Alex Okosi Explained

Alex Okosi (full name: Ogbuefi Akunne Alex Uche Okosi) is a Nigerian-born, US-educated business executive who has worked for the world's biggest broadcasting, streaming and tech brands. Committed to Africa’s digital transformation, Okosi currently holds the post of 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, as well as expanding access and providing tools to help the next billion users get more from the Web. ^[2]

Early life

Okosi was educated in Enugu, Nigeria until the age of 12, before finishing his education in the USA. While visiting his brothers in the US, Okosi made the decision to stay in America 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 - a liberal arts college in New England where he enrolled in a double major in business administration and economics. He graduated Magna cum laude in 1998.^[4]

YouTube

Okosi joined YouTube in April 2020 as the managing director of YouTube EMEA Emerging Markets.^[5] During his tenure, he played a key role in the growth and expansion of the YouTube brand in Africa, the Middle East and Turkey,^[6] and continued to champion content creators and emerging voices from across the African continent. ^[7]

Okosi played a key role in landing YouTube's $100M Black Voice Fund in EMEA^[8] and partnered with Idris Elba to launch the annual Africa Day Benefit Concert.^[9]

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.^{[10] [11]}

Viacom/Paramount

Okosi spent 22 years at ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global^[12]) in a range of leadership roles. He was the executive vice president and managing director of ViacomCBS Africa, and led the BET International brand and ViacomCBS's global events business. He is credited with launching MTV's first TV channel in Africa,^[13] MTV Base, and building Viacom's entertainment business on the African continent^[14] In 2009, he launched the MTV Africa Music Awards,^[15] and helmed five editions of the music franchise.

Under Alex's leadership, Viacom Africa channels were recognised for their creativity and excellence, including more than 70 Promax/BDA Awards,^[16] 11 SAFTAs (South Africa Film & Television Awards) and a Cannes Lions Award (2018).

Timeline

• 2023 - In September 2023, Google appointed Okosi as Managing Director, Google Africa.^[17]
• 2020 - Okosi joined YouTube as MD, YouTube EMEA Emerging Markets.^[18]
• 2017 - Okosi was promoted to MD & EVP, Viacom International Media Networks Africa and EVP of BET International.^[19]
• 2013 - Okosi's title changed to SVP & MD, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa.^[20]
• 2007 - Okosi named SVP & MD, MTV Networks Africa^[21] .-
• 2007 - Okosi profiled in Forbes Magazine.
• 2005 - Okosi named VP & General Manager,^[22] MTV Base.
• 2005 - On February 22, Okosi was at the helm for the launch MTV Base, Viacom's first localised African music channel.^[23]
• 2003 - Okosi moved to MTV International in London as a Manager in the MTV International Strategy & Business Development team^[24] .^[25]
• 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.^[26]
• 1998 - Okosi joined MTV Networks in New York 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.^[27]

MTV Base (Africa)

Having joined MTV International, Okosi authored the business plan to launch MTV's first African TV channel. Known initially as MTV base (with a lowercase 'b'), the channel was launched in 2005, becoming MTV's first African TV channel and MTV's 100th channel worldwide.^[28] 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.^[29] The channel featured African contemporary urban musicians and music videos, alongside some longform music and entertainment shows.^[30] The launch of the new service was marked with two live music celebrations - MTV Base 100th Live!^[31] - held days apart in April 2005 in Abuja, Nigeria and Johannesburg, South Africa.

Awards and achievements

• 2024 - Okosi received the Iconic Pioneer Award at the Silverbird Man of the Year Awards.^[32]
• 2023 - Okosi was honoured in the UK "Powerlist" for the third year running.^[33]
• 2021 - Okosi named to the UK "Powerlist 2022" which recognises the UK’s 100 most influential people of African heritage.^[34]
• 2019 - Okosi appointed Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Marketing of Nigeria^[35]
• 2018 - All Africa Business Leader Award Finalist^[36]
• 2014 - Ai Investment & Business Leader Awards: “Up & Coming Future Leader of the Year”^[37]
• 2013 - New African Magazine: “Africa’s 50 Trailblazers Under 50”^[38]
• 2013 - New African Magazine: “Top 100 most Influential Africans”^[39]
• 2013 - Okosi named Young Global Leader at the World Economic Foundation (WEF)^[40]
• 2011 - Okosi was named as New Champion for an Enduring Culture at the ThisDay Awards,^[41] receiving his award from Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Sporting Achievement

Okosi was awarded a full scholarship to play Division II basketball for Saint Michael's.^[42] He represented his college at Basketball, captaining the Purple Knights’ second team to victory in 1998.

