Music executive, Franklin ‘Twizz’ David has been appointed the as the new President of Brand, Content and Partnerships in North America for Nigeria-based record label Chocolate City.
In his new role, David, who is revered with over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry, will responsible for thoroughly amplifying the company’s brand, overseeing marketing campaigns and building strategic brand partnerships as the label “seeks to expand its base in North America and export their culture to the world”. He joins the company’s executive leadership team based in New York.
“I am excited and honored for the opportunity to join a legacy African entertainment company like Chocolate City,” Franklin David said. “The Label has brought us some of the most amazing content out of Africa, the most recent being Love Nwantiti by CKay.”
“My goal is to ensure songs like Dada by Young Jonn, and Artists like Blaqbonez are thoroughly amplified through the right partnership, collaborations and brand exposure Stateside. I’m proud to work alongside an amazing forward thinking executive team at Chocolate City, and thankful for the opportunity to utilize my access and network so that such great African platforms can compete with the best them internationally.”
Over the course of his career, David has held positions in radio promotion, sync licensing, brand partnerships, sports marketing (working with NFL players Dwight Freeney, Pierre Garcon and Amobi Okoye, as well as NBA athletes Carmelo Anthony, Baron Davis, Joakim Noah and Pascal Siakim), original content and international marketing.
He was most recently Head of Talent Management for Unanimous Games, an Esports and gaming company based in New York. He cut his teeth in the industry through managing the artists careers, such as DJ Clue, while working on projects for the likes of Fabolous and Mariah Carey.
Abuchi Ugwu, CEO of Chocolate City, added: “Having Twizz onboard is really exciting for us as we seek to expand our base in North America and export our culture to the world. The market remains a key territory in our growth plans as the world opens up more to Afrobeats and the various sounds coming out of Africa.”
Chocolate City is home to the likes of Femi Kuti, four-time Grammy nominated son of the Afrobeat pioneer Fela; hip-hop artist and record producer M.I. Abaga, Afro beats sensation Dice Ailes, Nosa, ClassiQ, Ruby Gyang and acts like Blaqbonez, C Kay and Street Billionaires.
Meanwhile, in 2019, Chocolate City teamed up with Warner Music Group. WMG stated at the time that the collaboration would “dramatically expand the reach of African artists around the world” and “create new opportunities for global superstars in the region.”