yMedia And Nzherald Join Forces

14 May 2009

yMedia And Nzherald.Co.Nz Set Challenge To Benefit Businesses, Students And Community Groups During Financial Down-Turn

yMedia has partnered with nzherald.co.nz and set the yMedia Challenge to invigorate and benefit businesses, students and community groups, during the current economic down-turn

yMedia is an entirely youth-driven enterprise, which was set up in 2007 to connect tertiary students with community organisations through new media initiatives; thus providing community groups the opportunity to increase their knowledge and use of information communication technology, while giving students the opportunity to implement live projects and gain experience to build their portfolios.

This year, yMedia and nzherald.co.nz are inviting businesses of all sizes to sponsor a team for a small fee to compete in the yMedia Challenge, in which students will complete a Community Group project within a set time period and be judged by a panel of industry representatives.

Each team will be made up of a Community Group, a team of students (to implement the project), an industry mentor (to oversee the project), and a supporting Business/Sponsor.

Businesses/Sponsors involved with the yMedia Challenge will gain valuable exposure to new media initiatives, help with the development of up-coming talent, assist with furthering a community based project that otherwise may not be implemented, and receive advertising opportunities with nzherald.co.nz.

yMedia Director, Adele Barlow, says “During this financial downturn, we need solutions that are collaborative and innovative not only in rhetoric but by their very nature. We need solutions that come from the bottom-up."

Right now, we all need to help each-other out to make sure that we all keep moving forward. That’s really what the yMedia Challenge is all about; finding people that need help, partnering them with those who can provide that assistance, and rewarding all parties involved with tangible benefits and solutions”.

Jeremy Rees, Publisher, nzherald.co.nz, sees multiple benefits to being involved with the yMedia Challenge.

“nzherald.co.nz is thrilled to be involved with the yMedia Challenge. It's a smart initiative that not only provides young people with great experience but also grows people's understanding of new media, while directly benefiting organisations,” he says.

The 2009 yMedia Challenge teams will be announced on 17 June 09 and projects must be completed by 12 August 09. All projects will then be judged with winners announced at an awards ceremony in mid August.

The yMedia group are calling for interested businesses or advertising and digital agencies to support the 2009 yMedia Challenge. For more information visit www.ymediachallenge.co.nz.

Ends.