NEMCEA 2024: Experts Highlight Trends, New Technologies Shaping Content Production
By Azeez Disu
Professionals and stakeholders have tasked content creators to deploy new technologies to boost their production and align with the latest trends to be able to compete favourably and profitably in today’s world.
They made this call at the just concluded Nigerian Electronic Media Content Exhibition and Awards (NEMCEA) held from August 7 to 8 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos with the theme “Content Production and Evolving Technologies, A Panacea for Growth in the Creative Economy”. The event organised by the Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria (EMCOAN) is the largest gathering of content creators, broadcasting station owners, advertisers, policymakers, entertainers, and other stakeholders from across the country, continent, and the world.
Speaking on the theme, Obi Emelonye, Creative Director, The Nollywood Factory urged content creators to leverage innovations to enhance their production, adding that the emerging technologies will help them simplify their production processes.
He pointed out that the content production industry is changing globally and only those that adapt to the changing environment would be able to tap from its vast opportunities.
He explained further that technology has been democratized, enabling more people to create content seamlessly and tell amazing stories. He told content creators to stay abreast of new trends and technologies like volume technology, the internet of things, advanced cameras, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality, drone photography, 360 filmmaking, and streaming to boost their operation.
He stated that AI for example can help in the area of scripting, storyboarding, and other making filming earlier than before, adding that even with evolving technologies, the act of filming is still a mixture of effort, creativity, dedication, and no new technologies have come to replace professionals but to enhance their operations.
Also, speaking at the event, the former Minister for Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed urged the government to increase its investment in the creative sector because of the multiplier effect it will have on the economy. He also tasked content creators to protect their works through intellectual property to be able to earn more from their creative works.
Also, the stakeholders at the event tasked content creators to collaborate, be innovative, and leverage new technology.
Earlier, the President of EMCOAN, Adeniji Omirin said the association has been contributing to the development of the creative economy through various initiatives. It has also opened its door to young and upcoming content creators to join the association.
“We are proud to say that having Introduced the Associate Membership at the EMCOAN level some few years ago, an initiative to encourage and accommodate new content creators who are yet to register their own companies or are in the process of registering, i.e younger generation with contents on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and many more,
“We took a step further last year during the 2023 edition to unveil the NEMCEA Creative Academy. The target Idea is to the mass communication/creative arts and students with other relevant discipline in tertiary to learn the rudiment of the content production business even while in school and having a practical internship programme through our members’ production outfits, “he stated.
The Project Director and 1st Vice President of EMCOAN, Chinedu Ugwu emphasized that the creative industry which its members play contributes significantly to the country’s economy.
In his words, “The creative industry is a very important sector of the Nigerian economy and it is said to have contributed about 2.54% to the Gross Democratic Product in the 2nd quarter of 2023 and it is projected to contribute as much as 10% in the nearest future (Nigeria Bureau of Statistics).
“We are most grateful to the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for recognizing the importance of the creative industry in Nigeria by creating a ministry, ably led by Hajia Haannatu Musawa to oversee and harness the potential in the creative industry. Under this ministry, the creative industry funding for content production would be made available to deserving content creators to encourage creativity and economic growth, “he said.
Some of the seasoned industry professionals who spoke and shared insights at the two-day conference include Mr. Yinka Adebayo, Group Executive Director, Omnicom Media Group; Brenda Nwagwu, CEO, QVT Media; Marian Ogaziechi, Managing Director, Mediafuse Dentsu, Nigeria; Osemede, Uwubanmwen, ADVAN President; Adenike Ajani, Associate Director, Media and Investments, Algorithm Media; Kingsley Omoefe, Managing Director. Golden Heritage Ltd; Chief Emeka Ossai, Golden Pyramid Productions Nigeria; Jibe Ologeh, Managing Director, R-Wells Media & Advertising among others.
NEMCEA is Nigeria’s No.1 Marketplace for the discovery and exchange of TV, Radio, and electronic media content.
