Tag: creativity

Felabration 2023: Airtel Promotes Need for Artiste Education in Nigeria’s Creative Economy

As part of the programme commemorating the life and legacy of Afrobeat creator, Fela-Anikulapo Kuti, the 15th edition of the Fela Debates was held at NECA hall, Ikeja Lagos. Themed “Who No Know Go Know: Leveraging on the Global Rise of Our Creative Economy,” it featured notable speakers from various sectors of the Nigerian creative economy.

Speaking at the Debates, General Manager, Digital Products and Innovation, Airtel Nigeria, Oye Akideinde, delivered a vastly lauded speech that spanned several pivotal topics such as the issue of limited education on the laws governing the businesses of creativity. He highlighted steps that could be taken by the government and practitioners to foster a more vibrant and rewarding creative ecosystem.

“Education empowers individuals with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in the creative sector. Going by this, the government and educational institutions need to work on curriculum reforms, increased funding, infrastructure development, teacher trainings and partnerships with international creative educational bodies. By solving these issues, education in the creative sector will be enhanced, fostering a vibrant creative ecosystem, and contributing to the economic and cultural growth in Nigeria,” he said.

He further stated that there is a lack of awareness surrounding intellectual property rights, emphasizing that some artists sign away their publishing rights for life without even knowing it. There is an urgent necessity, he stressed, for improved education on intellectual property so that young Nigerian creatives might avoid common missteps and realize the full economic potential of their work.

To bridge the knowledge gap, Akideinde encouraged creatives to harness online platforms for learning, underscoring Airtel’s commitment to promoting digital education across the entire creative sector.

“As a business, we have focused on education as a key area of our Corporate Social Responsibility, and we have several partnerships to ensure digital literacy and inclusion across Africa. One of such partnerships is our long-term Digital Education Partnership with UNICEF that is accelerating the roll-out of digital learning through connecting schools to the internet and ensuring free access to learning platforms across 13 countries,” Akideinde said.

He concluded by underscoring the vital role of all creatives retaining legal counsel, advising that every opportunity for discussion with creatives in workshops or conferences should involve a lawyer’s input.

October 21, 2023
Access Holdings, ART X Collective to Inspire Africa’s Emerging Talent with the Access ART X Prize 2023

Access Holdings, a trailblazing financial institution, and ART X Collective, a leading cultural enterprise, have announced commencement of the highly anticipated entry call for the Access ART X Prize 2023.

The applications, which became open to the public on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 will run through Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Entries will be exclusively available for submission at ARTXLAGOS.COM/PRIZE. Through the 2023 edition, ART X Collective and Access Holdings will be empowering emerging artists by selecting two outstanding talents, each receiving a healthy $10,000 grant towards an exhibition at ART X Lagos 2024.

Aimed at fostering creativity and elevating emerging talent across Africa, the transformative opportunity will see the Nigerian winner embark on a 3-month residency at Gasworks, London, while the African/Diasporan winner will participate in a 3-month residency at Yinka Shonibare’s GAS Foundation in Lagos. Both recipients will also receive personalised mentorship support, a hallmark of the partners’ shared commitment to nurturing artistic growth, and providing an invaluable opportunity for cultural exchange.

Speaking on the initiative’s essence, Herbert Wigwe, Group Managing Director of Access Holdings Plc, said, “Access Holdings is proud to, once again, champion the Access ART X Prize, a beacon of support for emerging African artists. We believe in the transformative power of art to shape culture, foster diversity, drive meaningful change, and influence the global perception of our continent.

“The Access ART X Prize is, however, not just about recognising talent; it is about empowering the next generation of African artists to tell their stories and inspire the world. Through this initiative, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing creativity and driving the growth of the African art industry, fostering a brighter, more inclusive future for all,” Wigwe added.

Since its inception in 2016, the Access ART X Prize has illuminated the paths of early career artists, providing them with diverse opportunities to showcase their talents. In a watershed moment last year, the Access ART X Prize transcended its Nigerian roots and expanded its horizons to encompass early-career artists from across the African continent and its diaspora. This groundbreaking move was inspired by a profound dedication to fostering inclusivity and diversity within the African art scene as well as facilitating cross-cultural exchange. The result was a celebration of remarkable talent, with the 2022 Access ART X Prize proudly awarded to two exceptional talents: Dafe Oboro (Nigerian Prize-winner) and Belinda Kazeem-Kamiński (Africa/Diaspora Prize-winner).

The rigorous evaluation process for submissions by early-career artists is overseen by a distinguished panel of renowned artists and cultural practitioners. These experts will be assessing creativity, originality, and technical skill with meticulous care, ensuring that the most exceptional talents rise to the top.

The Access ART X Prize 2023 will be judged by an esteemed jury which includes Babajide Adeniyi-Jones (Photographer), Barthélémy Toguo (Artist), Daudi Karungi (Founder, Afriart Gallery), Emeka Ogboh (Artist), Gabi Ngcobo (Artist and Curatorial Director, University of Pretoria), and Yesomi Umolu (Director of Curatorial Affairs and Public Practice, Serpentine Galleries). The curator of the 2023 edition is the highly regarded Jumoke Sanwo.

Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, Founder and CEO of ART X Collective said:

“We are honoured to have such a diverse and experienced jury for the Access ART X Prize 2023. Their expertise and perspectives will ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation of the submissions, ultimately bolstering this exceptional platform for early career artists to showcase their work and engage in meaningful dialogue with the global art community.

We are proud of our contribution to the visual art landscape across Nigeria, Africa and the Diaspora, over the past seven years, and remain steadfast in our commitment to propel our artists forward, to live out their potential as narrative changemakers for our continent and for its culture. Through the creation and production of initiatives such as the Access ART X Prize, and our flagship art fair, ART X Lagos, our organisation seeks consistently to champion the redefinition of the narrative about our continent, and its people.

