"There is no Industry in PORTHARCOURT" - Mr. ISAAC UTERE, CEO MEDIAWORKS #INTERVIEWFRIDAY

Mr. Isaac Utere is the brain behind talent breeding outfit MEDIAWORKS, which has been organizing highly popular Street Concerts. MEDIAWORKS which was established about 7years ago and is now the Biggest Creative Organization in NigerDelta. In another exciting edition of  #INTERVIEWFRIDAY, Mr. Isaac talks about his family, MEDIAWORKS, advice for parents concerning their kids creativity and talent, etc. Read the conversation below:

SEETEAZAIN: Greetings and Welcome to #INTERVIEWFRIDAY. How are you doing Sir?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: I'm doing very well, thank you.

SEETEAZAIN: Can you tell us about yourself?

MR. ISAAC UTERE: I am Mr Isaac Utere, from Akwa Ibom state. Lived a large part of my life here in PH city. I now live in Rumuokwurusi town, married with six kids.

SEETEAZAIN: How did you come up with MEDIAWORKS ?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: The name was born when we looked at all that we could offer prospective clients and decided to call our activities "Mediaworks". We were ready to ensure that you got all you needed in terms of creative output from one single point.

SEETEAZAIN: Is MEDIAWORK an entertainment outfit?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: Entertainment is part of what we undertake. Mediaworks is primarily a creative house where all creative activities take place such as Sports, Music, Dance, Videos, Arts and Crafts.

SEETEAZAIN: When and why did you decide to establish this great institution?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: I did not decide it. It originated when my first and second sons started doing things that i never thought would be possible in my house. My parent outfit is known as Recwin Nigeria and we are into Arts, Printing, Crafts and Sports. Mediaworks was actually inspired by activities of Leriq and Eddie Izycs on my dinning table where i had a computer for their home use way back.

LERIQ (R) and Father Mr. ISAAC

SEETEAZAIN: When did it became Official?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: It just evolved naturally through the years from a hobby idea to what we now see today as Mediaworks.

SEETEAZAIN: How many years ago?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: 7 years ago.

SEETEAZAIN: You seem to have the best creative team, how do u recruit your members?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: Like i said before, it runs in the family. So we don't really go out to recruit. Friends of the family naturally become members of the MEDIAWORKS CLAN. All my kids play vital roles with me taking the lead.

SEETEAZAIN: How did u get involved in the PortHarcourt Entertainment Industry?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: I was more into sports. Football, Volleyball and Basketball. The music thing was just a hobby in my house by Leriq and Eddie. Gradually i was drawn to it by the wonderful things they were doing. so i started organising activities for them and their friends to showcase what they got. And here we are today. Basically it was me just supporting their talents that has led to where we are today.

TEAM ETISALAT and Mr. ISAAC

SEETEAZAIN: Do you think the PH Industry has taken it's rightful place in the Nigerian Industry?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: From what i know now, it is where it can be for now. There is no rightful place in the industry. The field is wide and open. You are free to expand and fly as much as you are able to when you apply acceptable methods and standards to your practice. It will remain like this for a long time to come.

SEETEAZAIN: Who do you mean sir?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: I'm not talking about a person.

SEETEAZAIN: How would you rate the growth of the Industry in the last 5 years?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: There is no industry yet, so we can't measure growth. Maybe we can say there are more entertainment events happening in the city but if we want to look for a working and vibrant industry, it has not taken off yet.

SEETEAZAIN: So what do you suggest all the entertainers in PH have to do to establish this vibrant Industry?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: Its not the singular responsibility of entertainers to establish an industry. That's where investors come in who see the potentials imbedded here. Unfortunately we find ourselves in an environment where the people with the cash invest for fast returns and are influenced by the oil business. So for them to pick up, nurture talent and reap rewards in the future is too much for them. They make so much in short term L.P.O. businesses to the death of creative talents. Its affecting not just entertainment but sports, poetry, arts and crafts.

Talented Individuals at an Event organized by MEDIAWORKS

SEETEAZAIN: In other word you are saying we need more sponsors to improve our talents here in PH?


MR.ISAAC UTERE: The musician is just to make good songs, the promoter is to create and use the musicians, the investor puts his money where he thinks he is safe and can make profit. Radio, Television, Events, Shows, Branding and more. So we are stuck. Hopefully it will change but i don't know where it will happen from. Yes as you have noticed even the communication companies are not putting their money back here because they too have noticed the yawning gap. They are achieving milestones elsewhere, so they put all they have there and reap maximum benefits. We need the owners of the city to know that they need to invest not just in oil, but in other aspects of creative talents which will also benefit their kids and off springs in the future. When they don't do it, who will come from other cities to do it here? I wish i can really tell as it is here. Maybe one day we can do a verbal interview so i can paint the picture clearly.

SEETEAZAIN : Leriq who happens to be your son is a talented Music producer who was also in PH along side his good friend Burnaboy.They both left for Lagos few years ago, do u think the frustrations of the industry motivated that trip?

MR.ISAAC UTERE:  Yes, they moved to where they think investors will be interested in their work.

SEETEAZAIN: The likes of Timaya, Waconzy, Burnaboy, leriq, Nosa, Chyme HD, Mkaze and many others are talented individuals who left for Greener Pastures. Do u think it's a wise concept for us to continue to lose our talents to other cities?

