Deola Art Alade is a visionary leader, culture shaper, and serial entrepreneur redefining the future of Africa’s creative and entertainment industries. As Group CEO of Livespot360, delivering immersive experiences, groundbreaking productions, and bold storytelling across entertainment, media, and technology. With over two decades of experience, Deola bridges global brands with African audiences, having crafted impactful experiences for Amazon, Netflix, Meta, Heineken, Microsoft, and more. At her core, Deola is driven by purpose: to champion women, nurture the next generation of African talent, and lead with inclusivity. As a Harvard Business School alumna, Deola brings an entrepreneurial spirit and sharp cultural insight to every venture, from producing Real Housewives of Lagos, The Voice Nigeria and Amazon’s LOL: Last One Laughing Nigeria, to founding Entertainment Week Lagos and scaling multiple businesses united by creativity and innovation
What inspired you to become a leader in Africa’s creative and entertainment industries, and how do you define your vision for the future in this space? What is the Livespot360 story?
I would describe myself as a visionary and a compassionate leader, inspired by genuinely investing in people and watching them grow from ‘seed form’ to powerhouses. I’ve always seen myself as a strategic thinker who thrives on building systems, solving problems, and connecting dots that others might miss. I didn’t become a leader to chase the spotlight, but to create platforms where others could shine. The vision behind Livespot360 was to build something bold and disruptive, a space where global creative standards meet local cultural fluency. Livespot360 was born out of a need to create work that blends cultural truth with creative ambition. From immersive live experiences to storytelling formats that resonate deeply with audiences, every venture has been grounded in both purpose and precision. My broader vision is to drive culture through creativity by building a scalable, exportable creative economy that bridges Africa with global industries without losing its soul. Whether it’s through LABSPOT, mentoring young women into leadership, or venturing into hospitality design, everything I do is about making space for others to grow, for stories to be told, and for culture to thrive.
Can you share some specific examples of immersive experiences or groundbreaking productions you’ve delivered at Livespot360 that exemplify your innovative approach?
One of our most defining productions was ‘Love Like A Movie’, the first of its kind in Africa. We merged immersive theatre, fashion, aerial choreography, live music, and dance into an unforgettable experience. It wasn’t just a show, it was a cultural moment. Then came ‘Livespot X Festival’, where we redefined what festivals could look like in Africa. We brought in global acts like Cardi B but infused the experience with multi-sensory environments and tech innovation rooted in African narratives. Others include Entertainment Week Lagos (now Entertainment Week Africa), Born In Africa Festival (BAFEST), Last One Laughing for Amazon, The Real Housewives of Lagos, The Voice Nigeria season 3 (wholly produced in Nigeria for the first time), and much more. Our work has always fused cinematic precision with cultural fluency. For me, innovation isn’t just about spectacle, it’s about resonance.
How do you approach bridging global brands like Amazon and Netflix with African audiences, and what unique challenges do you face in this process?
You can’t just sprinkle on local flavour and hope it lands. Bridging that gap requires a deep understanding of global brand ethos and how African audiences live, speak, and connect. At Livespot360, we rebuild from the inside out, ensuring experiences are globally credible yet culturally grounded and relevant. African audiences are highly discerning, they want authenticity, not adaptation. So our job is to create a seamless intersection between global storytelling and local nuance. The real challenge is overcoming outdated perceptions of African creativity. We’re not just another market, we’re a source of innovation. When we get it right, partnerships with global brands don’t just market to African consumers, they co-create with them, earning not just attention but trust.
In what ways do you actively champion women in the creative industries, and why is this cause particularly important to you?
This is personal. I’ve experienced firsthand the difference between being talented and being heard. Today, I lead by making room, not just for women to be present but for them to lead. Empowering women in the creative industries is not just a professional commitment for me but a personal mission. At Livespot360, women comprise the majority of our senior leadership, a reflection of our intentional approach to fostering female excellence. But empowerment, to me, goes beyond numbers. It’s about cultivating a culture of respect, inclusion, and support where every woman has the opportunity to succeed. This involves implementing mentorship programmes, offering leadership training, ensuring pay equity, and fostering a culture that values diversity and inclusion.
