Silverbird Group

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Silverbird Group
Silverbird Group
FormerlySiverbird Magazine
Company type Private
IndustryMass media
Founded1980 (1980)[ citation needed ]
Founder Ben Murray-Bruce
Headquarters Victoria Island,
Lagos, Lagos State
,
Nigeria
Areas served
Key people
 Ben Murray-Bruce (Chairman)
Roy Murray-Bruce
Services Real estate
Entertainment
Website www.silverbirdgroup.com

The Silverbird Group is a diversified multi-media company with holdings in Radio, Television, Real Estate, and Cinemas headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. The company was established in 1980 by Ben Murray-Bruce and counts Silverbird Cinemas and the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) and Mr Nigeria pageants amongst its holdings. [1] Its businesses divisions are Silverbird Properties, Silverbird Film Distribution, Silverbird Communications, Silverbird Cinemas, Silverbird Production, and Dream Magic Studios. [2]

Contents

In November 2022, the company signed a $145 Million financing deal with the African Export-Import Bank to construct the Ben Murray-Bruce Studios and Film Academy (BMB Studios and Film Academy) in Eko Atlantic City, in what is reported to be West Africa's largest educational and film studio complex. [3] [4]

History

The origins of firm began in June 1980, when Benedict Murray-Bruce, son of a former UAC executive, secured funds from his family to start a music promotion enterprise. The business began during Nigeria's Second Republic and was involved in promotion of American music artists in Nigeria, [5] the firm organized promotions for such bands as The Whispers, Shalamar, Lakeside and Carrie Lucas. [6] The enterprise later delved into a dancing competition. The group later expanded into beauty pageant. [6]

In the 1990s, after the government liberalized the radio air waves, Silverbird established Rhythm 93.7 FM, initially, promoting a less talk more music brand. The radio started with old school jams and later began playing Afro hip hop. Though, Murray-Bruce also wanted a television license, his application was delayed as a result of conflicts with the management of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission. In 1999, Bruce was appointed director of NTA and was soon able to get approval for Silverbird Television. The television station initially filled programming slots with syndicated foreign shows. [5]

Silverbird Productions

Silverbird Productions is a division of the company that organizes the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant which began as Miss Universe Nigeria in 1983 but was later renamed to its present name. This division is also responsible in the organization of the Mr Nigeria pageant. [7]

From 1986 to 1991, Silverbird Productions held the franchise of Miss Intercontinental, organizing the pageant in Nigeria from 1986 to 1991. Between 1991 and 1992, the Nigerian company lost the rights to the pageant to a German company, which moved the competition to Germany, and organized it there until 2003. [8] [9]

Silverbird Communications

The Silverbird Communications comprises the company's radio station Rhythm 93.7 FM and Silverbird Television. Rhythm 93.7 FM Lagos was established in 1997 while Silverbird Television commenced transmission in Lagos in 2003. [10] In 2002, Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt was established and Silverbird TV was also set up. In 2008 Rhythm 93.7 FM Jos was established to serve as the bedrock of entertainment in the media space on the Plateau

Silverbird Cinemas

Silverbird cinema building, Victoria Island, Lagos Silverbird cinema building, Lagos.jpeg
Silverbird cinema building, Victoria Island, Lagos

The Silverbird Cinema is one of the biggest cinema chains in West Africa with 69 screens in branches across Nigeria, Accra and Nairobi. [11] [12]

The first cinema was opened in May 2004 at the Silverbird Galleria in Victoria Island, Lagos. Massive commercial success has given rise to the opening of additional multiplexes in different locations across Nigeria. As of 2016, Silverbird has cinemas in the following cities in Nigeria: Abuja, Lagos, Uyo, Warri and Port Harcourt. [13]

Silverbird Properties

Silverbird Properties is one of the fastest growing divisions of the company. This division is responsible for all real-estate related activities and it currently operates in Bayelsa State and Akwa Ibom State. [14]

Silverbird Film Distribution

This division of the company is responsible for all film distribution activities. [15]

Silverbird Mall

The Silverbird Mall is located in Victoria Island, Lagos. [16] It consists of the popular Silverbird Galleria. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cinema of Nigeria</span> Nigerian film industry

