The Silverbird Group is a diversified multi-media company with holdings in Radio, Television, Real Estate, and Cinemas headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. The company was established in 1980 by Ben Murray-Bruce and counts Silverbird Cinemas and the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) and Mr Nigeria pageants amongst its holdings.[1] Its businesses divisions are Silverbird Properties, Silverbird Film Distribution, Silverbird Communications, Silverbird Cinemas, Silverbird Production, and Dream Magic Studios.[2]
In November 2022, the company signed a $145 Million financing deal with the African Export-Import Bank to construct the Ben Murray-Bruce Studios and Film Academy (BMB Studios and Film Academy) in Eko Atlantic City, in what is reported to be West Africa's largest educational and film studio complex.[3][4]
The origins of firm began in June 1980, when Benedict Murray-Bruce, son of a former UAC executive, secured funds from his family to start a music promotion enterprise. The business began during Nigeria's Second Republic and was involved in promotion of American music artists in Nigeria,[5] the firm organized promotions for such bands as The Whispers, Shalamar, Lakeside and Carrie Lucas.[6] The enterprise later delved into a dancing competition. The group later expanded into beauty pageant.[6]
In the 1990s, after the government liberalized the radio air waves, Silverbird established Rhythm 93.7 FM, initially, promoting a less talk more music brand. The radio started with old school jams and later began playing Afro hip hop. Though, Murray-Bruce also wanted a television license, his application was delayed as a result of conflicts with the management of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission. In 1999, Bruce was appointed director of NTA and was soon able to get approval for Silverbird Television. The television station initially filled programming slots with syndicated foreign shows.[5]
Silverbird ProductionsEdit
Silverbird Productions is a division of the company that organizes the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant which began as Miss Universe Nigeria in 1983 but was later renamed to its present name. This division is also responsible in the organization of the Mr Nigeria pageant.[7]
Silverbird CommunicationsEdit
The Silverbird Communications comprises the company's radio station Rhythm 93.7 FM and Silverbird Television. Rhythm 93.7 FM Lagos was established in 1997 while Silverbird Television commenced transmission in Lagos in 2003.[8] In 2002, Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt was established and Silverbird TV was also set up. In 2008 Rhythm 93.7 FM Jos was established to serve as the bedrock of entertainment in the media space on the Plateau
Silverbird CinemasEdit
Silverbird cinema building, Victoria Island, Lagos
The Silverbird Cinema is one of the biggest cinema chains in West Africa with 69 screens in branches across Nigeria, Accra and Nairobi.[9][10]
The first cinema was opened in May 2004 at the Silverbird Galleria in Victoria Island, Lagos. Massive commercial success has given rise to the opening of additional multiplexes in different locations across Nigeria. As of 2016[update], Silverbird has cinemas in the following cities in Nigeria: Abuja, Lagos, Uyo, Warri and Port Harcourt.[11]
Silverbird PropertiesEdit
Silverbird Properties is one of the fastest growing divisions of the company. This division is responsible for all real-estate related activities and it currently operates in Bayelsa State and Akwa Ibom State.[12]
Silverbird Film DistributionEdit
This division of the company is responsible for all film distribution activities.[13]
^Okwumbu-Imafidon, Ruth (2022-08-06). "Ben Murray-Bruce: The 'Common Sense' man who built one of Nigeria's biggest media conglomerates". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2022-11-13.
^"Afreximbank signs deal with Silverbird Entertainment for the construction of a world class film and studio complex in Nigeria". African Export-Import Bank. 2022-11-04. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
^"Nigeria: Afreximbank's Oromah signs $145m deal with Silverbird for 'Lagos Beverly Hills'". The Africa Report.com. 2022-11-09. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
^ abOfili, Chike (2006). "Silverbird: Celebrating Twenty Five Years of Imitations". Brandfaces. Brand Support Services (33). OCLC 54515558.
^ ab"Showbiz Runs In This Family". Tempo (Lagos). February 10, 1999.
^Ifeoma Ononye (1 November 2014). "As Mr. Nigeria, ladies always stalk me –Bakare". Daily Independent. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
^Ogbonna Amadi; Lolade Sowoolu (30 October 2010). "The Ben Bruce story". Vanguard. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
^"Silverbird Group Supports 3rd Eko International Film Festival". Eko International Film Festival. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
^Carmela Garritano (15 February 2013). African Video Movies and Global Desires: A Ghanaian History. Ohio University Press. pp. 214–. ISBN978-0-89680-484-5.
^"About Silverbird Cinemas. Nigeria's Leading Cinemas Chain". silverbirdcinemas.com. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
^"Silverbird Properties". Retrieved 3 August 2015.
^"Ramsay Nouah set to shine as Tempting Fate hits cinemas". The Sun. 13 June 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
^Leo Zeilig (2009). Class Struggle and Resistance in Africa. Haymarket Books. pp. 3–. ISBN978-1-931859-68-4.