We would like to thank Access Holdings, which has consistently stood with us as we have strived to promote and elevate the next generation of African artists. Their commitment to fostering creativity and providing pivotal opportunities for artists, is invaluable in driving the growth and development of the African art industry.”

For more information on the Access ART X Prize, please visit ARTXLAGOS.COM/PRIZE.

October 9, 2023
Africa Magic unveils New Logo for 20th-Anniversary Celebrations

As part of initiatives for its 20th-anniversary celebrations, Africa Magic has unveiled a new brand logo and identity colours for each of the seven Africa Magic channels. The new look was unveiled at 12:00am, October 1, 2023.

Commenting on the initiative, Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice West Africa, Dr. Busola Tejumola, said changes to Africa Magic channels represent the beauty, spirit, peculiarity, and diversity of cultures on the African continent.

“As part of Africa Magic’s 20th anniversary celebrations, we are unveiling a new Africa Magic logo with unique colours for each of the seven Africa Magic channels available on DStv and GOtv. The new look and feel takes effect from October 1, which marks the 63rd Independence Day celebration of Nigeria.

“We have had two decades of impactful storytelling and growth with our audience at the heart of this journey. The new logo and colours of Africa Magic channels represent the tenacity, creativity, enthusiasm, warmth, harmony, happiness, inspiration, and hope among the diverse cultures on the African continent. As we celebrate this milestone, Africa Magic looks forward to more decades of providing quality entertaining content for our esteemed audiences with a commitment to telling unique and authentic African stories that depict the everyday realities of Africans, for the African and global audiences,” Tejumola said.

Africa Magic, which started with one channel in 2003, has grown to a chain of seven channels: Africa Magic Showcase, Africa Magic Urban, Africa Magic Family, Africa Magic Yoruba, Africa Magic Igbo, Africa Magic Hausa, and Africa Magic Epic within the last two decades.

With over 30,000 original content hours, and an estimated one million viewers daily, Africa Magic has established itself as the reliable home of high-quality family entertainment in Africa. Africa Magic has elevated the business of movie production and licensing on the continent while also discovering and nurturing talents for the entertainment industry.

As part of Africa Magic’s 20th anniversary celebration, MultiChoice Nigeria has also announced a birthday gift to all subscribers by offers an open window to the Africa Magic Showcase channel to DStv Compact and GOtv Supa+ subscribers from October 1. In a statement issued on Monday, the company explained that GOtv Supa+ customers will gain access to a rich variety of content available on Africa Magic Showcase, which was previously been available to customers on DStv Compact plus and Premium packages.

“We are delighted to offer DStv Compact and GOtv Supa+ customers this open window to the exclusive Africa Magic Showcase channel during our 20th-anniversary celebrations. We understand that our customers have been a bedrock for our past and present success, as such, they are major stakeholders in the ongoing celebration.”

To gain access to these channels, stay connected or upgrade to GOtv Supa+ to enjoy premium entertainment. Download the My DStv or MyGOtv app or dial *288# to subscribe, renew or upgrade your subscription.

October 1, 2023
AFRIMA Mourns Mohbad, Calls For Institutionalization of Music Industry in Africa

All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, has emphasized the importance of regulating and institutionalizing the music entertainment industry as it joins millions of African youths and music fans to express grief over the demise of Nigeria’s singer, Mohbad (real name Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba).

Mohbad died in a mysterious circumstance on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, that is still under police investigation.

The 27-year-old budding music star also known as Imole (Light) was a young and very promising artiste whose creativity and amazing gift have made him produce highly thrilling lyrics that have warmed the hearts of millions of fans across the world.

The President and Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mike Dada, in a statement, while lamenting that Africa has lost a promising talent in its growing music industry in a shocking manner, noted that institutionalization of the music/entertainment industry remains a top priority in curbing the unprofessional practices that have been existing within the industry in Africa.

He said; “On behalf of the International Committee of AFRIMA, we condole with Nigeria’s music industry, parents and fans of Mohbad, over his painful demise. The death of Mohbad is a tragic event that has left us all deeply saddened. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the deceased during this difficult time.

“With his demise, Africa has lost a promising talent in our growing music and entertainment industry. We pray God to grant him eternal rest, and grant his parents, family, and teeming fans the fortitude to bear his irreplaceable loss.”

“AFRIMA is spearheading efforts to mobilize stakeholders in the creative industry in Africa, with a focus on Nigeria, to establish institutionalized operations and regulate the music entertainment industry.”

According to Dada, this includes the enactment of legislation that sets industry standards, regulations and compliance for music record labels, performing artistes, music publishing companies, entertainment lawyers and other professionals.

“It is necessary to have a law that regulates the music industry to prevent it from becoming an unregulated free-for-all, as currently, the entry requirements are low such that anyone can just wake up and establish a music record label.

“To address this issue, African countries must establish a Music Institute to certify practitioners regularly.

AFRIMA is leveraging its platform to organize a stakeholder summit aimed at engaging the legislative arm of governments across Africa through the African Union.

“AFRIMA urges stakeholders, including relevant government officials and agencies, artistes, record labels, A&R, producers, promoters, artiste’s managers, brands, songwriters, DJs & video vixens, video directors, equipment production and rental companies, publishing companies, streaming service companies, entertainment lawyers, royalty companies, choreographers/dancers, entertainment/music journalists and media, culture and music enthusiast, other supporting professionals: cameramen, editors, make-up, hairstylist, costumiers, among others, to participate in this crucial process. We urge stakeholders to submit their proposed legislation for review and consideration,” the AFRIMA President submitted.

AFRIMA (All Africa Music Awards) is the Pinnacle of African Music globally.

