Tag Archives: Viacom International Media Networks Africa

Families have a blast at NickFest 2018

Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa and Nigeria’s Got Talent winner Amarachi at NickFest

The second edition of family event NickFest Nigeria, organised by children’s TV channel Nickelodeon, took place in Lagos this week.

The two-day event, held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, welcomed more than 4,000 families with children to experience being with popular Nickelodeon characters.

Sponsored by Indomie, DSTV Nigeria, Cussons Baby, Nunu Milk, Maltina and Nickelodeon parent company Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa), this year’s event was anchored by TV personality Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa and the winner of Nigeria’s Got Talent, Amarachi.

There were performances by Nigerian artistes like MI Abaga, Mayorkun, Falz, Simisola and Adekunle Gold.

Several Nickelodeon characters performed in shows as well, including ones from SpongeBob SquarePants, Paw Patrol, Dora the Explorer, Shimmer & Shine and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

One parent at the event, held on September 29 and 30, said: “NickFest thrilled kids and parents alike today, thanks to Nickelodeon, in partnership with Maltina. We had fun, we appreciate them.”

There was a celebrity slime challenge, which involved personalities being covered with green slime in an attempt to raise funds for kids through NGO projects in Nigeria.

Alex Okosi, executive VP and MD at VIMN Africa and sister company BET International, said: “NickFest delivers an amazing experience for families to enjoy the best of Nickelodeon. We are thrilled to bring the festival back to Nigeria in partnership with Maltina for a second consecutive year.”

“This is indeed an exciting partnership for Maltina. We recognise that we are all busy and, more often than not, life just gets in the way, making family time that much more important,” added Ngozi Nkwoji, portfolio manager of non-alcoholic drinks for Maltina parent Nigerian Breweries.

“As a brand that is all about nourishing family moments, we are proud to partner with Nickelodeon again to bring all the excitement of NickFest to the whole family. NickFest is one of those events that the whole family can enjoy and is an event that nourishes those precious family moments.”

tagged in: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

FNG Africa hires iflix exec in rejig

Fox Networks Group (FNG) in Europe and Africa has hired an exec from Malaysian SVoD service iflix and upped one of its senior managers in a shake-up of its African business.

Evert van der Veer

Evert van der Veer, formerly head of content in Africa and the Middle East at iflix, has been appointed general manager of FNG Africa.

At iflix, van der Veer oversaw content operations, acquisition and marketing and developed local productions as part of the streamer’s long-term strategy. Before that, he held numerous positions at Viacom International Media Networks Africa, including VP for Comedy Central.

Van der Veer’s hire follows the exit of Gary Alfonso, who was previously FNG general manager in Africa but left in March.

Additionally, Vasilis Iliopoulos, general manager of FNG Greece, has been promoted to senior VP for FNG Africa. Iliopoulos will look to expand Fox Sports and local content productions, and will develop

Vasilis Iliopoulos

National Geographic Partners across key markets in East, West and Southern Africa. He will retain his duties at FNG Greece alongside his Africa responsibilities.

The appointments follow a series of changes to FNG’s global businesses in the past year. Most recently, Jacqui Feeney, MD of FNG Australia, stepped down after five years to be replaced by Tim Jones.

In February, the US business upped Jeff Hughes to lead its digital consumer group, replacing Brian Sullivan, who was made FNG’s overall president and chief operating officer late last year.

tagged in: , , , , , ,

Nigerian pair in Kids’ Choice Awards

Child comedienne Emmanuella and popular musician Davido, both from Nigeria, have been nominated for the 31st Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.

Award nominees Davido and Emmanuella

Emmanuella and Davido are nominees in the international award category of Favourite African Star. The other African nominees are: Eddy Kenz (Uganda), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Cassper Nyovest (South Africa) and Caster Semenya (South Africa).

This is the first time Emmanuella has been nominated. The seven-year-old, who recently hinted to fans she will be featuring in a Disney movie soon, hosted the maiden edition of NickFest Nigeria in November 2017, alongside media personality Ik Osakioduwa.

The Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards will be held in California on March 24 and aired live on Nickelodeon, available in Africa via DStv channel 305, and Nick Toons, on DStv channel 308. It will be hosted by John Cena.

Alex Okosi, executive VP and MD of Viacom International Media Networks Africa, said: “The Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards offer a platform for African stars to be recognised for their excellence in their various talents including, music, sport and television by kids all over the globe.

“We are delighted to feature the continent’s highly talented nominees in the Favorite African Stars category where Black Coffee is nominated for the Favorite Global Music Star category alongside international counterparts.”

Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards is an annual award show that honours the year’s biggest TV, music and movie acts as voted by Nickelodeon viewers.

tagged in: , , , , , , , , , ,