Chi Modu
In loving memory:
Founder and CEO
chimodu.com
uncategorized.com
Chi Modu was a renowned photojournalist, cultural observer and strategist. He was a sought-after speaker and advisor to companies and brands who must leverage the impact culture has on their business strategy in our digital age. DiverseInsights is a research and strategy consultancy skilled at uncovering game-changing insights and ideas critical for marketplace success.
Through DiDigital.net, a subsidiary of DiverseInsights, he worked closely with organizations like General Mills and the Bowery Mission of New York City to harness the power of mobile to extend their reach, build brand awareness, and more deeply engage customers and supporters. DiverseInsights also recruited for, designed, and carried out General Mills’ research on kids behaviors and thoughts about specific brand lines. In addition, the integrated mobile campaign that DiDigital created for General Mills’ Wheaties Fuel, through a strategic alliance with Saatchi New York and DotGo, was chosen as one of the top ten mobile campaigns by Mobile Marketer.
World Citizen With Refreshingly Different Insights:
A true world citizen, a fact that informs insights his firm offers clients, Chi brought his rare mix of creativity, technical knowledge, and business instincts. His unusual background drove the unique way he saw and captured the world around him.
Born in Nigeria and raised in New Jersey, Chi had to decide at a young age whether to return with his parents to Nigeria or stay behind at boarding school. He chose boarding school, and found himself at Lawrenceville, the prestigious prep school attended by the likes of Michael Eisner and Malcolm Forbes. With his parents on the other side of the world, Chi developed a strong independent streak, which later would manifest itself in his work.
Who You Are Affects How and What You See:
After honing his skills at the International Center of Photography, he joined The Source, which was the definitive magazine of hip-hop culture, as director of photography. It was here that Chi developed relationships with the biggest icons of the hip-hop movement, including Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and L-L Cool J, from early stages in their music industry careers.
In addition to his impressive collection of hip hop images, Chi amassed a wealth of travel, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle images. Despite the differences in his subject matter, His work has a singular focus – it all reflects his refreshing take on the world. Whether it’s kids at a church in Nigeria, a group of fishermen cleaning their catch in Morocco, the streets of Yemen, a musician playing for money near Prague Castle, or Tupac himself caught in an unexpected moment, the perspective was always as unique and disarming as the man behind the lens.
Chi’s timeless, unique photographs are often requested for commercials, films and music documentaries along with being held in private collections. His images have also been licensed by Sony, Paramount, Viacom, Rolling Stones Magazine, The New York Times and The London Times.
Chi held a Bachelors of Science degree in environmental and business economics from Rutgers University and was a graduate of the International Center of Photography in New York City.
