Stakeholders laud MARKETING EDGE Hall of Fame
By Abimbola Mohammed
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) space have applauded the just concluded maiden edition of the MARKETING EDGE Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony, which held at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, witnessed a splendid turn out among industry legends, gurus, eggheads, pacesetters, and pathfinders.
Speaking at the event, the doyen of Advertising practice in Nigeria, Dr. Biodun Sobanjo, applauded MARKETING EDGE for its relentless effort in promoting hard work, creativity and professionalism in the Industry. Dr. Sobanjo noted that MARKETING EDGE has always been in the forefront of reporting happenings in the industry both from the agency side and the brand side.
“I really need to commend John Ajayi. To think that he only started this journey some twenty years ago and has grown to this magnitude makes it all the more commendable. Back then, the likes of Lekan Babatunde, Tunmise Adekunle were the guys who reported what we did in our business.
“As a business owner, you would always look forward, every week, to finding something interesting about yourself and your business; but after a time it was all silent. It was as if Marketing, Advertising and Public Relation were gone because we didn’t have specialized journalist to treat the subject matter which gave some of us concern, and out of the blues, John started on this journey,” Dr. Sobanjo reminisced.
He continued: “For those of you who are entrepreneurs you would understand that branching out is very difficult; extremely difficult. It was something I went through for forty-two years and I know what pain it is really, particularly in a profession where people pay you money and it can be very frustrating sometimes.
“I want to thank John and his team for a wonderful job they have done because it is a full time effort to be able to improve on the product quality and content. The content they bring to the party generally is very commendable; they even go into television as well and collaborated with TVC. I think one needs to give these guys a lot of credit. On behalf of all the inductees, we thank John and his team for a wonderful evening.”
Speaking in the vein, Sir Steve Omojafor also commended the effort of MARKETING EDGE for organizing such a great event.
He said: “I know John Ajayi from the days when he and Akin Adeoya effectively covered the industry. John took up the mature aspect of the industry and he really has gone a long way. I need to congratulate him for his effort and the success that he has made today. On behalf of all the inductees, I wish John and his team warmest congratulations. What you have done today is the beginning, because you have started this business and there is no turning back.”
On his part, the Osun State governorship aspirant, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, said: “I want to appreciate MARKETING EDGE; it was indeed a great honour to be so inducted. What you have done today has come to stay. One thing about success is that it is a journey not a destination; what MARKETING EDGE has done today is a challenge for them to do much more.”
Dr. Ogunbiyi advised that more people should join politics in Nigeria and not just leave the running of this country into the hands of people that have been in the game for years.
He said: “I want to encourage everyone present here not to look at politics as the game for the boys, because that is why our country is the way it is today. We should take up the challenge of leadership and join Nigerian politics. I have seen it and I am in it; even though it’s rough, there always a place for you and me. I want to say a big thank you to the MARKETING EDGE team.”
Also speaking, Steve Babaeko, President of Advertising Agencies Association of Nigeria (AAAN) and CEO X3M Ideas, said he is grateful to be honoured by MARKETING EDGE alongside the fathers of advertising practice in Nigeria.
“I want to thank MARKETING EDGE for initiating this Hall of Fame. When I was told about this event, I was so curious to know who and who that will be inducted, and when the name were read to me I felt like I didn’t belong here. But it is very impressive for me to see Sir Steve, Dr. Sobanjo among others here today. I feel so honoured to be so inducted today,” he said.
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