News Crew – News Corp News Bolt 2018 Internal Accelerator

November 29, 2018

By Aaron Cliff, National Digital Manager at News Corp Australia

News Crew
A new approach to accessing high quality video content.

Why did you apply to the program?

Many reasons;

  • Because I believed that our original concept for Project Lootbox – reaching a younger audience through e-Sport and gaming – was an opportunity that News Corp Australia SURELY couldn’t pass up
  • Because I had been involved in (and won) innovation programs in the past and understood the learning opportunity of these programs
  • Because I believed that partnering with experts at running innovation programs would mean that the teams and ideas would have a better chance of an actual “prize’ for the winner/product than every previous ‘News Foundry’ competition that failed to deliver any known outcome
  • Because I wanted to present in New York

How did you managed being part of an internal accelerator?

It’s been hard to focus on my nine to five and Bolt. I have remote reports that need answers to move projects forward, local reports that need my opinion on video edits or promotional creative and managers that don’t necessarily see the benefits back to the company of letting people – chosen for their creativity or skills or smarts – step away from the grind for eight weeks.

I would have loved to be able to give 100% of my attention to Bolt during the “official” three days of the week but I couldn’t. I think the management of the program really begins now; encouraging others to be involved and advocating for the “time off” to participate being taken seriously.

What’s the biggest learning you’ll take away from the Slingshot program to take back into News Corp?

Assumptions are a great place to start an idea but only customer use, feedback and testing can push you toward success. Or early failure.
Which is also a win.

What was your favourite aspect of the program?

Being able to mix ideas with a great group of people in the entrepreneurial head-space.

What’s next for your Startup?

You mean, beside total and utter market domination?