YOOTTLE: A NEW INTERNET INITIATIVE

With the launch of the game, “Truth or Dare,” sponsored by Air Antilles, Yoottle demonstrated the high-tech ingenuity of its crew. The brand has reinforced its position as the top online media service for news and entertainment expressly designed for young Caribbeans. An update with its founder, Béatrice Potony.

ONAIR – The game, “Truth or Dare” has ended. What was this web-reality series about?

Béatrice Potony – Young influencers divided into teams competed in various challenges, with the bonus of winning tickets provided by our partner, Air Antilles. The principal goal was to provide quality entertainment for the young people in Guadeloupe. Our research showed that they are seeking entertainment that speaks directly to them. We provided the means to create a digital program that they could relate to, in a festive, good-natured ambiance. We also wanted to spotlight those who are already followed on our social media and who have impactful personalities.

OA – YWhat did this experience teach you?

BP – First, our endurance! We shot all of the episodes in six hours straight! That was a first! And we did it with a crew of young technicians. While we did not have the same means as a major television network, we got good reviews in terms of quality.

OA – You don’t intend to stop there?

BP – It was our first production, but we certainly plan to do more! We would like to produce programs with the same quality as in France but on a Caribbean scale, which are in keeping with the traditions of the French Antilles. We reached 15,000 subscribers in May and that makes us very happy. We have sectors that reach young people: cinema and music for example. We wanted to develop that into actual programming, like for a television channel, such as “You Fit,” a show that follows a young woman as she is losing weight.

OA – What is your economic model?

BP – It is based on the sale of our concepts and on sponsoring. Such as our “Yoottle coffee,” which is supported by Initiative Guadeloupe. We give visibility to our advertisers via product placement or billboards. That means they can target a young audience that is ultra-connected, and also a wider public as some of our influencers are followed by those over 30. We also are positioned in the events world. We hope to organize a Yoottle festival during summer vacation. We also plan on visiting the beaches to see how the kids have fun. We would like to continue planning themed events as well.

OA – During our interview you did a shout out to young influencers who have been successful. Do you have a new message to post?

BP – This time I’d like to do a shout out to sponsors, advertisers, investors, and all those who would like to support us. We are looking for the Guadeloupe version of French billionaire Xavier Niel, who would like to invest in a promising start-up. I would like for Yoottle to become the leading Caribbean media service for young people and give them the means to express themselves via this platform. More and more young people write to us but we are not able to take everyone, even if their ideas are great. All the material that exists was self-financed and we have now proved ourselves. We are on the starting blocks. Partners, we await you!