Tag: ADVAN

  • ADVAN, a local brand gaining world attention

    FOR the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) being a local player isn’t just enough. That explains why ADVAN is determined to operate beyond the shores of the country to prove its worth and mettle on the world stage.

    No other person is setting that agenda but the newly elected president of the ADVAN. Folake Ani-Mumuni, who also doubles as the Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at First Bank of Nigeria,  reeled out what she and her executive members plan to achieve for a vibrant ADVAN over the next two years at a media parley organised by the new executive of the association recently in Lagos.

    According to her, “Following the AGM of 14th September, we hit the ground running and embarked on a strategy retreat where we deliberated long and hard on what our focus will be during this tenure, and debated how we prioritise our initiatives to most effectively achieve our set goals and objectives, This would be achieved across four thematic pillars of driving Visionary Thought Leadership, Encouraging Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building, Effective Stakeholder Engagement and Facilitating and Procuring Access to Data, Research and Insight.”

    A proactive ADVAN must be the catalyst for the progressive strategic marketing thinking demanded by the future.

    “We must be thought leaders in the industry and as thought leaders we must think for today and the future. The future is now and the age of disruption is firmly upon us. As architects of our own fortune we must disrupt if we are not to be disrupted, I firmly believe we must remain at the vanguard of driving true value for our members, empowering ourselves through relevant professional empowerment trainings and seminars, effective networking opportunities, knowledge sharing and capacity building initiatives,” she said.

    She went further, “A cursory glance at our membership shows every discipline and specialisation within our profession, brand managers, digital marketers, media and PR executives, CMOs etc. All great roles today but what will those roles mean tomorrow in the cyber age of artificial intelligence, IOT (internet of things), block chain and machine learning and digital identities, with data analysts as the new direct marketers? The fast evolving nature of our current world suggests that whilst we are one thing we must increasingly consider and be many things, we must shape our future rather than have it shaped for us. We must add value to ourselves, our member organisations in order to add value to our industry and through that the nation as a whole.”

    “Data protection laws for example appear to be moving in a direction globally that may well have an impact on our activity locally by May 2018. If adding value is our goal then we are required to remain ahead of the curve at all times, to anticipate and plan, to focus on value accretion today whilst at the same time future proofing ADVAN and its members for tomorrow.”

    To celebrate marketing achievements across a range of industries, ADVAN through its annual award, sets to recognise hard work and ingenuity in the marketing profession as well as journalists who report the integrated marketing communications industry. The award which has entries from other West African countries is scheduled for the 11th of November at the Muson Centre  Onikan ,Lagos. The winners will be awarded in 11 categories which include Brand of the Year, Brand Manager of the Year, Campaign of the Year, Consumer Promotion, CSR, Experiential Marketing, New Brand/Brand Extension, Innovation, Digital/Social Media Marketing, Future Leader of Marketing and Brand Journalist of the Year.

    The judging panel, according to the award commitee, are a team of the finest marketing professionals in the nation., The 2017 judges are Mrs Abigail Ogwezzy Ndisika Professor and Chevening Scholar, Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, Dr. Obiaya Ikechukwu Dean, School of Media & Communication (SMC)Pan-Atlantic University, Mrs Elo Iyayi – Managing Director ShareMind Lagos, Mr, Lanre Adisa Managing Director Noah’ Ark Communications, Mr. Seni Ogunkola – Head of Marketing, 9Mobile Nigeria, Mr. Kehinde Salami- Chief Executive Officer Ideas House/President EXMAN and Mr. Olaseni Fawehinmi- Corporates Services Manager UAC Nigeria.

  • ADVAN, a local brand gaining world attention

    FOR the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) being a local player isn’t just enough. That explains why ADVAN is determined to operate beyond the shores of the country to prove its worth and mettle on the world stage.

    No other person is setting that agenda but the newly elected president of the ADVAN. Folake Ani-Mumuni, who also doubles as the Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at First Bank of Nigeria,  reeled out what she and her executive members plan to achieve for a vibrant ADVAN over the next two years at a media parley organised by the new executive of the association recently in Lagos.

