Entertainment
Amanda Uzoagba joins Mdundo as the new Head of Licensing, West Africa
Amanda Uzoagba (Image supplied)
Mdundo, a prominent music streaming platform that has experienced significant growth in recent years, has expanded its team to include renowned entertainment lawyer Amanda Uzoagba as the Head of Licensing for West Africa. With a current workforce of 40 full-time staff spread across Africa, Mdundo continues to strengthen its position in the industry.
In her new role, Amanda Uzoagba will take charge of the team handling licensing operations in Ghana and Nigeria, overseeing the acquisition and retention of content from artists, music labels, publishers, and rights societies. With her extensive experience, Mdundo aims to elevate its licensing operations to new heights, fostering a sustainable and equitable environment for music creators.
With the strengthening of its licensing team, Mdundo is placing its focus on five African countries and has set an ambitious goal of reaching 50,000,000 users by June 2025. Mdundo prides itself on offering millions of songs from both Africa and abroad, available for free download and streaming.
Mdundo generates revenue for its platform through advertising sales and telco-bundle subscriptions paid by end-consumers. Users can access a wide range of music content, including the latest releases, DJ mixes, playlists, podcasts, and music news, directly from the Mdundo website (mdundo.com) and the Android app. The collaboration between Amanda Uzoagba and Mdundo signifies a promising alliance, bringing forth a new era of premium transparency and sustainable compensation for African music creatives and the industry at large.
With over eight years of experience in the entertainment industry, Amanda Uzoagba’s addition further solidifies Mdundo’s position in the market. Her extensive background in film, music, dance, and media production and management, along with her collaborations with notable entities like Netflix, Empire, Dream Empire Music, and Sony Pictures, make her the ideal professional to join the Mdundo team.
This appointment propels Mdundo forward in fulfilling its mission to provide revenue splits to rights owners on all recordings generated. It is worth noting that Mdundo conducted an IPO in September 2020 and is now listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Markets in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Creative
LG Electronics Partners EbonyLife Creative Academy to Empower Next-Generation Storytellers
L-R: General Manager, Ebonylife Place, Mr. Michael Williams, Head of the Ebonylife Creative Academy, Mr. Drikus Volschenk, Head Corporate Marketing, LG Electronics, Hari Elluru, Marketing Manager, LG Electronics, Mr. Paul Mba at the LG Electronics and Ebonylife Creative Academy partnership press conference held at Ebonylife Place Victoria Island Lagos today.
LG Electronics (LGE) is proud to announce a strategic partnership with EbonyLife Creative Academy (ELCA), a renowned institution dedicated to nurturing Africa’s next generation of creative talent. This collaboration is designed to support the filmmaking community through state-of-the-art technology and foster the development of world-class cinematic content in Nigeria and across Africa.
Under this exciting partnership, LG Electronics will provide ELCA with top-tier products that will enhance the learning environment and support students in producing high-quality films, leveraging on LG Filmmaker’s mode. The product lineup includes: Several LG OLED TVs, Refrigerator and Microwaves.
At the sign-on ceremony, General Manager, Home Entertainment, TV Division, Mr. Hari Elluru, Head, Corporate Marketing, LG Electronics said, “these products are known for their superior display technology and energy-efficient performance, ensuring that ELCA’s students have access to the best tools to refine their craft, whether they are working on film editing, post-production, or on-set display needs.”
“We are excited to expand our strategic partnership with LG,” said Mr. Drikus Volschenk, Head of The EbonyLife Creative Academy. “This collaboration underscores EbonyLife Creative Academy’s commitment to being at the forefront of delivering filmmakers who can service both the local and international film and television market, and produce content that introduces our unique style of Nigerian story-telling to the world.
This collaboration between LG Electronics and EbonyLife Creative Academy exemplifies a shared commitment to empowering Africa’s creative industry and providing the best-in-class technology to aspiring filmmakers. By leveraging LG’s state-of-the-art products and ELCA’s creative expertise, this partnership is set to revolutionize the filmmaking experience for students and professionals alike.
The ‘FILMMAKER MODE’ on LG’s premium smart TVs, already a favorite among movie directors worldwide, showcases the director’s intent and preserves the artistic vision and creative nuances of every film. With unparalleled picture quality, impressive contrast, and vibrant colors, LG OLED TVs ensure an immersive cinematic experience.
LG OLED TVs, LG’s premium Smart TV offer, are the ideal choice for playing first person shooters, real-time strategy titles and racing games as they ensure immaculate HDR picture quality, deep blacks and precise colors courtesy of self-lit pixels. What’s more, LG OLED’s ultra-fast 0.1 millisecond response time and extremely low input lag without picture quality loss gives gamers the edge they need to win every time.
Entertainment
Surge in Crypto-Based Betting and Prediction Markets in South Africa
A new wave is sweeping through Africa’s betting landscape, led by the rapid growth of crypto-based betting and prediction markets. This trend was the focus of a recent event hosted by Decentralised News and proudly sponsored by Sportsbet.io at Workshop 17, V&A Waterfront. Attendees, including key industry players, content creators, and local influencers, explored how cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology are transforming the region’s betting market, especially in South Africa.
Crypto Betting Gains Ground in South Africa’s Betting Scene
As a leading hub for sports betting and iGaming on the continent, South Africa is uniquely positioned to embrace the benefits of crypto-based betting. The country’s betting market is experiencing explosive growth, driven by its digitally engaged population and the rising popularity of crypto assets.
