Broadcasting
X3M Ideas Celebrates 10 years in Nigeria with Advertising Blueprint for the Next Decade
X3M Ideas, a pan-African creative advertising powerhouse marked its 10th anniversary with a grand rollout that featured a lineup of activities including a new logo and website.
The agency’s new look throws a spotlight on its proposition, ‘Finding X’, which unlocks the blueprint for advertising in Africa as it provides unique solutions to the constantly changing consumer demands and habits for existing and future clients.
‘Finding X’ is X3M Ideas’ distinctive pathway to maximise Africa’s fast-growing consumer market, with consumer expenditure on the continent projected to reach $2.1 trillion by 2025 and $2.5 trillion by 2030. The unusual framework, by design, will drive a competitive edge and advance global advertising practice.
Steve Babaeko, Founder, X3M Ideas who is also the President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), says, “If it isn’t already clear by now, advertising has become more complex than ever before. And developing transformative strategies to satisfy consumers and advance the industry is becoming a more challenging task with each passing year.
“We are excited to rev up our strategy in meeting client and consumer demands and providing the creative advertising industry with the necessary framework for achieving business goals.”
In true fashion, X3M Ideas’ lineup of exciting activities to commemorate its 10th anniversary has featured a two-month-long event which effectively kicked into gear in the first week of June with teaser videos featuring the agency’s leadership: Steve Babaeko; Michael Miller; Obaro Obiuwevbi; Vivian Obiano; Olasunkanmi Atolagbe; Folahan Salam and Adenike Odutola.
The unveiling of the agency’s new logo and the website was followed by a launch of a unique content platform for fashion, sports, games/comedy, and talk shows, XStream as well as some curated NFTs for sale, with earnings from the sale diverted to support Mental Health causes.
Mike Miller, Executive Creative Director, X3M Ideas, said, “These activities are reflective of the thought and creativity that goes into our approach to providing unique solutions for the brands we work for. We wanted our celebration of this milestone to be a memorable one and an all-inclusive lineup of activities is the perfect way to do that.”
The two-month-long celebration of the anniversary also featured a Hackathon, X-NFT release, and X-Stream launch, alongside renovations to the agency’s offices and a climax with the X Party in the final week.
The grand event was attended by various clients of X3M Ideas and industry experts, while the staff of the agency received awards for their outstanding performances and performed songs from an unreleased music album featuring the talented staff of X3M Ideas.
Founded in 2012, X3M Ideas has adopted a through-the-line marketing approach backed by sound strategy and unique thinking. In its 10 years of operations, the agency’s unmatched innovative ideas and business practice have attracted multiple prestigious honours, including ‘Best Agency in Sustainability’ at 2020 Brandcom Awards, ‘2020 Outstanding Creative Agency of the Year’ by Marketing Edge, ‘Nigeria’s Number 1 Creative Agency’ at 2021 LAIF Awards, and a 2021 New York Festival Shortlist.
As it celebrates a decade of excellence with a unique transformational framework, the agency operating out of Nigeria, Dubai, Congo, Kenya, South Africa, and Zambia is committed to becoming a top 10 global creative solution provider by 2025.
Bright Echefu, chief executive officer, Telecom Satellites Limited (TStv), and three co‑defendants appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday on an amended twelve‑count indictment brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges allege money laundering, tax evasion, and investment fraud involving approximately ₦1 billion and $1.3 million.
Bright Echefu, chief executive officer, TStv
In addition to Echefu, the defendants are TStv Executive Director, Felix Igboanuga, Telecom Satellites Limited itself, and Briechberg Investment Ltd.
According to the April 5, 2025, amended charge sheet the EFCC accuses the quartet of defrauding Mr. Tanimu Turaki, Managing Director of Kalsiyam Global and former Minister of Special Duties, alongside BYI General Limited, out of a combined investment of ₦1 billion and $1.3 million. The commission has also included a ₦66 million alleged tax default.
The revised indictment lists:
Count 2: ₦33,909,542.47 in unremitted Company Income Tax
Count 3: ₦13,519,382.00 in unremitted VAT
Count 4: ₦19,488,860.00 in unremitted PAYE
Counts 5–12: Various fraud‑related transactions, including ₦380 million from Kalsiyam Farm, ₦400 million from BYI General Ltd and $1.35 million in loans secured under false pretences.
All defendants pleaded not guilty once again. At the hearing before Justice Mohammed Umar, Echefu’s lead counsel, Senior Advocate Eyitayo Fatogun, informed the court of ongoing settlement discussions with the complainants.
“There are moves to settle this matter and there was a meeting on Saturday between myself and the Nominal Complainant as it is about investment,” Fatogun stated.
“The Defendants have paid some money and I was thinking that the matter be adjourned for report of settlement.”
