Greetings,

…and Merry December!

In case you missed some important stories we shared in November, here’s your chance to catch up!

Experimenting with Audio[visual] Content:

We kicked off November by testing audio adaptations of our content using Google's NotebookLM, catering to those who prefer listening over reading. The first experiment, exploring Universal Music’s interest in Nigeria, got encouraging feedback that prompted us to adapt more stories. So next, we delved into the impact of Grammy nominations on song consumption and artist visibility. Catch these adaptations on YouTube or Spotify.

The Economics and Revenue-Sharing Model of Film in Nigeria

With Nigerian cinema hitting an impressive ₦7 billion in revenue so far in 2024 (projected to reach ₦10 billion by year-end); Cinema operator and co-founder of Filmhouse Cinemas and FilmOne Distribution—now the CEO of the Nile Group, Moses Babatope, broke down the Economics and Revenue-Sharing Model of Film. He explained that taxes claim 13–18%, cinemas take their cut, and producers typically receive 30–40% of the remaining revenue after distributors take their share.

Nigeria Can Take a Cue from Dubai to Leap into the Future of the Creator Economy

As Nigeria solidifies its global standing in music, film, literature, we explored how it could extend this prominence into digital content creation. Drawing inspiration from the UAE’s model, which combines financial backing with an innovation-friendly environment, we proposed five actionable [low-hanging] strategies for Nigeria to look into.

Google to Pay Egyptian Creators in Local Currency [EGP]

Starting in 2025, Google will pay Egyptian creators in EGP, joining countries like Chile, Indonesia, Jordan, and Mexico with similar setups. While this sparked online debates, Google assured that the overall value received by creators and advertisers will not change; only the currency in which payments are issued will differ.

THEE GRAMMY Effect!

We examined the real-time impact of Grammy nominations, noting a 1,330% boost in visibility for Nigerian artists post-nomination. This deep dive unpacked how accolades can drive consumption and recognition for both songs and artists.

M.A.D Solutions Inks Direct Agreement with TikTok as TikTok Sidelines Merlin

Indie juggernauts like UnitedMasters and Ditto have since inked direct agreements with TikTok, and M.A.D Solutions is the latest Merlin member to follow suit. This move signals a larger shakeup in the music business, as TikTok has opted to scrap its blanket re-licensing arrangement with Merlin, citing "operational challenges."

New Media Intelligence Updates:

We explored the latest features on social platforms fueling the creator ecosystem, including:

• Instagram: Dedicated Tab for Story Highlights, Post-Publish Carousel Edits.
• YouTube: Swipe-Up Gesture for Full-Length Videos, ‘Trends’ Feed for Buzzing Songs.
• TikTok: HDR Mode Support on iOS and more.

Do you have any expectations for December?