September 24, 2023
Fearless Energy Drink Powers Upcoming Tor’Q Autofest slated for Nov 26

… set to ignite Car Drifters, Super Bikers for Electrifying Displays

Nigeria’s number one energy drink, Fearless, one of the products of Rite Foods Limited, has thrown its weight behind the TOR’Q Autofest scheduled for November 26, 2023, at Eko Hotel and Suites , Lagos.

Fearless Energy Drink takes on the role of headline sponsor, aiming to enhance and amplify the car drifting and super bikers’ event, promising sensational performances and an even grander spectacle.

Themed ‘TOR’Q 23: The Fearless Showdown,’ the award-winning Fearless Energy Drink brand is fully geared up to rejuvenate the car drifters and bikers, infusing the positive energy for which the brand is renowned. The event promises a vibrant showcase of talents in auto-sports and motorbike racing.

In light of this sponsorship, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, Managing Director of Rite Foods, commented, “The premium Fearless Energy Drink brand remains committed to endorsing initiatives that nurture talent across diverse spheres, ensuring the realization of set goals and in the realm of sports entertainment, as evident in our partnership with TOR’Q, we aspire to elevate the platform, offering an exhilarating experience for car drifters, super bikers, and enthusiasts alike.”

He said the Fearless energy drink brand which is known for its inventiveness and superior marketing activities in the entertainment industry and auto-sports will ignite the passion of the contenders to effusively excite consumers and fun-seekers while actively showcasing their talent in motorsports.

On her part, the Assistant Brand Manager of Fearless Energy Drink, in Rite Foods Limited, Kanyinsola Sangowawa, said the market-leading energy drink would continue to support platforms that resonate with the brand’s DNA of identifying with activities that improve lives, innovation, creativity, with courageous spirit and the ability to attain success in undertakings.

She said the brand will always refresh its consumers and steer them to stardom, instilling the willpower to do things perceived to be difficult with the boldness it offers, like the I CAN, I AM mentality of the brand.

TOR’Q 23: The Fearless Showdown will serve as a stage for excellence, celebrating exceptional qualities with displays of supercars and bikers. Attendees can anticipate immersive consumer experiences and musical performances by Nigerian Idol winners Progress Chukwuyem and Victory Gbakara from Seasons 7 and 8 respectively.

Adeniyi Bakare, Head of Strategy at Xhibit Ideas, the organizers of the TOR’Q Autofest, expressed gratitude to the Fearless Energy Drink brand’s significant contribution to the event’s realization in November.

He emphasized the commitment to seamless execution across all event facets, projecting the autofest to draw participants from various African regions, establishing it as the country’s premier motorsports event, accompanied by an array of side attractions.
He pointed out that the autofest would attract participants across the African continent, thereby making it the biggest of all motorsports in the country, with other side attractions.

Bakare stated that it is a free event for all fun-lovers and entry by a bottle of Fearless energy drink, for a wonderful experience with what the event offers.

Mike Nwogu, the face of TOR’Q 23, a prominent Nigerian socialite and entrepreneur, anticipates a motorsports spectacle that includes lady bikers showcasing their impressive skills, captivating the audience alongside other engaging activities and attractive prizes.

Last year, the Fearless Energy Drink brand sponsored the Autofest 2022 in the ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State. The brand elevated the event’s magnitude and excitement, commencing with a roadshow in Lagos, featuring the Fearless Geng of power bikers and skaters.

Fearless Energy Drink also powered the successful ‘Gombe Grand Converge,’ an event uniting horses and bikers under the rallying call, “Embrace the Thrill.” This aligns with the brand’s dedication to sponsoring exhilarating sports that encourage consumers to transcend comfort zones, surpass limits, embrace audacity, and revel in the electrifying sensations they provide.

August 31, 2023
Feature: The Transformative Power of Marrying Creativity with Technology in PR (Part 1)
By Ishola Ayodele

In today’s fast-paced and digital-driven world, Public Relations (PR) professionals are tasked with not only crafting compelling narratives but also navigating a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The convergence of creativity and technology has transformed the way PR services are delivered, creating new opportunities for engagement, measurement, and innovation. By harnessing the synergy between these two forces, PR professionals can elevate their service delivery to new heights, connecting with audiences in meaningful and impactful ways.

The Nexus of Creativity and Technology

At first glance, creativity and technology may seem like polar opposites, but they are becoming increasingly intertwined in the realm of PR. Creativity serves as the heart and soul of effective communication breathes life into narratives enabling PR professionals to tell stories that resonate with target audiences thereby propelling the industry towards new frontiers of effective communication and engagement. On the other hand, technology provides the tools and platforms that amplify these stories, enabling widespread distribution, engagement tracking, and real-time interactions. Let’s delve into how PR professionals are leveraging this powerful symbiosis to achieve remarkable outcomes.
1. Storytelling Reinvented: Creative Technological Platforms
At its core, PR is about storytelling. Creativity serves as the bedrock upon which these narratives are built. PR professionals artfully weave messages that capture attention, evoke emotions, and spark conversations.

As technology weaves itself into the fabric of PR strategies, a realm of possibilities emerges for experimenting with innovative storytelling formats. Interactive websites, as one facet of this evolution, transcend the boundaries of conventional static content. These platforms beckon audiences to take an active role in the narrative, enabling them to explore, interact, and engage on a dynamic level. Virtual reality experiences, another realm of technological infusion, transport individuals into immersive dimensions where stories are brought to life in vivid detail. In this environment, emotions are amplified, connections are deepened, and the narrative unfolds with a realism that resonates deeply.

Supporting this movement towards technology-enhanced narratives, a study conducted by the Content Marketing Institute underscores the transformative impact of interactive content. This research illuminates that interactive content yields a remarkable two times more conversions compared to passive content. This statistic speaks to the potency of involving the audience in a participatory manner, a cornerstone of technology-infused PR.

