Alex Okosi

Alex Okosi
Okosi holding The MTV Africa Music Award (MaMa)
Born
Ogbuefi Akunne Alex Uche Okosi

Nigeria
Alma mater
EmployerGoogle
TitleManaging director of Google Africa

Alex Okosi // ⓘ(full name: Ogbuefi Akunne Alex Uche Okosi) is a Nigerian business executive who is currently the managing director of Google Africa,[1] where he is responsible for Google's operations in Africa including programs that help businesses and economies on the continent to grow.[2] He previously worked for YouTube, ViacomCBS, and MTV.

Early life

Okosi was educated in Enugu, Nigeria until the age of 12, before finishing his education in the United States. While visiting his brothers in the U.S., Okosi made the decision to stay there to complete his education, and he subsequently studied at schools in New York, Missouri, Nebraska and Florida before attending Phillips Exeter Academy[3] in Exeter, New Hampshire.

Okosi continued his studies at Saint Michael's College, Vermont, where he enrolled in a double major in business administration and economics. He graduated Magna cum laude in 1998.[4] Okosi was awarded a full scholarship to play Division II basketball for Saint Michael's.[5] He represented his college at Basketball, captaining the Purple Knights’ second team to victory in 1998.

Viacom/Paramount

Okosi spent 22 years at MTV and Viacom (now Paramount Global) in a range of leadership roles.

Okosi joined MTV Networks in New York in 1998 as part of the Trade and Integrated Marketing team. He developed multi-platform marketing opportunities for advertisers and integrated them into marquee MTV franchises such as the MTV Video Music Awards, Spring Break, the MTV Movie Awards, and Wanna Be a VJ.[6] In 2000, Okosi transferred to the MTV Networks Affiliate Sales & Marketing division in Los Angeles, where he was responsible for securing distribution for MTV Networks brands such as MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, CMT, MTV2, and Spike TV.[7]

In 2003, Okosi moved to MTV International in London as a Manager in the MTV International Strategy & Business Development team[8][9]

In 2007, Okosi was named SVP & MD of MTV Networks Africa.[10] In 2013, this title changed to SVP & MD, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa.[11] In 2009, he launched the MTV Africa Music Awards,[12] and helmed five editions of the music franchise.

In 2017, Okosi was promoted to MD & EVP, Viacom International Media Networks Africa and EVP of BET International.[13]

Under Alex's leadership, Viacom Africa channels were recognised for their creativity and excellence, including more than 70 Promax/BDA Awards,[14] 11 SAFTAs (South Africa Film & Television Awards) and a Cannes Lions Award (2018).

MTV Base (Africa)

Having joined MTV International, Okosi authored the business plan to launch MTV's first African TV channel.[15] Known initially as MTV base (with a lowercase 'b'), the channel was launched in February 2005, becoming MTV's first African TV channel and MTV's 100th channel worldwide.[16][17] The channel was designed to provide a high quality platform that promoted African contemporary music and creativity, while catering to the tastes and attitudes of African youth.[18] The channel featured African contemporary urban musicians and music videos, alongside some longform music and entertainment shows.[19] The launch of the new service was marked with two live music celebrations - MTV Base 100th Live![20] - held days apart in April 2005 in Abuja, Nigeria and Johannesburg, South Africa.

That year, Okosi was named vice president and general manager of MTV Base.[21]

YouTube

Okosi joined YouTube in April 2020 as the managing director of YouTube EMEA Emerging Markets.[22][23] During his tenure, he played a key role in the growth and expansion of the YouTube brand in Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey.[24] He also worked to promote content creators and emerging voices from across Africa. [25]

Okosi played a key role in landing YouTube's $100M Black Voice Fund in EMEA[26] and partnered with Idris Elba to launch the annual Africa Day Benefit Concert.[27]

He was also an executive member of the Google and YouTube committees tasked with driving and delivering the companies' racial equity commitments across the EMEA region.[28][29]

Google

In September 2023, Google appointed Okosi as managing director of Google Africa.[30]

Awards and achievements

  • 2024 Iconic Pioneer Award, Silverbird Man of the Year Awards.[31]
  • 2023 UK "Powerlist"[32]
  • 2022 UK "Powerlist", which recognises the UK's 100 most influential people of African heritage.[33]
  • 2019 Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Marketing of Nigeria[34]
  • 2018 All Africa Business Leader Award Finalist[35]
  • 2014 Ai Investment & Business Leader Awards: “Up & Coming Future Leader of the Year”[36]
  • 2013 - New African Magazine: “Africa's 50 Trailblazers Under 50”[37]
  • 2013 - New African Magazine: “Top 100 most Influential Africans”[38]
  • 2013 Young Global Leader, World Economic Foundation (WEF)[39]
  • 2011 New Champion for an Enduring Culture, ThisDay Awards,[40] receiving his award from Arnold Schwarzenegger.

