Women Have Important Role To Play In Nigeria’s Advertising Industry — Stakeholders

Professional women in Nigeria’s advertising industry have an important role to play and have been urged to contribute more to its development.

This was the view expressed by speakers at the maiden edition of Women In Advertising and Communication Annual Cocktail organised by the Association Of Advertising Agencies In Nigeria, AAAN, on Thursday in Ikeja, Lagos, under the theme; ” Growing Female Chief Executives.”

The event, which was moderated by Tola Obi, Chief Operating Officer, CenterSpread Grey, was well attended by senior members of the AAAN.

Delivering her welcome address, Tope Jemerigbe, President of Women In Advertising and Chief Executive Officer, DKK, said women should be more proactive in the industry and also be given a chance to mentor upcoming advertising professionals.

Jemerigbe said women in the industry should cultivate the habit of networking with the mindset of achieving something profitable.  Women need to be more proactive and more focused, it is necessary because the culture is not fully prepared for the kind of growth  The culture is a big obstacle for women in the advertising industry, we need to be deliberate in all we do and stop seeking for favour. Being focused is the goal and avoid distraction, she said.

John Ugbe, Managing Director MultiChoice Nigeria, who spoke on the rise of females in the advertising industry, said women are building a support structure, which would help the industry in the long-term.

Ugbe noted that culture has a major role to play in the growth of women in advertising in Nigeria, stating that certain practices limit women from realising their full potential in the profession.

Speaking on the growing number of female chief executives, Angela Emuwa, the first female Chairman of Punch Nigeria Limited, said women should learn to be confident in their ability and improve their capacity at every given opportunity in order to develop.  Women needs to be confident with their ability to deliver, knowing your worth will give you a head when you going to see a client”, she said.