Practitioners gather in Abuja, as ARCON Holds 1st National Advertising Conference

…. Regulatory framework going through some fundamental changes- ARCON DG

Oru Leonard

A two-day National Advertising Conference (NAC), organised by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), is holding between November 30th and December 1st, 2022.

The Conference which was previously held under the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), is the first major maiden event for ARCON that was started this year, themed, ”The Marketing Communication Industry In Nigeria, Trends, Challenges and Prospects”, is aimed at providing a veritable platform for brainstorming and sharing knowledge and ideas on the progress and challenges in ARCON. With the theme, ”The Marketing Communication Industry In Nigeria, Trends, Challenges and Prospects”, it is aimed at providing a veritable platform for brainstorming and sharing knowledge and ideas on the progress and challenges in ARCON.

In his opening remark, the Chairman, House Committee on Information Culture and Ethics, Hon. Olusegun Odebunmi, said that ARCON as a regulatory and revenue generating body in advertising, is expected to help in building stronger Nigeria brands as an imperative for economic growth at a time like this, in order to help boost the Nigerian economy.

He noted that the Council is saddled with the responsibility to promote responsible and ethical advertising practice, which acts as the conscience of society and watchdog for the consumers; whilst managing the needs and interests of the stakeholders in Nigeria’s Advertising Industry.

Speaking, the Director General of ARCON, Dr.Olalekan Fadolapo, said this year’s conference is timely, noting that it came at a time when the ARCON regulatory framework is going through some fundamental changes aimed at improving the practice and business of advertising in Nigeria.

“ARCON will bring together captains of industries, top government functionaries, seasoned economic experts and key stakeholders like the Minister of Information and Culture – Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Honorable Danladi Sankara, Honorable Olusegun Odebunmi and Chief Executives of advertising industry to extensively talk about advertising.

“A select number of dignitaries will also speak on critical issues faced by our Nigerian economy and the industry”, he disclosed.Dr Fadolapo also said that the conference promises to be a catalyst for investments and national economic development, while also addressing the future of the Nigerian advertising industry with respect to creativity, quacks in the industry, security, innovations, financing, sustainability and growth.

Some topics that were discussed experts at the conference include; state of the Nation’s Economy; The Advertising Industry-Growing the Pie; The Advertising Industry-Size, Data; Strong Brands, Strong Nation-A Brand Report; The State of Regulation in the Advertising Industry-The ARCON law explained.

Distinguished speakers at the conference include Emmanuel Agu Group Marketing Director – Jotna, Oare Ojeikere a marketing professional, Rotimi Pedro, CEO Optima Mrdia Group, Kola Oyeyemi -CEO Axiom Intel, Emeka Okeke Group CEO Media Fuse Dentsu Nigeria, Dr Tunji Olugbodi EVC/GCEO Verdant Zeal Communication, Adia Sowho CMO MTN, and a host of other dignitaries.

The Conference is powered by ARCON with the support of Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN).