Pitcher Awards names Femi Odugbemi 2024 Entertainment Jury President
By Amos Oladele
Pitcher Awards, the Pan-African benchmark for creative excellence has, for the second time, named Femi Odugbemi, Founder and CEO of Zuri24 Media, a content production company based in Lagos, Nigeria as the 2024 Pitcher Awards Entertainment Jury President.
Making the disclosure in a release, Pitcher Festival, the organisers of the awards said, “This prestigious role recognizes Odugbemi’s outstanding contributions to the entertainment industry and his unwavering commitment to fostering creativity.”
They described Odugbemi as a multifaceted creative force, renowned for his work as a writer, filmmaker, and television producer. “As the Founder and CEO of Zuri24 Media, a content production company based in Lagos, Odugbemi has consistently pushed boundaries and elevated storytelling in the African media landscape.”
Odugbemi’s impressive credentials, according to Pitcher Festival, include being a voting member of both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars) and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Emmys). It noted that Odugbemi’s unique distinction lies in his election to both the Film and TV international academies – a testament to his exceptional talent and influence.
In its words, “Odugbemi has brought to life some of sub-Saharan Africa’s most successful television drama series. Notably, he was the founding content producer of TINSEL, Nigeria’s groundbreaking studio multi-camera daily series. With over 3,500 episodes and counting, TINSEL remains one of the longest-running soap operas in the country. His portfolio extends to other acclaimed drama series, feature films and documentaries.”
Responding to this appointment, Pitcher quoted Odugbemi as saying, “I am thrilled to return as the Entertainment Jury President for the 2024 Pitcher Festival of Creativity Awards. It is a privilege to witness the incredible talent and innovation showcased by creators in the entertainment industry. I eagerly anticipate experiencing the diverse and inspiring works submitted this year and celebrating the creativity and ingenuity of our industry.”
On his part, Dr. Nnamdi Ndu, Chairman of Pitcher Festival, congratulated Odugbemi on his appointment. He said, “Femi Odugbemi’s vision and expertise are highly remarkable. His creative insights and industry acumen set him apart as a true luminary in the world of entertainment and media. His leadership will undoubtedly elevate the judging process and inspire creativity within the region and beyond. We look forward to an exceptional year under his guidance.”
In a private chat with this reporter, Odugbemi reflected on his first experience as Jury President at Pitcher Awards thus: “My previous experience as the Jury President of the Pitcher Awards was incredibly rewarding. It allowed me to witness firsthand the incredible talent and creativity within the entertainment industry. It also reassured me of the integrity of the award management and process.”
Asked how it feels to be appointed for such an international assignment, he said, “Of course the Pitcher Awards is prestigious and being appointed for such an international assignment is truly an honor. But it is really also a testament to the recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in the global creative landscape.”
On what such appointment portends for Nigeria and its professional cum entrepreneurs in the industry, Odugbemi enthused that the appointment signifies a significant step forward for Nigeria and its professionals in the entertainment industry; adding that t highlights our country’s ability to compete at an international level and opens doors for greater collaboration and opportunities.
As for his personal expectations from the assignment, he said, “Personally, I expect this assignment to be both challenging and fulfilling. I look forward to engaging with diverse perspectives and contributing to the recognition of outstanding talent in the entertainment world.”
And, for his assessment of Nigerian agencies showing at the Pitcher Awards till date, Odugbemi opined that “Nigerian agencies have made notable strides at the Pitchers Awards in recent years, showcasing innovative campaigns and creative excellence”; adding, “However, there’s always room for growth and refinement.”
He concluded, “For this year’s edition, I expect Nigerian agencies to continue raising the bar and showcasing their creativity on a global stage.
I anticipate seeing even more groundbreaking campaigns and impactful storytelling.”
About Pitcher Festival of Creativity
Pitcher Festival of Creativity is an annual events and awards programme that promotes Africa’s creativity in marketing, advertising, media, PR, digital, entertainment and related fields. Annually, the Festival presents the prestigious Pitcher Awards, the Pan-African benchmark for creative excellence, to deserving ad agencies, brands and individuals for campaigns and initiatives created or implemented in Africa.
The festival programmes include:
Pitcher Awards – the new Pan-African benchmark for creative excellence
Future Creative Leaders Academy – an intensive professional immersion and competitions for university students on their way into the creative industries
Young Professionals Academy – intensive training sessions and life-changing competitions for creative, media, digital and marketing professionals under 30
Creating a Better Africa – an initiative aimed at mobilizing the private sector towards greater participation in development projects in Africa.
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