World Illustrated - Your Window To The World

A new type of publishing platform that integrates publishing, social media, licensing and merchandizing functionality. We also are launching a non-profit foundation that aims to do good by promoting causes that seek freedoms, large and small, international and local.

Why are we doing this? Well, three of the core reasons that people go on-line is to look for information/be entertained; to communicate; and to shop.

 In our opinion, on-line content can too often be poor quality or transient and functionality/tools on sites can be limited or restrictive, especially on social media apps.  We want to change that.

We believe that in our existing content licensing business, Avalon, we have the key ingredient – content – around which we can build a compelling, integrated platform that provides information/entertains; allows people to communicate; and enables them to shop. This content is our glue.

Avalon is a leading supplier of a wide range of images to the mainstream media including news, entertainment, sport and many more topics. We control and/or own over 270 million professionally shot images.

From a social responsibility point of view, we think that social media platforms could do much more good in society.

Our chosen angle is to use professional, quality content to highlight causes where people are working to achieve or need a freedom. Not just the big ones but also the small and local ones.

This work will be carried out via our non-profit, The World Illustrated Foundation, which will use the main platform to showcase these causes and where people can also make donations.

All investors will be listed as founders of the foundation (unless you request not to be) and part of the raise will be used to build specific functionality for the foundation.

Overview of the platform’s key features.

1. We present quality, professional content

Using AI, we mine and curate professional, high quality photos, videos, audio files and articles from the world’s leading creators. We publish the content by topic in an easy-to-use format, offering the user comprehensive, in-depth coverage.

2. We provide social media, photo sharing and communication tools

The user can select the content that they would like delivered to their “My world” social media account which also provides them with all the usual social media tools.

3. We offer a range of “shopping” possibilities

Users can license the content; have the content printed on a broad range of merchandize; click on links where they can buy third party products, make reservations, buy tickets. Links can be allocated down to an individual image. 

We want to be our users' window to the world where they can see, share and shop.

How we organize our content.

1. We have 16 Channels. OUR PLANET, ARTS & CULTURE, DESIGN, MUSIC, HOBBIES, NEWS, FAMOUS, SPORT, FASHION, HEALTH, FOOD & DRINK, TECH & SCIENCE, JUNIOR, COMMUNITY, MILITARY
2. Channels have hundreds of Sub-Channels, e.g Music (Channel), Rock Music (Sub-Channel)
3. Sub-Channels have thousands of Threads on specific topics. e.g Music (Channel), Rock Music (Sub-Channel), The Rolling Stones (Thread)

Threads are a multi-media history of the topic arranged in content sets, they never disappear and are added to if there is something new. The range is limitless.

The user can search, view and follow at any level.

The World Illustrated Foundation.

Social media platforms are often criticized as not being a force for good and are sometimes accused being a source of problems. We want to take a different approach.

Images are often the way that we find out issues facing people. They can be very compelling, harrowing and inspiring. We receive many such images. Too often they do not get seen and the causes that they seek to highlight get overlooked. They will be published on the main platform where users will also be able to create communities around a cause and where there will be functionality that allows the user to make a donation to it.

Through the work of the foundation, we will aim to be a force for good and give oxygen to these causes. Our chosen focus will be freedom. Freedoms of all types, big and small, local and international. #Cryfreedom.world will be a specific initiative of the Foundation.

As an investor in World Illustrated Inc, you will also be credited as a founder of the foundation in its publications, unless you would like to remain anonymous. If you invest $200+ you will be a Founding Supporter. If you invest $1,000+ you will be a Founder. If you invest $5,000+ you will be a Founding Patron.

Part of the funds raised in this offer will be used to build the necessary technology.

We have revenue streams more diverse than other publishers and social media apps.

1. Advertising and sponsorship

These will be our primary source of revenue. We can monetize our ad revenue right down to an individual content item and locality. For most social media sites, advertising is their only real source of revenue.

2. B2B and B2C content licensing

Social media sites generally don't offer B2B and B2C content licensing - we do. B2C content licensing is the Holy Grail for content creators and is a reason why we are attracting so much professional content. We can even sell streaming services.

3. Merchandizing

We offer B2C merchandising in a very different way. The user can choose any approved asset and have it printed on a wide range of merchandize - prints, posters, T-shirts, mugs......

