They say in the world of entertainment, talent is king. Yet behind every successful African talent we see on our screens, particularly in Nigeria, a hidden powerhouse known as Apollo Endeavor orchestrates their rise to stardom.

Apollo Endeavor operates like a maestro, a gatekeeper of the industry, standing at the crossroads where raw talent intersects with A-list recognition. In this week’s issue of GuardianLife, we pull back the curtain on one of the most respected talent management agencies in Africa. 

Founded by visionary Oladapo Adewunmi, the agency has nurtured the careers of a diverse array of actors, musicians, and filmmakers, transforming them into household names across the continent with over 300 content creators under its wing.

In The Beginning: A Quest For Empowerment

Necessity, as they say, is the mother of invention, and for Oladapo Adewunmi, this rings particularly true. As GuardianLife sat down to unravel the story behind one of Africa’s most dynamic content creation agencies, Adewunmi took us back to the genesis of his journey.
“In the beginning, I was creative myself,” Adewunmi reminisces, his eyes reflecting the passion that still drives him today. “I was in search of how I could turn content creation into a career, how I could generate revenue from content creators, and how I could bridge the gap between traditional professions and the emerging world of content.”

“I wanted content creation to be seen as a viable profession, akin to being a doctor or lawyer,” he explains. “I wanted creators to have the same opportunities for financial stability and societal recognition. That was one of the major drives for me to set up Apollo Endeavor and I started to work with some content creators on monetising YouTube.”

The African content market, ripe with talent yet largely untapped, presented Adewunmi with an opportunity to make a difference. “The African context is a huge space that hasn’t been completely harnessed,” he explains. “We believe we can help drive and empower the African content space for a global audience and also make it a highly profitable industry. And then build an empowering or enabling environment for talented content creators to build upon.”

Thus, Apollo Endeavor was born in 2015— a beacon of hope for African content creators seeking to turn their passion into profit. Specialising in connecting brands with top-tier talent and content creators, the agency has carved a niche for itself in the digital landscape. With a focus on quality, professionalism, and innovation, Apollo Endeavor is poised to shape the future of African content creation.

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The success stories under Apollo Endeavor’s wing speak volumes of its impact on the African content landscape. From Mark Angel Comedy, Broda Shaggi, Lasisi Elenu, MC Lively, Yawa, Daddy Freeze, RedTV, AccelerateTV, 2Baba, Cute Abiola, Damilola Mike-Bamiloye, Josh2Funny, Kolaboy, MC Edopikin, Mr. Caleb, Wale Ojo and many more content creators, the agency has been instrumental in propelling creators to new heights.

However, Adewunmi remains humble, attributing their success to the creators’ inherent talent and dedication. “As much as we’d like to take credit, it’s the creators’ talent and dedication that shine through,” Adewunmi humbly admits. “We provide the platform and support for them to optimise their talents and generate revenue.”

Beyond Talent Management: A Legacy Of Impact

The company has a long and successful history of working with both the public and private sectors to create engaging and effective marketing campaigns. One of its most notable projects was the “Neighbours for Change” campaign for former President Goodluck Jonathan. This animated video production was a huge success, helping to raise awareness of the president’s policies and initiatives. The company also organised a musical concert for President Jonathan in four states simultaneously, featuring headlining performances by 2face and Psquare. The event drew a crowd of over 20,000 people and was a major success.

Apollo Endeavor also has a successful track record of working with corporate clients. One of its most successful projects was the “Christmas CRBT Campaign” for MTN. This audio production was the highest-selling call-ring-back tune of the year and helped to increase brand awareness for MTN. The company also provided credible artists to suit clients’ shows and created the perfect theme song to suit the show for Multichoice Africa’s “Music Production for Big Brother Africa Launch.”

In addition to its work in the public and private sectors, the company also has a strong track record of experiential marketing campaigns. One of its most successful projects was the “Last Longer Campaign” for Duracell. This campaign involved building a large racing track with remote-controlled cars for users to have fun and see that Duracell batteries last longer. The racetrack board was moved across all major malls in Lagos and was experienced by over a hundred thousand commuters.

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Sharpening Diamonds In The Sea Of Talent

Yet, amid the accolades and achievements, Apollo Endeavor isn’t your average talent mill. It is a breeding ground for excellence, where seasoned agents with eagle eyes and rolodexes full of coveted contacts look for the next generation of superstars. From actors with the charisma to captivate a nation to musicians with melodies that linger in the soul, Apollo Endeavor curates a client list that reads like a who’s who of the industry.

But how does Apollo Endeavor sift through the sea of talent to find the shining stars? Adewunmi shared insights into the company’s evolution. “In the beginning, it was me scouring social platforms, reaching out to talented creators. I sent a lot of messages, but not everybody responded,” he reveals. “As time went on and word of our quality service spread, we began receiving numerous inquiries from aspiring creators and industries.”

What sets them apart from other talent agencies in Africa? Adewunmi emphasises quality delivery: “It’s not just the concept; it’s how it’s delivered,” he explained. They seek creators who push boundaries and bring unique perspectives to their content.
Diversity is also key. While comedy is abundant, they recognise the potential in other genres.
“We believe there’s room for all types of content,” Adewunmi noted. “We’re intrigued by creators who offer something different, whether it’s through their storytelling or the themes they explore.”

With African content gaining global attention, bridging the gap between creators and international audiences is crucial. Adewunmi sheds light on Apollo Endeavor’s mission to contribute to the African creative ecosystem.
“At Apollo Endeavor, we’re focused on fostering a collaborative industry across Africa,” Adewunmi explains. “We invest in technical support solutions to optimise content and talents across various social platforms. Moreover, we’re dedicated to providing monetisation opportunities for creators, allowing them to generate revenue from their work.”

Building Bridges, Shaping Futures

Adewunmi’s commitment to the African content industry goes beyond Apollo Endeavor. He co-founded the African Creator Academy (ACA) and spearheaded the African Creators Summit, a groundbreaking event that brought together industry luminaries from across the continent.
“The African Creator Summit was a milestone event,” Adewunmi recalls. “We had a diverse panel of speakers, including influencers, policymakers, and industry experts, all coming together to discuss the future of content creation in Africa.”
Looking ahead, Adewunmi emphasises the importance of adapting to the evolving content creation landscape. “Creators are the new teachers; they’re the ones carving the narrative on how people make a lot of decisions on places they go, things they do, products they associate with, also lifestyle and then trends,” he says.