    According to her, “Following the AGM of 14th September, we hit the ground running and embarked on a strategy retreat where we deliberated long and hard on what our focus will be during this tenure, and debated how we prioritise our initiatives to most effectively achieve our set goals and objectives, This would be achieved across four thematic pillars of driving Visionary Thought Leadership, Encouraging Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building, Effective Stakeholder Engagement and Facilitating and Procuring Access to Data, Research and Insight.”

    A proactive ADVAN must be the catalyst for the progressive strategic marketing thinking demanded by the future.

    “We must be thought leaders in the industry and as thought leaders we must think for today and the future. The future is now and the age of disruption is firmly upon us. As architects of our own fortune we must disrupt if we are not to be disrupted, I firmly believe we must remain at the vanguard of driving true value for our members, empowering ourselves through relevant professional empowerment trainings and seminars, effective networking opportunities, knowledge sharing and capacity building initiatives,” she said.

    She went further, “A cursory glance at our membership shows every discipline and specialisation within our profession, brand managers, digital marketers, media and PR executives, CMOs etc. All great roles today but what will those roles mean tomorrow in the cyber age of artificial intelligence, IOT (internet of things), block chain and machine learning and digital identities, with data analysts as the new direct marketers? The fast evolving nature of our current world suggests that whilst we are one thing we must increasingly consider and be many things, we must shape our future rather than have it shaped for us. We must add value to ourselves, our member organisations in order to add value to our industry and through that the nation as a whole.”

    “Data protection laws for example appear to be moving in a direction globally that may well have an impact on our activity locally by May 2018. If adding value is our goal then we are required to remain ahead of the curve at all times, to anticipate and plan, to focus on value accretion today whilst at the same time future proofing ADVAN and its members for tomorrow.”

    To celebrate marketing achievements across a range of industries, ADVAN through its annual award, sets to recognise hard work and ingenuity in the marketing profession as well as journalists who report the integrated marketing communications industry. The award which has entries from other West African countries is scheduled for the 11th of November at the Muson Centre  Onikan ,Lagos. The winners will be awarded in 11 categories which include Brand of the Year, Brand Manager of the Year, Campaign of the Year, Consumer Promotion, CSR, Experiential Marketing, New Brand/Brand Extension, Innovation, Digital/Social Media Marketing, Future Leader of Marketing and Brand Journalist of the Year.

    The judging panel, according to the award commitee, are a team of the finest marketing professionals in the nation., The 2017 judges are Mrs Abigail Ogwezzy Ndisika Professor and Chevening Scholar, Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, Dr. Obiaya Ikechukwu Dean, School of Media & Communication (SMC)Pan-Atlantic University, Mrs Elo Iyayi – Managing Director ShareMind Lagos, Mr, Lanre Adisa Managing Director Noah’ Ark Communications, Mr. Seni Ogunkola – Head of Marketing, 9Mobile Nigeria, Mr. Kehinde Salami- Chief Executive Officer Ideas House/President EXMAN and Mr. Olaseni Fawehinmi- Corporates Services Manager UAC Nigeria.

  • Cheers, jeers for brands at ADVAN

    Cheers, jeers for brands at ADVAN

    The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has one of the most prestigious awards for excellence in marketing. The last awards rewarded excellence and highlighted what advertisers want from brand managers and media owners, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

    The atmosphere at the awards for marketing excellence, organised by Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), was electric. It was a day  to award best advertising and marketing campaigns in the marketing communication industry.

    For brand managers and advertising agencies, the rewards mean a lot beyond the plaque: It is a verdict on their work. Losing to competitors means a lot, perhaps, a vote of no confidence from clients.

    Held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, the awards threw up new champions who will relish their achievement in the next 12 months, and boast about it when pitching for new business.

    At the awards, a leading noodles brand, Indomie, won “The Brand of the Year Award”, emerging the overall winner in this premium category. The award also conferred on the manager of the noodles brand – “The Brand Manager of the Year.”

    In that category, Indomie was trailed by Coca-Cola and Heineken which took the second and third positions.

    This, however, shocked analysts who had tipped Coca-cola to be the overall winner after some activations/brands from its stable had earlier carted away the highest number of awards that night. Coca-Cola – COPA campaign, Coca – Cola 5 Alive Puppy and Coca- Cola Share a Coke campaign picked the experiential marketing award, innovation marketing award and digital /social media marketing award.

