Abolaji Alausa, the Executive Creative Director of Noah’s Ark, has won a full Global Health Communication scholarship to the Berlin School, courtesy of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This scholarship was keenly contested for by senior executives in the Nigerian creative industries ranging from TV, film, music, advertising, media, marketing, gaming, design or technology. In challenging for this prestigious honors, candidates were selected based on their strong professional background and a proven track record of creative excellence.
Gavi, in partnership with the Berlin School of Creative Leadership started this initiative with one goal; to successfully plan a pilot project whereby the creative media and marketing industries can be brought together to communicate the need for action, as well as the benefits of preventive vaccination efforts like those led by Gavi.
As the winner, Bolaji will not only participate in the Executive MBA in Creative Leadership, but will work individually with Gavi to develop a comprehensive communication strategy, plan and creative concept to increase vaccination coverage and equity, overcome barriers and increase children’s coverage with vaccination by helping to foster Vaccination Demand from caregivers in Nigeria.
The EMBA program which would commence on the 6th of March, 2016 includes 5 compact two-week modules that can be completed in 12-24 months (total of 70 classroom instruction days). The program includes modules in Berlin (3 modules), the USA (1 module) and in Asia (1 module).
Bolaji’s decision to participate in this competition is driven by his desire to better understand the complex creative business environment, cross-cultural communication, leadership and strategic talent management. By extension, to contribute effectively towards the improvement and growth of the health sector in Nigeria, especially in the area of vaccination which accounts for approximately 22% of child deaths in Nigeria if not administered.
Speaking on this development, the man behind Boko Halal said “creative leadership is a real challenge in these parts. At some point, Lanre Adisa was the only Nigerian creative director in the industry, but TBWA stuck with him because they understood the relevance of local insights that expatriates might be slow in getting. Although the story is quite different now, more can still be done”
“Also, vaccine related diseases are responsible for over 200,000 child deaths per year in Nigeria, and I am eager to work with Gavi to reduce these numbers drastically, by mobilizing the creative industry to foster vaccination demand”.
“The program consists of five individual modules, each with a duration on two weeks across three continents. Noah’s Ark has a strong leadership drive and this aligns with our talent management plan. Alausa has the full support of management to proceed on his study leave albeit intermittently” Noah’s Ark, Associate Human Resources Director, Shola Omole said.
Alausa has won several national awards, most notably a Grand Prix in the 2015 LAIF Awards. Regionally, two Emeralds at the African Cristal Festival in Morrocco last year. Due to his efforts, Noah’s Ark is first Nigerian agency featured in Luzer’s Archive. Internationally, he won Nigeria’s first Epica award and he is currently ranked 12th in the world according to Archive.
