Tofunmi Akinseye, publisher of Saavy, a magazine that tells the stories of celebrities, comes across as a go-getter. Tofunmi, a native of Ondo State and last child in a family of four, in this interview with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI, shares her experience on publishing, meeting celebrities and other issues. Excerpts
Aside from being a celebrity storyteller, what other thing do you do or passionate about?
I am quite passionate about a lot of things, whatever thing that contributes to self-growth and service to others. I’m passionate about community projects, youth development etc. and I have volunteered in some of the capacities like the Global Shapers; a world economic forum initiative and also functioned in some capacity for TedX.
Having played in the digital space for a while, I have also developed keen interest in the digital space, which transcended into me helping SMEs communicate and reach a wider audience via their digital assets for sales and awareness.
In the nearest future, it would interest me to be hosting and owning my show, also volunteering for more community projects and exploring more space in the media.
What best describes you?
Tenacity, shrewdness, and enterprise.
Tell us how you started your magazine publishing?
Ooh yea! This part of every interview gives me a nostalgic feeling. From my high school days, I always had that inclination to write a book and I remember I did start at some point and my dad would help me edit it, but I never did publish it. I was a very restless child, from organising community fellowship with the kids in my neighbourhood, to participating in debates and drama, extra-curricular activities, young people’s club etc.
Fast forward into my university days, I became restless during my second year and just wanted to create a platform that could expose a lot of young talents and potentials. I mean, I did grow up amidst very creative individuals who were doing great things and covering some milestones at a very tender age. Boom! The idea of a magazine came to mind. I thought of ‘Precocious Mind’ for the name, but after several meetings with my friends as at that time, I settled for Savvy, which connotes shrewdness; hence birthed a platform to create a link between young people, their talent and audience. However, my first edition was graced by Mr. MayD, a 24 paged piece.
What is the concept behind Savvy Magazine?
Savvy Magazine’s vision is geared towards fostering a renaissance society by combining in-depth coverage of the faces and figures behind the global industry with the latest trends and all over Africa. We have had seven editions so far graced by MayD, Yemi Alade, Patoranking, Kunle Afolayan, Kehinde Bankole, Adekunle Gold, Niniola and recently Seyi Shay.
You feature celebrities most on your cover page, why?
I started off with celebrities initially, from the commercial point. I needed a figure that could sell the magazine, being a new brand. I also did go for celebrities with unique stories that could tie into the essence of the magazine. A story that would make the young ones believe in their craft and follow through on it, having heard the grass to grace stories from the ones we look up to. After my first three editions, it became a thing for us to always have celebrities grace the cover, because it did work for us, gave us the exposure, recognition and did impart the lives of the young ones out there.