“The South African market is ripe for crypto betting. With over 50% of South Africans involved in some form of betting and the market expected to grow to around R35 billion (approximately $2.3 billion USD) by 2025, there’s a significant opportunity for growth,” commented Heath Muchena, founder of Decentralised News. “The increasing adoption of cryptocurrency in South Africa is opening up new, exciting opportunities in the world of betting.”
Prediction Markets: Changing the Game with Blockchain
The event highlighted the transformative potential of crypto-based prediction markets, which leverage blockchain technology to offer a transparent, secure, and decentralized betting experience. These markets allow users to bet on the outcome of a wide range of events, from sports matches to political elections, using smart contracts to ensure fair payouts and eliminate the need for intermediaries.
“Crypto prediction markets are not just a trend; they are a revolutionary step forward in how we bet,” said a Sportsbet.io ambassador who attended the meetup. “They provide bettors with increased transparency, security, and lower fees compared to traditional platforms, making them especially appealing in markets like South Africa, where trust and cost efficiency are critical.”
Mobile Betting: The Heart of Africa’s Betting Boom
One of the key topics of discussion was the surge in mobile betting in South Africa, with nearly 80% of all bets now being placed via mobile devices. This shift reflects broader global trends toward mobile-first experiences and is further fueled by the country’s expanding access to smartphones and mobile internet.
Local gaming influencers provided firsthand insights on how mobile crypto betting is transforming user engagement. “People want convenience and speed, and mobile crypto betting delivers just that, with instant deposits, fast payouts, and access to a global betting community,” said one of the popular local content creators in attendance.
Earning Opportunities: Affiliate Marketing in the Crypto Betting Ecosystem
The event also underscored the lucrative opportunities in affiliate marketing for those promoting crypto betting platforms. Affiliates can earn substantial passive income by referring new users to platforms that offer enticing bonuses and high conversion rates.
“Crypto betting platforms are offering some of the most competitive affiliate deals in the market today,” explained a veteran affiliate marketer. “With the growing interest in crypto betting, content creators and marketers can tap into this trend to build a steady income stream while engaging their audiences with valuable content and offers.”
A Bright Future for Crypto Betting in Africa
As Africa’s digital landscape continues to evolve, the appetite for innovative betting solutions like crypto-based platforms is only expected to grow. The event concluded on a high note, with industry leaders and attendees expressing optimism about the future.
“We’re excited to see how quickly the crypto betting scene is gaining traction in South Africa,” said an attendee. “It’s clear that there is tremendous potential for growth, and we’re thrilled to be part of this journey toward a more decentralized and inclusive betting ecosystem.”
Entertainment
BAO EMTA 2024: Celebrating Creativity and Innovation Excellence
The second edition of the Entertainment, Media, Technology and Arts (EMTA) Conference and Awards 2024 curated by BAO Live, an event division of leading media and brand consulting company, Business Africa Online (BAO) concluded on a high note. EMTA 2024 brought together industry leaders, innovators, and creatives for a day of insightful discussions, networking, and celebration. The pivotal event was held on Friday 30th August at The Wheatbaker Hotel Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.
This year’s EMTA conference and awards themed ‘Redefining Entertainment and Media Business In A World of AI’ kicked off with a welcome address from Joy Harrison Abiola, BAO Board Advisor. The event featured a keynote address from Victoria Abiola Ajayi, Group CEO TVC Communications. Victoria shared her insights on the topic; Unlocking New Growth in Media and Entertainment Business.
The interactive panel sessions featured notable speakers; as Mary Ephraim-Egbas of Homelands Films, Ike Nnaebue of LP House of Creatives, Judith Audu of Judith Audu Productions, Dr. Bada Akintunde-Johnson of Paramount Africa, Ladun Awobokun of FilmOne, Israel Obatunde of Ideas Origin Media and Ebele The Flutist (Nigeria’s Foremost Female Flutist). The panel topics discussed were Beyond the screen: Unraveling the prospects in the film industry and Storytelling: Reimaging media and content production.
The panel hosts; Moses Agochukwu of Silverbird Film Distribution and Ayomide Idogun of Lightning Sports were excellent moderators. The Showcase experience featured Michael Odiong of Premier Records Limited as he shared his insight on talent development, marketing and the impact of Premier Records in The African music industry. Attendees gained valuable insights into the latest trends and innovations shaping the entertainment and media landscape.
The awards ceremony honored outstanding achievements with six (6) winners announced. Notable winners; Obi Asika (Director General/CEO of National Council for Arts & Culture, Nigeria) and Victoria Abiola Ajayi (Group CEO of TVC Communications) took home the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award and Exemplary Leadership Award (Media) respectively, recognizing their exceptional contributions to the industry. Other winners are; Mary Ephraim-Egbas (Industry Champion Award – Film), LG NIGERIA ELECTRONICS (Smart Tech & Innovation Leadership Award), Ideas Origin Media (Design & Creative Excellence Award) and Premier Records Limited (Recording Legacy Company Award).
“We’re thrilled with the success of this year’s conference and awards. It was a fantastic opportunity for professionals to connect, learn, and celebrate the best in entertainment, media, technology and arts. Preparations are in gear to make EMTA 2025 even much more a bigger success.” said Alaba Ayinuola, Publisher & CEO at BAO.
The event was made possible through the support of sponsors and partners. Ideas Origin Media and LG ELECTRONICS NIGERIA as the Gold sponsors. And TVC Communications, Premier Records Limited, Olokpo App and GAIA Africa as partners. The event compere Segun Akinola (MC SHEGAZY) was exceptional.
For more information, please visit BAO Live. Join the conversation on social media using #EMTA2024 #BAOEMTA2024.