“I tried to bring amazing science facts and latest tech news to all of my friends on their Facebook newsfeed. I was hoping for a science revolution but later on I had the revelation that not everyone was interested in all these brainstorming technologies. However, my tech craze did come useful when I learned about WhatsApp’s new broadcasting feature.” says Rajath Chandran, founder of the one-month-old Storyboard broadcast, based in Kochi.
When his first attempt at enlightening social media users failed and the desire to reach the masses remained, Rajath started looking for an improved realm that would be useful and interesting to people. “I saw that there are many Facebook pages that give film updates, release dates, trailers and even gossip. No one has tried the same on WhatsApp and I thought why not give it a try.”
According to him, WhatsApp could be a better platform for movie promotions and marketing due to its increasing use and easy accessibility. The ‘ping’ sound and pulse light notification are almost irresistible and the message never goes unseen unlike Facebook.
Through Storyboard broadcast you get movie posters, film news, movie trailers, songs and film reviews as soon as they officially appear on the web. Hollywood, Bollywood, Kollywood and Mollywood movie updates are given to the subscribers.
“Right now the information is collected from the web and sources credited. We are nearing 1000 subscribers and once this mark is reached an official site will be launched where marketers can approach us directly. We are getting good responses from subscribers and expecting a wider reach,” he says. To make the broadcast group even more interesting, he has introduced a game ‘Sunday Trivia’, that asks movie related questions and winners are given free mobile recharges.
“I have been using it from the beginning and now many of my friends too have subscribed to it. It always feels good when you are the first to see a movie trailer and since it gets automatically downloaded to my device, I can show others too,” says Namita Bipin, a student at NIT Calicut and Storyboard user.
Rajath, a final year engineering student at University College of Engineering, Muttom, is all set to bring in more interesting aspects to his broadcast group. With support from advertisers, he hopes to make good use of his new WhatsApp venture.
To start subscribing, add the contact +919496534015, saved under the name Storyboard broadcast and send a ‘join’ message to the number on WhatsApp.