ImageBrief Campaign Crowdsources Unseen Images

The latest campaign from crowdsourced image provider, ImageBrief, takes a different route in the search for numerous and unique quality images. To launch the campaign, a short film entitled "The Lost" was made to inspire photographers to search through their catalogue for lost or forgotten images and allow them to be found and made available for all to enjoy.

The campaign was devised by Whybin/TBWA Auckland in partnership with the production talent of Flying Fish. The short film premiered at the New York Photo Festival which also marked the launch of ImageBrief's US operations. According to ImageBrief, approximately 12.5 million photographers around the world have captured over 60 billion images, many of which have been filed away and possibly lost or forgotten. 

"This is a visual, inspirational film that was carefully crafted to appeal to our highly visual target audience – photographers. One of the key drivers for the success of this business is the quality of the photographer base we recruit; hence this campaign is a key element in our overall marketing strategy.” - Stephen Pearson, Marketing Director, ImageBrief

The film looks to increase ImageBrief's community of talented photographers to meet the demands of its increasing image buying customer base, and is an indication of how the platform continues to challenge conventional web based image providers. As well as providing its customer based with an extensive crowd of talented photographers and a vast array of images, ImageBrief also allows photographers to earn a living selling their images to high profile clients. For more information visit the ImageBrief website.

FundaGeek Launch Scientific Research & Development Portal

FundaGeek, the crowdfunding platform specialising in helping technological innovations and scientific research obtain funding, has launched a new portal aimed at helping scientific research and development projects. The portal will provide vital guidance and resources for scientific projects looking to crowdfunding as an alternative source to traditional methods. 

Funding for scientific research and development projects is traditionally sought by way of government grants or discretionary grants from wealthy philanthropists. Since there are only limited numbers of grants available at any one time, competition for such funding is fierce and once awarded can betime consuming. FundaGeek's newest portal, Crowdfunding for Scientific Research, provides a means of getting a project off the ground until such time as further funding can be sought. The portal is open to scientists and educators at all levels including undergraduates and graduate students from universities and research institutions.

We are very excited about the launch of our new research portal as one of our early goals for our crowdfunding platform consistently has been to help science and basic research. We are very committed to the global science community. - Daniel D. Gutierrez, CEO FundaGeek

Whether the project focuses on physical & life sciences, engineering, social sciences or health and education, any such project can seek funding through the portal. Project owners are given resources and help to launch and run a successful crowdfunding campaign. These include a special FAQ section with various pointers and tips, a blog for researchers to provide regular updates, and comprehensive submission guidelines. In addition, two projects will be selected from the site's catalogue that will feature on the portal based on their compelling nature and success with the crowdfunding model.

Unlike commercial projects, those submitted through the portal do not follow the all or nothing crowdfunding model therefore the project does not need to reach a funding target. The portal refines the focus of FundaGeek's dedication to helping scientific research projects. Crowdfunding cannot replace the grant system but can supplement the funding needed to get the project started, making crowdfunding ideal for new classes of projects such as outreach programmes that are often subject to delays.

Image Credits; RDECOM

Crowdsourced T-Shirt Design on Sale to Support Women and Girls

A partnership of two major charities and a leading crowdsourcing design platform, have announced the winner of their crowdsourced t-shirt design challenge. Humanitarian organisation CARE along with the Bill & Miranda Gates Foundation and Threadless, in partnership with each other for the first time, will produce t-shirts featuring the winning design with all profits from the sale to be donated to CARE helping its continued fight to lift third world communities out of poverty.

Since it was launched in 1945, CARE has spent the last six decades helping women and girls out of poverty. The organisation has empowered women to better help themselves and their communities promoting social justice, emergency response and tackling hunger and climate change. Through community-based efforts CARE is focused on helping women and girls to fight poverty head on by creating improved education, health and economic opportunities, and last year it helped over 122 million people in 84 countries. Alongside CARE, the Bill & Miranda Gates Foundation has worked along similar lines tackling poverty both in the US and developing nations with a firm belief that every life has equal value. 

The contest was launched in conjunction with one of the leading providers of crowdsourced designs, Threadless, which regularly runs such challenges which then feature on the site's line  of clothing, bags, and other accessories. Chosen designers receive a cash payment as well as acknowledgement of their work, with the artists names featured on the products. The CARE T-Shirt Design Challenge called on the skills and talent of its crowd community to submit a design with empowering women as the theme. After considering over 100 submissions, the work of Shahaf Gurevich entitled "A Mother is a Daughter is a Mother..." was declared the winner. 

A Mother is a Daughter is a Mother...' was the runaway favourite because it so beautifully evokes the strength of mothers and daughters. CARE focuses on empowering girls and women because our experience has shown us that they have the power to transform families and communities. Whether by learning how to take part in a Village Savings and Loan program or as part of a maternal health training, women can join forces to change their lives and their communities - Helene Gayle, CEO & President of CARE

Shahaf's winning design is based on the principle that all mothers are daughters and that many daughters go on to become mothers. Since mothers want only the best for their children, empowering the daughters of today is the key to shaping a brighter future, free from poverty. The T-shirts featuring design will be sold through Threadless for $19.50 (£12.60) with 100% of the profits being donated to CARE. The T-shirts are available in a variety of sizes for both men and women, so if you would like to buy a t-shirt that will aide a worthy cause then click here to chose your size and make a purchase.

Image Credit; Threadless (Copyright 2012 All Rights Reserved) via PR Newswire