References

  1. ^ "GOOGLE APPOINTS ALEX OKOSI AS MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR AFRICA OPERATIONS - BusinessWorld.Africa". 2023-09-05. Archived from the original on 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  2. ^ "Google Appoints Alex Okosi As Managing Director For Africa". Africa.com. 2023-09-07. Archived from the original on 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  3. ^ "Class act: Reunion season kicks off Alex Okosi '94 opens the celebration with lessons learned on his journey out of Africa and back again". Philipps Exeter Academy. 3 May 2019. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Okosi '98 will lead YouTube in markets emerging in Africa, Europe, Middle East". www.smcvt.edu. 24 January 2020. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Men's basketball alumnus Alex Okosi '98 earns prestigious global leadership accolade". smcathletics.com. 15 May 2013. Archived from the original on 11 September 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  6. ^ Gundan, Farai. "Meet The Corporate Titan Heading Up Viacom Africa, Alex Okosi". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
  7. ^ Gundan, Farai. "Meet The Corporate Titan Heading Up Viacom Africa, Alex Okosi". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
  8. ^ "Alex Okosi: Home boy steps up big". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2017-07-15. Archived from the original on 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
  9. ^ "Alex Okosi '94 opens the celebration with lessons learned on his journey out of Africa and back again". www.exeter.edu. 3 May 2019. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  10. ^ "Alex Okosi named SVP and MD, MTV Networks Africa". Balancing Act. 11 July 2007. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  11. ^ "Alex Okosi appointed WEF 2013 Young Global Leader". 13 March 2013. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  12. ^ "They Want their MTV". The Observer. 18 January 2009. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  13. ^ "Viacom Appoints Alex Okosi to lead BET International". 17 July 2017. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  14. ^ "VIMN Africa wins a record of 24 awards at the 2019 PromaxBDA Africa Awards". Media Update. 2019-11-11. Archived from the original on 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  15. ^ "The man who brought MTV to Africa". CNN. 28 September 2012. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  16. ^ "MTV launches African channel". The Mail & Guardian. 2005-01-27. Archived from the original on 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  17. ^ "Smith, Ludacris Help Launch African MTV Channel". Billboard. 21 April 2005. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  18. ^ Hardy, Quentin (2007-06-01). "Hope and Profit in Africa". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2018-12-20. Retrieved 2017-08-24.
  19. ^ "MTV Base To Launch In Africa". Billboard.
  20. ^ "Musical Artist Lebo Mathosa performs on stage as part of "MTV Base 100th Live!" at the Ster-Kinekor Top Star Drive-In on April 20, 2005 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The concert is being held to celebrate the launch of MTV base, MTV's first pan-African music channel and MTV Networks' 100th channel worldwide. (Photo by Bruno Vincent/Getty Images)". Getty Images. 20 April 2005. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  21. ^ "Video workshop project provides boost for Ghanaian musician". 22 March 2007. Archived from the original on 30 October 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  22. ^ "YouTube hires former ViacomCBS exec as MD for EMEA emerging markets". 21 January 2020.
  23. ^ "YouTube Hires Viacom Exec Alex Okosi to Bolster EMEA Growth". Variety.com. 22 January 2022. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  24. ^ Heraldo, Raheem (5 September 2023). "Alex Okosi: nouveau directeur général de Google en Afrique". Archived from the original on 19 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  25. ^ "Chez Google Afrique, Alex Okosi, porteur des voix émergentes - Jeune Afrique.com". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  26. ^ "YouTube Announces 100m Black Voices Fund for Nigerian Artists Creators". 8 October 2020. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  27. ^ "Idris Elba Africa Day Concert". 21 May 2020. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  28. ^ "Alex OKOSI". Africa CEO Forum 2024. Archived from the original on 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
  29. ^ Muhimba, Samuel (2023-09-05). "Google appoints Alex Okosi as managing director for Africa". Nilepost. Archived from the original on 2024-06-11. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  30. ^ Team, Editorial (2023-09-12). "Google Appoints Alex Okosi as Managing Director for Africa". TechAfrica News. Archived from the original on 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  31. ^ "Google Africa's Alex Okosi Recognised With". BusinessGhana. Archived from the original on 2020-04-01. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  32. ^ "Alex Okosi". Africa.com. 2023-11-08. Archived from the original on 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  33. ^ "Nigerian Alex Okosi who leads YouTube EMEA market named in UK's 100 Powerlist". Techeconomy.ng. 11 November 2021. Archived from the original on 29 May 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  34. ^ "MTV's Alex Okosi receives honorary fellow of NIMN". Guardian.ng. 3 August 2019. Archived from the original on 15 March 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  35. ^ "Southern Africa 2018 AABLA finalists announced". www.iol.co.za. 30 September 2018. Archived from the original on 15 March 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  36. ^ "Alex Okosi Wins "Up And Coming Future Leader Of The Year" Award". bhmng.com. 16 October 2014. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  37. ^ "UCHE PEDRO, ALEX OKOSI, CHIMAMANDA ADICHIE, D'BANJ, NNEKA, ASA AND OTHERS LISTED UNDER NEW AFRICAN MAGAZINE'S "50 TRAILBLAZERS UNDER 50 MADE IN AFRICA" LIST". olorisupergal.com/. 14 June 2013.
  38. ^ "100 Most Influential Africans (2013): Media". New African Magazine. 25 November 2013. Archived from the original on 11 February 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  39. ^ "MTV's Alex Okosi Is WEF 2013 Young Global Leader". AllAfrica.com. 14 March 2013.
  40. ^ "Bill Clinton, Arnold Schwarzenegger at THISDAY AWARDS 2011". 2011. Archived from the original on 2023-05-12. Retrieved 2022-03-15.
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