ZUKU ANNOUNCES ONE MILLION DOLLAR SPONSORSHIP OF ZIFF

ZUKU today announced its headline event sponsorship of the Zanzibar International Film Festival for a period of 10 years from 2012 to 2022 inclusive, with a focus on supporting ZIFF’s film and festival promotion and marketing program.

The sponsorship, which is for a period of ten year’s will be for $100,000 per annum and will include an incremental raise.

Wananchi Group CEO, Richard Bell, said the agreement represented a significant step forward for the partnership, which would see ZUKU become headline sponsor of ZIFF. “Of course, as the festival grows and develops we may both see different needs and opportunities - but this should give us a solid footing to start on”, he said.

“We do not, however, mean to lock out other sponsors/contributors and collaborators. On the contrary, we would hope that our long term involvement would help attract greater consistency from other partners.”

Lauding the momentous occasion Chairman of Wananchi Group, Ali Mufuruki added, "As a broadcaster, ZUKUis deeply invested in the growth and success of East Africa's creative and content industries. It is therefore with pride that we enter into this association with ZIFF, which has for the last 15 years been instrumental in celebrating and enabling film making from the region and around the world." 

Speaking of partnership from Geneva, the ZIFF Chairman, Mr.Mahmoud Thabit Kombo said he had been overwhelmed by the high level of confidence in the company’s sponsorship of ZIFF. “ZIFF is a huge part of African culture and as a proud Zanzibari organisation we are pleased to extend this great relationship,” he said.

ZUKU’s initial ten-year agreement concludes at the end of the 2022 season and The ZIFF chair said the partnership would by then have evolved into a strong business and community relationship. “While we like seeing the ZUKU logo side by side with ZIFF, our partnership goes well beyond branding,” he said. “As ZUKU spreads its wings to capture the pay TV market in East and Central Africa, ZIFF will work closely together with ZUKU to develop the film and media entertainment industry”.

The partnership is a beacon of innovative marketing for investors and entrepreneurs who have a vision for economic growth and employment creation in all sectors, especially tourism and entertainment. Working to promote the local creative industries, ZIFF and ZUKU will help create employment opportunities for filmmakers, producers and actors throughout the region. 

“ZUKU is the fastest growing Pay TV provider in East Africa, aiming to offer high-quality, affordable home entertainment services. It is currently available in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda with plans to roll out to neighboring countries."

ZIFF will take place between 7th and 15th July 2012.