Alex Okosi is the MD of YouTube EMEA Emerging Markets. He sets the strategy to drive profitable growth for YouTube in the region and ensures the success of partners across key verticals, encompassing music, artists, creators, gamers & media.
He played a key role in landing the company’s $100M Black Voices Fund in EMEA, and partnered with Idris Elba to launch the annual Africa Day Benefit Concert. He is also an Executive member of the Google and YouTube committees to drive and deliver the brands’ racial equity commitments across EMEA.
He has proven international media and tech executive with 20+ years’ experience building successful businesses and brands in the US, Europe, Middle East & Africa. He is known for developing high performing teams, creating ground-breaking content and unearthing global entertainment talent.
Prior to YouTube, Alex spent 22 years at ViacomCBS, beginning his career in the MTV Trade Marketing team in New York, before moving to Affiliate Sales, and subsequently the International Strategy & Business Development team (LA/London).
A defining career moment came in 2003 when he authored the business plan for ViacomCBS’ first channel business in Africa, MTV Base. After the 2005 launch, Alex led and scaled the business into a 10-channel, pan-African multiplex with 100+ million viewers.
His role expanded to encompass global leadership/P&L responsibility for Viacom CBS’ Live Events, delivering 200+ events. He also assumed responsibility for driving the growth of BET International, comprising TV & SVOD businesses in over 50 countries. Alex rounded out his successful career at ViacomCBS as EVP & MD.
Innovative, disruptive initiatives created by Alex in this period include MTV Africa Music Awards, MTV Base Meets, Nickelodeon’s Genius, Comedy Central Africa International Festival, NickFest, & BET Experience Africa. Passionate about developing talent and creativity, Alex championed campaigns that would unearth global talent such as Trevor Noah, Lupita Nyong’o, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, Nomzamo Mbatha.
During his career, Alex’s achievements have been recognised by accolades such as: World Economic Forum Young Global Leader; All Africa Business Leader Award Finalist; Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Marketing of Nigeria; Ai Investment & Business Leader Awards: “Up & Coming Future Leader of the Year”. He featured in New African Magazine’s “Africa’s 50 Trailblazers Under 50”
In 2021 Alex joined the Powerlist 2022 as one of the UK’s 100 most influential people of African heritage.
Well done!!
We proudly name you among the Most Influential People of African Descent!!
