Alex Okosi

Alex Okosi // ⓘ(full name: Ogbuefi Akunne Alex Uche Okosi) is a Nigerian-born, US-educated business executive. Okosi is the managing director of EMEA Emerging Markets at YouTube.[1]

Early life

Okosi was educated in Enugu 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 the US to complete his education, and he subsequently studied at schools in New York, Missouri, Nebraska and Florida before attending Phillips Exeter Academy[2] 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.[3]

Okosi was awarded a full scholarship to play Division II basketball for Saint Michael's.[4] He represented his college at Basketball, captaining the Purple Knights’ second team to victory in 1998.

Career

Prior to joining YouTube, Okosi spent 22 years at ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global[5]). 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,[6] MTV Base, and building Viacom's entertainment business on the African continent[7] In 2009, he launched the MTV Africa Music Awards.[8]

Timeline

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.

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.

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

2005 - Okosi named VP & General Manager,[10] MTV Base

2007 - Okosi named SVP & MD, MTV Networks Africa[11]

2013 - Okosi's title changed to SVP & MD, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa[12]

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

2020 - Okosi joined YouTube as MD, YouTube EMEA Emerging Markets[14]

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.[15] 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.[16] The channel featured African contemporary urban musicians and music videos, alongside some longform music and entertainment shows.[17] The launch of the new service was marked with two live music celebrations - MTV Base 100th Live![18] - held days apart in April 2005 in Abuja, Nigeria and Johannesburg, South Africa.

YouTube

Okosi joined YouTube in April 2020 as the managing director of YouTube EMEA Emerging Markets.[19]

Okosi played a key role in landing YouTube's $100M Black Voice Fund in EMEA[20] and partnered with Idris Elba to launch the annual Africa Day Benefit Concert.[21]

He is also an executive member of the Google and YouTube committees tasked with driving and delivering the companies’ racial equity commitments across the EMEA region.

Awards and achievements

2011 - Okosi was named as New Champion for an Enduring Culture at the ThisDay Awards,[22] receiving his award from Arnold Schwarzenegger.

2013 - New African Magazine: “Africa’s 50 Trailblazers Under 50”[23]

2013 - New African Magazine: “Top 100 most Influential Africans”[24]

2013 - Okosi named Young Global Leader at the World Economic Foundation (WEF)[25]

2014 - Ai Investment & Business Leader Awards: “Up & Coming Future Leader of the Year”[26]

2018 - All Africa Business Leader Award Finalist[27]

2019 - Okosi appointed Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Marketing of Nigeria[28]

2021 - Okosi named to the UK "Powerlist 2022" which recognises the UK’s 100 most influential people of African heritage.[29]

2022 - Okosi was honoured in the UK "Powerlist" for the second year running[30]

References
  1. "YouTube hires Viacom Exec Alex Okosi to Bolster EMEA growth". Variety.com. 22 January 2020.
  2. "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.
  3. "Okosi '98 will lead YouTube in markets emerging in Africa, Europe, Middle East". www.smcvt.edu. 24 January 2020.
  4. "Men's basketball alumnus Alex Okosi '98 earns prestigious global leadership accolade". smcathletics.com. 15 May 2013.
  5. "Viacom renames itself Paramount". Wall Street Journal.
  6. "The man who brought MTV to Africa". 28 September 2012.
  7. "The man who brought MTV to Africa". CNN. 28 September 2012.
  8. "They Want their MTV". The Observer. 18 January 2009. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  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.
  10. "Video workshop project provides boost for Ghanaian musician". 22 March 2007.
  11. "Alex Okosi named SVP and MD, MTV Networks Africa". Balancing Act. 11 July 2007.
  12. "Alex Okosi appointed WEF 2013 Young Global Leader". 13 March 2013.
  13. "Viacom Appoints Alex Okosi to lead BET International". 17 July 2017.
  14. "YouTube hires former ViacomCBS exec as MD for EMEA emerging markets". 21 January 2020.
  15. "Smith, Ludacris Help Launch African MTV Channel". Billboard. 21 April 2005.
  16. Quentin Hardy. "Hope and Profit in Africa-Forbes.com".
  17. "MTV Base To Launch In Africa". Billboard.
  18. "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.
  19. "YouTube Hires Viacom Exec Alex Okosi to Bolster EMEA Growth". Variety.com. 22 January 2022.
  20. "YouTube Announces 100m Black Voices Fund for Nigerian Artists Creators". 8 October 2020.
  21. "Idris Elba Africa Day Concert".
  22. "Bill Clinton, Arnold Schwarzenegger at THISDAY AWARDS 2011". 2011.
  23. "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.
  24. "100 Most Influential Africans (2013): Media". New African Magazine. 25 November 2013.
  25. "MTV's Alex Okosi Is WEF 2013 Young Global Leader". AllAfrica.com. 14 March 2013.
  26. "Alex Okosi Wins "Up And Coming Future Leader Of The Year" Award". bhmng.com. 16 October 2014.
  27. "Southern Africa 2018 AABLA finalists announced". www.iol.co.za. 30 September 2018.
  28. "MTV's Alex Okosi receives honorary fellow of NIMN". Guardian.ng. 3 August 2019.
  29. "Nigerian Alex Okosi who leads YouTube EMEA market named in UK's 100 Powerlist". Techeconomy.ng. 11 November 2021.
  30. "10 Best UK Architecture Podcasts You Must Follow in 2023". Feedspot Blog. 2021-10-29. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
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