Marketing Communication Industry Bodies Set To Improve Standards

Evelyn Akpor-

The Advertisers’ Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has urged the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) and Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN) to close rank in order to contribute positively to the growth of the marketing communication industry in Nigeria.

This call was made recently at ADVAN/Sectorial Group meeting by Mr. Idorenyen Enang, president, ADVAN. In attendance was Mr. Enang leading other ADVAN members like Mr. Kola Oyeyemi, Mr. Walter Okafor, Mrs. Hannah Oyebanjo, Mr. Bayo Oke, Mrs. Ifeoma Edozie and Mrs. Ediri Orogun, the association’s executive secretary/general manager.

On the side of AAAN were Mr. Funmi Onabolu, president, AAAN; Mr. Rufai Ladipo; Mrs. Bunmi Oke; and AAAN’s executive director/CEO, Mr. Lekan Fadolapo. From MIPAN, Mr. Tolu Ogunkoya led Dr. Ken Onyali Ikpe and one other member to the evening of discussion.

The tripartite parley was kicked off by Mr. Enang, who said that “ADVAN wants to restore the leadership it lost over the years by collaborating with other sectorial groups to shape the marketing communications industry.”

He decried the falling standards in the industry, adding that “our brand managers can not write a quality brief, hence, the number of expatriates in the industry.” The ADVAN president reasoned that for the industry to take shape, data development, collaboration amongst interest/sectorial groups and special attention to intellectual capacity are key.