Mozilla Voices

With our new CEO firmly in place, now is the time to help more people understand who we are, what we care about, and how our work impacts our online and offline lives for the better.  

One of the most visible ways we create positive impact in the world is with our beloved Firefox products, but we also need people to know about the other things we do, from web literacy to technology innovation to ground-breaking policy.  This unique combination of work, achieved in partnership with our global volunteer community, is what distinguishes Mozilla from other technology companies, and enables us to pursue our mission on multiple fronts.

By being clear and focused with the stories we tell, we’ll be able to give people the tools to quickly and easily share our message with others, amplifying our voice and impact in the world.  So, we're kicking off a series of projects that will help us tell that Mozilla story through multiple experiences and platforms. 

It's time to help more people understand who we are, what we care about, and how our work impacts our online and offline lives for the better.  

One of the most visible ways we create positive impact in the world is with our beloved Firefox products, but we also need people to know about the value of open systems and challenge the thinking of the status quo.

Our work, achieved in partnership with our global volunteer community, is what distinguishes Mozilla from other technology companies, and enables us to pursue our mission on multiple fronts.

By being clear and focused with the stories we tell and amplify, we’ll be able to give people the tools to quickly and easily share our message with others.  One of the ways we are doing this is the through the Voices initiative.

What is Mozilla Voices initiative?

Voices will be a world class editorial platform showcasing the ideas, organizations, communities, movements and individuals who best exemplify how open systems empower people to reach their fullest potential.

We advocate that Open Systems create healthier communities and more successful societies overall. We will cover everything from open source to open government and the need for transparency; privacy and security, the "Internet of Things" vs. "pervasive computing", to education and if it's keeping up with the technological changes. The bottom line? Open is better.

When complete, Voices will have a full-time editorial news-gathering staff and a global set of contributors – both paid and volunteer – to contribute stories, as well as offer news ideas (leads) for the editorial staff and recommend the best expert sources.

At its best, Voices will start conversations and settle arguments.

What are the goals?

• To create a deeper relationship with the Mozilla community of users and the audience beyond

• To enable communities to become involved at multiple levels

• Three things are necessary to achieve these objectives:
  • Create compelling, original content
  • Do smart content aggregation and curation
  • Be proactive in our audience development

Why are we doing this?

• We want to offer new avenues for people to become more involved with Mozilla and its overall mission

• We are creating another sustainability opportunity with the new platform

• We want to elevate the profile, personality and perspectives of Mozilla and its partners as experts in all things "Open Systems"

Who is involved?

Mozilla Voices is part of the Engagement team under Mary Ellen Muckerman, VP Brand Strategy & Services.

Anthony Duignan-Cabrera is the Editor in Chief. His name is as difficult to spell as it is to say, he prefers the acronym ADC.

The team helping build the platform includes:

• Benjamin Sternthal, Web Development Manager
• Jennifer Bertsch, Product Manager
• Holly Habstritt, UX Lead
• John Slater, Director of Creative
• Craig Cook, Front-end Web Developer
• Josh Mize, Senior Web Developer

How do you get involved?

Mozilla Voices will need, well, voices. Yours, actually.

ADC will be setting up an IRC channel as well as an email group. He's already begun working with the Peiying Mo, Chris Hofmann and Pascal Chevrel about how we will handle our international coverage and blog contributors.

If you can't wait, just email Anthony at adc@mozilla.com. Operators are standing by!!!

What's coming up?

The launch. It's scheduled for Fall, '14.

• Follow our progress on building the site: Mozilla Voices 1.0 Website

• If you want to see examples of the kind of stuff we will be covering, follow our Twitter feed.