Furthermore, the harmonious fusion of creativity and technology within the execution of a PR campaign holds the potential to cultivate profound emotional connections, allowing brands to solidify their identity as authentic and relatable. A study conducted by Nielsen illuminates that virtual reality (VR) experiences are remarkably adept at evoking heightened emotional engagement, surpassing the impact of traditional video content. Additionally, a report by HubSpot underscores the pivotal role of video content in social media. It highlights a staggering statistic—video content is an awe-inspiring catalyst for engagement, generating an astonishing 1,200% more shares than the combined shares of text and image content.

The studies highlighted in this article serve as resounding proof of the potent synergy between creativity and technology within the realm of PR. This dynamic fusion not only enhances engagement but also propels PR from an art form to a more scientific discipline, a transformation imperative in today’s era of digitalization and globalization. To underscore this evolution, consider a remarkable real-life scenario where the marriage of creativity and technology achieved an extraordinary outcome for humanity.

Let us take a look at a practical illustration of the marriage between creativity and technology in PR, a synergy that yielded a truly remarkable result.

Background:

In 2014, an unprecedented global health crisis emerged as the Ebola virus outbreak swept across West Africa, demanding urgent attention and substantial resources to combat its devastating impact.

The Challenge: Connecting Donors with the Crisis

The challenge was to create an emotional connection between potential donors and the dire situation in West Africa. Although, traditional media coverage had sparked awareness, but there was a need to bring the impact of the crisis closer to home for people around the world as traditional fundraising methods were insufficient to garner the necessary support for relief efforts.

The Solution: AR-Powered Immersive Experience

A fusion of creativity and technology, particularly augmented reality (AR), proved to be a game-changer. Augmented reality, a technology that blends virtual elements with the real world, offering an immersive and interactive experience.

Execution

In an exclusive behind-closed-doors fundraising event, a nonprofit organization dedicated to Ebola relief partnered with cutting-edge technology companies to unveil an extraordinary augmented reality application. This invitation-only gathering was attended by a select group of ten influential philanthropists, each possessing considerable wealth. The event aimed to immerse these esteemed guests in an unparalleled experience—an immersive journey into the Ebola crisis through the lens of a 3D augmented reality headset.

As attendees entered the event, they were ushered into an environment meticulously designed to convey the urgency and gravity of the situation. The heartbeat of the Ebola-affected regions echoed through the venue, setting the tone for what was to come.

Equipped with specially crafted augmented reality headsets, the guests embarked on an emotionally charged journey. Through the transformative power of this technology, they were transported to the heart of the Ebola crisis. The narrative unfolded in three-dimensional detail, encompassing every facet of the epidemic’s impact.

From the moment of admission to the harrowing scenes within treatment facilities, the guests experienced the crisis firsthand. They observed the dedication of healthcare workers, the resilience of affected families, and the strength of communities battling against insurmountable odds. The augmented reality application brought them face-to-face with the stark reality of burials, reminding them of the severity of the situation and the desperate need for support.

Amidst the heart-wrenching moments, the technology also illuminated the glimmers of hope and triumph. The guests witnessed the indomitable spirit of survivors and the jubilation of families reunited with their loved ones. This juxtaposition of despair and resilience formed a vivid tapestry that allowed the attendees to emotionally connect with the crisis on a profound level.

The intimate nature of the event, limited to ten individuals of significant influence, fostered an atmosphere of deep engagement. This bespoke experience ensured that each guest was able to interact with the augmented reality application, absorbing its impactful narrative in a way that left a lasting imprint.

As the event concluded, the attendees emerged from their augmented reality journey visibly moved. The powerful experience had kindled a renewed commitment to effecting change. Through this immersive encounter, the nonprofit organization succeeded in transcending mere statistics and headlines, forging a direct emotional connection between the Ebola crisis and those with the means to make a difference.

Results: Over $10 Million in Pledges

The creative implementation of augmented reality resulted in a significant increase in donations. The immersive experience provided by the app resonated deeply with users, motivating them to take action and contribute to the cause. The campaign raised over $10 million in pledges for Ebola virus relief in Africa through the combined power of creativity and technology.

IN CONCLUSION

The robust findings derived from the empirical studies lend credence to the impact of technology-enhanced storytelling on audience engagement, emotional connections, and brand perception. Incorporating elements like interactive websites, virtual reality experiences, and immersive multimedia content can lead to increased brand loyalty, improved user engagement, and a deeper understanding of the brand’s values and offerings.

As the steady march of technological advancement continues, PR professionals stand at a unique crossroads, empowered to reshape the landscape of storytelling, reimagine engagement dynamics, and etch a lasting imprint of impact. The Ebola relief campaign stands tall as a living testament to the awe-inspiring outcomes achievable when the dynamic synergy between creative ingenuity and technological prowess is harnessed for a greater societal purpose.

To wrap it up, PR professionals are the merchants of stories; technology enables us to share the stories we have always wanted to tell, to connect with our target audience in memorable ways that resonate profoundly and yield the desired impact while broadening our reach beyond the boundaries of our immediate domain.

Ishola Ayodele is a specialist in ‘Message Engineering’. He helps brands, organizations and Leaders communicate in a way that yields the desired result.
August 28, 2023
“The Decade for Africa – what next for the continent’s brands and CMOs?”

by Zara Driss

From music to art, fashion and literature, the increasing popularity of African creatives on the international stage is exciting. African talent is now also being recognised across the advertising and marketing sectors, most notably with the first win for West Africa at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity where a bronze lions in the Non-profit / Foundation-led Education & Awareness category was awarded to ‘The Soot Life Expectancy’ for The Extra Step Initiative by X3M IDEAS in Lagos. This remarkable campaign was impactful in helping communities, spotlighting the need for environmental change and how technology, data and international collaboration can raise attention and ultimately change lives.

