Gamma. taps Naomi Campbell to spearhead Africa, Middle East expansion
UNCONVENTIONAL ARTISTE-FIRST multimedia platform, gamma., which is providing creative and business services across all artistic and commercial formats, is expanding operations into the important emerging markets of Africa and the Middle East.
Leading the effort is music industry veteran, Sipho Dlamini, who has joined the company as president, Africa and Middle East and international supermodel and UN Commonwealth Ambassador Naomi Campbell. In an expansion of Campbell’s role as a key advisor to gamma., she has been named special advisor, Africa and Middle East. The Africa operation will be based in Lagos, Nigeria and in the Middle East from Dubai, UAE.
Africa and the Middle East is a culturally rich source of music and artistic talent. As digital formats continue to flatten the global market for entertainment and culture, bringing emerging markets into the global grid to better connect artistes with fans is one of gamma.’s founding tenets.
“Africa and the Middle East are vital to gamma.’s long-term vision and success. These regions have historically been under appreciated wellsprings of rich musical talent spanning multiple genres, cultures, and styles just waiting to be introduced to the rest of the world,” said gamma. co-founder and chief executive officer Larry Jackson. “[We are] an unconventional company and we pride ourselves in taking an unconventional approach to unlocking value for all artistes, worldwide.”
To that end, gamma. has welcomed cultural icon Naomi Campbell as special advisor to create the pathways needed to make immediate headway across the continent. Campbell is the founder of the non-profit organisation Fashion For Relief, which helps develop alternative industries such as fashion, tech, business, entertainment, and arts in emerging markets from Africa to India to the Middle East. She also launched The Emerge Initiative, supporting creatives across Africa and the diaspora with a platform of support via mentoring and training opportunities, as well as different creative industries and educational institutes.
“Naomi sits at the distinct intersection of fashion, philanthropy, music and more,” said Jackson, “Her existing relationships with world leaders coupled with her intimate knowledge of entertainment’s cultural and economic impact is a win-win opportunity for both gamma. and the region at large.”
“Elevating the cultural and artistic richness of artists in Africa and the Middle East has been a passion of mine over my entire career,” said Campbell, adding that “gamma. is a special company with a unique mission that I’m proud to support and help advance throughout the region”.
Sipho Dlamini brings more than 24 years of experience pioneering the music business across the continent, and evangelising its artistes and music worldwide.
He most recently held the position of CEO of Universal Music South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, after four years as managing director. Dlamini previously played a pivotal role in the stabilisation and growth of the largest and most profitable royalty collection society in Africa, Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), first as general manager and eventually taking the reins as chief executive officer.