Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), umbrella body for advertising professionals, has announced onboarding of Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN) as participants in this year’s Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival (LAIF).
It spoke during unveiling of the 19th awards in Lagos, saying entries were opened from registered AAAN agencies.
President of the association, Lanre Adisa, noted that LAIF Awards remains a platform to showcase creativity in Nigeria and West African. He said the industry should use the platform to celebrate ideas, noting brands are products of ideas.
Commending previous and present board members for raising creativity through the awards, he stressed that inclusion of MIPAN this year attests to the strength of collaboration.
He said the association awaits a time when all sectoral bodies would be part of LAIF Awards, thereby making the marketing communications industry a force to reckon with.
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Unveiling this year’s theme: “Staying A-LAIF”, Board Chairman, Jay Chukwuemeka, noted this edition builds on inclusion with a strong focus on adaptation, survival, and celebration of the resilience agencies and practitioners are noted for.
Chukwuemeka noted that despite challenges, big and smaller agencies have stayed alive and thrived.
“We are quite aware of challenges facing the industry and businesses in 2024. But as the saying goes, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. For this reason, we are ready to look at the bright side of the situation. We are celebrating not only the big agencies but also the smaller agencies that have thrived despite the odds. We are honoring the resilience that keeps us pushing all through the stretch of 2024,” he said.
He disclosed that as part of efforts to stay relevant, the board will be introducing new categories of awards this year one of which includes the LAIF Academy, a category that provides accredited AAAN agencies to participate by voting for their works through the newly introduced Agency Choice award.
He also stated that this year’s edition will witness the presentation of plaques to agencies that win the coveted Grand Prix and Gold at the awards ceremony while agencies with silver and bronze winners will receive certificates.
This new development is in alignment with international best standards.
He disclosed that as an exciting addition to the LAIF Academy, the board will launch the LAIF Report, a platform that serves as agencies’ ranking on the medal table and a record of achievements for new agencies to aspire to.
Chukwuemeka revealed that the board is keeping the entry fees for the awards unchanged to allow for more participation from agencies both in Nigeria and other West African countries.
He further noted that the gesture is a clear demonstration of the board’s commitment to inclusivity and the desire to ensure all eligible agencies participate to grow LAIF together.