My approach is rooted in creating systems that allow women to grow, whether within Livespot or beyond. Through initiatives like LABSPOT, we provide platforms for emerging female creatives to develop their skills and gain exposure. Moreover, I actively mentor young women, guiding them to navigate the industry with confidence and resilience. By challenging and dismantling structural barriers, we aim to redefine leadership in Africa’s creative space, ensuring that women are empowered, not only present but also influential voices shaping the future.
What initiatives or programmes are you involved in to nurture the next generation of African talent, and how can aspiring creators benefit from them?
Entertainment Week Lagos is one of the most ambitious things we’ve built, a platform that brings together creators, executives, brands, and emerging talent under one roof. It’s about exposure, access, and opportunity. We also run labs across creative, strategy, events, and tech through LABSPOT Creative Skills and Enterprise Development (LABSPOT CSED). This platform is dedicated to empowering youth and women in the creative industry by offering continuous training and business development opportunities for individuals and MSMEs. The EWL Deal Room, is a growth hub for early-stage founders, offering access to funding, expert mentorship, skill-based workshops, and strategic networking. It also provides follow-up support to help startups secure and manage investment opportunities effectively. It’s our way of closing the gap between talent and access and turning potential into power.
How has your experience at Harvard Business School shaped your entrepreneurial spirit and approach to business challenges?
Harvard structured my instincts, refined my approach to leadership, taught me to think in systems, and challenged me to lead with clarity and humility. The biggest shift was learning to balance data with intuition. I’ve always been a builder, but now I build with greater foresight. HBS taught me that scaling sustainably requires discipline in decision-making, operations, and shaping culture within an organisation.
What do you believe are the key cultural insights that have shaped your success in the entertainment and media sectors?
Representation isn’t enough. African audiences want work that feels honest and resonant, stories that reflect their rhythm, aspirations, and complexity. At Livespot360, we respect deep cultural nuances while pushing boundaries. That balance of heritage and innovation has shaped every experience we create, making it familiar yet globally aspirational.
Could you discuss the impact and reception of some of the major projects you’ve produced, such as ‘Real Housewives of Lagos’ or ‘The Voice Nigeria’?
Both were turning points. With Real Housewives of Lagos, we showcased Lagos’ vibrant, multifaceted women while elevating production quality to global standards. It wasn’t just drama on reality TV, it sparked global conversations about African luxury, female entrepreneurship, and cultural identity.
The Voice Nigeria season 3 helped spotlight raw talent and connect our music culture to the world. These shows redefined what premium African content could look like, proving we can produce stories that are both globally marketable and culturally rooted.
How do you see the creative and entertainment industries evolving in Africa over the next decade, and what role do you hope to play in that evolution?
We’re at the tipping point. Africa’s creative economy is poised to be one of its biggest exports across music, film, fashion, and tech. The next decade will be about structure: scalable platforms, clear pipelines, and policies that enable growth.
My role? To keep building those structures. Through LABSPOT, EWA, and Livespot360, I’m committed to shaping an ecosystem where African talent isn’t just discovered, it’s developed, empowered, and celebrated on the world stage. The goal is to be at the forefront of this change. Continuously pushing boundaries in creating innovative experiences, fostering local talent, and building partnerships that bring African stories to a global stage. Playing an integral role in shaping the ecosystem that supports these advancements and being a hub for African creativity, so that it is not just seen but also valued on the world stage. Value that then trickles down the chain and prepares the next generation for a new wave of African excellence.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a serial entrepreneur in Africa, and how did you overcome them?
From limited infrastructure and capital to navigating bias and burnout, the journey has been anything but smooth. I’ve lost money, rebuilt teams, and carried the weight of leadership while being a present mother and partner. But every challenge taught me resilience. Where the system didn’t exist, I built it. And I kept showing up with diligence, consistency, and a heart of service. That’s what carried me.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs looking to enter the creative industry in Africa?
Be purpose-driven. Don’t just chase clout, build with care, consistency, and craft. Your foundation is built in the seasons when no one is watching. Trust your voice, even when it shakes. Especially for women, your dreams are valid, your vision is enough, and your timing is your own. Stay true to your vision and grounded in strategy even when challenges arise. Keep showing up.
Concluding words
In closing, Africa’s future isn’t waiting to be shaped, it’s already unfolding, and we’re the architects. For every creative out there, sharpen your ideas, build community, and raise the bar. For every woman, your presence is power, and your voice belongs on the loudest stages. Let’s build boldly, together.