Ukonwa Ojo, former chief marketing officer at Prime Video, has taken a stake in Taeps Animation Studios, a Nigerian studio dedicated to bringing African stories to life through animation.

Taeps said this in a statement which stated that Ojo’s venture studio, Zaia Ventures, will provide strategic guidance and marketing expertise to support Taeps’ growth and development.

“With Ukonwa Ojo’s expertise and support, we are embarking on our most ambitious project yet. Together, we will not only entertain but also inspire and educate audiences on the uniqueness of African storytelling,” Adeoyin Okuboyejo, CEO of Taeps said.

Ojo, who launched Zaia Ventures in 2022 to support underrepresented communities, sees this partnership as an opportunity to amplify African voices and narratives in animation.

“I am thrilled to join forces with Taeps Animation Studios to amplify African voices and narratives in the world of animation,” said Ojo, founder and CEO of Zaia Ventures.

“Their commitment to authenticity and excellence in storytelling aligns perfectly with our vision at Zaia Ventures. Together, we will showcase the beauty, complexity and diversity of African culture to a global audience.”

The statement by Taeps stated that as a member of the studio’s advisory board, Ojo will lend her expertise and strategic guidance to support the company’s growth and development.

“She will bring her extensive experience in marketing and brand strategy to help the company develop its vision to inspire audiences around the globe with the beauty and richness of African culture,” it said.

Ojo stepped down as chief marketing officer of Amazon’s Prime Video and Amazon Studios in 2022 after a nearly two-year stint with the streamer.

During her time at the company, she launched eight of the top 10 shows in Prime Video history, leading the marketing campaigns for movies like ‘Coming 2 America’ and ‘Being the Ricardos’, as well as the series ‘The Boys’, ‘Wheel of Time’ and ‘The Underground Railroad’.

Taeps Animation Studios, co-founded by Adeoyin Okuboyejo and Ayobami Bello, aims to celebrate African culture and heritage through animation.

Their upcoming feature film, ‘Adétóún and the Heart of Time’, tells the story of a young descendant of an ancient warrior and explores themes of ancestry, heritage, and bravery.

The CG animation explores themes of ancestry, heritage and bravery while following her journey against the backdrop of an ancient relic and a battle for supremacy that could alter the course of time itself.