In the runup to Sunday, April 25, 2021, ID Africa has confirmed Big Cabal Media, Hip TV and 7even Interactive as media and creative partners for the eighth edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference.
Big Cabal Media, an indigenous digital media company, creates super-engaging content that resonates with the African youth. Founded in 2014 by Bankole Oluwafemi and Seyi Taylor, and currently led by Tomiwa Aladekomo, the company drives the most engaging conversations around culture, innovation, entrepreneurship, entertainment, and everything that matters to today’s youth. Zikoko, one of its products, creates timeless and original text, images, memes, and video-based content across a range of genres. With over 1.9 million page views per month, and over 130,000 subscribers to its newsletter, the publication develops original content such as The Couch, Naira Life, and Zikoko Elevator, among others.
HipTV is a Nigerian cable television channel, owned by creative entrepreneur, Ayo Animashaun, and a subsidiary of the media company Smooth Promotions. Launched in 2007, it was meant to be a broadcast platform for Animashaun’s iconic publication Hip Hop World Magazine, but has since grown into one of Nigeria’s biggest music and entertainment TV channels.
HipTV’s content is primarily focused on music videos, entertainment news, lifestyle programmes, and live broadcasts of entertainment events. It also has sole broadcasting rights to the Headies, Nigeria’s biggest music award show, organised by Smooth Promotions since 2006. With programmes like “Artistry Battle”, “Crisp”, “Lyrics to Go”, “Top Notch” and “Trending”, HipTV has cemented its place as one of Africa’s major pop-culture platforms.
HipTV has supported the conference since its inception in 2013. In 2019, NECLive and HipTV set a new record for the channel’s longest uninterrupted live programme after broadcasting the conference for over nine hours.
7even Interactive is an award-winning marketing communications agency specialising in advertising, digital services, and media strategy implementation. It is reputed for building campaigns that resonate with consumers and helping them experience brands. Established in 2015, the agency deploys disruptive campaigns using a digitally-driven approach to shaping modern brands. In 2016, its “Tough Job” media campaign for Fidelity Bank bagged eight awards at the annual Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival (LAIF). In 2017, it became the first agency in West Africa to be awarded in the “Digital & Interactive Communication: Social Media” category at the Loeries International advertising awards held in South Africa, for its “FrixionVodka” campaign – a CSR initiative against rape.
Femi Falodun, CEO, ID Africa, says he is delighted to partner with Big Cabal Media, 7even Interactive, and HipTV for NECLive8. In his words, “7even Interactive is one of the most creative firms in the Nigerian marketing communications space. And we are happy to work with them to develop the right messaging for the NECLive8 audience.
“Big Cabal and their properties, Zikoko and TechCabal are well plugged into pop culture and the tech business community that NECLive8 is trying to reach. They know the ecosystem and are well trusted across Africa.”
“NECLive8 is seeking to provide the tools, resources and connections that will further drive the change and innovation that the industry is yearning for. And HipTV is at the forefront of steering that change as well. We are glad to continue this 8-year-old partnership to build pathways for the future.”
As the largest gathering of entertainment industry professionals in Nigeria marks its eighth edition, participants will explore the theme “Building The Future.” How can entertainment be an instrument for change? What can aspiring talents look out for as they pursue their dreams? What doors have been opened by the triumph of Burna Boy and Wizkid at the Grammys? How has COVID-19 affected the sources through which Nigerian artists earn income, and what other ways of making money can indigenous entertainers contemplate? These questions, among others, will be addressed at NECLive8.
The event will be hybrid, combining a studio set-up with a live global broadcast. This edition will also feature live music, live drama, and comedy. At NECLive8, ID Africa plans to premiere the NECLive TV Special, a production that highlights the most memorable moments from previous NECLive editions.
Confirmed speakers for this year’s event include Nigerian comedians Bovi and Basketmouth; co-founder, Flutterwave and Andela, Iyin Aboyeji; Nollywood star, Dakore Egbuson-Akande; and founder of the Temple Management Company, Idris Olorunnimbe.
For over 7 years, NECLive has attracted more than 12,000 physical participants and 20 million viewers and audiences on television and digital. Nigerian Entertainment Conference (often stylized as NECLive), with the hashtag #NECLive is an umbrella conference for the entertainment industry in Nigeria, which continually discusses the trajectory of the sector and shapes the discourse and practices surrounding it.
#NECLive is the marketplace for innovative ideas, products, the unveiling of dynamic solutions that will connect, engage and encourage industry collaborations for sustainable socio-economic development; while offering a brighter future on the continent.
