WOLF (The World’s Online Festival), the first online audio talent hub in MENA, has leveraged the metaverse to innovatively serve destitute persons in the Arab world
The UK-based tech company, which has become an increasingly popular audio entertainment platform across the GCC, recently held its second Give for Good virtual festival for charity – part of an 8+ year series of fundraisers. WOLF raised more than USD $184,200 for disadvantaged people, with a focus on those in the MENA region, beating its total of USD $155,000 in 2021.
The Give for Good virtual festival was a month-long fundraiser and entertainment event that ran throughout April. WOLF re-introduced a well-received component of their inaugural festival in 2021, ‘virtual Ramadan tents’; app users observing the holy month were brought together with the ability to interact with each other, experience 117 virtual shows, and take part in four unique challenges over four weeks to compete and win two different titles – Top User and Top Group – to recognise the most generous people on the platform.
Gary Knight, CEO of WOLF, said “Ramadan is a time for many Muslims to renew their focus on spiritual life and its practical application in daily life. It is also a time for giving back and enjoying communal time. One of our main focuses has always been to build a thriving community where users are motivated to offer recognition, rewards and gifting to one another. To keep with the spirit of this, and that of Ramadan, we partnered with Save The Children and Action Against Hunger – two globally renowned humanitarian organizations.
We accordingly designed two unique Charms to celebrate this collaboration. WOLF users were able to purchase and decorate their avatars with these Charms within our metaverse platform. The proceeds from these purchases have been split evenly and gone directly to these charities, reinforcing the Give for Good virtual festival’s status as a vehicle that drives the power of strong community, freedom of expression, and giving back.”
Both charities serve misfortunate children around the world. In 2020 alone, Save The Children supported 197 million children across the globe with notable efforts including the provision of quality education to 12 million children and enabling 3.1 million kids to live a violence-free life. Action Against Hunger provides proven hunger prevention and treatment programs to 25 million people every year, in nearly 50 countries, enabling entire communities to be free from hunger by ensuring everyone can access clean water, food, training, and healthcare.
With Ramadan being a time of deep reflection, WOLF also partnered with beloved Kuwaiti singer and music producer Humood AlKhudher. Known in the GCC for his deep and purposeful songs, AlKhudher performed on WOLF’s virtual festival stage and mingled with the audience. He was also interviewed by journalist, content creator, and influencer, Muna Hawwa.
Humood AlKhudher, Kuwaiti Music Artist, stated, “I was thrilled to perform on WOLF’s futuristic platform. It provided me with an excellent opportunity to communicate directly with my audience, hear their singing talents, and provide feedback to them. I believe that WOLF’s platform is an amazing tool for upcoming talent in the field of art or those who want to start in the world of music. They can showcase their ability in WOLF virtual venues and hear the audience encourage or constructively criticize them immediately – all in a safe and friendly space.”
To close out the festival and celebrate Eid, WOLF also hosted stars from a popular music show in the region titled Boulevard Al-Mawaheb; Haitham, Badr, Joury, and Zainab, performed live on WOLF’s virtual festival stage to 3,300 people, singing their most popular songs, and interacting with the audience. These performances also contributed to WOLF’s charitable efforts by raising the profile of its brand and fundraising efforts to their fans. Through nine years of campaigns, WOLF has been able to donate nearly $1.7m to several similar humanitarian causes.