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2023-09-05 . GOOGLE APPOINTS ALEX OKOSI AS MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR AFRICA OPERATIONS - BusinessWorld.Africa . 2024-03-19 . en-US.
2. Web site: 2023-09-07 . Google Appoints Alex Okosi As Managing Director For Africa . Africa.com.
3. Web site: 3 May 2019 . 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.
4. Web site: 24 January 2020 . Okosi '98 will lead YouTube in markets emerging in Africa, Europe, Middle East . www.smcvt.edu.
5. Web site: 22 January 2022 . YouTube Hires Viacom Exec Alex Okosi to Bolster EMEA Growth . Variety.com.
6. Web site: Heraldo . Raheem . 5 September 2023 . Alex Okosi: nouveau directeur général de Google en Afrique .
7. Web site: Chez Google Afrique, Alex Okosi, porteur des voix émergentes - Jeune Afrique.com . 2024-03-19 . JeuneAfrique.com . fr-FR.
8. Web site: 8 October 2020 . YouTube Announces 100m Black Voices Fund for Nigerian Artists Creators .
9. Web site: 21 May 2020 . Idris Elba Africa Day Concert .
10. Web site: Alex OKOSI . 2024-06-14 . Africa CEO Forum 2024 . en.
11. Web site: Muhimba . Samuel . 2023-09-05 . Google appoints Alex Okosi as managing director for Africa . 2024-06-12 . Nilepost.
12. News: Viacom renames itself Paramount . Wall Street Journal. 15 February 2022 . Mullin . Benjamin . Chin . Kimberly .
13. Web site: 28 September 2012 . The man who brought MTV to Africa .
14. News: 28 September 2012 . The man who brought MTV to Africa . CNN .
15. Web site: They Want their MTV . 18 January 2009 . 28 February 2022 . The Observer.
16. Web site: 2019-11-11 . VIMN Africa wins a record of 24 awards at the 2019 PromaxBDA Africa Awards . 2024-03-19 . Media Update . en.
17. Web site: Team . Editorial . 2023-09-12 . Google Appoints Alex Okosi as Managing Director for Africa . 2024-03-19 . TechAfrica News . en-US.
18. Web site: 21 January 2020 . YouTube hires former ViacomCBS exec as MD for EMEA emerging markets .
19. Web site: 17 July 2017 . Viacom Appoints Alex Okosi to lead BET International .
20. Web site: 13 March 2013 . Alex Okosi appointed WEF 2013 Young Global Leader .
21. Web site: 11 July 2007 . Alex Okosi named SVP and MD, MTV Networks Africa . Balancing Act.
22. Web site: 22 March 2007 . Video workshop project provides boost for Ghanaian musician .
23. Web site: 2005-01-27 . MTV launches African channel . 2024-03-19 . The Mail & Guardian . en-ZA.
24. Web site: Nigeria . Guardian . 2017-07-15 . Alex Okosi: Home boy steps up big . 2024-06-14 . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . en-US.
25. Web site: 3 May 2019 . Alex Okosi '94 opens the celebration with lessons learned on his journey out of Africa and back again. . www.exeter.edu.
26. Web site: Gundan . Farai . Meet The Corporate Titan Heading Up Viacom Africa, Alex Okosi . 2024-06-14 . Forbes . en.
27. Web site: Gundan . Farai . Meet The Corporate Titan Heading Up Viacom Africa, Alex Okosi . 2024-06-14 . Forbes . en.
28. 21 April 2005 . Smith, Ludacris Help Launch African MTV Channel . .
29. News: Hardy . Quentin . 2007-06-01 . Hope and Profit in Africa . .
30. Web site: MTV Base To Launch In Africa . Billboard.
31. Web site: 20 April 2005 . 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.
32. Web site: Google Africa's Alex Okosi Recognised With . 2024-03-19 . BusinessGhana.
33. Web site: 2023-11-08 . Alex Okosi . 2024-03-19 . Africa.com . en-US.
34. Web site: 11 November 2021 . Nigerian Alex Okosi who leads YouTube EMEA market named in UK's 100 Powerlist . Techeconomy.ng.
35. Web site: 3 August 2019 . MTV's Alex Okosi receives honorary fellow of NIMN . Guardian.ng.
36. Web site: 30 September 2018 . Southern Africa 2018 AABLA finalists announced . www.iol.co.za.
37. Web site: 16 October 2014 . Alex Okosi Wins "Up And Coming Future Leader Of The Year" Award. . bhmng.com.
38. Web site: 14 June 2013 . 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/.
39. Web site: 25 November 2013 . 100 Most Influential Africans (2013): Media . New African Magazine.
40. Web site: 14 March 2013 . MTV's Alex Okosi Is WEF 2013 Young Global Leader . AllAfrica.com.
41. Web site: 2011 . Bill Clinton, Arnold Schwarzenegger at THISDAY AWARDS 2011 .
42. Web site: 15 May 2013 . Men's basketball alumnus Alex Okosi '98 earns prestigious global leadership accolade . smcathletics.com.