Giannis - Naija Odyssey

WhatsApp launched its first ever film, launched, globaly, on Amazon Prime video, and streamed in 52 countries, with NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo. The film earned 1.2 billion impressions with coverage from more than 60 major press outlets worldwide.

The film - titled Naija Odyssey - runs for 12-minutes and Antetokounmpo “tells his origin story of many origins as he reconciles his roots, birthplace and sense of belonging between cross-cultural worlds.”

The Milwaukee Bucks star, former MVP, 2021 NBA Champion and Finals MVP was born in Greece to Nigerian parents. The film is ultimately a narrative-driven piece of branded content telling a story that is not well-known, even in the NBA community.

“‘Naija Odyssey’ is a story that reinforces how WhatsApp helps us embrace our multifaceted lives. In navigating relationships, identity, and even adversity, WhatsApp is there — enabling you to embrace all sides of you by connecting you to those who matter most.”

The story is narrated by both Antetokounmpo, and his mother Veronica, and was edited by the winner of the 2021 Oscar for film editing for Sound of Metal, Mikkel E.G. Nielsen. Nono Ayuso and Rodrigo Inada are listed as the filmmakers of the project and it was produced by New York-based creative agency Translation. The story is loosely based on the famous Greek poem The Odyssey, from a classical standpoint, with a modern twist on the nigerian storytelling.

Partnership Announcement at the NBA All Star Game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo wore a custom hoodie, at the NBA All Star Game, representing his home country of Nigeria in partnership with mobile messaging app WhatsApp as he became their first global ambassador. Representing his Nigerian roots on the biggest stage, Antetokounmpo finds himself at the forefront of a sporting revolution alongside his fellow Nigerian athletes.

Laced with motifs representing a post-imperialistic Nigeria, the hoodie also featured "Adetokunbo" and "+234". The "+234" is representative of the Nigerian country code. However, "Adentokunbo" has a lot more significance.

"Adetokunbo" is a surname or a given name found in Yoruba, a common language in Nigeria. Often translated as "the king from across the seas" or "royalty from a foreign land", Giannis Antetokounmpo appears to be a fitting descendant of the family as he establishes himself as one of the best in the league.