MARKETING EDGE remembers its pioneer awardees with heartfelt gratitude
By Felicia Nwosu
As the curtains rise on another season of recognition and celebration in Nigeria’s marketing and advertising industry, MARKETING EDGE takes a moment to reflect on the historic night that ignited its journey of honoring excellence.
It was 11 years ago when the inaugural MARKETING EDGE Awards were held, marking a pivotal moment in the firm’s history and coinciding with its 10th anniversary. For a company just beginning to establish itself in the world of awards organizing, the magnitude of that night—the caliber of the honorees, the grandeur of the venue, and the industry buzz it generated—remains an enduring source of pride.
The memory of that inaugural event, which honored Dr. Biodun Shobanjo, the doyen of Nigerian advertising and Group Chairman of the Troyka Group, as the Brand Personality of the Year, remains unforgettable. This memory continues to glow, ever fresh in the annals of MARKETING EDGE. It fills the publication with a deep sense of inspiration, happiness, and fulfillment. While MARKETING EDGE has since evolved into a titan in celebrating brand and advertising excellence, that first step on the awards stage is a memory the company cherishes dearly.
What made that night truly unforgettable was not just the glitz and glamour, but the unwavering trust shown by those who stood alongside MARKETING EDGE in its early days. Despite it being the firm’s first attempt at hosting an awards event, these visionary individuals and agencies believed in the integrity of the organizers. They participated without hesitation, placing their faith in MARKETING EDGE’s judgment, and in doing so, became the pioneers who helped shape what is now a cornerstone of the industry.
The company has never forgotten this gesture. Those early awardees, who placed their trust in a publication still proving itself in the world of organized recognition, are held in the highest esteem. Their commitment to the cause and their belief in MARKETING EDGE’s vision laid the foundation for what has become an internationally recognized awards platform.
That night, the industry marveled at what a fast-rising firm like MARKETING EDGE had accomplished. The event’s prestige was evident in every detail, from the richness of the concept to the high-profile venue that hosted some of the most esteemed personalities in marketing and advertising. The attendees exuded style, class, and distinction, leaving many in awe of how this emerging player had crafted an event that could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the industry.
The industry buzz, accolades, and commendations that followed were unprecedented. From that first ceremony, MARKETING EDGE established itself as a name synonymous with excellence and professionalism, earning respect and reverence across the industry. Today, that momentous night continues to resonate within the hearts of those who were there.
Over the past 11 years, the MARKETING EDGE Awards have only grown stronger. Year after year, the event has set new standards of excellence, gaining recognition not only within Nigeria but on the global stage.
Thousands of brands and individuals have since been honored, with each award given after careful scrutiny and objective evaluation. MARKETING EDGE has never wavered from its mission to reward excellence, hard work, and professionalism, ensuring that each recipient is deserving of the honor, free from favoritism, and backed by an industry that vouches for their achievements.
In that inaugural year, George Thorpe was bestowed with the MARKETING EDGE Magazine Legacy Award of Excellence, receiving a Lifetime Marketing Achievement Award for his indelible contributions to the industry.
Seni Adetu, then Managing Director and CEO of Guinness Nigeria Plc., was honored as the Brand Personality of the Decade, with his visionary leadership acknowledged during a time when Guinness Nigeria was a household name in Africa’s corporate scene.
Bola Akingbade, the esteemed founder of Brandville Limited, earned a Lifetime Marketing Achievement Award, while Arome David Okeme, then Marketing Director at Unilever Nigeria, took home the award for Marketing Personality of the Decade.
The illustrious Folake Ani-Mumuney, now First Bank of Nigeria’s Global Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications, was also recognized as the Marketing Personality of the Decade for her trailblazing contributions.
Kachi Onubogu, formerly of Promasidor and now Principal Consultant at Zuriel Consulting Limited, received the same recognition for his outstanding work at Promasidor.
Edirin Abamwa, CEO of WSI-AXon, led his agency to recognition as the Innovative Digital Marketing Agency of the time.
It wasn’t just individuals who shone that night. SO&U Saatchi & Saatchi, now known as the SO&U Group, was awarded Outstanding Advertising Agency, while Noah’s Ark took home the title of Outstanding Young Advertising Agency of the Decade, a nod to the trail they were blazing in the creative space. The list of pioneer awardees is extensive and cannot all be mentioned in this write-up.
As MARKETING EDGE prepares to enter yet another chapter in its awards journey with a refreshed brand identity and a rebranded EDGE Awards, the company reflects with gratitude on the giants who walked with it in those early days.
Without their trust, that first awards show might not have unfolded as spectacularly as it did. Those individuals and agencies who believed in the company’s mission of “Promoting the Brand Idea” set the stage for the extraordinary success that has followed.
Today, as MARKETING EDGE celebrates 21 years of promoting excellence in marketing, it remains steadfast in its commitment to championing the ideals that make the industry stronger. With a dedication to professionalism, hard work, and the highest standards, the publication continues to stand tall as a beacon of industry integrity and excellence. The industry owes a debt of gratitude to the pioneers who trusted the firm and participated in its first awards show.
They will forever be remembered as the cornerstone of MARKETING EDGE’s success, an enduring symbol of faith, commitment, and belief in a better, brighter future for marketing in Nigeria and beyond.
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