There is no doubt that award winning is important in any sector. The reason is that every point of recognition and accolade add to a brand’s credibility. Many marketing-related industries rely on, or are complemented by awards. Similarly, many of them are inundated by awards and this can become superfluous and not necessarily a unique selling point. When building and bolstering a brand, various elements exist that contribute to a positive and credible image.
Though it is believe in some quarters that celebrating creative excellence is nothing but a jamboree and a means for the brain behind the initiative to step up their game, others are however of the view that awards from major trade groups and associations can give business a credibility boost and also help in developing brand equity.
For the advertising professionals that interface between brands and their target audience, awards aren’t just about a pat on the back or a quick ego boost but vehicles that can enhance a company’s reputation, help employees take pride in their work and instil confidence in customers about the quality and professionalism of their organization.
Understanding this fact, the Out Doors Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) is set to consolidate on its initiative of celebrating creative excellence in the Out of Home sub-sector of Nigerian economy. The OAAN Exhibition and Poster Awards started in 1997 as a way of promoting and rewarding creative excellence in the sector.
Speaking to newsmen recently in Lagos at a media parley to showcase readiness for this year’s edition, the president of the association, Mr. Charles Chijide said: “the initiative was designed as a platform for the advertisers, our suppliers and partners to exhibit their products and services. This year’s outing is the 9th in the series and it is our desire to make it more successful than all the previous years’ experience. We are therefore making elaborate plans to ensure that the event records significant improvement in all aspects”.
According to him, this year’s edition with the theme- ‘Be Bold’ is scheduled to take place on the 25th of June, 2015 at the Federal Palace Hotels and Casinos, Victoria Island, Lagos State, and will feature award categories such as Diary Food and Beverages, Alcoholic Drinks, Financial Services, Public Service/Real Estate, Electronics/Electrical, Telecoms, Information, Computer and Technology (ICT) among others.
“to ensure that the event is highly competitive, we have also put in place a formidable Poster Awards Committee, led by our immediate past President, Otunba Kole Ademulegun and I am glad to let you know that the committee is leaving no stone unturned to achieve its set objectives”. He noted.
Also speaking at the event, the immediate past President of the association, Otunba Kole Ademulegun expressed optimism that this year’s Poster Awards edition would be highly competitive as is evident in the exciting creative prowess observed on billboards displayed in various cities across the nation in 2014. He therefore called on Advertising/Creative Agencies to reap their Creative Rewards by making their entries before May 25th, 2015.
The panel of Judges he stressed will as usual be drawn from the following bodies, APCON, AAAN, ADVAN, OAAN, MIPAN, Academia, Brand Journalism Desk and the Consumer Protection Council. Adding that the chairman of the panel of Judges would be nominated by the members making up the panel, and they are expected to bring more credence to the awards.
