West African Highlights

Last week, Creativity Week, described as a "full week of inspiration, learning, networking" took place in Lagos, Nigeria, for the second time, "bringing together professionals and students from all spheres of marketing communication in West and Central Africa." The organisers, CHINI Productions, have been instrumental in establishing Lürzer's Archive in the ad scene in Africa, where they distribute the magazine and also conduct workshops with creatives using Archive magazine. CHINI also provide multimedia materials, educational counselling, seminars, workshops, events, travel and support services for the marketing communications industry. For the first time this year, they decided to do an awards show. I had a look at the winners of the first Pitcher Awards, as they are called, and wanted to share some of my favourites with you. The campaigns from the Noah's Ark agency, as always, stood out and you may have seen their print work and films featured in this blog in our magazine before as they are regular contributors and have had their work featured in the magazine several times this year already. The Grand Prix went to an integrated campaign for Ghana Post GPs called "Jack, where are you?". You can see the case film for this project in the Gallery on your right (and the main image on this page is taken from an outdoor installation). I was particularly impressed by "Closed - A Short Film" by Lago agency Up in the Sky for the 9 Mobile communications company. I won't say anything else about it for fear of spoiling the great storytelling of this remarkable film.

Client: Airtel Nigeria. Agency: Noah's Ark, Lagos, Nigeria. CD: Abolaji Alausa, Maurice Ugwonoh, Yemi Arawore. AD: Mitchelle Defounga, Ezekiel Resedenz, Yekeen Ibrahim. CW: Balogun Toheeb, Baruch Apata, Jesujoba Popoola. (Gold, Print).

Client: Hypo Bleach. Agency: Noah’s Ark, Lagos, Nigeria. CD: Lanre Adisa, Abolaji Alausa, Yemi Arawore. AD: Olumaiye Aladeniji, Sodiq Sheu. CW: Kunle Omope, Onyekachi Uju, Onyekachi Uju. Photographer: Underdog Productions. (Bronze, Print).

Client: Noah's Ark. Agency: Noah's Ark, Lagos, Nigeria. CD: Lanre Adisa, Abolaji Alausa. AD: Olumaiye Aladeniji, Kayode Onimole. CW: Abolaji Alausa. Illustrator: Jideobi Okonkwo. (Bronze, Print).