Aug 18, 2010
.. The Future Awards also launchesY! TV, Y! Radio and others.
It was an evening of high tasteand fine company as RedSTRAT, the content and communication company behind TheFuture Awards, unveiled an exciting new range of brands for young professionalscalled Y!
The event, which held at Rehab inVictoria Island Lagos on Sunday, August 15, was anchored by Beat FM’s Oreka andaward winning actor, OC Ukeje.
“Y! Magazine will – using the best young Nigerian writers,interviewers photographers, stylists and others – document the lifestyle,issues, trend and personalities that define the character and aspiration of theyoung Nigerian,” the editor, Chude Jideonwo, a Nigeria Media Merit Award winnerwho has been Copy Editor with NEXT Newspapers, said.
The magazine features agroundbreaking cover shoot with actress and singer Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde.Titled ‘Omotola is angry!’ the shootis anchored by the revered photographer Kelechi Amadi-Obi and stylist DimejiAlara. Other writers for Y! include Adaobi Nwaubani, Tolu Ogunlesi, WanaUdobang, and Onyeka Nwelue.
“Our reader is accomplished,stylish and informed, and is many things at the same time,” Jideonwo said. “He/sheunderstand the language of business and the importance of style. Our reader is independentminded and self sufficient: the upwardly mobile young Nigerian professionalsecuring his/her place in the rapidly changing global village.”
The event featured performancesby Freestyle, Jesse Jagz and Mi with comedy from Seyi Law. Selected celebritiesalso presented to the audience the kinds of young people Y! targets, with a presentation called I am Y! by actor GideonOkeke, Tosyn Bucknor and MI. There were also readings from the magazineanchored by CNN Journalist of the Year winner Tolu Ogunlesi and designer MaiAtafo.
The magazine was subsequentlyunveiled – accompanied by fireworks and the pop of champagne – by award-winningauthor, journalist and communication professional, Toni Kan, who is also amember of the magazine’s Board of Advisers. Other board members include AdesuwaOnyenokwe, publisher of TW, Storm boss Obi Asika and Reuben Abati.
The surprise of the night howeverwas the unveiling of a range of Y! brands apart from the magazine – RedSTRAT’sother platforms, which include a TV show (on Channels TV), a radio show(syndicated), a newspaper column (in The Guardian) and an event have all beenrebranded to align with the exciting new Y!brand.
“Y! is a multi-platform, 360-degrees media experience – TV, radio, newspaper, magazine, online and event – all targeted at the young professional aged 18 – 35, with an emphasis on the 25 – 35 bracket,”its spokesperson, Kenneth Oliko, said.
Guests included KelechiAmadi-Obi, Yetunde Babaeko, Julius Agwu, Tee-A, Kaine Agary, Adaure Achumba,Taofeek Okoya, Jasmine Murray-Bruce, designer Bridget Awosika, Lola Maja,Biodun Caston-Dada, Noble Igwe, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Jasmine Murray-Bruce,Toni Payne, former MBGN Ene Maya, Glory Edozien, Tinsel star Gbenro Ajibade,Terry tha Rapman, Zara, Kayode Oresanya, Wana Udobang, Titi Adelagun, DimejiAlara, Uche Nnaji, Kunle Snatcha, Tosin Martins, Joseph Benjamin and AdaoraOleh, anchors of MTN Project Fame, amongst others.
The launch event was held inconjunction with Storm 360 and was supported by Nutricima, Rehab, dtalkshop,K2, Yvent Kouture, Digiprints, 12 Baskets, Aphobos Studios, and Nigezie.
Y! Magazine is now available with vendors and in stores nationwide. More information is on www.ynaija.com.