4. Shopping via links

We can sell a shopping link tagged right down to a specific image, be that a handbag in a fashion photo, or a reservation to a specific venue featured in an image

We are launching with a solid financial & operational base... and lots of content and supply.

1. The operations of our long established B2B content licensing subsidiary, Avalon.red, have been merged into World Illustrated Inc. This business brings us 17 different collections, some of which date back to the 1920's. It produces annual revenue of approximately $0.9 million. Because we have this business, we only need investment to build technology, not cashflow.
2. Our publishing and licensing software is almost complete. Every day, we are uploading content prior to launch in approximately 6 months. In this time, we will complete the “My world” social media element, and advertising and merchandizing functionality. "My world" is expected to be the main driver of value. It will be accessible via desktop and mobile apps.
3. We have an initial pool of over 270 million professional images. The list of suppliers grows every day, including world-famous institutions. Our novel approach to showcasing and selling content, especially in a B2C context, is proving a big draw. In some cases, the public will see the content for the first time.

Our professional contributors are our marketing department.

The way we intend to grow our user base significantly reduces our need to raise capital for marketing.

1. Expand our professional contributor base, especially topic specialists, via our existing licensing business.
2. Every contributor is set up with a “My world” account where they can further showcase their work, becoming our ambassadors. The most followed wildlife photographer on Instagram has 6.6 million followers. Our contributors have the added incentive to be active because our platform enables them to license and merchandize their content directly to their followers.
3. We are approaching advertisers, sponsors and organizations to whom we offer content in return for access to their audiences. Our aim is to convert their audience to “My world” users. The list of possibilities is endless...

The Power of Viral.

User growth via just our professional contributors could be exponential.

1. If an initial 1,000 “My world” social media users each had 50 friends = 50,000 users
2. If these 50,000 had 50 friends = 2,500,000 users
3. If these 2,500,000 then had 50 friends = 125,000,000 users

Our multi-topic, comprehensive, quality, content makes this a realistic ambition.

We’ve signed up influencers.

As part of our viral growth plan, we are offering free shares in the company to individuals/bands/organizations who have large followings on platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, if they can replicate users on our "My World" social media platform.

Amongst others, we have an in-principle agreement with one of the world’s leading model agencies. Some of their models have 19 million followers. They particularly like the merchandising possibilities.

What makes our proposition special.

1. Content is king. Unlike any other social network, we lead with high quality, curated, often unseen, professional content. Our suppliers are our ambassadors.
2. Unlike other publishers, we only pay for content if we earn revenue from publishing or selling it.
3. We are not just a publisher, nor just a social media network. We are both.
4. We earn additional revenue from licensing and merchandising content.

Our target market is truly scalable. Every internet user is a potential user.

Unlike many businesses, we are truly scalable. There are almost 5 billion social media users in the world.

We are not limited by geography, logistics or topic of interest. The world is our oyster. Our tools are cool too.

We could be as big as our competitors.

There is no reason why we can't be as big as the rest. Sometimes being a late adopter is a good thing. You can build something new and better, having learnt from your competitors.

Our initial target is to be as big as Pinterest. In 2023, Pinterest had 465 million active users. 70% of whom were women. Revenues of $3 billion and has a current market cap of $24 billion.

Why we can be better than our competitors.

The simple answer is we have more to offer than they do - more features and functionality. On top of our wonderful content.

Our engine-room.

Behind our leadership team, who have decades of industry experience in content production, marketing and licensing. sits a highly skilled, tight knit team who have worked for many years in the B2B content licensing industry and journalism.

Fundraising & use of funds.

We are aiming to raise a maximum of $400k. Over $400,000 has already invested in development. This is our second external funding round.

Funds will be used to complete our "My world" functionality with a view to accelerating growth and enhancing product appeal. Only $124k is required to complete functionality. Should we exceed the minimum, we will use the surplus to hire additional editorial staff. 7.9% of the raise will be paid to Wefunder as commission.

Why Wefunder?

We want you - not just for your money. You can be our ambassadors by using the platform and bringing in as many followers as you can.

This will help increase our revenues in an easy and practical way. You really can help us spread the word and grow your company into something valuable.

Thank you for taking the time to read our pitch.