Media CEOs Workshop

My Mediapreneurial Journey!

- Media CEO Workshop

Last week on May 8 and 9, I was privileged to participate at the Media CEO Workshop organised by the Kingsley Uranta-led Channels Academy, in collaboration with the United States Mission in Nigeria and the JSM Foundation. It had the theme: Media Innovation and Sustainable Business Models.

The workshop could not have come at a better time, than now when media organisations across the Nigeria are confronting challenges, and working towards diversifying their operations, if they must survive present economic realities. 

It brought together media leaders from the country’s south - Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Oyo etc. The Northern Media CEO Workshop had been held earlier in Abuja.

The issues discussed were apt for the present times. They included Leading Through Change, Growing and Retaining Audiences, Attracting and Retaining Talent, Fostering Collaboration, Funding and Investment Opportunities, Exploring New Revenue Streams and a Peep Into the Future of Media.

Listening to the CEOs of media companies discuss their challenges and how they have managed to keep going, one may not be blamed for calling media managers in Nigeria, miracle workers. 

Representing my organisation - Omalicha 91.1FM, I happily (though impromptu), joined the panel that discussed - Exploring New Revenue Streams, alongside Greg Odutayo of Royal Roots televisio and Radio, and Eze Anaba, editorof the Vanguard and President, Nigeria Guild of Editors.

The workshop was facilitated by Stacia Deshishku, former executive vice president of ABC News for Business Development and Operations. Stacia is also, a CNN Alumnus, and managed news gathering around ‘some of the biggest international and domestic stories’ for the network. 

Thank you Julie Mackay, Public Affairs Officer at the US Mission in Nigeria, and team, and Kingsley and his Channel Academy team for the wonderful opportunity. I have no doubt that great results will emerge from this two days gathering.... And oh! Deji Adekunle of the Media Development Investment Fund, was also there to talk to us about assessing grants.  

By Angela Agoawike