The New School and BuzzFeed Announce “Social Video Pro” a New Video Course on Social Media

First of its Kind Program Combines Business and Theoretical Knowledge to Help Amateurs Become Social Video Entrepreneurs

New York, March 5, 2020 -- The New School and BuzzFeed, the world’s leading digital media company, today announced Social Video Pro, a dynamic online learning experience that will teach the skills necessary for compelling digital storytelling. Designed for novice vloggers, influencers, small business owners, and others, the program combines instruction in business fundamentals such as planning, audience identification and building a following, along with the tools, techniques and theories behind the best videos on social media. The ability to produce high-quality digital content, regardless of budget, will continue to be a highly covetable skill as online videos are expected to constitute more than 82 percent of all consumer internet traffic by 2022, according to Cisco Systems.

Faculty from The New School’s acclaimed School of Media Studies will join industry experts from BuzzFeed and other global media companies, including Linda Schupack of AMC Networks, and Jeff Glor of CBS News, to lead online classes that focus on real-world exercises and activities that may be used to build portfolios or develop businesses. Through this combination of business skills and theoretical knowledge, Social Video Pro provides 20 hours of instruction over the five-course curriculum, covering the concepts and tools used by the most influential online creators. All course materials and instruction will be provided online, allowing students to complete lessons at their own pace and fit the course into their daily lives. Learners have the option to take individual courses, or complete the series to earn a non-credit Certificate in Digital Media Development and Distribution.

“Everyone is a media-maker now, using social media, phone apps and online channels, but to become an effective storyteller, you need to master these tools,” said Vladan Nikolic, Dean of the School of Media Studies. “Filmmakers and media professionals have an effective language to tell stories, which everyone can apply now, using affordable digital technology. You don't need a big budget any more, but you do need to master the language of digital storytelling.”

“Our goal is to provide great educational experiences in a variety of environments and formats that will engage new and different learners,” said Anne Adriance, The New School’s Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer. “We are excited to partner with BuzzFeed to bring the expertise and best practices of industry leaders to a new generation eager to learn and gain practical knowledge that will help them advance their personal and professional interests.”

Through classes including Build Your Best Stories, Make Videos Work for You, Connect with Your People, and Feed Your Fans, learners will gain an understanding of the varied roles they will need to inhabit online -- content planner and creator, filmmaker, on screen talent, marketer, audience development, and distributor -- and how to merge them to craft distinctive content. The program culminates with a capstone project where participants will create a high-quality final video product that may be eligible for submission to the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Emmy Awards.

“BuzzFeed has pioneered many of the content formats that have come to define the Internet today and we reach an audience that’s unparalleled in size, and this is due in part to our Creators’ masterful and innovative digital storytelling. We’ve always been passionate about educating communities, and through this online course, we can share our expertise in both creating and distributing impactful content with the next generation of creators,” said Andrea Mazey, BuzzFeed’s Head of Talent Partnerships. “We’re excited to partner with The New School to give our audience the opportunity to join us in shaping the future of digital media.” 

Creators behind some of BuzzFeed’s most viral and innovative videos – Alvin Zhou, Claudia Restrepo, Curly Velasquez, Inga Lam, Jazzmyne Robbins, and Rie McClenny – will contribute their digital storytelling expertise to the online course. Each BuzzFeed Creator will share fundamental tips based on their strengths, such as how to achieve great results with simple gear, understanding and meeting audience expectations, and harnessing a strong online persona.

“We are proud to empower the next generation of creators from around the world to be recognized and rewarded for their growing body of work,” said Peter Price, Executive Producer of Social Video Pro.

Founded in 1919, The New School was established to advance academic freedom, tolerance, and experimentation. A century later, The New School remains at the forefront of innovation in higher education, inspiring more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students to challenge the status quo in design and the social sciences, liberal arts, management, the arts, and media. The university welcomes thousands of adult learners annually for continuing education courses and public programs that encourage open discourse and social engagement. Through our online learning portals, research institutes, and international partnerships, The New School maintains a global presence.

BuzzFeed is the world's leading tech-powered media company, with a cross-platform news and entertainment network that reaches hundreds of millions of people globally. The company produces articles, lists, quizzes, videos, original series; lifestyle content through brands including Tasty, the world's largest social food network; original reporting and investigative journalism through BuzzFeed News; strategic partnerships, licensing and product development through BuzzFeed Marketing; and original productions across broadcast, cable, SVOD, film and digital platforms for BuzzFeed Studios.

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Media Contacts:

The New School
Merrie Snead
1 646 909-4684
[email protected]