The launch event, which held at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, featured music performances from up-and-coming artistes, a live demo of the web platform, and a question and answer section.
The platform was officially launched by the Managing Director, Cadbury West Africa, Oyeyimika Adeboye. In attendance were representatives from Cadbury West Africa, experts from the music and entertainment sector, and young music enthusiasts.
Adeboye affirmed the company’s commitment to supporting young people in making a success of their creative inclinations. “TomTom is not just a refreshing mint candy, but a brand that recognises its social responsibility, with visible impact. Breathe Academy is an investment by Cadbury Nigeria Plc as our commitment to nurturing the next generation of music-industry trailblazers. We are ecstatic to provide a platform that not only imparts knowledge, but also fosters creativity, community, and success,” he said.
The Academy, which has been designed for music creatives between the ages of 18 and 34, provides access to real-time online learning and a comprehensive curriculum covering various facets of the music business. Students will delve into the art of songwriting; master the intricacies of music production; unlock the secrets of effective artist management; and discover the latest trends in music marketing.
Speaking on the brand’s investment in music creatives and young talent, Category Lead, Gum and Candy, Cadbury West Africa, Morolake Emokpaire, said, “It is beautiful to see TomTom’s relevance through generations as the only black-and-white striped candy in Nigeria. Whether you are a professional giving a presentation or a music lover needing to clear your throat in the studio, the brand is right there in your pocket. But it is more than that; it is also about our social mission. For every TomTom we sell, we want to give more value to the youth. We are invested in discovering young creatives and giving them one step up to shine. After sitting with young people to understand the pain-points, we realised this was a burden we could easily address. That’s why we are really glad we are here today – because the platform is one of the pillars through which we can nurture young talent. We will do more, but we want our users and fans to spread the word in getting more young creatives on board.”
A major highlight of the event was the demo presentation by the web development team. The presentation highlighted the user-centric approach to development, creating an intuitive and immersive learning environment for students, and ensuring they have the tools they need to thrive.
In addition to its online offering, Breathe Academy will partner with music stakeholders across the value chain, including record labels and creative management firms, to provide added value to its users, including exclusive access to experienced music executives and stakeholders, depending on defined selection criteria.
The Academy was born out of the brand’s commitment to discover, nurture and showcase music talent through its ‘Breathe for It’ platform. Some notable winners and beneficiaries of its activities include Mani Lapush and Hayzee who participated in its 2021 Verse Challenge.
It continues to support the growth of music talent through Breathe Academy, strategic partnerships and sponsorship of events, such as the Clout Talk Concert, Ric Hassani Live, Pulse Fiesta, Vector’s Album Listening Party, DJ Consequence’s ‘Vibe of the Year’ party, and the 2022 MTV Base Cypher.
