In today’s rapidly evolving social media landscape, content creators often face challenges with fair compensation and meaningful engagement. Enter RECRD, a SocialFi platform co-founded by Anoir Houmou, which leverages blockchain technology to monetize video content in innovative ways. In this interview, Anoir Houmou, CEO of RECRD, shares insights into how RECRD is empowering creators through video NFTs, unique engagement features like REBND technology, and seamless monetization solutions. Discover how RECRD aims to transform content ownership and social interaction in the digital age.
Q1. What inspired you to create RECRD, and how did your vision evolve from its inception to its current state?
RECRD was born out of frustration with existing social media platforms, where creators were undervalued and undercompensated. It’s a known fact that the ratio of engagement to earnings is pretty low for a vast majority of creators, and there is too much reliance on brand deals, which often does not translate into fair compensation for creators and their followers who are part of the digital journey.
With RECRD, the vision has always been to create a platform that allows every digital interaction to be captured and monetized. Realizing that blockchain tech is pivotal to enabling this in a scalable and transparent manner, it was only natural that we shift our focus towards becoming a SocialFi platform.
As the project developed, it expanded to provide monetary benefits and enhance user interaction and engagement through innovative features like video NFTs and our proprietary REBND (rebound) technology. In essence, we wanted to create an environment where creators, users, and advertisers could connect more meaningfully and earn better in the process.
It definitely helped that some of the most respected names in the media and entertainment industry believed in our vision early on and joined us as investors and advisors.
Q2. Can you share how your background influenced your approach to merging video NFTs with SocialFi?
During my time as an advertising professional, it was hard not to notice several gaps in present social media platforms and their skewed approach towards compensating content creators. It’s no secret that more and more people globally are turning to the creator economy as more than just a side gig, with short-form video content becoming the dominant trend. Unfortunately, the current system simply does not fully align with the aspirations of these content creators.
This data fueled our approach to tap into the potential of video NFTs and integrate them as tradable assets within a SocialFi framework. Additionally, we’re fully aware of the importance of brands in driving monetary value in a social ecosystem, which is why RECRD has been designed from day one to offer brands an equal opportunity platform. This allows them to spend their advertising budgets with improved reach and much higher ROI, while also creating their own tradable NFT assets in the process.
Q3. RECRD introduces the concept of monetizing video NFTs through your proprietary technology, REBND. Could you elaborate on how REBND works and its impact on content monetization for both creators and users?
The REBND technology was designed based on our research that users like to engage visually and directly with their favorite creators. It’s a core aspect of what RECRD stands for, allowing mutual interaction between users and creators through video responses. This effectively turns each interaction into a monetizable event and makes user engagement fun, interactive and dynamic.
Each original video uploaded on RECRD is minted as a unique NFT on the SUI blockchain, securing the creator’s copyright. A smart contract then automates revenue distribution from interactions, allocating earnings between the original creator and the responder. This setup not only incentivizes richer engagement but also ensures a fair and automated distribution of revenue.
Q4. How does RECRD’s integration with the SUI blockchain enhance the monetization process, and what advantages does it offer to users compared to other platforms?
SUI is among the fastest and most reliable networks and has been synonymous with supporting NFT projects. Our integration on the SUI network will drive real-time on-chain payouts, transparent on-ramp off-ramp mechanism without the limitation of a third-party payout tool and also drive seamless cross-border transactions in unbanked regions, thus allowing creators and users from across the world to partake in the benefits of a web3-powered social monetization platform.
Q5. Could you explain the mechanics of how creators and users can earn ad revenue on RECRD, and how does this model differ from traditional social media platforms?
In traditional platforms, brand engagement and massive engagement are key to earning a slice of the revenue pie. On RECRD, we have built diverse monetization options that bypass these constraints and maximize earnings based on our dynamic engage-and-earn mechanism.
For creators, targeted ads are featured in and around your videos, and you keep the ad revenue. Other monetization channels include ads placed in the video, such as pre-roll (which appears on the web video landing page), ads on your user feed, ads in REBNDs (rebounds) or dynamic interactions, and ad revenue (20%) whenever the sound used in your video is used by another creator.
Ad revenue is thus intricately tied to user engagement, diverging from traditional metrics such as views or impressions that typically guide ad revenue distribution on mainstream platforms. By realigning the revenue model to reward genuine engagement, RECRD not only fosters a more vibrant community but also champions a fairer monetization system that recognizes and rewards active participation.
Q6. With nearly half a million users already, what has been the feedback from creators and users during the beta phase, and how has this feedback shaped the platform’s development?
The feedback from creators, users, and advertisers has been fantastic. We’re working with several popular creators to solve the identified pain points and drive the product roadmap.
Q7. RECRD’s unique REBND feature allows users to respond to videos with their own dynamic video content. How do you see this feature changing the landscape of social media engagement?
