Wizkid, others lose out as MTN signs Cobhams

In line with its commitment to enhancing the lives of Nigerian musicians by providing platforms through which they can get lucrative value for their intellectual properties, MTN Nigeria has concluded plans to boost the financial fortune of its brand ambassadors with several millions of naira in the next one year.

A statement issued by the telecommunications company noted that the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN, Richard Iweanoge, made known on this Thursday while unveiling Cobhams Asuquo, as the latest addition to MTN’s list of brand ambassadors.

According to the statement, Asuquo will be joining Davido, Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Dr. Sid, Sound Sultan, Iyanya, Chidinma, Banky W, KCee as well as Saka, Osuofia, Mama Gee and others who have all renewed their contracts with MTN.

Iweanoge was quoted in the statement as saying, “As was originally conceptualised, the ambassadorship will continually evolve to accommodate new talents and cater for diverse segments. This year, we are using a segmented approach and there will be ambassadors for each segment of our market. Using this criteria, new artistes like Cobhams Asuquo will be coming on board the MTN Ambassadorial family.”

He stated, however, that for 2015, artistes like Timaya, Wizkid, sean Tizzle and a few others would no longer be ambassadors for the brand, though the relationship continues in other areas in which MTN enables artists to monetise their work.

He said, “Although there is a finite number of brand ambassadors we can have at any point in time, Nigerian artistes can continue to monetise their intellectual works through our distribution channels such as the Caller Tunez and Music Plus platforms,” he said.

“With billions of naira invested in Nigeria’s music industry so far, MTN remains one of the biggest supporters of the music industry. We have a track record of consistently providing the stage for some of Nigeria’s biggest artistes to shine and express themselves. For MTN, we see the growth of the music industry as a continuum and not a destination. That is why we will continue to engage and support our local artistes so that they can find full expression for their talents.”

Iweanoge also named Iyanya, Praiz and Chidinma, three past participants in the Project Fame music reality TV Show as ambassadors of the Telecom Company. “MTN not only gave them the platform to express their talents through the music reality TV show, but we have consistently supported them over the years by making them our ambassadors. We can safely say that our investments in them have paid off because now they are counted among Nigeria’s biggest music acts and we are truly proud of them,” he said.

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