AAAN Holds 17th edition of LAIF Awards Nov 26

Henry Akpede, Board member, Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival (LAIF) Awards, Kemi Awonusi, Director, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Steve Babaeko, President, AAAN, Lanre Adisa, Chairman, LAIF Awards, Segun Akinyemiju, Project Manager, LAIF Awards at the LAIF Awards press conference on Thursday, 22nd September in Lagos

The Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) is set to hold the 17th edition of its Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival (LAIF) Awards, with the theme ‘All ideas are welcome’.

The LAIF Awards will hold on November 26, 2022 while its week long activities tagged “LAIF Festival Week” will hold from November 21 to 26.

In his remark, President, AAAN and CEO, X3M Ideas, Steve Babaeko, stated that the Awards is a major milestone, each year for AAAN, aimed at recognising creative talents and challenging others to do better.

“The frontier of creativity is in a state of constant evolution. This year, the LAIF awards will reflect the award’s commitment to advocating and rewarding creativity and its commitment to becoming a top-recognised awards platform in Africa. We are improving the skills and craftsmanship of creatives in the industry with this award. Those who do not emerge winners are challenged to try again next year,” he said.

Chairman, LAIF Awards and CEO, Noah’s Ark Communications Limited, Lanre Adisa, reiterated the focus behind the awards initiative, as one that encompasses all creativity which is the reason for this year’s theme and applauded the growth and reputation the awards has enjoyed so far.

“This year’s LAIF Awards will be focused on diverse and inclusive creativity welcoming people from all walks of life.

“We are at a stage where companies looking to engage the service of a creative advertising company uses the LAIF awards as the benchmark for their selection on whom to invite for a pitch.”

“With the LAIF Awards online portal, borne out of the challenges that came with the pandemic and our commitment to reward, regardless, we have seen more submissions of entries. Last year, we had over 700 entries and we are hopeful there will be an increase in entries this year,” he said.

In addition to what was earlier stated, this year, the LAIF awards will be a hybrid event, starting with the nominations party, followed by the Young LAIFERS, a 2-day LAIF seminar and the awards event, which will take place on the 26.

The Young LAIFERS, which is directed at encouraging under-30 years practitioners in the industry will be open to youths in the tertiary institutions and the winner of the Authentic African Story Awards, a special award that was endowed by Lare Awokoya, Chairman TBWA Concept, will go home with N1 million. This year will also see the return of the Viewers’ Choice Awards.

With 10 categories and over 30 jurors, the organizers guarantee the credibility of the judging process as the jurors for the awards will comprise stellar industry figures comprising of advertising practitioners as well as those behind the scenes such as photographers, cinematographers, content writers, independent professionals and clients who will infuse the process with the credibility they have earned over the years.

Recall at last year’s award, X3M Marketing Ideas Limited emerged the topmost ranked agency with 9 Gold, 16 Silver and 8 Bronze. The agency was also named the 2021 Agency of the Year.

Also, Dentsu MCGarryBowen came second on the medals table carting home 2 Gold, 14 Silver, and 12 Bronze while Insight Publicis and Noah’s Ark emerged third and fourth respectively. Insight Publicis won 3 Gold, 5 Silver, and 4 Bronze while Noah’s Ark Communications won 4 Gold, 6 Silver, and 6 Bronze.

The press conference to announce this year’s event was attended by the Director of AAAN, Kemi Awonusi, President, Brand Journalist Association of Nigeria (BJAN) Clara Okoro, LAIF Awards Board member, Henry Akpede and members of the press.

The LAIF Awards is the brainchild of AAAN and seeks to reward creative excellence and promote the spirit of healthy competition in the creative industry.

September 27, 2022