It was indeed a pleasant, entertaining and interactive evening when members of the Advertisers Association of Nigeria ( ADVAN) gathered to unwind, network, and share a memorable time together at  the Blowfish Restaurant in Lagos. 

The meeting, tagged ‘ADVAN Ignites’: “A Networking / Mixer Event”, and sponsored by Gordon’s London Dry Gin, provided attendees the opportunity to destress, connect, and escape the popular axiom: all work and no play, makes  brand custodians lazy marketers.

According to Osamede Uwubanmwen, President, ADVAN, ADVAN Ignites was organised to help the ‘ever-busy’ brand enthusiasts to unwind, interact and navigate strategies that will propel the growth and success of the Association; adding that events such as this, also help to rejuvenate the mind and stimulate innovative ideas and process of the professionals.

“We in ADVAN believe in unwinding,  by bringing our members together so that we can network, discuss issues that affect us as marketers. This is a delicate period in the association, we run a very tight schedule and so, cannot meet as  often as possible. Again, this is a new Exco, we want to use the opportunity to give them our one month review. This is for them to understand how things are and where and how it will be heading.

Elated, the ADVAN President noted that the event marked his first public function with members of the association.

“I feel good and it shows people are supportive and appreciative. It shows we operate as a team in ADVAN and that we are together. I want them to look forward to an ADVAN that has got their back, fights for them and is ready to build capacity. It is also willing to have conversation with whoever it is to prove what it stands for. We are like a pressure group and pressure groups don’t sit down and watch when things go wrong. I hope after our 2 years of being in charge, we will have cause to smile.”

ADVAN CEO, Ediri Ose-Ediale shared that the ‘mixer’ event was packaged to allow high-wired networking among advertising practitioners from far and near in a one-night high profile show.

“We believe these are busy professionals and hard working brand builders, there should be an opportunity for them to have soft interactions, have peer-to-peer learning of relaxation and conversation about the industry but on a lighter note.”

She continued: “I want our members to understand that brands are not alone, we are not working in isolation in Nigeria, so whichever sector you belong to, as far as you are a brand, we understand the opportunities and challenges are there for us. It is good that you come and learn from your peers and have conversations with them.”