    Stanbic IBTC’s CSR Project “Together for A Limb” won the best CSR award while Guinness’ “Every Minute Made of Black” campaign also won the consumer promotion award.

    In the new brand/brand revitalisation, Indomie Beleful brand took the lead while campaign of the year went to Heineken “Shape Your City” campaign.

    Brand Campaign magazine publisher Akinwunmi Dickson won The ADVAN Brand Journalist of the Year.

    For states’marketing campaign, Delta State’s 25th Anniversary Campaign, which culminated in the creation of a new identity logo for the state, won the maiden public sector marketing category.

    Delta State Commissioner for Information Patrick Ukah, who received the award on behalf of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, dedicated it to Deltans, praising them for giving the governor the opportunity to serve. He stressed that Okowa was determined to fulfill his electoral promises anchored on the S.M.A.R.T agenda.

    ADVAN President David Okeme underscored the place of marketing in the growth of the economy, and enjoined private and public institutions to take advantage of it to grow their businesses.

    Also, Airtel Nigeria CEO Segun Ogunsanya said the digital space was  the new super medium for marketing communications and advertising that could be deployed as a strong channel to reach people and endear their brands and companies to the youth who constitute the majority in Nigeria’s bubbling  population.

  • ADVAN Awards holds in October

    In line with its tradition of bolstering Nigeria’s marketing industry using innovative platforms, the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), the umbrella body for all advertisers in Nigeria, is set again this year to bring together industry stakeholders and supporters tocelebrate marketing teams that have made outstanding contributions to the industry. The event, which is the sixth edition of the awards, is billed to take place at the prestigious MUSON centre, Onikan, Lagos, on October 29, 2016.

    Just like previous editions, this year’s award is structured for the express purpose of highlighting the fundamental position marketing occupies in business and public sectors, besidescelebratingoutstanding marketing achievements across a range of industries. According to David Okeme, ADVAN’s President, this award is part of ADVAN’s greater design to establish the marketing profession on a sustainable path to greatness.Okeme also feels this achievement could really be consolidated this year with the ADVAN Awards for Marketing Excellence now endorsed by the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA).

    He also revealed that two new categories have been introduced this year, as part of the goal to develop and set standardsfor all areas of the industry. The two categories arePublic Sector Marketing and Marketing on a Shoestring budget. The public sector marketing awards category is to recognise the effective use of marketing elements, and delivery of the marketing strategy and communications programmes executed for/by public sector institutions. For marketing on a shoestring budget award, the goal is to recognise themaximisation of “limited budgets” in achieving impact and measurable results.

    Okeme also revealed that the Awards Committee tasked with the mandate of organising a world-class event is populated by seasoned marketing professionals led by the Marketing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Franco Maria Maggi, whowould also serves as Chairman of the 2016 ADVAN Awards.

    He also spoke on the judging process and stated that it remains one of the most valuable assets of the awards.Okeme later named Ikechi Odigbo, Managing Director DDB, Lagos, and Vice President Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN)as the chairman of the panel of judges for the 2016 Awards.

  • ADVAN holds marketers’ conference

    In line with its tradition of keeping strategic marketing issues on the front burner of business in Nigeria, the umbrella association for advertisers, Advertisers’ Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), is set to bring together seasoned industry analysts and experts to discuss issues facing the marketing industry.

    The event, which is the association’s first major programme this year, is billed to hold at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja on Friday, May 13.

    ADVAN President David Okeme made this known to a select group of journalists at the association’s secretariat in Ikeja.

    Okeme also said the event, which will host over 150 marketing professionals, will feature panel discussions on priority information,  marketing insights and emerging consumer engagement trends.

    According to him, the conference themed: “Connecting Brand Builders”, is specially structured for  collating, analysing and aggregating all shades of thoughts, ideas, knowledge and propositions that will place the relevance of marketing at the heart of strategic business discussions in Nigeria.

    He also disclosed that eminent speakers have been invited to present papers at the forum, which is meant to consolidate on the gains of activities of 2015. Lampe Omoyele, MD of The Nielsen Company and Juliet Ehimuan Chiazor, Country Manager of Google Nigeria are the lead speakers to deliver the two major papers at the conference.

