AAAN to elect new executive committee as 51st AGM begins

The 51st annual general meeting (AGM) and congress of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) will begin today.

The three-day event, to be flagged off by Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun state, will also have Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, among other dignitaries in attendance.

According to a statement on Wednesday, the association said the AGM and congress will kick off with courtesy visits by members of the Steve Babaeko-led AAAN executive committee to Oba Adedotun Gbadebo Aremu 111, Alake of Egbaland and Oba Adedapo Tejuosho, the Osile of Oke-Ona.

AAAN said the event themed “Breaking the Mold-Creativity and National Development,” is expected to highlight how advertising practice can better aid national development.

During the event, the association’s activities over the last year will be reviewed, and it will also feature the election of a new executive committee that will drive AAAN’s processes over the next two years.

Speaking on what to expect from the AGM and congress, Babaeko, AAAN president, said the event will focus on how creativity can aid the acceleration of national development.

He said the sessions lined up will also provide room for the assessment of the stewardship of the outgoing leadership and the election of a new one.

“The impact of advertising on the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) is considerable. The fact of it was recently reiterated by study carried out by PwC, which was commissioned by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and funded by industry associations. The report of the study, presented to the public in Lagos last month, puts the value of the Advertising industry at N605.2billion,” Babaeko said.

The association announced the AGM and congress will feature a discussion session by experts from various economic sectors on the event’s second day.

“The speakers expected at the conference session are Mr. Obi Asika, Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture; Mr. Femi Odugbemi, founder/CEO, Zuri35 Media; Ms. Chichi Nwoko, CEO and founder, WHAT Media; Mr. Olumide Balogun, Director, Google West Africa; and Mr. Olatunbosun Alake, Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology,” AAAN said.

“Later the same day, candidates for various executive committee positions will have the opportunity to share the ideas with members at the manifesto night.”

Doyin Adewumi, chairman of the events planning committee, said the association has a tradition of using multi-disciplinary and multi-industry expertise to improve advertising practice.

Adewumi said this tradition is why experts from various fields have been invited once again to speak on the event’s theme, adding that this approach will provide new thinking that advertising professionals can put to use.

AAAN said the AGM will come to a close on July 20 with a morning business session, which will feature the induction of new members, the dissolution of the executive committee, and the election of a new committee.

The association said the gala and award night will follow, recognising deserving industry figures.