LAIF & Direct Webinar Series
As a precursor to the 19th Annual Awards Ceremony, LAIF announced the resumption of its webinar series, LAIF & Direct.
The first edition, tagged “LAIF & Direct on IG”, was held on Friday, August 30, 2024, and featured the newly elected AAAN President, Mr. Lanre Adisa, Group CEO/Chief Creative Officer of Noah’s Ark. The session was hosted by Ms. Esosa Osagiede, Creative Director at Insight Publicis. It provided an avenue for the President to discuss his REV agenda (Relevance, Expansion, and Value), while offering a preview of initiatives under his leadership.
The second edition took place on Friday, September 27, 2024, and featured a panel of top industry strategists discussing the theme:
“Surviving the Extinction of Strategists in the Nigerian Advertising Sector.”
The third edition, held on Friday, October 25, 2024, brought together top industry account managers. The topic of discourse was:
“The Importance of Culturally Relevant Content in Advertising, and How Local Stories Can Enhance Brand Connection.”
LAIF 2024 Awards Festival
The 2024 LAIF Awards season commenced with a press parley at the prestigious Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, where the theme “Staying A-LAIF” and key event dates were announced.
A landmark event this year was the integration of the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN) into LAIF.
Jury Selection and Evaluation Process
LAIF maintained a rigorous and credible jury nomination process. Esteemed members from AAAN agencies were assigned to different panels based on their expertise. In 2024, the number of jurors rose to 55, up from 32 in 2023—marking a significant expansion. Importantly, the jury achieved a notable gender split of 37 men to 27 women. Seven Jury Presidents were appointed to lead panels across categories such as Film, Audio, and others.
Entries and Participation
- Total entries: 657 (a 20% increase from 2023)
- New participating agencies: 26 (up from 24 in 2023)
- Three new special categories were introduced
- Existing categories and subcategories were updated to meet contemporary industry standards
- Academy Voting (Agencies’ Choice Award) was introduced, with participation from 15 agencies
In total, 57 agencies emerged as winners at the LAIF Awards 2024.
Young Laifers Competition
The Young Laifers competition—designed to promote excellence in brand strategy and foster craftsmanship among young practitioners—was held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at Terragon. A total of 22 teams participated.
Nomination Cocktail Party
On Friday, November 22, 2024, at Ad Dynamo by Aleph, LAIF hosted its Nomination Cocktail Party, a celebration of creativity and community. Attendees enjoyed an evening of networking, cocktails, and recognition, as all 2024 award nominees were formally celebrated.
LAIF Awards Gala Night
The grand Awards Gala Night took place on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at The Hall, Victoria Island, Lagos. Guests began arriving as early as 4:00 p.m. The evening was filled with glitz, glamour, and celebration as agencies were recognized and awarded for their exceptional creative work.
A recap of the Young Laifers competition and cheque presentations were among the evening’s highlights. To delight the crowd, a violinist delivered a spellbinding performance, followed by an abundance of food, drinks, and lively conversation. The night ended on a high note, just before midnight.
Committee of Women in Advertising (WIA)
On Thursday, February 20, 2025, the Committee of Women in Advertising (WIA) hosted a special “Sisters Not Strangers (Gen Z Edition)” webinar themed:
“Navigating the Challenges of Building a Career in Advertising: The Gen Z Perspective.”
The highly interactive session was a resounding success, drawing approximately 87 participants. It featured four panellists and a moderator, all drawn from AAAN member agencies.
