OAAN resuscitates Poster Award, holds 2014 edition

Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) has concluded plans to resuscitate the prestigious poster award of excellence as a way of promoting and encouraging creativity and professionalism in the out-of-home industry in Nigeria.

The association plans to organise the 2014 award on May 15, 2014, in Lagos.

The chairman of the association, Charles Chijide told journalists that plans were solid to make this year’s Poster Award a remarkable and memorable event.

He emphasised that the confirmed attendance of the president of FEPE (World body of Outdoor Advertising Association) Karl Javurek, as special guest of honour, along with other OAAN’s international associates, state governors and some prominent Nigerians would add a grandiose tilt to this year’s award.

Also speaking, the chairman of the planning committee and past president of the association, Kole Ademulegun said the award, which debuted almost a decade ago, had become the benchmark for measuring and promoting creativity and ingenuity in the industry, thereby making it one of the most credible and industry-endorsed award.

Specifically, he said “it was the very first industry award to be recognised and accepted by Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON),” disclosing that as part of plans to make the award a huge success, the association had set up a 10-man committee with the general manager of the association’s secretariat charged with the responsibility to ensure a befitting Poster Award.

He, however, hinted that efforts were being made to get sponsors for the event, which is very pivotal for all those involved in the brand building business in Nigeria.

The Poster Award, he further revealed, offers potential sponsors a veritable opportunity to exhibit their products as well as get maximum media mileage from the award.

No fewer than 11 categories have been identified for recognition in the highly competitive award. Entry forms are available at the OAAN secretariat and on the association’s website – www.oaan.org. He encouraged creative directors, brand and site owners to enter all those works that pricked their sense of pride in the 2013 advertising campaign year.

The award, which started in 1997, was suspended in 2003, due to logistics challenges, but the OAAN said arrangements had been made to sustain the award annually and raise the bar in the out-of-home practice.