By Emma Okonji
AIS Media, a United States-based digital marketing agency has announced the inaugural season of The Amazon Project, a 13-week television production that is designed to select and invest in the brightest entrepreneurs and business ideas in Nigeria.
The programme is billed for broadcast on terrestrial and satellite television towards the end of the first quarter of the year.
The Amazon Project (TAP) will offer about N10 million in seed capital and business incubation support to 10 winners who are able to demonstrate their superior abilities as entrepreneurs, to a diverse panel of carefully selected judges and ultimately the viewing audience.
Participating judges in TAP are the Chairman of Phillips Consulting, Foluso Phillips; the CEO Zappahire Events, Funke Bucknor; Founder Numeris Media Group, Anne Agbakoba and CEO, NetPlusDotCom, Wole Faroun.
The show is expected to also feature a series of guest judges. In capturing the essence of the production, the Chief Executive Officer of the project, Mr. Wole Faroun, said: “Doing business in Nigeria in a recession is like wading through the famous Amazon rainforest where only the toughest and smartest survive. This project will reward entrepreneurs that can prove they have what it takes to make it in Nigeria by applying innovation and smart economics to meeting needs and solving complex business problems.”
Creative Anchor and Lead Producer of the project, Mr. Segun Lawal, said: “The Amazon Project is entrepretainment at its very best. In this intense, reality TV show, business meets entertainment in a manner tailored to the Nigerian environment, and geared at promoting local industry and innovation.”
TAP is sponsored and supported by a leading telecommunications firm and a foremost commercial bank. Both institutions are ideal partners for this project, having demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses over the years.
The show is expected to be produced by Ultima Studios, with episodes recorded at their multi-million-dollar studio complex in Lekki, Lagos.
To ensure integrity of the contestant selection process, both short listing and voting will be overseen by a leading entrepreneurship and capacity building organisation, in collaboration with top consulting firm in Nigeria.
