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Basketball Africa League to Host Series of Youth Development, Community Service and Business Events during 2022 BAL Playoffs and Finals

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2022 BAL Finals on Saturday, May 28 at 12:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. CAT will air in Africa on ESPN, Canal+, VisionView TV and Voice of America (VOA) Radio

KIGALI, Rwanda, May 21, 2022/ — Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD), New Fortress Energy (NFE), RwandAir and Visit Rwanda to Support Events and Activations During 2022 BAL (www.theBAL.com ). Playoffs and Finals fromMay 21-28 in Kigali, Rwanda; 2022 BAL Finals on Saturday, May 28 at 12:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. CAT Will Air in Africa on ESPN, Canal+, VisionView TV and Voice of America (VOA) Radio, and Around the World on American Forces Network (AFN), ESPNews, NBA TV International, Tencent Sports, TSN, the NBA App, NBA.com and NBA.com/BAL.

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) today announced a series of youth development, community service and business events that will take place during the 2022 BAL Playoffs and Finals, which tip off today at Kigali Arena in Rwanda and will culminate with the second BAL Finals on Saturday, May 28 at 12:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. CAT. 

Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD), New Fortress Energy (NFE), RwandAir and Visit Rwanda will collaborate with the BAL to support events and activations throughout the week.  The BAL’s roster of world-class partners includes Foundational Partners NFE, Rwanda Development Board (RDB), NIKE, Jordan Brand and Wilson; and official partners Air Senegal, Attorney General Alliance (AGA) – Africa, Destination Senegal, Envol City and Hennessy.

The single-elimination BAL Playoffs will feature the top eight teams from the league’s Sahara and Nile Conferences group phases hosted in Dakar, Senegal (March 5-15) and Cairo, Egypt (April 9-19), respectively. Tickets for the BAL Playoffs and Finals are on sale now in several categories, including group tickets, premium tickets and standard tickets.  Fans can purchase tickets by visiting BAL.NBA.com/BAL-kigali-ticketing.

Below are highlights of the week’s events and activations:

Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD)

The BAL will collaborate with AFD to promote “Alley-Oop Africa,” an original docuseries and awareness campaign for African youth that highlights how sports and athletes can drive positive behavioral change in support of sustainable development, health and gender equality.  Twenty boys and girls from seven African countries took part in the recording of the docuseries in March 2022, several of whom will participate in youth development and basketball activities during the BAL Playoffs and Finals.  The docuseries will air later this year with additional details and distribution plans to be announced at a later date.

RwandAir

Returning as the Official Airline Partner of the 2022 BAL Playoffs and Finals, RwandAir is facilitating travel to and from Kigali for BAL teams, staff and guests.

BAL Environmental Day of Service

The first BAL Environmental Day of Service projects took place at Umusambi Village in Kigali from May 19-20.  Seven BAL teams attended the event, where they explored the Umusambi Village and planted tree seedlings as part of the league’s Three for Trees initiative in partnership with NFE.  For every three-pointer made during the BAL season, the BAL and NFE will donate three trees to be planted in the home country of the BAL team with the most made three-pointers throughout the season.

BAL4Her

The third BAL4Her Day, in partnership with Visit Rwanda, will take place tomorrow and bring together 50 young women from six local organizations to take part in a workshop and networking session with female leaders from the sports industry focused on building careers in sports.  The workshop will include a panel discussion with NBA Vice President and Country Head of Nigeria Gbemisola Abudu and group discussions with 13 females across the sports industry.  After the workshop, participants will take part in a networking session with BAL staff before receiving a VIP game-day experience at the Zamalek – S.L.A.C game.

BAL Coaches Clinic

On Sunday, May 22 and Monday, May 23, Indiana Pacers assistant coach Lloyd Pierce and Detroit Pistons assistant coach Bill Bayno will lead a BAL Coaches Clinic for more than 70 basketball coaches from the local community.  The clinic will offer tools and strategies to help the coaches enhance their player basketball development curriculum.  Coaches who are unable to attend in-person can also join the clinic via Zoom by registering here.

