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DISCOVERY DIGITAL NETWORKS, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST LAURA LING & ONE SHED LIGHT ON AFRICA’S CRITICAL ENERGY CRISIS

– Digital Content, Including Engaging Short-Form Documentary & Social Content, to Raise Awareness Among Online Audiences –

November 17, 2015

Contact - Claire Shirley
Communications Coordinator
240-662-6513

San Francisco – Access to reliable energy is something most of the world takes for granted, but in sub-Saharan Africa, 600 million people (double the population of the United States) live without that guarantee. In an effort to increase awareness about the issue, The ONE Campaign (ONE) – the international advocacy organization cofounded by Bono – has partnered with Discovery Digital Networks (DDN) to deliver an engaging and comprehensive digital campaign targeted toward the younger generation who have demonstrated their desire to make the world a better place for future generations.

As a part of the project, accomplished journalist Laura Ling traveled to Tanzania to experience the issue and meet with some of the individuals affected for How Africa is Hacking Its Energy Crisis, a short-form documentary that premieres today. Of note, health care providers depend on cell phone lights to perform exams, small businesses rely on generators to keep their doors open and students often study by candlelight – all while Africa’s middle class expands more rapidly than anywhere else in the world, ironically due in large part to recent access to technology.

“Seeing firsthand how detrimental this lack of reliable energy is to the success of individuals and the larger population was jarring, and I am honored to work with ONE to engage and educate others about the crisis at hand,” said Ling.

“Working with Laura and the Discovery Digital Networks team has given us a unique opportunity to provide voices to individuals we want to help emerge from this crisis,” said Eloise Todd, Global Director of Policy at ONE. “We believe that smart digital storytelling is critical to shedding light on an issue that impacts so many people and threatens the potential of millions of people.”

How Africa is Hacking Its Energy Crisis is featured on DDN’s Seeker, an online network dedicated to those who seek adventure and crave a deeper understanding of the world, and is available at SeekerNetwork.com and at YouTube.com/SeekerStories. In addition to the documentary that profiles several Tanzanian citizens, including a health care provider, a shop owner and a student – all affected by this crisis, Discovery Digital Networks content also will include:

  • Custom Facebook videos, including an animated explainer on the issue of energy poverty;
  • Five episodes across Seeker Daily, TestTube Daily and DNews providing additional personal perspectives, global views and science-based understanding of the crisis;
  • Online Q&A with Emily Huie, Policy Officer of Inclusive Growth at The ONE Campaign, on SeekerNetwork.com; and
  • An Instagram takeover of ONE’s Instagram account by Laura Ling, sharing exclusive photos, video and insights from her time in Tanzania this week and encouraging others to join the conversation across platforms using the #ElectrifyAfrica hashtag. 

Visit Seeker at SeekerNetwork.com, at YouTube.com/SeekerStories, and across its social channels to watch and engage. To learn more about how you can help end Africa’s energy crisis, visit www.ONE.org.

 

About Discovery Digital Networks

Discovery Digital Networks is Discovery Communications’ portfolio of brands creating premium, non-fiction digital content for the next generation. DDN’s portfolio of seven online video networks , including Seeker, TestTube and SourceFed, and robust lineup of original programming generate 200 million monthly streams – informing, entertaining and inspiring today’s connected audiences across platforms. For more information, please visit DiscoveryDigitalNetworks.com.

 

About ONE
The ONE Campaign is an advocacy organization of more than 7 million people taking action to end extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. Not politically partisan, ONE raises public awareness and presses political leaders to combat AIDS and preventable diseases, increase investments in agriculture and nutrition, and demands greater transparency in poverty-fighting programs.

 

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