in order to surprise you. The iPhone app makes it possible to look for Mekwas around you, using a neat map feature, and to surprise Mekwas on the move by taking pictures and adding them to Mekwa entries.
Mekwa can be used for dating: fulfill my desires and I will get in touch, but Mekwa can also be used to escape, to have part of you go places and do things you can't. Connect with people you usually would not.
Mekwa bodies are designed by artists from all over the world and change every month.
Why: If you know what people want, their desires, you'll have a better chance of surprising them, of connecting meaningfully. Mekwa is about digital altruism. The fact that you can beam down someone's Mekwa to your iPhone and surprise it whilst your Mekwa may be on the other side of the planet being surprised by someone strange and wonderful. That's why we created the Mekwa.
With social networking sites you already know who your friends are and you just confirm that fact online and then sustain that connection. I've always thought of social networking sites as address books on speed. (...) But what about strangers? How can you also connect with strangers in a meaningful way? Well, Mekwa is an attempt.
Mekwa is for everyone and anyone who wants to go beyond their social network, to go places they can't, meet strangers... Anyone who wants to be surprised, have a wish fulfilled.
How: Mekwa has had no venture capital. Through the blog www.kwamecorp.com/mekwa, users who are interested in what it takes to create a service like this, can follow us as Mekwa tries to raise a first round of investment amidst an economical crisis. Fun, fun, fun. We want to connect with our audience and adapt the system accordingly but at the same time stay faithful to that founding principle of escapism/surprise.
In many ways, Mekwa feels like something Disney would pick up for a movie... It feels like twitter with a twist with lots of maps... it feels playful, special. I hope you you enjoy it.
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