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Tag: Biodun Shobanjo

  • Shobanjo urges new fellows to redefine excellence in advertising

    Shobanjo urges new fellows to redefine excellence in advertising

    • By Afolabi Idowu

    In a keynote speech that blended history, wisdom and challenge, Dr Biodun Shobanjo, widely regarded as the “Czar of Advertising” in Nigeria, urged newly-inducted Fellows of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to see their recognition not as a mere badge of seniority, but as a permanent call to elevate standards, redefine excellence and protect the integrity of the industry.

    Delivering the keynote at the induction ceremony, at which 45 seasoned practitioners were formally decorated as Fellows, Dr. Shobanjo questioned the value and meaning behind professional recognition that is not anchored in purpose and substance.

    “Let’s ask ourselves—beyond the certificate, the plaque, and the medal—what exactly does it mean?” Shobanjo challenged.

    “Being a Fellow must go beyond years of service. It must be a reflection of your conduct, your contrbution, and your character.”

    Drawing parallels with the legal profession, where the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) title commands reverence due to consistent excellence and ethical distinction, Shobanjo urged ARCON and its Fellows to redefine what fellowship means in the creative economy.

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    “If the legal profession holds its SANs in such high esteem, then our own Fellowship must come to represent something equally aspirational and substantive,” he said.

    The event which held in Lagos recently, brought together top leaders of Nigeria’s marketing communications industry, regulators, and veterans to honour the 45 new Fellows — drawn from advertising, media, public relations, and brand management circles.

    The inductees, carefully selected by ARCON’s Fellowship Committee after a rigorous review process, represent a new cadre of industry custodians expected to uphold ethics, mentor younger practitioners, and contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s fast-evolving advertising ecosystem.

    ARCON’s Director-General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, underscored that the Fellowship is “not ceremonial, but a symbol of responsibility and leadership.”

    He reminded the audience that the regulatory council’s mission extends beyond licensing—it is about standardising practice, enforcing ethics, and protecting the credibility of advertising in Nigeria.

    “The ARCON Act 2022 mandates us to professionalise this industry. Fellowship is one of the highest recognitions of that process—earned through excellence, integrity, and impact,” Fadolapo noted.

    The list of the newly inducted Fellows includes Oladapo Ojo, Founder/GMD, DM Holdings; Osubor Fillius, Founder/GMD, Rinet Ltd; Nwagwu Brenda, Founder/CEO, QVT Media; Felix Ehikhuemen, CEO, Landmarks O.H.M.S Ltd.; Adesanya Olutomiwa, CEO, Benevolence Treasures Ltd; Kayode Ebatamehi, GMD, Bluebird Group; Tony Udenze, CEO, Canod Ltd; Fagade Abisoye, Founder, Sodium Brand Solutions; Tade Adekunle, Principal Partner, Keskese; Tolulope Medebem, COO/Lead Consultant, AsterIML; Julius Agenmonmen, Founder/CEO, Brandlife; Akiolu Adegbola, CEO, LASAA and Dr. Arowa Oladipo, Founder/ CEO, Adgenda Media Ltd.

    Delivering his goodwill message, Lanre Adisa, President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), congratulated the inductees, noting that their recognition reflects the depth of their contribution to the growth and credibility of Nigeria’s advertising industry.

    He urged the new Fellows to continue promoting creativity, professionalism and ethical standards in their respective fields, especially as the industry confronts both fresh challenges and new opportunities.

    Speaking in the same vein, Steve Babaeko, Vice-President of the International Advertising Association (IAA), Africa, described the Fellowship status as the highest professional recognition in the advertising industry — akin to the revered Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) status in the legal profession.

    He congratulated the inductees and reminded them of their duty to uphold the integrity of the profession and to serve with a level of passion and mentorship that will inspire younger practitioners.

    The induction further opens up opportunities for mentorship and generational renewal — the Fellows are expected to guide younger practitioners, raise standards of ethics, creativity and professional conduct. This becomes more apparent as ARCON hints at a review of the criteria for future Fellowships.

