AAAN unveils activities of 18th LAIF Awards

The Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) has unveiled plans for its 18th edition Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival (LAIF). The festival is scheduled to hold from November 9 to 18, 2023.

AAAN President, Steve Babaeko, while addressing journalists in Lagos, recently, noted that LAIF Awards remained a veritable platform to celebrate creative excellence and showcase exemplary works of agencies in the industry. He said this year’s award is quite symbolic, as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the advertising body in Nigeria.

The association also inaugurated a new management board for the awards. New members include, Jay Chukwuemeka, Henry Akpede, Raphael Idu, Idiare Atimomo, Colette Otusheso, Funmibi Fayo Adeleye, Oyindamola Fakile, Dolapo Ogunbambo, Jumoke Akinyele and Babs Fagade.

The board will preside over the awards for the next three years. Babaeko commended members of previous LAIF boards for their efforts to keep the tradition going these past 17 years and their unwavering support to ensure that the pipeline of talents in the industry keeps growing.

In his remarks, Chairman of the newly inaugurated LAIF Management Board, Chukwuemeka, assured that this edition would be unique and more inclusive, as the board is determined to encourage more member agencies to participate.

According to him, the theme for this edition, ‘A new LAIF’, signifies a pivotal moment in the industry’s evolution as it hopes to celebrate the hard work, passion and dedication of creatives around the country.

Acknowledging the brilliant works of the previous board, he said the present leadership is committed to bringing about a lot of transformation that harmonises the LAIF brand with the clear vision of its founders and future goals.

He said, “we are committed to upholding the best global practices while preserving our heritage beyond the past and present. One of our primary objectives this year is sensitisation and inclusion. We aim to increase participation in LAIF from more member agencies of AAAN in 2023. Our goal is to craft a credible and inclusive event that will not only celebrate our industry from within but also position us better externally.”

He stated that, aside from creating a new category to recognise and celebrate clients this year, the board is considering bringing agencies from neighbouring West African countries on board soon to promote inclusivity and regional appeal.

He added: “We are introducing a category for Marketing Directors/Departments on the client’s side, with the long-term aim of increasing participation, as we all know that our clients give us the platform to exhibit our ingenuity. We believe being nominated in LAIF is no easy feat. Hence, we will be rewarding nominated agencies moving forward with the prestigious LAIF STAR Badge.”

On his part, immediate past chairman of LAIF Management Board, Lanre Adisa, expressed great satisfaction with the awards’ impact on the industry these past 17 years.

He stated: “I feel very happy and proud to be part of the awards scheme that has brought a lot of innovations to the advertising profession. I’m happy to have contributed my quota in raising the bar for the awards. LAIF Awards will always be topmost on my mind.”

Award entries for participating agencies opened on September 18, 2023. The LAIF Festival Week is schedule to hold from November 9 to 18, 2023 ending with the LAIF award night.