Connected by Zoom, ‘The Next Verse’ unites musicians in one of the largest collaborations in history

This December, Zoom is helping make music history. As the technology partner powering The Next Verse, a global music movement inspired by the 40th anniversary of We Are the World, Zoom is enabling artists, creators, fans, and communities to join a real-time, worldwide collaboration designed to help end hunger through the 100 Billion Meals Challenge. The company is bringing the movement to life via Zoom Webinars and Events, Zoom Meetings, its Emmy Award-winning Zoom for Broadcast technology, and more.

“‘The Next Verse’ is a meaningful reminder of what happens when connection serves something bigger than ourselves,” said Brendan Ittelson, chief ecosystem officer at Zoom. “It’s inspiring to see our technology at the heart of a live global recording event that unites voices from every corner of the world, amplifying creativity, connection, and a shared commitment to making a difference.”

A global music recording experience, powered by the Zoom platform

On December 16, Grammy Award-winning producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis will conduct a live recording session at the iHeart Theater in Los Angeles. For the first time, fans around the world can join the creative process, not just as viewers, but as collaborators, thanks to Zoom’s AI-first open platform.

Key Zoom capabilities enabling The Next Verse:

• Zoom Webinars and Events powers the hybrid experience, bringing together in-person audiences at the iHeart Theater with participants joining from around the world. Producers are using Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) input streaming to deliver broadcast-quality video throughout the global session.
• Zoom Meetings delivers the real-time connection creators need to perform, record, and collaborate from anywhere, supporting high-quality audio and video streams that feed directly into the global session.
• Zoom for Broadcast tools — including ZoomISO, Tiles for Zoom, and the Zoom Graphics Toolkit — provide producers with studio-grade control and creative flexibility.
  • ZoomISO captures individual audio and video feeds of Zoom participants at broadcast quality, enabling engineers to integrate remote artists and contributors into live productions.
  • Tiles for Zoom projects virtual participants onto screens at the iHeart Theater, creating custom gallery walls that make remote audiences visible to everyone in the room so both crowds feel like they’re part of the same experience.”
  • The Zoom Graphics Toolkit gives producers broadcast-style control, transforming live chat, Q&A, and lower thirds into animated, branded overlays that make audience participation feel like part of the production itself.
• Zoom Apps allows external solutions, such as donation platforms, to integrate seamlessly with the Zoom client experience.
• Zoom AI Companion acts as a personal assistant throughout the event where attendees can ask questions to catch up on what they missed, get more context on topics being discussed, or dive deeper into moments that resonate with them.
• Custom Avatars and Virtual Backgrounds help participants create a unified visual presence, including the special “Next Verse” custom Zoom virtual background, available to members at the Lifesave level.

Together, these capabilities allow The Next Verse to create one of the largest hybrid, multi-location music collaborations. Participants can join in multiple ways:

• Stream the event at no cost by registering at 100billionmeals.org to receive an invitation to join the live Zoom Webinar.
• Donate $10 to join the interactive Zoom experience and capture their participation live.
• Become a Lifesaver Member to access exclusive live experiences and have a chance to appear in the final recording.

The final song and video will premiere globally on December 25 across all streaming platforms.

Technology driving global impact

Every interaction on Zoom — every verse, ticket, and shared moment — supports the 100 Billion Meals Challenge, which has already delivered 62 billion meals and is working toward 100 billion in the next decade. Proceeds from The Next Verse benefit partners, including Feeding America, UNICEF, Food 4 Education, To Move Mountains, Dream Center, and All Hands & Hearts.

Learn more at 100billionmeals.org and explore more about how the Zoom platform is bringing this to life at zoom.com.