The cinema of Nigeria, often referred to informally as Nollywood, consists of films produced in Nigeria; its history dates back to as early as the late 19th century and into the colonial era in the early 20th century. The history and development of the Nigerian motion picture industry is sometimes generally classified in four main eras: the Colonial era, Golden Age era, Video film era and the emerging New Nigerian cinema era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Island, Lagos</span> Former island of Lagos island

Victoria Island (VI) is an affluent area that encompasses a former island of the same name neighbouring Lagos Island, Ikoyi and the Lekki Peninsula by the Lagos Lagoon. It is the main business and financial centre of Lagos State, Nigeria. Victoria Island is one of the most exclusive and expensive areas to reside in Lagos. The town and island lie within the boundaries of the Eti-Osa Local Government Area (LGA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria</span> Beauty pageant

The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria – often abbreviated as MBGN – is a pageant organised by Silverbird Group with the main purpose of sending representatives to international competitions. Originally known as Miss Universe Nigeria, it was renamed Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria after news publishers Daily Times lost their license to send delegates from rival contest Miss Nigeria to Miss World. Since 2005, the pageant has produced multiple representatives, but the MBGN World recipient is considered the overall winner. Miss Universe Nigeria was reestablished in 2023, breaking away from MBGN and operating as an entirely different pageant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt</span> Radio station

Rhythm 93.7 FM is a commercial radio station located in the Old GRA neighborhood of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The station broadcasts an urban contemporary radio format, playing a variety of music genres including R&B, hip hop, with occasional electronic dance music and reggae. It is owned and operated by Silverbird Communications under the Silverbird Group company and is one of the most popular private radio stations in the south of Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kemi Adetiba</span> Nigerian filmmaker (born 1980)

Kemi Adetiba is a Nigerian filmmaker, television director and music video director, whose works have appeared on Channel O, MTV Base, Sound City TV, BET and Netflix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silverbird Galleria</span> Shopping mall in Lagos State, Nigeria

Silverbird Galleria is a shopping mall and entertainment centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ifeoma Aggrey-Fynn</span>

Ifeoma Iphie Aggrey-Fynn, known to most simply as Iphie, was a Ghanaian-Nigerian media personality, writer and public speaker.

Benedict Murray-Bruce is a Nigerian business magnate and politician. He is the founder of Silverbird Group. A member of the People's Democratic Party, he was elected to the Senate of Nigeria in March 2015 where he represented the Bayelsa East Senatorial District, in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Rhythm 93.7 FM Lagos is an English speaking commercial radio station located in Victoria Island, Lagos after it was moved from its base in Lekki, Lagos. The station broadcasts an urban contemporary radio format, playing a variety of music genres including R&B, hip hop, with a blend of culture and style. It is owned and operated by Silverbird Communications under the Silverbird Group and is one of the most popular private radio stations in Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden Age of Nigerian Cinema</span> Motion used in Nigeria cinema pictures

Golden Age or Golden era are terms used in Nigerian film history to designate the motion picture industry of Nigeria from the late 1950s to the late 1980s. It captures the mode of visual and sound production, as well as the method of distribution employed during this period. This period began with the formal recognition of the Nigerian Film Unit as a sector in 1954, with the first film entirely copyrighted to this unit being Fincho (1957) by Sam Zebba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Nigerian Cinema</span> Phrase in Nigerian Cinema

New Nigerian Cinema or New Nigerian Cinema era is an emerging phase in Nigerian cinema, in which there became a major shift in the method of film production, from the video format, which came about during the video boom, back to the cinema method, which constituted the films produced in the Golden era of Nigerian cinema history. The films in the New Wave are specifically characterized by improved narrative complexity, aesthetic nuance, much higher budgets and advanced overall production values, when compared to video films from the second generation of filmmakers. They are mostly released theatrically, although some are still released directly on DVD.

Yvonne Imoh-Abasi Glory Ekwere, popularly known as Yvonne Vixen Ekwere, is a Nigerian media personality, content producer and actress who works as the presenter of E-Weekly on Silverbird Television. Since making her debut as a co-host on a late night show on Rhythm 93.7 FM, her style of presenting has seen her win several awards.