    Other speakers invited as discussants to dissect various issues thrown up by the main speakers include GM- Marketing, UAC Foods Nigeria, Joan Ihekwaba; GM Business Development Sales and Distribution Division, MTN Nigeria, Kola Oyeyemi; Commercial Director, Promasidor Ltd, Kachi Onubogu; MD/CEO of Mediacom Nigeria, Ken Onyeali Ikpe; GM-Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Richard Iwenoge; Vice President of NIMN, Tony Agenmonmen; Acting Managing Director of Grand Oak Limited, Fatai Odesile and Consumer Marketing, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Obinna Anyalebechi.

  • ‘Advertisers should brace for challenges’

    The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has urged its members to brace for tough times ahead government tightens fiscal and monetary policies in response to global economic downturn.

    Its President, Mr. David Okeme, who spoke in Lagos at the weekend, said last year was very significant for the association, adding that the time had come for stakeholders to embrace change and position for the new year.

    According to Okeme, events of last year were demonstrations of the importance of collective knowledge in tackling challenges in the market place and enhancing practitioners’ global marketing knowledge.

    He said: “2015 was very significant being an election year both for the nation and the ADVAN; it was a time all embraced ‘Change’ and chart a new course for progress. Specifically, for marketers, last year was unique because ‘doing more with less’ became the practice. With increased pressure on marketing budgets, advertiers had to become very creative in their marketing strategies.

    “ADVAN remains resolute in its stance against unjustifiable attempts at price increment by media owners, which in turn translates into enormous value for advertisers. I am happy to say that this stand led to the cancellations and postponements of planned rate increases by media houses and ensured significant savings for ADVAN members on media spend.

    “We also received strong commitments from these media owners to always engage ADVAN in proposed price increases and ensure that tangible value to advertisers serve as the pillars of such increments justifications.”

    On key lessons of last year, he said: “One of our key learnings last year was  the importance of collective knowledge in tackling challenges in the market place and enhancing practitioners’ global marketing knowledge. Global questions are being raised daily requiring answers that are best delivered via collective knowledge sharing.

  • ADVAN gets president

    •Okeme: ‘we’ll make Nigeria the centre of gravity in advertising

    The Brand Building Director, Unilever, David Okeme, has been elected president of Advertisers’ Association of Nigeria (ADVAN).

    He defeated the Executive Director (Commercial) of Promasidor Nigeria, Onyekachi Onubogu, with a slim margin.

    With the new election, a new set of executives has been elected to take over from the immediate past President, Kola Oyeyemi.

    Others, who also make up the new executive committee include Joan Ihekwaba, General Manager (GM) Marketing UACN Foods as first Vice President; Bimbo Alabi, Marketing Manager SoKlin as second Vice-President;  Bukunola Ogunnusi, PR & Advert Manager,  Toyota Nigeria as Treasurer; Samson Oloche, Marketing Manager (non-alcoholic drinks) NB Plc as Publicity Secretary, while the three Ex-offcios are Toruka Osandukwo Head, Communications UBA; Osamede Uwubamen, Head of Corporate and Investment,  Marketing and communication –Stanbic IBTC and Ibraheem Awelenje, Category Manager Breakfast Cereals and Ediri Ose-Ediale remains the GM/Executive Secretary of the association.

    Speaking with reporters after the yearly general meeting of the association, Okeme said his administration would focus on ensuring that the country becomes the centre of attraction as far as advertising is concerned.

    He said: “In terms of focus, I think the exco will shift the focus a bit and that shift will be moving from being a pressure group to an enabler of growth in the industry. There is a Nigeria market agenda that we have and we are going to leverage on it.”

    He said further: “Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa and when you talk about advertising platform, people tend to go south of the continent but this EXCO will work to make Nigeria the centre of gravity in advertising. These are real big ambitions and we will mobilise our partners to make this happen.”

    Okeme lamented that about $1 million is spent yearly on advertising, adding: “It is a very big investment but if you look at the kind of returns that we get, it shows that growth among our members is between zero and five per cent.’’

    According to him, with the high level of investment that goes into advertising, it was unfortunate that advertisers were not getting the desired returns promising that the association was ready to collaborate and deploy all that is necessary to ensure clients get the desired leverage.