Mr. ISAAC and son EDDIE

MR.ISAAC UTERE: They moved to where there is a visible and working industry. We are yet to have an industry here. We have the raw materials that can run it are here, but no structures on ground to absorb and put them to use. These will be done by those with the cash, the exposure and sense that its not just about profit making in the short term, but also to provide outlets for creative persons to be rewarded, while they make profits in the long term. There is nothing me and you can do for now than to keep doing the little we can hoping for a new mindset sooner than later.

SEETEAZAIN: Do you think other Entertainment establishments in the city share the same mindset with MEDIAWORKS?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: I would not know but am speaking from my own research, involvement and  conclusions.

SEETEAZAIN: You have a close relationship with GRAFTON RECORDS and SKULL ENTERTAINMENT, have you had a meeting concerning this issue?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: I've got my fingers burnt trying to paint this picture and am always misunderstood or maybe i've not been able do it properly. For now am keeping a low profile with my ideas.

SEETEAZAIN: You have been blessed with a Wonderful Family.....What role have you played in the success of your children?

UTERE FAMILY at the 2014 MALTINA DANCE ALL

MR.ISAAC UTERE: Firstly, Jehovah God has blessed me massively with these kids and also blessing me with the ability to notice and invest in their talents. That is exactly what should be happening in the larger society. I will be the ultimate gainer in the long run and already enjoying some of it. Gradually it's changing and you can imagine the next 5 to 10 years from now. It's important to note too that, all i've really been doing is provide the enabling environment for them to exhibit and showcase. Now people are investing in them and they are moving to higher and more exciting levels happily.

SEETEAZAIN: You have Leriq(producer behind Burnaboy's success), Eddie(Promising and talented Video Director), Rave( Fast rising Pop genius), and the 2 wonderful dancers Rony and Ray who featured in Shekini Video by Psquare. Anything out of the ordinary?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: So much more.

SEETEAZAIN: Leriq and Eddie have created a niche for themselves. Any plans for Rave and our young dancers?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: The two last boys RONY AND RAY are more than dancers. They good in arts and sports also. So i just watch them and support whatever they decide to major in. I have a son Slicky who is not into entertainment just football, basketball and academics.

The Twins RONY and RAY with brother  SLICKY

SEETEAZAIN: How did Rony and Ray get the Gig with Psquare?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: I just took advantage of a vibrant platform and Jehovah blessed the effort. Remember we are not the only ones looking for opportunities. So i recognise Jehovahs favor in our activities.

SEETEAZAIN: There are rumuors everywhere that since you won the Maltina Dance All you have gotten about the streets and concentrated on your family.Is this true?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: I've bought a new vehicle for street promo and i have posted online for artistes to submit their music videos as we go about promoting our music. How many of them have done so?. Am practically begging them to come lets be on the streets with our materials none is coming forward. I can't go to their home to drag them out. My first responsibility is to my family but if you come to my house you will see at least four other kids am carrying along. No man can try what i and my wife do in PH city. Last 2 weeks over 30 dancers were training in my house for a dance movie coming out soon. I've been driving about distributing the works of Bukwild and Fortune up to Yenagoa and Uyo. I had to go to Lamili's house to draw her into what am doing. So forget rumours and focus on realities.

New Vehicle for STREET PROMO

SEETEAZAIN : Any plans for more events this year?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: I do street show and beg them to come and collect the pics and videos of their performances, they won't come. Post it online so we can show that something is going on here in PH they won't. So now the game has changed and am going on the streets promoting music videos. I had one planned for February but had to shift it for the elctions. Am planning a music award.and also trying to penetrate Etisalat with the football coaching so that they too can be interested in our activities. Its a long term plan.

SEETEAZAIN: What have been the achievements of Mediaworks?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: Remaing afloat, impacting in our city and the people who are ready to work with us. Showing that supporting talent pays off eventually. Most important that Jehovah blesses hard creative work.

SEETEAZAIN: Any Awards so far?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: To Mediaworks, none.

SEETEAZAIN: Where do u see Mediaworks in the next 5 years?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: Our work is not recognized yet in PH city. But when Jehovah says its time, no one will stop the works of His children to be commended and rewarded. I can see Leriq leading his brothers to greater heights. By Jehovah's special grace, if He blesses me with long life i will see them making great impact in Nigeria and beyond.

UTERE WINS MALTINA DANCE ALL 2014

SEETEAZAIN : Any word of advice for talented youths across the country especially in PH and Niger Delta?

MR.ISAAC UTERE: Mediaworks will spread out eventually because my kids and their friends will be absorbed into bigger brands than Mediaworks, i will grow old and die but the ISAAC'S will keep on growing from strength to strength. Don't forget, MEDIAWORKS started with Leriq and Eddie. My own outfit is RECWIN NIGERIA. My advice is for parents and the general public.Invest in the skills and talent of your children. It will open up our society and give young people bigger, wider and better opportunities for growth and development. Crime and unemployment will reduce.

SEETEAZAIN: I think we have to leave you now because all our questions can't be answered immediately but hope to see you soon.Thanks for your precious time.

MR.ISAAC UTERE: Thank you too.

You can connect with MEDIAWORKS using any of the Social Media Channels below:
Twitter: @Media_Workz 
Facebook: Mediaworkz Isaac