Proponent: WagMedia Multisig: 1nk1zBjum3dr6Y1YAx6Uqr6Worx5rSYJtu9iq5v5gyTFzCL
Requested Dot: 26058 ( $180320 ) at $6.92 based on 7 days EMA
Introduction:
WagMedia decentralizes the story of Dotsama by incentivizing stakeholders to curate, share, create, and promote content of all languages in an open and transparent manner.
Founded in December 2021, WagMedia (WM) addresses the Dotsama information distribution problem as it seeks to counter the diminishing ability of network participants to make informed decisions as the network grows. To achieve this, WM incentivizes individuals to discover, develop, and distribute network-related content.
WM units have funded the creation of hundreds of original content from a large and diverse group of independent creators. For example, from January through July 2023, 69 unique creators produced a total of 496 original content through the Paraverse Content Creators unit. Similarly, the NFT Content Creation Guild has funded the production of 177 original content from December 2022 through July 2023. WM Bounty #12 (prior to the spin-off of the guilds) generated over 1,600 original content from June through December 2022.
Here’s a selection of standout pieces of content from WM:
Most recent ones:
Some of the Non Anglo Articles and teams works supported by WagMedia:
Contribution to Create Ecosystem Assets:
WM has successfully cultivated 25+ qualified content creators through its bounty-run programs. Explore our success stories featuring individuals who have been recruited by Parachain teams, assumed roles as Ambassadors for both Polkadot and Parachain teams, or have established their own brands.
| Discord | Hired by Teams | Parachain Ambassadors | |
| Cryptomosh | @Cryptomosh | Hashed Network (Head Community Moderator) | |
| manonthemoon | @mannim_mond | - | peaq, ajuna |
| amedkarimm | @amedkareemm | Kodadot | InvArch |
| Sirjey | @Dr_sirjey | Subdaily | Polkadot |
| GikiRun | @GikiRun | AIWeb3 | Bifrost |
| pabloglz | @mrkusama | - | - |
| prophetdotsama | @prophetdotsama | - | Polkadot, OAK Network, RMRK |
| tomitzu | @tomitzu | Kodadot (OC), SubSocial & other external team (translation) | - |
| maczam | @criptomaczam | - | Darwinia — Astar |
| billionaire9 | @BILLI0NAIRE9 | - | RMRK |
| dgreatanda | @Dgreatanda | - | - |
| EmilKietzman | @Emilkietzman | - | - |
| pnin | @balanceborn | Kusamarian | - |
| CryptoX | @0x_cryptox | Kodadot/Hasehed Network | - |
| Pitcoin | @Pitcoin | - | Astar Network / Polkadot |
| JohnMental | @Web3PromoTeam | - | Polkadot Senior Ambassador |
| Celestialbeing | @Celestial_One1 | - | - |
| MaxTheo | @Cryptozilla_mg | - | Polkadot |
| johnrhodel | @Parachainboy | - | Polkadot, Integritee, Bifrost, Crust, Nodle, Aleph Zero, InvArch, Phala, OAK Network, Nodle |
| Cejota | @carlosawaki | The Kusamarian | Polkadot, Polimec, Equilibrium (discontinued) |
| The_Scarlet_Thread | @TheScarletThr | - | Phala, Ajuna, Talisman |
| Sanchez | @sanchzeph | Bifrost | - |
| bahu0582 | @suryavamsi0912 | Proof Of Chaos | - |
| .pkj | @pkjdalmia | Interlay | - |
| crispap | @cris_pap8 | - | - |
| DrCAO | @cao_lab | AIWeb3 | Bifrost, Astar |
Problem Statements:
At the time of writing, there are multiple content and marketing proposals going through OpenGov with more to be expected. This raises concerns about balancing upfront spending with quality, inclusion, and fair compensation. Centralized content creation and marketing tend to push narratives based on one group's point of view. This can result in faulty marketing that does not appeal to the public at large. There are limited options when it comes to nurturing media talent that focuses on Polkadot. The over-reliance on single influencers and figures can lead to a narrow, centralized view of Polkadot, limiting the diversity of perspectives available to users and the retail community.
Implementing a structured approach to nurture these new voices, micro-influencers, and ecosystem agents is essential to address this. This approach will not only diversify the range of viewpoints about Polkadot but also mitigate the undue influence of any single figure on the community's perception. By constantly funneling in new figures, we can ensure a continuous and dynamic presence of diverse voices, also preventing any vacuum created by the absence of established figures. This is one of the key value propositions offered by WM.
Solutions:
WM has a proven track record of being the answer to the problems that have been stated. WM has successfully incentivized a diverse group of independent creators to produce content that add value to the Polkadot ecosystem by holding the funds approved by OpenGov in escrow and distributing them “retroactively” to creators based on the quality of content. Quality is addressed by direct feedback on style, accuracy of information, and direction on trends. Those who continually respond to feedback enjoy better rewards, exposure, and reach with their content. Additionally, the writer’s room allows for peer review, with fellow creators receiving minor rewards for providing feedback or making edits to drafts. In terms of inclusion, WM is open to all, this includes smaller creators, those new to the ecosystem, natives who want to get involved, aspiring creators, or even those who have limited time. Contributors will not need to raise their own OpenGov proposal. WM has supported 18+ non-Anglo languages, including German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Romanian, Portuguese, Japanese, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Turkish, Russian, Polish, Czech, Filipino, Thai, Mongolian, and Vietnamese. The tiering system along with every piece of content posted being appraised will allow for fair compensation being rewarded. Contributors can work their way from a tier 3 creator to the converted role of a tier 1 creator. Each tier increases the percentage awarded, thus, incentivizing creators to up their game. Coverage of the ecosystem updates is done by individual creators, each with their own unique perspective and voice. This variety helps to successfully capture the attention of ever-growing audiences, as well as alleviates centralized narratives. WM allows those without support or direction find their unique voice and eventually become confident, independent creators able to support themselves or appeal directly to the token holders through OpenGov for their own proposals.
WagMedia Team:
ikhaled will be responsible for the general admin, Website development as Product owner and tester, and the translation program. He continues his duties as the administrator of WM, and was one of the original directors to run WM. Also an active member of the Kusama Kingdom.
Goku will lead the content program and shall be supported by sub-directors who are already evaluating content. He is a senior Polkadot Ambassador, a member of ChaosDAO, and the existing director of the Paraverse Content Creators Unit.
Vampsy will manage the treasury as well as do the monthly reporting. He is a member of the Kusama Kingdom and an economist.
Dodow will run the sourced news finders program, as well as be the chief editor of the WM newsletter. He was one of the original directors elevated to run WM. Also a member of ChaosDAO and Kusama Kingdom.
The full proposal explains the following points in depth and we encourage everyone to read the proposal for understanding the goals and achievements we want to accomplish via this proposal.
Questions and feedback are welcome, and we look forward to hearing those.
Where to see reports for previous treasury spendings and reached metrics?