While this award win was a great cause for celebration it also highlighted how under-represented the continent still is at Cannes Lions, an event which marked its 70^th year. Andisa Ntsubane, CMO, Vodacom was a judge in the B2B awards category and stressed the importance of Africa contributing towards global best practice and being represented at the biggest global showcase of creativity. He commented on the huge opportunities across the continent, particularly from a brand point of view: “The continent of Africa represents the largest growth opportunity in the world. We represent the single largest opportunity for brands to have big impact whilst making money. But from a brand point of view, there is no better place to drive innovation and creativity to help address some of the social issues that we’ve got.” Having worked with many large African brands and governments in my time at CNN, I couldn’t agree more.

Andia’s comments took place during a panel discussion that I moderated at the festival, a session about building future-ready brands in Africa, which CNN International Commercial hosted in collaboration with the International Advertising Association. Inclusion and accessibility were a key part of our conversation, whether that is financial inclusion for entering global awards due to cost implications with foreign exchange rates or accessibility in terms of having the opportunity or technology to take part. Sbusiso Kumalo, Chief Marketing Officer at African Bank, addressed this from a marketer’s perspective: “You’re not necessarily looking for rocket science to solve problems, sometimes it’s just accessibility… I know what it means for the customer, to have a product that not only solves their problems, or their challenges, or caters to their aspirations, but for that product to be accessible.”

Solving problems for consumers, creating brand recognition and loyalty are essential to the CMO but this is a role which continues to evolve and, alongside the role of the CTO, marketing teams need to interpret data, understand and adapt to emerging technologies such as AI and Chat GPT. Andisa commented on the role of the CMO today and how it’s incumbent on marketers to constantly learn and upskill their expertise to be informed for conversations with partners and agencies and, importantly, help guide organizations and the C suite on opportunities and considerations around new technology to drive business and benefit customers.

AI continues to be a huge topic in our industry and along with the excitement, there’s of course, some hesitation around safety, regulation and labelling. Steve Babaeko, CEO and Chief Creative Officer at X3M, winners of the first Lions for Nigeria, was part of our panel discussion and expressed positivity for AI: “Eventually, we’ll get over the initial panic of AI is coming here to take jobs for the creative industry. We must understand that AI can give our creativity better wings to fly.”

Even with the advent of more sophisticated technology, creativity is essential in helping brands to thrive and, even though CMOs have an increasing amount of factors to consider as part of their evolving role, they need to also remain focused on their brand purpose. Sbusiso highlighted what he thinks this should be: “The responsibility today is not to really build a trademark, but to build a heart mark, because that’s sustainable. We have to have an impact that outlives profit as a consequence. What are you really trying to do? What’s the why? What’s the purpose? And how are you ensuring that your design and product really captures that?”

Technology, creativity, purpose and of course, sustainability are all vital elements in our industry and, as demonstrated by the recent award win, African brands are embracing this and excelling. Andisa told me that ‘this is the decade for Africa’ and I agree, there’s many opportunities ahead and I’m excited to be a part of the industry and to see what there is to come.

Zara Driss is the Sales Director of CNN International Commercial

August 24, 2023
Airtel Nigeria Sponsors the Third Edition of Teens Think National Essay Competition

Leading telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria, has sponsored the third edition of the annual Teens Think Essay Competition, a leadership, educative, and interactive platform designed to build outstanding leaders with marketable digital and communication skills.

A student of African Church Model College, Lagos, Adenuga Adeniyi, emerged as overall winner and most outstanding student in the recently concluded competition. Adeniyi distinguished himself among 14 other finalists with his writing and presentation skills that judges described as remarkable, earn the student the prestigious title of national champion in the essay competition.

Director, Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Adeniran said that Airtel Nigeria’s partnership with Think Teens Essay Competition is in line with the company’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for youth development across Nigeria. He explained that Airtel Nigeria recognizes education as crucial for building leadership skills among the youth towards a brighter future.

“At Airtel Nigeria, we believe in the potential of the younger generation. By supporting initiatives like the Teens Think Essay Competition, we aim to empower young minds with the knowledge and skills they need to become future leaders, hence, we are thrilled to be a part of this remarkable platform that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and effective communication,” Adeniran said.

Corroborating Adeniran’s remarks, Founder, Teens Think, Mrs. Kehinde Olesin, added that Teens Think strives to equip teenagers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate the complexities of our multicultural world. “Through our programs, workshops, and mentorship, we empower young minds to be proactive agents of cultural integration. I am thrilled with the fantastic response that we received this year. It is heartening to see so many young people with a passion for writing and storytelling,” she said.

Teens Think competition has continued to grow in popularity among young scholars in the country leading to a high submissions received this year. Over 400 entries were received from all states of the federation. All 15 finalists were required to develop and present the topic: Cultural Integration and crossroads-The right path for 21st-century teens. This was followed by an intense evaluation process by a team of independent jurors.

August 3, 2023
CNN’s Inside Africa meets South Africa’s creative female entrepreneurs

In the latest episode of Inside Africa, CNN International explores creativity and entrepreneurship in South Africa, meeting established names, including celebrated jewellery designer, Kirsten Goss and milliner Crystal Birch to find out what it takes to be successful in the region.

Cape Town is brimming with creativity and entrepreneurship and yet, only around 20 per cent of South African businesses are female-owned. Kristen Goss is an inspiring figure in Cape Town, her commitment to fostering female entrepreneurship and promoting creativity has made a lasting impact, making the city a hub of innovation and empowering women to thrive in the business world.

