Ninel Musson of Vth Season has been invited as a speaker at this year’s prestigious Harvard Business School’s 25th Annual Africa Business Conference.
The conference will be held on March 24-25, 2023, on the Harvard Business School campus in Boston, Massachusetts. In celebration of the conference’s silver anniversary, the theme is “Africa Accelerated: Leaps and Bounds into the Next Decade,” as it expresses the organisers’ belief that the continent has reached an inflexion point in its growth trajectory
As the founder of a leading independent record label in South Africa, Vth Season, with more than 15 years of experience developing talented African artists into award-winning national and continental successes, as well as her work as a consultant in the creative industries, championing independent projects in culture, music and creative tech. Ninel will provide insight from the perspective of SA. In particular, she would like to talk about current developments – as well as ways to support the industry and artists in SA.
It’s great that the cultural and creative industries in Africa continue to be in the global spotlight. It’s our time and I am honoured to represent the South African industry in this way,” Ninel shares, “I would like to see global interest translate into tangible support and investment for the growth of our industry. I see African music and arts as a unique investable asset
, she adds.
Ninel will join other industry representatives from various geographic locations across the U.S.A and Africa, to address the topic of Harnessing the Potential of Africa’s Creative Economy which will be a deep insight into the trends shaping the ecosystem for creatives in Africa, as well as the opportunities that exist to further improve and develop the industry.
On the panel alongside Ninel Musson are most notably World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation and special guests for the conference this year include Tiwa Savage and Idris Alba.
Ninel will undoubtedly be joined in Boston by colleagues from the music, art and fashion sectors, as well as investors and funders from the U.S. and the African diaspora and beyond.
About Ninel Lara Musson
For 15 years, Ninel Lara Musson has been at the forefront of the African creative content industry as a music executive and media entrepreneur. She is one of the few female founders of an Independent Record Label and Management Agency on the continent, and her dedication to the development of the music and creative industry is unwavering.
Under Ninel’s leadership, Vth Season has become one of the most impactful labels in Southern Africa, investing in and partnering with talented artists like Ami Faku, Tresor, and the late AKA, an iconic hiphop superstar. The company’s track record has been recognized with notable awards such as the South African Music Awards (SAMAs), Amapiano Awards, MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs), All Africa Music Awards, as well as international award nominations from the likes of the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards and MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs). Now, Ninel’s agency seeks to champion independent projects in culture, music, and creative tech.
Ninel’s foundation in finance and banking has served her well in the creative industry. She currently serves on the board of the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA) and The Official SA Chart. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Corporate Finance and Risk Management from the University of the Witwatersrand, a Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree from the University of South Africa, and a Masters of Management from WITS Business School, with distinction.
Ninel also participates in numerous platforms to drive dialogue around the creative sector, such as Midem (Cannes, France) and Music Imbizo (Durban, South Africa), the largest music conference in Africa. With her expertise, experience, and dedication, Ninel Lara Musson continues to make a significant impact in the African creative content industry.
