ADVAN holds awards for marketing excellence

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 to bring together industry stakeholders and supporters to celebrate 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 in October.

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, besides celebrating outstanding 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).

The President of ADVAN also revealed that two new categories have been introduced this year, as part of the goal to develop and set standards for all areas of the industry. The two categories are Public Sector Marketing and Marketing on a Shoestring budget. The public sector marketing Awards category is to recognize 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 the maximisation of “limited budgets” in achieving impact and measurable results.

Okeme also revealed that the Awards Committee tasked with mandate of organizing a world-class event is populated by seasoned marketing professionals led by the Marketing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Franco Maria Maggi, who would also serve 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.

His words on the judging process: “all entries are put through a thorough and transparent judging process, so our judges must be leaders of industry, from the various stakeholder groups within the marketing communications value chain”.

Still commenting on the event, Okeme, said: “akin to previous years, ADVAN would be preparing for this year’s event with the passion to highlight the fundamental position marketing occupies in our business and public sectors. As the umbrella body for marketing professionals, we strive to maintain, develop and set standards for the marketing industry.  Despite the seemingly chaotic economic space, we promise to make the Awards a night of glamour and excitement. Plans are in full gear to ensure a very memorable event. Given that the Award planning team is a combination of the nation’s most creative and articulate minds, it is assured that the ADVAN Awards Ceremony will be one of the most celebrated events of 2016.”