Goss launched one of South Africa’s first major women-owned jewellery brands over twenty years ago, just before graduating from the University of Stellenbosch with a degree in jewellery design.

Goss explains how her first professional experience was invaluable, “It was a really great learning curve to understand the difference between pontificating over one brooch for three months, and working in the real world. What you’re actually doing in a career move is almost irrelevant if you don’t have the business side sewn up.”

Having always been drawn to jewellery, Goss has established a successful business which still has the love of design at its core. “There’s a subtlety with jewellery as opposed to fashion or other parts of the fashion industry. There’s obviously an intrinsic value with jewellery that you don’t necessarily have in other parts of the fashion world, and I love the fact that you can pour your heart and soul into something that has longevity and value,” she says.

Crystal Birch

Crystal Birch highlights her sense of fulfilment and pride in observing people enjoying her creations, “If I see people walking around with my hat and then I comment saying, ‘What an amazing hat’, they’ll be like, ‘Thank you. It’s Crystal Birch.’ But they wouldn’t know that’s me. That’s a lovely feeling, to bump into people wearing them.”

Birch sees herself as a guardian of fading millinery tradition in South Africa, and after taking over the factory previously owned by her mentor Harry Faktor, her predominantly female team started again from scratch. Her latest trans-seasonal collection aims to address and justify why each hat is designed and for what purpose. “We really know where we are, who’s our market,” she says.

The ‘When We See Us’ exhibition at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa celebrates the complexity of the Black experience by bringing together artworks from the last century. It resonates with entrepreneur, Zahira Asmal who grew up in apartheid South Africa. Today, Asmal is working with government organisations to preserve her neighbourhood Bo-Kaap’s identity in the city. Formerly called the Malay Quarter, where slaves from Asia and other parts of Africa settled in the 18^th century, Bo-Kaap is now becoming a gentrified neighbourhood.

An example of Asmal’s work making South African cities more integrated and inclusive can be seen in Cape Town. ‘Cultivate’ is a wine company set up in 2020 with the aim of empowering all aspects of the South African Black Wine industry, from producers to sommeliers. “I learned through my urban work that Black people had been making wine in the Cape for 300 years. They’ve just never been centered in the story. When I brought that to Cultivate, a lot of young Black people were like, “I belong. Why did I feel like I was always crawling through? I belong here because my ancestors were here before me,” Asmal says.

According to Sommelier, Lennox Nyengera, “Cultivate is probably the first initiative focusing on uplifting Black people in the wine industry.”

A serial entrepreneur, Asmal shares what she believes it takes to establish a successful business, “Tenacity. You have to be tenacious. You must not accept no for an answer. I often when I receive no as an answer, I say, “Why?” Because even if you don’t get it, if it’s not going to advance, it may advance another time.”

At the south-westerly point of South Africa – where the Atlantic meets the Indian ocean – wild food forager, Roushanna Gray found the makings of a successful business. Gray founded her company ‘Veld and Sea’ in 2017 to share her love of the edible landscape. Veld and Sea run interactive and immersive educational workshops, where guests explore nature by foraging and cooking local ingredients in nature.

Now with a team of ten full-time staff, Gray is very proud of the progress Veld and Sea has made. “When I first started [the business], a lot of people thought I was completely crazy. “How can you make money teaching people how to eat weeds?” But over time, perceptions have shifted and changed slightly, and of course after lockdown, a lot of these outdoor experiences focusing on nutrition, food and health and wellbeing are being highlighted and are coming to the fore.”

She concludes by offering advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, “My advice out is to remember, success is when passion meets purpose. Find out what makes you truly happy and go for that.”

July 3, 2023
Feature: Tinubu is faced by Relatively Minor Problems

by Ayo Akinfe

If we want to put everything into perspective, Tinubu is faced with relatively minor problems

[1] Do you know they June 6 was D-Day, when in 1944, history was created? In an unprecedented act of bravery, courage, valour, creativity, audacity and initiative, some 150,000 men were landed on an 80km stretch off the Normandy coast of France within 24 hours

[2] By far the biggest amphibious military landing ever, this opening of the Western front during the war, showed what man can do when he sets his mind to it. Having to move all the necessary tanks, lorries, humans, equipment, supplies, food, fuel etc involved, required precision logistics, competence, efficiency and organisational capability

[3] Do you know that two mobile ports were even built and shipped across the English Channel? An oil pipeline was also laid within 24 hours

[4] For me, D-Day is a testament to the human can-do spirit. No matter the odds we face, we can overcome them with the willpower. France was heavily fortified by the Germans with what was known as an Atlantic Wall that involved the laying out of military pillar boxes and machine gun posts, yet the allies got through

[5] Some 10,000 allied troops died on D-Day, cut down by machine gunfire from the German defenders of Normandy. Despite this, they just pressed on. They poured out across the five beaches named Juno, Sword, Omaha, Gold and Utah

[6] Can I also pay special tribute to the Red Army of the Soviet Union for making D-Day possible. Their sweeping victories at the Battle of Stalingrad and the Battle of Kursk meant that two thirds of the German military were in the Eastern Front, weakening manpower availability on the Western Front

[7] At Kursk alone, the Red Army lost about 250,000 men. They paid for the liberation of Europe in blood and men. Kursk was the greatest tank battle ever seen and to be honest, we will never witness anything like it again. Both sides lined up about 1,000 tanks each and for about a week, they stood toe-to-toe, wiping out each other. At the end of it, World War Two was practically over for Germany

[8] When I look at Nigeria and her relatively minor problems, I despair at our lack of spirit. Boko Haram, corruption, or Fulani herdsmen do not pose one tenth of the risks the Germans did in World War Two but alas, rather than confront our problems, we just complain

[9] Where there is a will, there is a way. D-Day just proves that the main reason why countries like Nigeria remain under-developed is because their people hide behind real and imaginary excuses when confronted with problems rather than face them. If we do not blame bad leadership, we will blame the devil, other ethnic groups, our colonial masters who left some 60 years ago or the angels of Lucifer. Everybody but ourselves

[10] After World War Two, the infrastructural challenges Europe faced are also 10 times greater than what we face in Nigeria today. They had less power, all their bridges were blown up, cities lay in rubble, ports were in ruins and the masses starved. Yet, they did not complain but just got on with it. Within 10 years, Europe was back to herself. Let today be a cold reminder to us that our biggest challenge remains ourselves. Over to you, President Tinubu!

