Alex Okosi, a Nigerian-born, US-educated media executive has been appointed by YouTube as the new Managing Director for emerging markets for YouTube in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Alex Okosi will be responsible for running YouTube’s business and partnership teams across emerging markets in EMEA including Russia, the Middle East, North and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Alex Okosi will report to the head of YouTube EMEA, Cécile Frot-Coutaz. Based in the London office, Okosi will start in April 2020.

“YouTube is a game-changing platform that plays an increasingly important role in our lives today through the dynamic content and innovation that it delivers,” Alex Okosi said.

“I am very excited to be joining Cecile’s leadership team to continue empowering creators and elevating value for viewers and partners across the region.”

Cecile Frot-Coutaz, said he brings a “wealth of experience in the content industries and has a track record for building businesses and audiences in established and new markets” and would “drive further expansion in these key markets.”

Alex Okosi in brief

1.) He was born in Enugu, South-East Nigeria and is the youngest of seven children (2 sisters and 4 brothers). He relocated to the US when he at age 12.

2.) He has worked for Viacom International media networks for 17 years. One of his key achievements was the developing and launching MTV Africa in February 2005.

3.) Before he was appointed by YouTube, he was the Executive VP & Managing Director at Viacom International Media Networks Africa & BET International.

4.) He attended Harvard Business School, Harvard Kennedy School, and University of Virginia Darden school of business according to his LinkedIn profile.

5.) He married his South African girlfriend, Ziyanda Mathe in 2017.

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