Luncheon with Biola Alabi

Managing Director, M-NET Africa
According to The Economist, Africa is now one of the world’s fastest-growing regions. Increasingly, knowledge of the African experience in e-commerce, social media, content consumption, and geo-blocking is crucial for media professionals around the world. The final iWDMS luncheon welcomed Biola Alabi, Managing Director of M-NET, to share her experience at the forefront of the digital revolution in Africa, where content creators are using mobile technology and multiplatform content aggregation to impact new global perceptions about the continent. Biola spoke to M-NET’s use of local and international (Endemol) formats to engage consumers in multiple countries and languages, and opportunities for Canadian and African content producers to collaborate.

As Managing Director of M-NET—South Africa’s first subscription TV service that is now in over 41 countries across Africa—Biola Alabi leads initiatives to increase the quality and quantity of African programming available to DStv audiences. Prior to M-NET, Biola was involved in International Strategy and Expansion, Corporate Sponsorship, and Educational Outreach at the non-profit organization behind Sesame Street. In March 2012, she was named among the World Economic Forum’s list of Young Global Leaders (2012 YGL), which honours outstanding leadership, professional accomplishments and commitment to society. Biola serves as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Future of Entertainment and on the board of Hospitals for Humanity.

About the Speaker Series

The International Women in Digital Media Speaker Series takes place four times in 2012 (March, June, September, November). Each event features a leading woman working in digital media in a one-hour keynote followed by Q&A, lunch and networking.
Click here to view photos from the June event with Google Canada’s Sabrina Geremia.

Presenting Partner

Supporting Partners