For the past year, I’ve been a Brand Ambassador for HIP2B², an awesome brand started by South African entrepeneur Mark Shuttleworth.

As one of the 11 Brand Ambassadors, my task was to promote HIP2B² and help change negative perceptions towards STeM (Science, Technology, Entrepeneurship and Maths) subjects under South African teens. We used the HIP2B² media channels (TV show, Magazine and Mobizine) and the South African media to accomplish this. We also took part in Community Outreach projects, where the aim was to present a different, cool side to STeM.

Apart from these duties, each Brand Ambassador did a year-long project, of which the aim was to do research, learn as much as possible, and promote HIP2B². My project was to research the online interests of South African teens, by creating a new social bookmarking website.

For this purpose, I created a small ‘brand’ for the project, focussing on making it cool and attractive for South African teens. The website, called ‘Yoop’, was optimised specifically for teens.

With the financial support of HIP2B², I was able to run a nine-week competition as incentive. I was also able to use one prize as incentive for the post-project survey, which I used to learn more about why many visitors didn’t sign up.

In the last three weeks, each Brand Ambassador’s project was reviewed and evaluated. At a community event this Monday, each Brand Ambassador also did a presentation about their project. At this event, the final judging was done by a panel of judges, which included Mark Shuttleworth. At the end-of-the-year cocktail Monday evening, Yoop was crowned as the Brand Ambassador project of the year. I was also awarded the second position in the Brand Ambassador of the year competition.

Of course, my project would not have been possible without the help of many people. First off, my mentor, Jacobus van Niekerk (from Azapi Internet Services), for his advice. Secondly, the HIP2B² team, for their moral and financial support. Thirdly, the Cape Town User Experience forum, for inspiring me and giving me new ideas. Fourthly, my family, for their support during the project. Of course, Yoop would not have been possible without the user community. I am very thankful to all of these people, as well as everyone else that contributed to the project in some way or another.

I’ll be posting photos to Facebook soon. Watch this space for a link.

To learn more:

• Find out more about HIP2B2.
• Learn about the Brand Ambassador programme.
• Visit the Yoop website.