June 17, 2023
AFRIMA & CANEX WKND Announce All-Star Line up for Closing Concert
All is set for Creative Africa Nexus, CANEX WKND 2022, coming up from 25th to 27th November 2022, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, as creatives, investors, industry leaders, creative industry businesses and government representatives, gather for a 3-day event with a strong focus on sharing skills and best practice from sectors across Africa’s creative and cultural industries.

More than simply a business-to-business conference aimed at Africa and the diaspora’s booming creative sector, CANEX WKND is also a celebration of the creative talent that is taking the world by storm. The CANEX WKND is an initiative of the African Export-Import bank (AFREXIM), which has been a key player in developing the African creative industry.

According to the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Professor Benedict Oramah, “The CANEX WKND presents an opportunity to unlock the best of Africa.”

He also further emphasized the value of CANEX WKND as a goldmine for Africa’s untapped talents, citing the depth of insight and opportunities to be shared at the free-to-attend event.

In addition to a high-profile fashion show, film screening and a range of live performances, CANEX WKND will close with a multi-artist concert that features some of the best talents from Africa and beyond.

In proud partnership with The All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, on Sunday 27 September, CANEX WKND is proud to present a concert featuring:
- Yemi Alade, Singer (Nigeria)
- Josey (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Nandy (Tanzania)
- Nadia Nakai (South Africa)
- Suspect 95 (Cote d’Ivoire)
- Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire)
- DJ Mohgreen (Morocco/ France)
- Julian Marley (USA)
This line-up, especially curated by AFRIMA and CANEX WKND aims to showcase the diversity of talent from across the continent, and with an important nod to the diaspora. Artists representing the various regions of Africa will bring their star talent and energy to the closing event of what promises to be an historic event for Africa’s creative sector.

CANEX and AFRIMA are aligned as platforms with the mission to promote, develop, and celebrate African talent. As Africa’s leading music awards event, AFRIMA has developed a strong reputation based on its key values of Fairness, Authenticity, Creativity, Excellence, Integrity and Transparency.

According to the Executive Producer/President, AFRIMA, Mr. Mike Dada, the partnership with CANEX WKND is a great move to consolidate efforts in developing Africa’s creative economy.

“Having seen that AFREXIM’s vision for CANEX WKND aligns significantly with our primary objectives of stimulating the creative economy, and developing it for the future generations, we are very excited to partner on this. We are happy about the fact that this will also help further promote African talents to an international audience, and give them more access to career-lifting opportunities. This is the beginning of more great collaborations for the growth of the African creative space.”

CANEX WKND is free to attend for all delegates who will be able to attend all the key event sessions including a range of intensive masterclasses commencing on Thursday 24 November, the main plenary sessions that will include experts such as; Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya (Nigeria); Didier Drogba, Retired Professional Footballer (Côte d’Ivoire) Alex Okosi, Managing Director of EMEA Emerging Markets at YouTube (Nigeria); Elvis Adidiema, Director, Sony Music for French-speaking Africa (Congo); Abdul-Karim Abdullah, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Culture Management Group (CMG) and Afrochella Festival (Ghana); Magali Ohouens, Modern Art Specialist & Exhibition Coordinator at Cécile Fakhoury Gallery (Côte d’Ivoire); Armando Cabral, Founder and Creative Director, Armando Cabral (Portugal); and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Author (Nigeria) amongst others.
November 18, 2022
Meta hosts creators to exclusive dinner in Lagos, Nigeria

Meta hosted creators in Lagos at an exclusive dinner aimed at celebrating their impact and creativity, as well as introducing them to the various technologies that are paving the road to the metaverse. Held at GAIA Africa club, this included a mix of content creators and technical creators who represent a variety of interests from Music, Comedy and Augmented Reality Specialists.

This followed a day where Meta showcased some of its tech, Avatars, Spark AR and digital collectables (NFTs), features that will be a big part of the metaverse experience. These creators spent the day co-creating and building ideas that would bring them closer to their diverse communities.

“We recognise Nigerian creators as trailblazers that express themselves, inspire others, and build communities and livelihoods, while connecting with their audiences. We are excited to bring these talented creators together to celebrate their achievements and work with them to build inclusive products for connected metaverse experiences,” said Kojo Boakye, Meta’s Director of Public Policy, Africa, Middle East and Turkey. “At Meta, we are committed to providing a new and immersive way for people to connect and we are excited about building inclusive products that achieve this in the metaverse.”

Creators that attended the exclusive dinner were:

●        Mark Angel comedy, a scriptwriter and comic skit maker who produces the ‘Mark Angel’ Comedy.

●        Josh2funny, a comedian and content creator, famous for making covers of popular songs.

●        Ayomidate an actor, content creator and comedian, who is known well-known for his Instagram skits.

●        Miss Techy, a female digital creator popularly known for her captivating VFX videos on Instagram.

●        Frank Itom, a storyteller and creator, popular for his video editing illusions infused into lifestyle and entertainment content.

●        Tolu Bally, an award-winning fashion entrepreneur and celebrity stylist.

●        Santi, a musician and visual artist.

