Waterbear CEO Ellen Windemuth on conservation, community, programming and her new free streaming platform (Podcast)

Ellen Windemuth is CEO of Waterbear Network, the ambitious streamer dedicated to creating a sustainable planet through compelling storytelling.

She describes Waterbear’s mission, strategy, programming priorities, key contacts for producers, and much more.

Listen to Ellen Windemuth (18′)

Peter Hamilton · Ellen Windemuth, CEO Waterbear on programming strategy

Timecode
“Dedicated to the future of our planet”

[0:00] Introductions

[0:44] Why WaterBear? A streamer free of many commercial pressures.

[1:24] Inspiring action through creating content based on that which what people want to know more.

[2:04] WaterBear as a tool and community, one that reaches beyond the streaming device.

[3:08] How to make programming that includes a call to action, engagement, and empowerment.

[3:38] Our 140 NGO Partners (“They are the big unsung heroes of the world!”) How to collaborate with NGOs to amplify their stories through Marketing and Impact Campaigns.

Four examples:

- Social media activations : Messy
- Policy Change : Europe’s Biggest Lie
- Social Change Movements : Sharkwater
- Consumer Impact and Engagement : MILKED

[6:10] Peter asks if the Ukraine War and other world crises are diverting attention and resources away from conservation, and how Waterbear is responding.

[6:34] Future of streaming and getting through the digital noise and global events.

[8:30] Scalability of WaterBear. Growing as a global community + accessibility.

[9:46] WB Team + Board Members + Sponsorship Model (brands have storytelling needs)

[12:15] Programming strategy. Developing and acquiring content. Key areas of interest are based on the broad SDG’s, the UN Sustainable Development Goals:

Biodiversity
Climate
Community
Circularity (regenerative agriculture, re-wilding, biomimicry, indigenous communities)

[14:32] WaterBear Studios commissions around 60 original productions year and acquire hundreds. There are currently thousands of titles available for free on the platform.

[15:13] Impact films should be shared and seen by as many as possible!

[16:16] Who to contact, Reach out and send us story ideas that align with our mission and values.

[17:02] Active Engagement — “We want to be a global digital community, and find like-minded people, groups, and movements.”

[18:00] Subscribe — sign up and watch!

(Thanks Eleanor Dickinson)
(Photo: Dagmar Lap)

Short Bio

Ellen Windemuth is the CEO of WaterBear Network, overseeing the strategy and direction of the new interactive video-on-demand platform dedicated to storytelling around the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Prior to founding WaterBear, Ellen was the Owner and CEO of Off the Fence, a global nonfiction production and distribution company based in Amsterdam. Under her leadership Off the Fence acquired, produced, and co-produced over 6,000 hours of content and won hundreds of awards for productions including their latest feature documentary MY OCTOPUS TEACHER, a Netflix Original which won the Bafta and Oscar for Best Documentary in 2021.

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