The REBND feature on RECRD ushers in a novel concept of engagement by enabling users to respond to videos with their own dynamic video content, turning every interaction into a potential moment of creativity and connection. This shifts the narrative from passive content consumption to active, creative participation. By allowing users to engage directly with content and its creators in this unique manner, REBND fosters a deeper sense of community and significantly enhances user engagement. This not only increases the time spent on the platform but also enriches the content ecosystem, making it more vibrant and engaging for all users. As this feature gains traction, it could set a new standard for how audiences interact on social media, promoting a more personal form of digital expression.
Q8. Social media giants like TikTok and Reddit dominate the space. How does RECRD position itself as a unique alternative, and what competitive edge does your platform offer?
RECRD distinguishes itself from social media giants like TikTok and Reddit by prioritizing direct monetization, content discussion and transparency. Unlike platforms where visibility and revenue are heavily dependent on opaque algorithms, RECRD empowers creators by ensuring they are compensated for every interaction with their content. This direct monetization model is enriched by RECRD’s use of blockchain technology, which ensures transparency and security for all transactions. Additionally, RECRD fosters a deeper level of engagement through features like REBND technology, which allows users to interact creatively and earn in the process, making them more than just passive consumers on the content feed.
Q9. What role do you see visual NFTs playing in the broader creator economy, and how is RECRD planning to capitalize on this trend?
Short-form videos are seeing a big boom globally as users move into content-rich versions of this format. The only issue here is the lack of control that users have over their creations. Video NFTs promise to solve this problem, redefining content ownership and monetization. It’s obviously going to be the next big shift in the social landscape, and we want to lead the way in tokenizing visual content, benefiting not just individual users but also corporations that own a substantial volume of content-based IPs today.
Q10. RECRD has garnered significant backing from high-profile investors, including Mitchell Lowe and the Sui Foundation. How have these partnerships influenced your strategic decisions, and what do they bring to the table?
Having strategic investors has opened the door for us to leading industry partners and other strategic investors. The most important thing is the knowledge transfer and industry insights they have brought to the table. This has definitely helped us expand our network and navigate product development.
Q11. With the global launch and the introduction of the $RECRD token on the horizon, what are the next major milestones for RECRD, and how do you plan to scale the platform?
We are rolling out the revamped platform shortly, and our next immediate milestone is launching in India. Our aim is to hit 1M Daily Active Wallets and become the most active SocialFI platform in the world.
Q12. What challenges do you foresee in the adoption of video NFTs within mainstream social media, and how is RECRD prepared to address these challenges?
The primary challenge in adopting video NFTs within mainstream social media includes the complexity of blockchain technology, specifically issues around scalability. RECRD is tackling these challenges by investing in user education to demystify blockchain and NFTs and by ensuring our platform is built on advanced, scalable and reliable technology. Our ongoing development efforts are focused on enhancing the user experience to ensure it is as intuitive as interacting with conventional social media platforms.
Conclusion
With blockchain technology and video NFTs at its core, RECRD is paving the way for a new era of content creation, monetization, and engagement. As Anoir Houmou explains, RECRD offers creators an ecosystem where their digital interactions can be more meaningful and lucrative. As RECRD continues to grow, with major launches and its upcoming token introduction, it is positioned to disrupt the traditional social media landscape and become a key player in the global SocialFi movement.
Spokesperson Bio:
Anoir Houmou: Founder & CEO of RECRD
Based in: Los Angeles/Dubai/London
Anoir Houmou is the Founder and CEO of RECRD, a pioneering video engagement platform backed by Sui Foundation, utilizing blockchain technology to transform content creation and monetization. With over 14 years in marketing and advertising, Anoir blends technology and creativity, leading RECRD to attract over 500,000 users pre-launch. Anoir has raised over 4 million dollars from major VCs and investors including the co-founding executive of Netflix and major NBA Athletes.
Since the platform’s public launch, RECRD has become one of the fastest growing DApps globally, with over 1 Million Daily Active Wallets. Anoir’s vision for RECRD focuses on empowering content creators, fostering interactive engagement, and ensuring secure transactions through AI and blockchain technology.
With major launches in India and Africa, and an upcoming token launch, Anoir is set to lead RECRD through transformative growth and global recognition.
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ABOUT RECRD
RECRD is a revolutionary video engagement platform backed by Sui Foundation that leverages blockchain technology to transform content ownership and monetization. Founded by Anoir Houmou, RECRD empowers creators by offering up to 100% ad revenue share and introducing interactive video responses, or “rebounds,” to enhance user engagement. Among the top DApps globally, and No.1 on the Sui Network, RECRD is registering over 1 Million Daily Active Wallets, making a significant impact on the global SocialFi landscape through strategic partnerships with industry leaders.
The platform’s innovative approach combines AI for security and algorithm optimization with blockchain for secure transactions, positioning RECRD at the forefront of the web3 space. The platform is presently available for monetization to users in India, as part of its phased global rollout.