    The message is clear: the Fellowship is not a destination but the start of a renewed contract — one between the inductees and the profession that gave them this honour.

    Dr. Shobanjo’s concluding words lingered: “Titles don’t make professionals — conduct does. This recognition must inspire you to become the conscience of advertising in Nigeria.”

  • Biodun Shobanjo daughter goes into music

    For friends and associates of advertising guru, Biodun Shobanjo, December 24 will mean more than Christmas Eve. On that day, the Chairman of Troyka Group will clock 70.

    Already, frontline socialites, celebrities and top players in the corporate world are getting set to pomp the champagne in honour of the chair of Nigeria’s largest marketing communications conglomerate and founding CEO of Insight Communications.

    He had highlighted his drive for success by quitting his job as the Deputy Managing Director of Grant Advertising to start Insight Communications many years ago. In 2013, the advertising czar added another feather to his cap with his selection by Sun Publishing Limited as the Advertising Man of All Times. And in November 2014, at the 23rd Presentation Dinner of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence, Sobanjo received the Lifetime Achievement Awards for distinguishing himself in his field.

    At the 3rd ADM Award of Excellence in Development, which took place at Novotel Hotel, Accra, Ghana recently, he was presented with the Most Influential Personality in Advertising in Africa Award.

  • Magazine holds maiden marketing stakeholders’ summit

    Nigeria’s leading brands and marketing-oriented magazine, Marketing Edge, will, on April 11, hold a stakeholders’ summit and legacy award night at the Federal Palace Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Both events are among the celebrations marking the magazine’s decade of operations.

    The theme of the summit is: Exploding the Myths of Advertising and Marketing Communications Industry in Nigeria. It will hold in the morning.

    A renowned professional marketer, who is also a leading icon in the integrated marketing communications industry in Nigeria, Mr George Thorpe, will deliver the summit’s keynote address.

    The Chairman of Troyka Group, Mr Biodun Shobanjo, will be the chairman of the occasion.

    The awards, which are in various categories, will be given to eminent marketers, including former MTN Marketing Director, Mr. Bola Akingbade and the Chairman, MediaReachOMD, Mr. George Thorpe. They will receive Lifetime Marketing Achievement Awards.

    The Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Seni Adetu, will receive Brand Personality of the Decade while the Executive Director (Commercial) of Promasidor, Mr Kachi Onubogu; Unilever’s Brand Building Director, Mr David Okeme and First Bank’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, will get Marketing Personality of the Decade.

    First Bank, Zenith Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank will receive Bank Brands of the Decade Awards.

     

  • Dolapo Shobanjo’s toeing dad’s step

    Dolapo Shobanjo’s toeing dad’s step

    FIVE months ago, she quit her job in the oil and gas industry to face the fashion business full time. Dolapo Shobanjo is definitely taking cue from her dad, Biodun Shobanjo, Chairman, Troyka Holdings. Young and bold Dolapo is targeting style and fashion lovers to keep their wardrobes stocked up with different wears and accessories with her twin online fashion store. The online store was first launched in 2009 by the female Shobanjo and ran more as part-time. The site’s pop-up store was launched in 2011 and lit up London’s trendy Notting Hill Carnival.

  • Biodun Shobanjo’s punctuality

    Biodun Shobanjo’s punctuality

    CHAIRMAN of Troyka Holdings, Biodun Shobanjo, is fond of one thing: punctuality. Those close to the marketing communication guru say he detests late-coming, or what is often described as African time. Sometime ago, the Ogun State-born advertising man was invited to an event. He was there on time and after waiting for one hour, the headhoncho of Nigeria’s largest marketing communication conglomerate took his leave, saying his time was precious.

    Shobanjo, adjudged Nigerian Advertising Man of the Century, quit his job as the Deputy Managing Director of Grant Advertising (the second largest advertising agency in Nigeria at the time) in 1979 to the surprise of many, to start Insight Communications driven by the quest, in his words, “to be number one.”