Also in attendance at Meta’s showcase of its tech were Tenientertainer, an award-winning singer and songwriter, Ayrastarr, one of the leading female singers signed to Mavin Records and Nissi, a popular afrobeat singer and animator.

Other creators who attended the dinner are Anthony Azekwoh, Somi Nwandu, Shutabug, Miracle Otugo, Judith Okonkwo (Imisi3D), Tobi Odion and Hadeeart.

August 1, 2022
Undisclosed Artiste Hosts First-of-a-Kind Blind Listening Party Ahead of Post-19 Album Release

Last Friday, 6th May, 2022, music enthusiasts, critics, writers, and lovers of sound from across the social spectrum, gathered at quaintly ubiquitous Untitled, Ikoyi, Lagos, for a one-of-a-kind blind listening of the hugely anticipated afro-soul project, Post-19. The event brought pre-release activities for the album one step closer to the 20th May 2022 release date.

The festive evening of fine music, canapes and the finest cocktail served from Gordon’s Moringa Citrus Blend, was a rapturous success as Motolani Alake, music editor at Pulse NG, and Tinya Alonge, Brand Ambassador at Diageo, guided guests through the 7-track cinematic album, each supported by beautiful music videos.

Feedback was swift and stellar. Guests universally extolled the creativity, craftsmanship and the pleasure of each of the 7 songs and the accompanying music videos. Guests were especially gushing in comments about the unique blind listening format and the daring of an artiste that would seek the unvarnished opinions of music heads.

With reviews in, the artiste will be announced this Friday, 13th May 2022, and Post-19, the album, will be released on Friday 20th May, 2020.

May 11, 2022
Chenist Communications Hosts Session at Africa NXT 2022

Chenist Communications, a fast-rising strategic communications company in Lagos, is set to host a panel session at the much-anticipated tech social event of the year, AfricaNXT, which is a gathering of the largest number of innovators from across Africa and the diaspora.

The session, themed “Creative Inclusion: Telling the Africa Story through Strategic Communications” will have some of the eggheads in the media and creative industries, discuss the need to adopt creativity in telling the African story using strategic communications.

Speaking on the company’s participation at the annual event, Ekene Ajayi, Client Service Director, Chenist Communications, who will be moderating the session, remarked that it is an opportunity to challenge the negative perception about the African continent and to inspire ideas that project Africa’s creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.

In her statement, she said, “It is time for us to start telling our own side of the story rather than continue to allow people tell just the negatives. To do this, we must be deliberate and creative in our approach while leveraging on strategic communications, hence why we decided to go with the theme.”

The lineup of panelist for the session include; the Regional Editor, The Conversation Africa, Adejuwon Soyinka; PR Lead, 9mobile, Chineze Amanfo; Executive Director, Strategy and Innovation, Yellow Brick Road, Nnenna Onyewuchi and Chief Operating Officer, Envivo Communications Limited, Uzoma Onwuchekwa.

AfricaNXT provides a platform that is keenly focused on the continent, serving a global community eager to connect to Africa from all verticals.

For the 2022 edition, the organisers are tasking everyone, including, speakers and attendees to reimagine what’s possible, to rethink the approach to innovation and to radically collaborate.

February 26, 2022
Bigi fetes thousands that attended the Nigerian Idol Season 7 Auditions

The refreshing journey to stardom has begun in Nigeria as over four thousand talented singers, young up-and-coming musical talents trooped en-masse to Colossus Hotel, Ikeja-Lagos, to audition for the Nigerian Idol season 7 music reality show.

The Nigerian Idol season 7 is proudly headlined and sponsored by Bigi, Naija’s favourite range of carbonated soft drinks with thirteen variants from the stable of Rite Foods Limited. The truly world-class and proudly Nigerian brand has started its journey of refreshing thousands of contestants who appeared for the live auditions of the season 7 music reality show today in Lagos.

Some of the musical talents who auditioned expressed their optimism to be selected among the top 500 contestants who will emerge from the live audition to the next stages, while also applauding Bigi, the beverage which powered the contestants with the refreshment they needed to go through the audition process.

Boluwatife Adedugbe, Brand Manager, Beverage and Bakery, Rite Foods Limited, stated that the turnout at the audition for season 7 is impressive and commended all contestants for their confidence to embark on the musical journey to stardom with Bigi. According to her, “we are elated to witness a day like this where thousands of talented singers are prepared for a refreshing journey to stardom. The Bigi brand will ensure that whatever flavour that resonates with the contestants’ singing abilities, the brand is always there to give refreshing confidence for their performances as they journey through the singing competition.”

Ms. Adedugbe further emphasized her company’s commitment to espousing talent discovery in music through platforms like the Nigerian Idol for young talented singers to find expression and become megastars.

The Bigi brand also ensured that the thousands of contestants had exciting experiences by making all talents have a taste of the fantastically refreshing beverage, thereby giving them the opportunity to choose the flavour that resonates with their personality, talent while giving them the needed refreshment necessary to emerge a star in their journey.

The refreshing journey continues in the next stage of the selection process where the 500 contestants selected from the audition will be judged again and pruned down to 250 contestants. Only 50 contestants will proceed to theatre week out of the 250 contestants, and the 50 contestants will be judged based on their creativity, strength of voice, and stage performances.

Out of the 50 contestants from theatre week, only 10 contestants will emerge for the live performances. All through the processes, the Bigi brand will be available to provide all contestants at every stage with the needed refreshment necessary for them to emerge a star in the music journey.” Fans and lovers of the show are to catch up on the audition and selection stages on DStv and GOtv in February 2022.

The Nigerian Idol season 7, sponsored by Bigi drinks will come to an exhilarating climax on Sunday, May 22, 2022, with over a 50-million-naira worth of prizes awaiting the winner.

December 6, 2021