silverbird, group, diversified, multi, media, company, with, holdings, radio, television, real, estate, cinemas, headquartered, lagos, nigeria, company, established, 1980, murray, bruce, counts, silverbird, cinemas, most, beautiful, girl, nigeria, mbgn, nigeri. The Silverbird Group is a diversified multi media company with holdings in Radio Television Real Estate and Cinemas headquartered in Lagos Nigeria The company was established in 1980 by Ben Murray Bruce and counts Silverbird Cinemas and the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria MBGN and Mr Nigeria pageants amongst its holdings 1 Its businesses divisions are Silverbird Properties Silverbird Film Distribution Silverbird Communications Silverbird Cinemas Silverbird Production and Dream Magic Studios 2 Silverbird GroupTrade nameSilverbird GroupFormerlySiverbird MagazineTypePrivateIndustryMass mediaFounded1980 1980 citation needed FounderBen Murray BruceHeadquartersVictoria Island Lagos Lagos State NigeriaAreas servedNigeria Kenya Ghana South AfricaKey peopleBen Murray Bruce Chairman Roy Murray BruceServicesReal estateEntertainmentWebsitewww wbr silverbirdgroup wbr comIn November 2022 the company signed a 145 Million financing deal with the African Export Import Bank to construct the Ben Murray Bruce Studios and Film Academy BMB Studios and Film Academy in Eko Atlantic City in what is reported to be West Africa s largest educational and film studio complex 3 4 Contents 1 History 2 Silverbird Productions 3 Silverbird Communications 4 Silverbird Cinemas 5 Silverbird Properties 6 Silverbird Film Distribution 6 1 Silverbird Mall 7 References 8 External linksHistory EditThe origins of firm began in June 1980 when Benedict Murray Bruce son of a former UAC executive secured funds from his family to start a music promotion enterprise The business began during Nigeria s Second Republic and was involved in promotion of American music artists in Nigeria 5 the firm organized promotions for such bands as The Whispers Shalamar Lakeside and Carrie Lucas 6 The enterprise later delved into a dancing competition The group later expanded into beauty pageant 6 In the 1990s after the government liberalized the radio air waves Silverbird established Rhythm 93 7 FM initially promoting a less talk more music brand The radio started with old school jams and later began playing Afro hip hop Though Murray Bruce also wanted a television license his application was delayed as a result of conflicts with the management of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission In 1999 Bruce was appointed director of NTA and was soon able to get approval for Silverbird Television The television station initially filled programming slots with syndicated foreign shows 5 Silverbird Productions EditSilverbird Productions is a division of the company that organizes the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant which began as Miss Universe Nigeria in 1983 but was later renamed to its present name This division is also responsible in the organization of the Mr Nigeria pageant 7 Silverbird Communications EditThe Silverbird Communications comprises the company s radio station Rhythm 93 7 FM and Silverbird Television Rhythm 93 7 FM Lagos was established in 1997 while Silverbird Television commenced transmission in Lagos in 2003 8 In 2002 Rhythm 93 7 FM Port Harcourt was established and Silverbird TV was also set up In 2008 Rhythm 93 7 FM Jos was established to serve as the bedrock of entertainment in the media space on the PlateauSilverbird Cinemas Edit Silverbird cinema building Victoria Island LagosThe Silverbird Cinema is one of the biggest cinema chains in West Africa with 69 screens in branches across Nigeria Accra and Nairobi 9 10 The first cinema was opened in May 2004 at the Silverbird Galleria in Victoria Island Lagos Massive commercial success has given rise to the opening of additional multiplexes in different locations across Nigeria As of 2016 update Silverbird has cinemas in the following cities in Nigeria Abuja Lagos Uyo Warri and Port Harcourt 11 Silverbird Properties EditSilverbird Properties is one of the fastest growing divisions of the company This division is responsible for all real estate related activities and it currently operates in Bayelsa State and Akwa Ibom State 12 Silverbird Film Distribution EditThis division of the company is responsible for all film distribution activities 13 Silverbird Mall Edit Main article Silverbird Galleria The Silverbird Mall is located in Victoria Island Lagos 14 It consists of the popular Silverbird Galleria 15 References Edit Okwumbu Imafidon Ruth 2022 08 06 Ben Murray Bruce The Common Sense man who built one of Nigeria s biggest media conglomerates Nairametrics Retrieved 2022 11 13 Businesses Silverbird silverbirdgroup com Retrieved 2022 11 13 Afreximbank signs deal with Silverbird Entertainment for the construction of a world class film and studio complex in Nigeria African Export Import Bank 2022 11 04 Retrieved 2022 11 12 Nigeria Afreximbank s Oromah signs 145m deal with Silverbird for Lagos Beverly Hills The Africa Report com 2022 11 09 Retrieved 2022 11 12 a b Ofili Chike 2006 Silverbird Celebrating Twenty Five Years of Imitations Brandfaces Brand Support Services 33 OCLC 54515558 a b Showbiz Runs In This Family Tempo Lagos February 10 1999 Ifeoma Ononye 1 November 2014 As Mr Nigeria ladies always stalk me Bakare Daily Independent Retrieved 3 August 2015 Ogbonna Amadi Lolade Sowoolu 30 October 2010 The Ben Bruce story Vanguard Retrieved 3 August 2015 Silverbird Group Supports 3rd Eko International Film Festival Eko International Film Festival 3 November 2012 Retrieved 3 August 2015 Carmela Garritano 15 February 2013 African Video Movies and Global Desires A Ghanaian History Ohio University Press pp 214 ISBN 978 0 89680 484 5 About Silverbird Cinemas Nigeria s Leading Cinemas Chain silverbirdcinemas com Retrieved 2016 04 09 Silverbird Properties Retrieved 3 August 2015 Ramsay Nouah set to shine as Tempting Fate hits cinemas The Sun 13 June 2015 Retrieved 3 August 2015 Leo Zeilig 2009 Class Struggle and Resistance in Africa Haymarket Books pp 3 ISBN 978 1 931859 68 4 Silverbird Cinemas Silverbird galleria Lagos Nigeria Lagos Nigeria Real Estate Advisor Retrieved 3 August 2015 External links EditOfficial Website Silverbird Group on Bloomberg Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Silverbird Group amp oldid 1148795467, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