BAL Innovation Summit

The inaugural BAL Innovation Summit in conjunction with Africa Day on Wednesday, May 25 will bring together African leaders from business, entertainment, sports, social entrepreneurship and beyond to discuss the enormous growth opportunities on the continent.  The event, which will be held at the Kigali Convention Centre, will highlight the creative identities of Africa through the lens of arts, culture, heritage, business and innovation, and mobilize the individuals who have the power to unlock opportunities and build toward a stronger and more connected Africa of tomorrow.

BAL Elevate Showcase

The inaugural BAL Elevate Showcase will feature top prospects from NBA Academy Africa taking on the U-23 Rwanda National Team at Kigali Arena on Friday, May 27 at 9:30 p.m. CAT.  The game, which will showcase the next generation of African players, will air live in Africa on ESPN Africa, Canal + and Visionary TV, in the U.S. on ESPN+, and around the world on NBA TV International.  The game will also livestream on the NBA App, NBA.com and NBA.com/BAL.

In the opening game of the 2022 BAL Playoffs, Angola’s Petro de Luanda (4-1) will take on Morocco’s AS Salé (3-2) at 8:30 a.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CAT, followed by Rwanda’s REG (4-1) against Cameroon’s F.A.P (2-3) at noon ET / 6 p.m. CAT.  The quarterfinals will continue tomorrow with Tunisia’s US Monastir (4-1) facing South Africa’s Cape Town Tigers (2-3) at 8:30 a.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CAT, followed by defending BAL champion Zamalek of Egypt (5-0) against Guinea’s S.L.A.C (2-3) at noon ET / 6 p.m. CAT.

Winners of the quarterfinal matchups will meet in the semifinals on May 25 for the chance to advance to the 2022 BAL Finals, which will air in Africa on ESPN, Canal+, VisionView TV and Voice of America (VOA) radio, and around the world on American Forces Network (AFN), ESPNews, NBA TV International, Tencent Sports, TSN, the NBA App, NBA.com and NBA.com/BAL.

2022 Basketball Africa League Playoffs and Finals Hype Video – https://bit.ly/38BLyf9 (Credit: BAL)


Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Basketball Africa League (BAL).

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“Kids Say the Darndest Things” Makes a Triumphant Return for the Series in Africa with Paramount Global and What Media Group Partnership

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The collaborative force behind the new season aims to enhance the viewer experience by delivering a world class production of the Paramount Global Content Distribution series alongside the local expertise of What Media Group

LAGOS, Nigeria, June 26, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The family favourite, “Kids Say the Darndest Things”,  is back for its third season, bringing more laughs, more surprises, and more heartwarming moments. This season marks a groundbreaking partnership between the iconic show and two entertainment powerhouses: Paramount Global Content Distribution and What Media Group (www.TheWhatMediaGroup.com). With the broadcast platform being The What Network and the production partner being Mansa Studios, the show is set to deliver its unique blend of humour and authenticity to audiences.

The collaborative force behind the new season aims to enhance the viewer experience by delivering a world class production of the Paramount Global Content Distribution series alongside the local expertise of What Media Group. This format licensing deal is not just a commitment to quality entertainment but a celebration of African children and their unique voices and perspectives.

“We are thrilled to be working with What Media Group to bring the Kids Say the Darndest Things format to audiences across Africa,” says Lauren Marriott, SVP, Content Partnerships and Brand Strategy, Paramount Global Content Distribution. “Opening up the show across the African continent will allow kids and parents alike to watch this hilarious reimagined format together as a family.”