EFCC counsel A.S. Tomwell confirmed receipt of those payments but emphasized the necessity of entering a plea before considering any adjournment. The court thus ordered the formal reading of the charges and adjourned the trial to October 15, 2025.
The government of Ghana has ordered MultiChoice Ghana to reduce DSTV subscription costs by 30%, noting the significant appreciation of local currency and growing dissatisfaction with current rates.
This comes as Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has fined MultiChoice Nigeria ₦766,242,500 for breaching the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).
According to Mr Babatunde Bamigboye, head Legal, Enforcement & Regulations, NDPC, the investigation, which commenced in the second quarter of 2024, was triggered by suspected breach of privacy rights of Multichoice subscribers and illegal cross-border transfer of personal data of Nigerians.
MultiChoice, which operates across Africa, continues to lose revenue and subscribers.
Ghana’s minister of communication, digital technology, and innovation, Samuel Nartey George, made the call last week during a meeting with a DSTV team led by Dr. Keabetswe Modimoeng, group executive for regulatory and corporate affairs.
According to a ministry statement, George said the government’s responsibility is to respond to Ghanaians’ concerns over high DSTV pricing and outdated content offers.
The Minister pointed out that despite a 30% increase in the cedi’s value over the past five months; DSTV prices have not reflected the positive economic trend.
The statement went on to say the minister is therefore calling for a 30% price reduction to match the cedi’s appreciation and to pass on economic benefits to consumers.
According to the statement, while MultiChoice has implemented promotional packages, people prefer a direct price reduction over temporary discounts.
George said feedback from public engagements revealed that many users are dissatisfied with DSTV’s content, describing it as outdated save for Premier League football. They also believe that the current cost is not justified.
”To address the concerns, he said MultiChoice Ghana has until July 21 to formally respond to the government’s request. The Minister expects a concrete proposal by this date, allowing time for further engagement before the end of July,” the statement said.
In response, Dr. Modimoeng acknowledged the government’s concerns and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to dialogue.
The MultiChoice team reacted positively to the minister’s request and committed to provide input by July 21st. They emphasised the need of balancing public interest and business sustainability.
This is the continent’s latest pricing conundrum for the pan-African pay-TV business, following fee disputes with Nigerian and Malawian authorities.
In Ghana, the demand for price cuts comes as MultiChoice is under pressure, having lost revenue and subscribers in the financial year that ended March 31, 2025. Last month, the company announced its financial year-end results.
In a statement to shareholders last month on the Stock Exchange News Service, the company said the past two financial years have been a period of significant financial disruption for economies, corporates and consumers across Sub-Saharan Africa due to challenging macro-economic factors.
Combined with the impact of structural industry changes in video entertainment, such as the rise of piracy, streaming services and social media, this has materially affected the overall performance of the MultiChoice Group, it noted.
Over this period, MultiChoice said the group lost 2.8 million active linear subscribers and had to absorb a R10.2 billion negative impact on its top line due to local currency depreciation against the US dollar.
For the year, the company reveals that linear subscribers were down 1.2 million, or 8% year-on-year, to 14.5 million active subscribers, with the loss evenly split between South African (600 000) and rest of Africa (600 000).
Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has fined MultiChoice Nigeria ₦766,242,500 for breaching the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).
NDPC is a public institution that processes data in furtherance of its mandate as Nigeria’s data protection authority and relies on recognised lawful bases for data processing, such as consent, legal obligation, and contract.
The fine was contained in a statement signed by Mr Babatunde Bamigboye, head Legal, Enforcement & Regulations, NDPC.
According to him, the investigation, which commenced in the second quarter of 2024, was triggered by suspected breach of privacy rights of Multichoice subscribers and illegal cross-border transfer of personal data of Nigerians.
“The NDPC found, among others, that Multichoice violated the data privacy rights of subscribers and their friends who are not necessarily subscribers.
The Commission also found that Multichoice carries out illegal cross-border transfer of personal data relating to data subjects in Nigeria.
The depth of data processing by Multichoice is patently intrusive, unfair, unnecessary, and disproportionate.
This is a grave affront to fundamental right to privacy as enshrined in Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In line with its standard remediation procedure, the Commission directed Multichoice to carry out appropriate remedial measures.
However, the Commission found the measures undertaken by Multichoice in this regard unsatisfactory.
For want of cooperation, the Commission has directed Multichoice to pay ₦766,242,500 for violating the Nigerian Data Protection Act.
“Nigeria is entitled to protect her citizens and data sovereignty under both international and extant municipal laws, as these have far-reaching implication for rule of law, national security, and economic growth.” the statement said.
Babatunde also revealed that, Vincent Olatunji, national Commissioner, NDPC, has directed that all outlets through which Multichoice is collecting personal data of Nigerian citizens should be investigated for non-compliance.
He added that any outlet that processes personal data in violation of the NDP Act is liable to penalty under the Act.
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