Rhythm Unplugged is a music concert in West Africa. CEO of the Flytime Group, Cecil Hammond, organised the first concert in 2004. The annual concert is organised by Flytime Promotions, a subsidiary of the Flytime Group.

<i>Omugwo</i> (film) 2017 Nigerian film

Omugwo is a 2017 Nigerian comedic movie written by Kemi Adesoye and directed by Kunle Afolayan under the production studio of Golden Effects Pictures in partnership with African Magic Films. Kunle Afolayan who is known for his whodunit movies diverted to provide the audience with comic relief. The comedic movie is one of the three movies by commissioned by African Magic Films to be produced in collaboration with him. The movie though, comical, addresses the vital issue in the African settings; motherhood. It prioritises the African traditional rites in motherhood and it stars actors and actresses such as Ayo Adesanya, Patience Ozokwor, Omowunmi Dada and Ken Erics.

The annual Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF) is an international film festival held in Lagos, Nigeria. The Eko International Film Festival was founded and established in 2009 by Hope Obioma Opara, the CEO of Supple Communications Limited, under which the festival is held. He is also the publisher of Supple magazine, an African cinema and culture journal that features film previews, reviews, and interviews. The purpose of the Eko International Film Festival is to develop tourism in Nigeria by promoting appreciation of the arts and culture through the motion picture arts and sciences.

Miss Universe Nigeria - abbreviated as MUN - is an annual national pageant held to select a Miss Universe delegate. 2023 marked a revival of the original contest organised by Silverbird Productions, Nigeria's Miss Universe franchise holder since 1983. The winner automatically becomes Nigeria's Miss Universe delegate, while the 1st runner-up is the Miss Supranational representative. Although Hannah Iribhogbe occasionally used the Miss Nigeria Universe title during her reign before crowning her successor, she had actually competed in MBGN 2022.

References

  1. ↑ Okwumbu-Imafidon, Ruth (2022-08-06). "Ben Murray-Bruce: The 'Common Sense' man who built one of Nigeria's biggest media conglomerates". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2022-11-13.
  2. ↑ "Businesses – Silverbird". silverbirdgroup.com. Retrieved 2022-11-13.
  3. ↑ "Afreximbank signs deal with Silverbird Entertainment for the construction of a world class film and studio complex in Nigeria". African Export-Import Bank. 2022-11-04. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  4. ↑ "Nigeria: Afreximbank's Oromah signs $145m deal with Silverbird for 'Lagos Beverly Hills'". The Africa Report.com. 2022-11-09. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  5. 1 2 Ofili, Chike (2006). "Silverbird: Celebrating Twenty Five Years of Imitations". Brandfaces. Brand Support Services (33). OCLC   54515558.
  6. 1 2 "Showbiz Runs In This Family". Tempo (Lagos). February 10, 1999.
  7. ↑ Ifeoma Ononye (1 November 2014). "As Mr. Nigeria, ladies always stalk me –Bakare". Daily Independent. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  8. ↑ "The Miss Silverbird Pageant As Brand Arrogance By Uche Nworah". Nigerian Media: Gamji.com. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Who is Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, the Silverbird Group Owner?". Buzz Nigeria. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  10. ↑ Ogbonna Amadi; Lolade Sowoolu (30 October 2010). "The Ben Bruce story". Vanguard . Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  11. ↑ "Silverbird Group Supports 3rd Eko International Film Festival". Eko International Film Festival. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  12. ↑ Carmela Garritano (15 February 2013). African Video Movies and Global Desires: A Ghanaian History. Ohio University Press. pp. 214–. ISBN   978-0-89680-484-5.
  13. ↑ "About Silverbird Cinemas. Nigeria's Leading Cinemas Chain". silverbirdcinemas.com. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
  14. ↑ "Silverbird Properties" . Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  15. ↑ "Ramsay Nouah set to shine as Tempting Fate hits cinemas". The Sun . 13 June 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  16. ↑ Leo Zeilig (2009). Class Struggle and Resistance in Africa. Haymarket Books. pp. 3–. ISBN   978-1-931859-68-4.
  17. ↑ "Silverbird Cinemas Silverbird galleria Lagos Nigeria". Lagos-Nigeria-Real-Estate-Advisor. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
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