We are thrilled to be working with What Media Group to bring the Kids Say the Darndest Things format to audiences across Africa

CEO of WHAT MEDIA GROUP, Chichi Nwoko, echoed this enthusiasm, emphasizing the show’s commitment to celebrating the diversity and originality of African Kids: “With the support of Paramount, we’re setting the stage for a season like no other.  We’re dedicated to maintaining the show’s essence, where the candidness of our young stars takes centre stage. In the past the show focussed on Kids from Nigeria, but this year we are excited to open it up to kids from across the African Continent. Our aim is to keep the content fresh, engaging, and true to the experiences of today’s connected and vibrant generation.”

Prepare to be amused, amazed, and moved as “Kids Say the Darndest Things Africa” brings the unfiltered brilliance and humour of Africa’s children to the forefront, in what promises to be the most memorable season yet.

The new season promises a diverse cast of children from across Africa, sharing their spontaneous and often hilarious insights on life. In keeping with the show’s tradition, these young stars are not professional actors, and they are not rehearsed.  This ensures that their responses remain genuine and unpredictable as we never know what they are going to say.

As “Kids Say the Darndest Things Africa” prepares for its return, the production team is hard at work, setting the groundwork for a season that promises to captivate, entertain, and inspire. Casting calls will be announced shortly, inviting children aged 4 to 11 from all over Africa to share their unique perspectives.

The U.S. version of “Kids Say the Darndest Things” is produced by CBS Studios in association with Anvil 1893 Entertainment and She Ready Productions. The format rights are licensed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

Stay tuned for more information on auditions, premiere dates, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content as we get ready to embark on another unforgettable journey with Africa’s youngest and brightest stars.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of What Media Group.

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Inner Drive: An epic journey, told through individual narratives

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This narrative delves deep into the butterfly effect of positive impact, illustrating how inDrive’s initiatives have rippled through communities, creating waves of change that extend far beyond their initial touchpoints

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 9, 2024/APO Group/ — 

How does a startup, founded far from the advantages and resources of the world’s tech hubs, go on to reach unicorn status? And more deeply, just how far can the drive for meaning and purpose ultimately take you? The inDrive documentary (www.inDrive.com) sets out to answer these questions.

In an exclusive premier in Johannesburg, South Africa, the inDrive documentary offered audiences a rare glimpse into the heart and soul of the company, with never-before-seen footage and candid stories from the individuals at inDrive’s roots, including founder and CEO Arsen Tomsky.

Far from being a run-of-the-mill corporate film, this narrative delves deep into the butterfly effect of positive impact, illustrating how inDrive’s initiatives have rippled through communities, creating waves of change that extend far beyond their initial touchpoints.

In the frozen Yakutsk winter, a group of people band together against the unfair price collusion of taxi companies that leaves people stranded in the cold. One of them starts a social media group where people can request and offer rides, negotiating prices on their own terms.

It’s a simple enough idea, but it carries the potential to be revolutionary. From this frozen seed, a collective stance against injustice, inDrive takes root. Today, the company has grown to become the world’s second largest ride-hailing app, operating in over 700 cities in 46 countries, fuelled by deep-seated ideals and ambitions that extend far beyond profit.

inDrive wants to reimagine capitalism, no less: to put people back in control, restore their freedom to choose, and so make their lives better.

Among the heartwarming tales shared, the film follows the journey of Obadiah, a young Nigerian boy once enveloped in the despair of his surroundings. inDrive’s Beginit initiative is now paving the way for a brighter future for him and many others.

In making this film with inDrive, we hope to honor the resilience and determination of individuals whose dreams lead to something profound

Reflecting on the film and its message, inDrive Founder and CEO Arsen Tomsky said: “We should focus on the path, on the journey. And if you do something important for you, that is very meaningful for you, and you develop an external environment during that journey, you are getting more and more with each step. And that is something which nobody can take from you. Even if you don’t reach a peak, you will have something available to you.”

The production is directed by Lagos/Nairobi-based, Emmy Award winner Dan McCain, and Greek producer and editor Theo Papadoulakis, each renowned for their talents in portraying everyday individuals facing remarkable situations. Dan is a prolific filmmaker who specializes in locally relevant and impactful storytelling, while Papadoulakis, recognized with over 70 international accolades, particularly excels in showcasing the resilience of the human spirit.

