Solafunmi Sosanya
Content & Partnerships Director
Lagos
Summary
Partnerships and Content Executive with 14+ years of cross-industry experience in Streaming platform, TV, digital media and media companies, excelling in diverse verticals such as TV/film, music, reality, and family entertainment.
Strategic leader and business-savvy C-suite professional skilled in strategic partnerships, brand strategy, storytelling, digital strategy, product management, content strategy and business development. Proficient in content marketing, content distribution, data analysis and business catalyst.
Creative and innovative with a proven track record of driving double/triple digit growth in revenue, ratings, viewership, audience engagement and brand growth across multiple brands and countries.
Credits include The Voice Nigeria, 15+ Lifestyle shows, Big Brother Nigeria & Africa, Africa Day Concerts, 7+ Telenovelas and comedy series, 120+ movies, 6 Award ceremonies, 4+ Advertiser branded content & more.
Frequently awarded for Leadership, strategic planning, inspiring colleagues and more.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
12
12
Years of leadership experience
Work History
YOUTUBE LEAD AND SENIOR STRATEGIC PARTNER MANAGER
GOOGLE
Lagos
12.2021 - Current
- Led YouTube Content Partnerships for top African creators and media companies and boosted DAUs by 18% YoY, YouTube Shorts by 148%, and Watch Time by 46% while fostering a culture of innovation.
- Demonstrated cross-functional leadership in SSA strategic planning and ensuring alignment across Marketing, Operations, Sales, Engineering and key relationships with other relevant teams.
- Managed complex large partner portfolio and creator ecosystem, implementing high-value business development plans and fostering strategic relationships for YouTube success in SSA.
- Acted as Lead thought partner and collaborate with Sales leadership, Marketing, Engineering, and executive stakeholders to advocate YouTube products, content and user stories while providing guidance and feedback.
- Took ownership and executed innovative "first-in-Africa programs, achieving 20% growth in key content verticals.
- Provided strategic insights and leadership for region-specific challenges, recommending business strategies in collaboration with Google and YouTube cross-functional teams.
- Spearheaded planning and execution of collective YouTube goals in East and West Africa, driving unified "one YouTube approach".
CHANNELS DIRECTOR
PARAMOUNT AFRICA
Lagos
01.2019 - 11.2021
- Drove design and development of digital and 360-degree content strategies for Paramount channels, boosting ratings by 25% and increasing sponsorship revenues in Nigeria by over 30%.
- Transformed MTV Base Africa into No. 1 music channel (from No 5), growing viewership by 250% through strategic scheduling, partnerships, and leadership.
- Executive produced tailored and "first-in-Africa" content for Nigerian/ROA markets including Advertiser-funded productions, enhancing channel growth and visibility while maintaining brand consistency.
- Demonstrated strong leadership 9 direct reports; digital, editorial, music, production, scheduling and talent teams, ensuring channel success and growth in Paramount Africa channels.
- Leveraged market research and data-driven analysis to optimise channel performance and achieve targets in competitive media landscape.
CONTENT AND PROGRAMMING MANAGER
PARAMOUNT AFRICA
Lagos
06.2017 - 12.2018
- Elevated MTV Base (ROA) from No 5 to No. 2 channel in Nigeria within 2 years, surpassing growth projections and reaching over 40 African countries.
- Managed channel operations for youth-focused channel, achieving 165% ratings growth in 6 months.
- Provided effective leadership (8 direct reports) across partnerships, digital, production, marketing, programming, music editorial, talent and scheduling teams, aligning objectives and delivering award-winning results.
- Utilised numerical and data analysis to identify performance challenges, taking ownership and offering solutions to drive channel growth
- Strong presentation skills and acted as spokesperson for Paramount Channels in Africa, ensuring effective communication with media and strengthening brand presence
HEAD OF PRODUCTION
LIVESPOT GROUP
Lagos
03.2017 - 05.2017
- Planned and organised 4 major productions; assessed project and resource requirements; negotiated and agreed budgets/timescales with clients and project managers.
- Managed budgets for all aspects of projects; including liaising with procurement, accounting and clients to facilitate accuracy.
- Provided independent advise, assessment and feedback on management of projects, risks and in response to any critical changes.
- Organised and managed production teams (15), providing leadership, motivation, direction and support.
- Staffed productions of each project, including sourcing and appointing technical directors, stage managers, content managers, band members.
COMMISSIONING EXECUTIVE
MULTICHOICE (AFRICA MAGIC)
Lagos
01.2014 - 03.2017
- Supervised commissioned production companies and in-house producers, delivering high-quality content across scripted and unscripted genres for Africa Magic Channels resulting in high ratings and audience engagement across various channels.
- Managed approved budgets efficiently, resulting in cost savings and increased profitability.
- Line produced 5 editions of Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA), Africa's largest movie/series Awards program.
- Took ownership and provided content guidance ensuring brand consistency and value representation across all content.
