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In 2006, over 800,000 reports of missing persons were filed with the FBI's National Crime Information Center. Most missing persons cases are closed when the missing person is located or identified, however there were over 110,000 cases still active in 2006. About half were children. 10% were 18-20 years old, and the rest were adults. source: FBI NCIC Missing Person File, 2006 Music has always been a potent force for bringing attention to social issues and telling stories. The emergence of the Internet presents totally new possibilities for reaching people, delivering a unique experience and calling them to action. The project is based on an online music video player that has been customized to detect the user's location and shows information and images of missing persons from or presumed to be near the viewer. For example, a viewer in California will see missing persons from California. Someone in Florida (or India or Ireland), though, would see a completely different set of images. The project is planned to initially launch in the United States, but will be developed with international expansion in mind. Find the Missing The player will dynamically tailor a slideshow of missing persons from or presumed to be near the viewer. We'll make it easy for viewers to report a sighting by presenting contact information for the relevant investigative agency. Sign people up for Wireless Amber Alerts Additionally, we'll make it easy for people to sign up for Wireless Amber Alerts from both the MissingSong.com website as well as the player itself. During live performances, we'll give instructions how people can sign up right then, on their cell phones. Make it easy to share The player will be embeddable, meaning people will be able to add it to their websites, blogs, social network profiles (like Myspace, Facebook, etc.). We'll also give the viewer a list of local radio stations to request the song and encourage bookmarking on sites like Digg, Reddit, blogs and other web-centric aggregators. Benefit families of the missing 100% of the profits from the sale of the song will be donated to organizations supporting families of the missing. Online The project will be launched on the web, with built-in viral components to make it easy for people to post on their myspace or any other web page. Additionally, we'll make it easy for people to put on link sharing sites like Digg, Reddit and StumbleUpon. A Facebook application is in the works, too. Radio Unlike print, outdoor and television media, radio does not have an easy way to talk about "missing persons". The Missing Song project combines a radio-friendly, crossover-genre song with an innovative online presence that is customized the radio station's listening audience. This gives radio stations a very accessible public service to perform. We'll promote the song with a national radio tour, playing the song live on the radio and talking about the issue of misssing persons and the importance of organizations supporting families of the missing in key markets, such as:
The project has all the earmarks of an interesting story for journalists: technology, interent, music, and a poignant social cause. Efforts will be made through the services of a publicist to generate print coverage for the project.s CivicActions [link] CivicActions, a leading developer of free and open source softare solutions for organizations like the Witness Project, Amnesty International and the Buckminster Fuller Institute is developing the geo-locating flash player and supporting database technologies. Magic Gadget Studios Magic Gadget makes records like magic. The Missing Song was recorded, engineered and produced at Magic Gadget. See full project credits. Access to Databases In order to provide maximum relevance to people watching the video, the project needs access to databases that are maintained by organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the National Association for Missing Adults. We have developed the technology to be flexible in connecting with various databases, but a minimal amount of coordination is necessary to ensure accuracy and depth of the viewer experience. Project Funding The project has proceeded with a loan of at-cost services from CivicActions, which must be repaid. Additionally, funds to support the launch tour will be raised from friends, family and fans of the songwriter such that truly 100% of the profits can be donated to charities. |
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