Trace, the international French firm that was launched as the first global ecosystem that leverages afro-urban entertainment to connect & empower the new generation has acquired a majority stake in Okuhle Media, a leading player in the production of audiovisual content for South Africa, Africa and global markets. Founded in 2003 by five producers, Okuhle Media is headquartered in Cape Town and employs 78 highly qualified staff. Okuhle Media develops, produces and licenses programmes and formats for the leading commercial and public TV channels and for streaming platforms in South Africa, Africa, Europe and the rest of the world.
The content created by Okuhle Media is watched by millions of viewers and Okuhle Media has won a number of industry awards since its creation. During the Covid lockdown in South Africa, Okuhle Media has demonstrated its resilience and flexibility to increase its production output at the request of its major partners and broadcasters. For Trace, Okuhle Media constitutes a high-potential asset that will enhance its audiovisual production expertise and that will complement its existing Trace Studios assets.
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Trace will benefit from great synergies with Okuhle Media to build the courses of “Trace Academia”, a disruptive online edutainment platform to be launched in November 2020. Okuhle Media will also provide content to Trace TV channels and to TracePlay, the streaming platform of Trace Group.
For Olivier Laouchez, Chairman & CEO of Trace: “The acquisition of Okuhle Media brings new opportunities for Trace. We look forward to developing them with the Okuhle Media team, made of great professionals, passionate about building a world-class creative and production house with distinct African roots and narrative. Okuhle Media fits perfectly into our strategy to make Trace a global leader for entertainment and empowerment of our people.”
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For Barbara Bellini, CEO of Okuhle Media: “With Trace, Okuhle Media has found the perfect home to help us capture more growth opportunities in the domestic and international markets. This alliance will also reinforce our ability to develop great content and tell important stories, giving Africa a louder voice that will resonate with audiences in Africa and beyond.”
Trace was launched in 2003 as the first global ecosystem that leverages afro-urban entertainment to connect & empower the new generation and the creators. Trace is a signature hub for afro-urban entertainment and offers TV channels, FM radios, mobile and digital services, content, events etc. to 350 million users in 180 countries. And Okuhle Media, the Cape Town, South Africa based award winning television Production Company and content marketing agency was established in 2003. It has won several prestigious local and international awards, including the Imbongi Award for best production company and a number of SAFTA awards, Okuhle Media builds meaningful and memorable connections between creators, stories, brands and their audiences.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry