As Nigerians continue to discuss the fourth edition of Nigerian Entertainment Conference which held in Lagos yesterday, Thenetng has confirmed that revenue figures this year went up by over 500%, even as the cost of putting the event together has now also skyrocketed.
The event which has become the marketplace of ideas, products and services in the entertainment industry, parades an impressive list of partners this year – from telecoms giant MTN to pan African broadcaster Multichoice and the Nigerian Communications Commission. Others include the Bank of Industry, Olaniwun Ajayi & co, Campari, Interswitch Group, X3M Ideas, and more.
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The event remains independent, without full sponsorship, according to founder Ayeni Adekunle. But this year, he says, has seen many important brands partner to produce and curate sessions relevant to their interests. Exhibition sales have also moved up, with many brands now getting used to showcasing at the annual event.
‘It’s an important year for us and we are glad about the continuous support from everyone involved with NEClive. The investment this year in cash and kind from a wide range of sectors is a clear indication that everyone takes entertainment seriously – government, banking, telecommunications, media, law, and what have you. If I were to put a value to all the resources everyone is putting in – from our session partners, to people like Hip TV and British Council who are supporting with assets, to the likes of The Guardian, AV Edge, Livespot, and others, the cost of putting together this year’s event will definitely be nearly a hundred million – looks like a fortune, but on the scale of where we are going to; what’s possible, this is just a tiny fraction of what is required to execute a conference of global standards.’
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Here are all the brands involved in NEClive4: MTN, BHM, NCC, AV Edge, Top Radio, Beat Fm, Orin.ng, TNS.ng, Multichoice, Landmark, NET, Interswitch, British Council, Bank of Industry, Huce Valeris, Gbemisoke, ID Africa, Nigeria Info, X3M Ideas, Sodium Solutions, MTV Base, HipTv, Star Radler, COSON, Olaniwun Ajayi & co, Campari, Cool FM and The Guardian.
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This year’s event featured speakers and panelists like D’banj, John Ugbe, Banky W, Funke Akindele, Olatunde Falase, Waheed Olagunju, Dayo Adeneye, Sonnie Ayere, Wole Oguntokun, Bolanle Austen Peters, Falz, Tony Ojobo, Richard Iweanoge, Nneka Ayinna, Tiwa Savage, Praiz, Kaffy, Nkiru Njoku, Funke Bucknor Obruthe, Kelechi Amadi Obi, Jenifer Olize, Tunji Ashiru, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Dj Caise, Bovi, Gbenga Adeyinka, Dayo Adeyelure, Kayode Olowu, Dayo Keshi, Joseph Babatunde, Gabosky, Ty Bello and others.
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Next year’s event has been announced to hold at Landmark Event Centre in April 2017.
NEClive debuted on April 26, 2013 at the Grand Ball Room of the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos Nigeria as a platform to discuss issues affecting the Nigerian entertainment industry, implement ideas and solutions to help move the industry forward.