According to Mercedes-Benz South Africa, its new partnership means Beautiful News will keep telling its stories through powerful short films and photographs – with the only difference that it has moved to Facebook as its primary platform.
The move to Facebook has seen Beautiful News reach more people. In the first three months of 2018, Beautiful News stories were watched by 25 million people, compared to 15 million in the same period in 2017. In total, nine films have been watched more than a million times each.
"The mainstream media is largely filled with stories of gloom, crime and disaster every day. Through our stories, we want to provide relief, hope and inspiration. [We want to share] stories that are positive, authentic and true, and [that] reflect the South African people’s remarkable, enduring spirit," says Beautiful News founder, Adrian Steirn.
Each story is a cameo that aims to give a glimpse of people who are defying the odds to change their own lives, and those around them.
In July, for example, South Africans shared the story of the Jagersfontein Diamonds in the Rough project, which uses gumboot dancing in an aim to help disadvantaged men express themselves – and in the process, transform their lives.
In June, there was support and response to the journey of Nontobeko Mbuyazi, who was born with albinism and who has used social media and her modelling career to educate others.
Selvin Govender, marketing director of Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa, says the company didn’t hesitate when it came to extending their partnership with
Beautiful News.
"By sharing our experiences and journeys, we’re able to move beyond a mindset of negativity to grow and develop greater empathy for each other as South Africans. Mercedes-Benz South Africa is proud to partner in the delivery of inspirational stories and positive experiences that express who we are, and shape what we aspire to be."
For more information, visit
www.beautifulnews.co.za. You can also follow
Beautiful News on
Facebook or on
Instagram.