    He said: “So, one of the things that ADVAN we look into is how to leverage on the industry such that we can build greater efficiency in terms of advertising returns,”

  • NB brands bag ADVAN awards for excellence

    NB brands bag ADVAN awards for excellence

    For the third year in a row, brands from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc have again bagged awards for marketing excellence. Last weekend, Star Lager Beer, Star Lite, Gulder Beer, Amstel Malta and Fayrouz soft drink shone after picking seven prestigious awards during this year’s edition of the Advertising Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) Awards for Marketing Excellence, which held at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

    The Star brand clinched the gold Award for the ‘Experiential Marketing Category’ with its annual national musical concert, Star Trek.  It was also the third position in the ‘Campaign of the Year Category’ with the Shine on Nigeria campaign.

    Nigerian Breweries’ newest product, Star Lite, also stood out as it clinched the golden award for the New Brand of the Year category and second position in the ‘Innovation of the Year Category.’

    Gulder Beer was awarded second position in the ‘Consumer Promotion of the Year Category’ with its Gulder Ultimate Search Consumer Challenge. Soft drink Fayrouz also clinched the second position in the ‘Experiential Marketing Category’ with the Fayrouz L’Original Expression Show. Amstel Malta got the third position for the ‘Digital Marketing of the Year Category’ with its ‘Act the Part’, an online contest.

    Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Breweries, Nicolaas Vervelde, said the awards was a major improvement from the 2013 stands and has proved to be a testimony to the professionalism of the marketing team of Nigerian Breweries. According to him, the award would boost the company’s effort in its execution to win drive.

  • ADVAN rewards marketing excellence

    The President, Advertising Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), Mr. Kola Oyeyemi has said the group is promoting the development of advertisement by recognising firms with marketing excellence.

    He spoke during the awards for marketing excellence with the  ‘Marketing in the 21st Century in Lagos’ as its theme.

    “ADVAN is geared to help advertisers stay on top of critical issues that affect marketing today, forewarn them on tomorrow issues and assist in developing the right tools to address them,” he said.

    Those that emerged winner at the award night were Nestlé Milo that got the campaign of the year award, consumer promotion award and brand of the year award, while Oral B got the consumer insight award.

    PZ Cussons got the corporate social responsibility award; Origin got the innovation award; MTN got the digital marketing award while Star Lite got the new brand or service launch award.

    The ADVAN president said all entries received for the awards were critically evaluated by a panel of seasoned professionals, who maintained the highest level of equitability in the judging process.

    Oyeyemi said the awards for marketing excellence had evolved over the years in response to new developments in marketing theory and practice, to reflect the growing appreciation of the critical role of marketing as the vital source of value creation for business.

    “It is no secret that marketing has undergone more changes during the past five years than perhaps the preceding 100 years. Staying current with the dizzy arrays of technologies and trends has emerged as a daunting and often frustrating task,” he said.

  • Marketing in 21st century is challenging, says ADVAN President

    Marketing in 21st century is challenging, says ADVAN President

    The 21st Century customers are global citizens resident in your neighbourhood. Many of them are connected to the internet and can compare company prices with competitors. You fail them they switch to other brands,” the President of Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN)/General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN, Mr. Kola Oyeyemi, told about representatives of various advertisers at this year’s edition of ADVAN award for marketing excellence.

    With growing understanding of how consumers are changing the marketing game, Oyeyemi said the growth of internet and mobile phone penetration, 21st Century consumers have been transformed and as a result, the marketing landscape is being forced to gravitate towards the consumers.

    “They are so powerful such that they are brutally demanding and they know the global standard. They are not emotional and no longer loyal. If you fail them they switch their loyalty. This transformation has changed the marketing landscape in the 21st Century. Research variables and methodology too have changed with technology innovation. You no longer wait for long to get research results because of technology,” Oyeyemi said.

    He noted that the change has also collapsed the historical product distribution structure as mega malls; adding that e-commerce and new generation of logistics companies are also changing the marketing game.

    “Historical distribution structure are collapsing as mega malls, e-commerce are up. Night markets are disappearing and new generation of logistics companies are springing up. We are all aware of how traditional advertising is under threat. Internet penetration in Africa is changing marketing. Mobile device, social media are creating one of the most destructive impacts on the marketing industry,” he added.

    He noted that to avoid the wrath of consumers, advertisers must co-create product proposition with consumers. He said when consumers are involved in brand development from conception, packaging to the end result, it will be easier to relate with consumers in the 21st Century.