- Collaborated with Sales teams pitching content, securing lucrative partnerships for major productions ensuring client satisfaction for increased brand loyalty and engagement.
- Fostered strategic partnerships with production houses, sponsors, internal stakeholders, effectively supervising content creation and ensuring best practices from pre-production through delivery, consistently exceeding expectations.
LINE PRODUCER
MNET (AFRICA MAGIC)
Lagos
08.2011 - 12.2013
- Recruited key personnel for flagship Mnet productions; Jara, 53 Extra and Channel O, assembling highly-skilled and effective team for seamless project delivery.
- Expertly managed production budgets and day-to-day operations, achieving cost savings and increased profitability.
- Facilitated scouting and secured optimal filming locations, ensuring visually stunning content and expert execution of production elements.
- Prepared and executed production schedules, ensuring timely delivery and compliance with Africa Magic and NBC Code of Broadcasting.
- Coordinated post-production process, delivering final products that met or exceeded client expectations and ensured cast and crew safety during filming.
Skills
Content Strategy and Management
undefinedSelected Projects and Productions
- The Voice Nigeria S1
- Trophy Extra Special Band S1 - 2
- The People's Hero S1
- Slayed or Shade S1-3
- Guy Code S1-4
- MTV base Celeb Living 1-3
- Comedy Central Grab the Mic S1
- My Flatmates Comedy Series
- MTV base Inside Life: Erica
- Big Brother Africa
- NickFest Nigeria
- Official Naija Top 10
- Hush (Telenovella)
- Big Brother Nigeria
- Hotel Majestic (Telenovella)
- GCGT
- Comedy Central Grab the Mic
- Africa Magic Original Movies (+120 movies)
- Africa Magic Viewer Choice Awards ( 1 - 5)
- 53-Extra S2-3
- Jara S2-3
- More available on request
Education
MBA - MARKETING MANAGEMENT
03.2017 - 02.2019
FUTURISM AND BUSINESS -
10.2017 - 11.2017
THE BUSINESS OF FILM -
08.2016 - 08.2016
LEADERSHIP FOR RESULTS -
10.2016 - 12.2016
EXPLORE FILMAKING -
11.2016 - 11.2016
FILM PRODUCTION -
06.2016 - 06.2016
DIGITAL STORYTELLING -
06.2016 - 07.2016
MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP: GROWING AS A LEADER -
04.2016 - 05.2016
FILM AND VIDEO PRODUCTION -
05.2009 - 05.2010
REGISTERED MIDWIFE - Nursing Midwifery
03.2006 - 06.2007
Bachelor of Science - Nursing Science
09.2002 - 05.2007
REGISTERED NURSE - Nursing
09.2002 - 06.2006
Awards
- Most Inspiring Employee Paramount Africa 2019 - 2021
- Focused Planning & Prepared Paramount Africa 2018, 2020 - 2021
- Most Accountable Employee Paramount Africa 2017
- 10 Spot and Peer Bonuses Google 2022 - 2023
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
YOUTUBE LEAD AND SENIOR STRATEGIC PARTNER MANAGER - GOOGLE
12.2021 - Current
CHANNELS DIRECTOR - PARAMOUNT AFRICA
01.2019 - 11.2021
UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH - FUTURISM AND BUSINESS,
10.2017 - 11.2017
CONTENT AND PROGRAMMING MANAGER - PARAMOUNT AFRICA
06.2017 - 12.2018
LADOKE AKINTOLA UNIVERSITY - MBA, MARKETING MANAGEMENT
03.2017 - 02.2019
HEAD OF PRODUCTION - LIVESPOT GROUP
03.2017 - 05.2017
UK OPEN UNIVERISTY - EXPLORE FILMAKING,
11.2016 - 11.2016
MASERUMULE CONSULTING - LEADERSHIP FOR RESULTS,
10.2016 - 12.2016
UK OPEN UNIVERSITY - THE BUSINESS OF FILM,
08.2016 - 08.2016
CREATIVE SKILL UK - FILM PRODUCTION,
06.2016 - 06.2016
UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM - DIGITAL STORYTELLING ,
06.2016 - 07.2016
UK OPEN UNIVERSITY - MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP: GROWING AS A LEADER,
04.2016 - 05.2016
COMMISSIONING EXECUTIVE - MULTICHOICE (AFRICA MAGIC)
01.2014 - 03.2017
LINE PRODUCER - MNET (AFRICA MAGIC)
08.2011 - 12.2013
TIV INC - FILM AND VIDEO PRODUCTION,
05.2009 - 05.2010
BABCOCK UNIVERSITY - REGISTERED MIDWIFE, Nursing Midwifery
03.2006 - 06.2007
BABCOCK UNIVERSITY - Bachelor of Science, Nursing Science
09.2002 - 05.2007
BABCOCK UNIVERSITY - REGISTERED NURSE, Nursing
09.2002 - 06.2006
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