Exodus Entertainment: The New Distribution Structure

On the 23^rd of February 2013, at about 2:10pm, a stakeholders’ meeting was held at the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL) in Victoria Island, Lagos. In attendance were representatives of Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Nollywood Core Producers (ANCOP), Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Film Makers, Music Producers, a few Record Labels, FEPACI, African Film Development Foundation, Comedians and the Media.

Prof. Pat Utomi speaking on the structure

The host, Prof. Pat Utomi stressed the essence of collaboration in the industry as a vehicle to drive effective distribution of contents. He said he his championing a new distribution structure because without effective distribution, the industry will not achieve its true potentials. The Prof. said he decided to work on the new distribution structure with Paul Ikhane and his twin brother Peter Ikhane because he believes the structure has what it takes to solve the present challenges that the industry is facing: challenges of piracy and sub-standard packaging and the near absence of data and records.  He made mention of a partnership that will put Nollywood on a PayTV with huge subscribers based in North America, The Caribbean and parts of Europe.

Paul Ikhane during his presentation.

Paul Ikhane, the CEO of Exodus Entertainment (the company that manages the new distribution structure) said the structure simply combines the Internet, Courier and other forms of delivery services working in Nigeria, to distribute entertainment contents. It provides an online and mobile platform where a consumer can pre-order for an entertainment content that has not been released and the entertainment content gets delivered to the consumer anywhere in Nigeria. There are two sales periods for entertainment contents: the pre-release date sales and post-release date sales. The pre-release date sale allows consumers to easily order for entertainment contents and the content gets delivered to them by any of the four biggest multi-national courier companies in the world. This sale is for a period of 3-5 weeks, allowing contents owners to sell to the same market that pirates target. The post-release date sale refers to sales after the release date and it is done to ensure that the structure is not messed up.
All contents are packaged with original and international standard CDs and DVDs. The CEO added that despite the high standard of the CDs and DVDs the prices will start from N480 for CDs and N620 for DVDs, delivery inclusive.
Reputable individuals who spoke at the events included Mahmood Ali-Balogun ( The producer of ‘Tango with Me’), Gab Okoye, Owen Gee, Weird MC, Alex Eyengho, Mike Eliam, Don Pedro Aganbi, Madu Chikwedu amongst others. They all commended the efforts of Pat Utomi and his team and prayed for the success of the structure.

Mahmood Ali-Balogun sharing his experienceWierd MC speaking at the meetingFrom L-R; Pat Utomi, Paul Ikhane, Mr Nasir OnucheyoStakeholders’ with Paul Ikhane after the meeting

The CEO concluded that this is the first launch of the progressive series of events pertaining to the distribution structure. The other events will include a press conference, a symposium and the launch/commencement of sale of the first set of products which would take place before May, 2013.