Silverbird Group

The origins of firm began in June 1980, when Benedict Murray-Bruce, son of a former UAC executive, secured funds from his family to start a music promotion enterprise. The business began during Nigeria's Second Republic and was involved in promotion of American music artists in Nigeria,{{Cite journal|last=Ofili|first=Chike|date=2006|title=Silverbird: Celebrating Twenty Five Years of Imitations|journal=Brandfaces|publisher=Brand Support Services|issue=33|oclc=ocm54515558}} the firm organized promotions for such bands as The Whispers, Shalamar, Lakeside and Carrie Lucas.{{Cite news|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/199902100059.html|title=Showbiz Runs In This Family|date=February 10, 1999|work=Tempo (Lagos)}} The enterprise later delved into a dancing competition. The group later expanded into beauty pageant.

In the 1990s, after the government liberalized the radio air waves, Silverbird established Rhythm 93.7 FM, initially, promoting a less talk more music brand. The radio started with old school jams and later began playing Afro hip hop. Though, Murray-Bruce also wanted a television license, his application was delayed as a result of conflicts with the management of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission. In 1999, Bruce was appointed director of NTA and was soon able to get approval for Silverbird Television. The television station initially filled programming slots with syndicated foreign shows.

Silverbird Productions is a division of the company that organizes the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant which began as Miss Universe Nigeria in 1983 but was later renamed to its present name. This division is also responsible in the organization of the Mr Nigeria pageant.{{cite news | url=http://www.dailyindependentnig.com/2014/11/mr-nigeria-ladies-always-stalk-bakare/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107235332/http://dailyindependentnig.com/2014/11/mr-nigeria-ladies-always-stalk-bakare/ | url-status=usurped | archive-date=November 7, 2014 | title=As Mr. Nigeria, ladies always stalk me –Bakare | work=Daily Independent | author=Ifeoma Ononye | date=1 November 2014 | accessdate=3 August 2015}}

From 1986 to 1991, Silverbird Productions held the franchise of Miss Intercontinental, organizing the pageant in Nigeria from 1986 to 1991. Between 1991 and 1992, the Nigerian company lost the rights to the pageant to a German company, which moved the competition to Germany, and organized it there until 2003. {{cite web | title=The Miss Silverbird Pageant As Brand Arrogance By Uche Nworah | website= Nigerian Media: Gamji.com| url=http://www.gamji.com/article4000/NEWS4739.htm | language=en | access-date=January 19, 2024}} {{cite web | title=Who is Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, the Silverbird Group Owner? | website= Buzz Nigeria| url=https://buzznigeria.com/ben-murray-bruce/ | language=en | access-date=January 19, 2024}}

The Silverbird Communications comprises the company's radio station Rhythm 93.7 FM and Silverbird Television. Rhythm 93.7 FM Lagos was established in 1997 while Silverbird Television commenced transmission in Lagos in 2003.{{cite news |author1=Ogbonna Amadi |author2=Lolade Sowoolu |date=30 October 2010 |title=The Ben Bruce story |work=Vanguard |url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/10/the-ben-bruce-story/ |accessdate=3 August 2015}} In 2002, Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt was established and Silverbird TV was also set up. In 2008 Rhythm 93.7 FM Jos was established to serve as the bedrock of entertainment in the media space on the Plateau

File:Silverbird cinema building, Lagos.jpeg

The Silverbird Cinema is one of the biggest cinema chains in West Africa with 69 screens in branches across Nigeria, Accra and Nairobi.{{cite news | url=http://www.ekoiff.org/2012/11/03/silverbird-group-supports-3rd-eko-international-film-festival/ | title=Silverbird Group Supports 3rd Eko International Film Festival | work=Eko International Film Festival | date=3 November 2012 | accessdate=3 August 2015}}{{cite book|author=Carmela Garritano|title=African Video Movies and Global Desires: A Ghanaian History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Smqfl7gk3wcC&pg=PA214|date=15 February 2013|publisher=Ohio University Press|isbn=978-0-89680-484-5|pages=214–}}

The first cinema was opened in May 2004 at the Silverbird Galleria in Victoria Island, Lagos. Massive commercial success has given rise to the opening of additional multiplexes in different locations across Nigeria. {{As of|2016}}, Silverbird has cinemas in the following cities in Nigeria: Abuja, Lagos, Uyo, Warri and Port Harcourt.{{Cite web|url=http://silverbirdcinemas.com/about|title=About Silverbird Cinemas. Nigeria's Leading Cinemas Chain|website=silverbirdcinemas.com|access-date=2016-04-09}}

Silverbird Properties is one of the fastest growing divisions of the company. This division is responsible for all real-estate related activities and it currently operates in Bayelsa State and Akwa Ibom State.{{cite web | url=http://www.silverbirdgroup.com/properties | title=Silverbird Properties | accessdate=3 August 2015}}

This division of the company is responsible for all film distribution activities.{{cite news | url=http://www.sunnewsonline.com/new/ramsay-nouah-set-to-shine-as-tempting-fate-hits-cinemas/ | title=Ramsay Nouah set to shine as Tempting Fate hits cinemas | work=The Sun | date=13 June 2015 | accessdate=3 August 2015}}

{{Main|Silverbird Galleria}}

The Silverbird Mall is located in Victoria Island, Lagos.{{cite book|author=Leo Zeilig|title=Class Struggle and Resistance in Africa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vrjbAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA3|year=2009|publisher=Haymarket Books|isbn=978-1-931859-68-4|pages=3–}} It consists of the popular Silverbird Galleria.{{cite web | url=http://www.lagos-nigeria-real-estate-advisor.com/silverbird-cinemas.html | title=Silverbird Cinemas Silverbird galleria Lagos Nigeria | publisher=Lagos-Nigeria-Real-Estate-Advisor | accessdate=3 August 2015}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.silverbirdgroup.com Official Website]
• [https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapid=51184811 Silverbird Group] on Bloomberg

{{Shopping malls in Nigeria}}

Category:1980 establishments in Nigeria

Category:Mass media companies of Nigeria

Category:Entertainment companies of Nigeria

Category:Film production companies of Nigeria

Category:Companies based in Lagos

Category:Entertainment companies established in 1980

Category:Real estate companies established in 1980

Category:Real estate companies of Nigeria