“In making this film with inDrive, we hope to honor the resilience and determination of individuals whose dreams lead to something profound. It’s a privilege to be part of a multi-country international production, collaborating with other talented directors, where we weave together inspiring narratives that add to the epic tale of human potential,” said Dan McCain.

Person by person, the documentary tells inDrive’s story. From the remarkable individuals in Nigeria, Indonesia, Mexico and beyond, who use the ride-hailing app to take control of their futures, to the communities who take their chance to move forward.

From Arsen Tomsky, the company’s visionary CEO, who overcomes challenges both personal and social to take an idea to the world, to the employees who come on board to help inDrive evolve and grow, fuelled by shared values and a common goal. It’s an epic journey, told by connecting people around the world. And it’s far from over.

Watch the inDrive movie here: movie.inDrive.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of inDrive.

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DC and Zebra Comics Announce Collaboration on Joker: The World Anthology

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Anthology to Include an Original Story Featuring a Never-Before-Seen Version of the Clown Prince of Crime, Created by African Storytellers

Egalement disponible en Français

DOUALA, Cameroon, April 26, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Zebra Comics PLC (https://Zebra-Comics.com), a leader in African comic book publishing, announces a collaboration with DC, part of Warner Bros. Discovery and one of the world’s largest publishers of comics and graphic novels, to co-create and develop a story for DC’s upcoming hardcover anthology Joker: The World.

Joker: The World is an anthology that brings together an international consortium of creators and publishers to explore diverse interpretations of the iconic DC Super-Villain.

Among the esteemed contributors to this anthology, Zebra Comics PLC has enlisted the team of writer Dr. Ejob Gaius and artist Bertrand Mbozo’o Zeh to create a unique story titled “Black Therapy.” Set against the rich backdrop of Cameroon, in the heart of Central Africa, “Black Therapy” marks a historic moment in comics: for the first time The Joker will be reimagined in an original story, tailored to a local audience, developed by an all-African creative team and placed within the vibrant tapestry of the African continent.

“This collaboration with DC represents a monumental leap forward for African representation in the global comic book industry,” stated Ejob Nathanael Ejob, CEO of Zebra Comics PLC. “We are immensely proud to pioneer this endeavor, introducing a new and original version of The Joker to a worldwide audience, while showcasing the unparalleled talent and creativity of African storytellers.”

“Black Therapy” promises to deliver a gripping narrative that explores The Joker’s sinister machinations within the unique context of Cameroon, offering readers an exhilarating new perspective on the iconic character.

Joker: The World is slated for release on the Zebra Comics app and website on September 17, 2024, and at participating comic book shops, booksellers, and mass-market retailers/e-tailers in the United States, Spain, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Japan, Korea, Cameroon, Poland, and Argentina.

To preorder this iconic comic, visit the Zebra Comics app or website at https://Zebra-Comics.com. Simply click preorder (https://Zebra-Comics.com) and you will be given firsthand access to Joker: The World once it’s released this September.

Further details will be communicated in the lead-up to the anthology’s September 17 release.

This collaboration with DC represents a monumental leap forward for African representation in the global comic book industry

For more information about Zebra Comics PLC and its groundbreaking initiatives, please visit their website at https://Zebra-Comics.com, their Android (https://apo-opa.co/4aSxHM9) and iOS (https://apo-opa.co/44j0ozs) apps, and their Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4aQDS3r), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4aSxIQd), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/3xR1eaD), LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.co/4aSxJnf), TikTok (https://apo-opa.co/4bcrj21), and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3xTyb67) pages.

This collaboration between Zebra Comics PLC and DC heralds a new chapter in the annals of comic book history, showcasing the power of storytelling in transcending borders and igniting imaginations worldwide.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Zebra Comics PLC.

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