CEO and Chief Creative Officer of advertising agency, X3M Ideas, Steve Babaeko, has emerged the frontline contender to replace Mr. Ikechi Odigbo as the president of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) today (Tuesday, July 2, 2020) in the first virtual election of the sectoral body.
Steve whose campaign ‘revolutionary manifesto’ hinged on world class positioning and women empowerment announced his intention to lead the body last week.
Since his announcement, Steve’s campaign has been seen across Lagos out of home.
Steve, who is currently the Vice President of the Association, confirmed his intentions via a post on Instagram. In his words,
“The time to work together is now. It is my firm belief that we cannot afford to lose hope. Let’s advance together.”
Steve Babaeko has over 20 years experience in advertising, and is currently the only Nigerian named in Adweek’s elite list of 13 Global Creative leaders in 2019. He is also the Vice President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN, and for three years running, has served on the Grand Jury of the New York Advertising Festival, as well as being a keynote speaker at the just concluded 2018 International Advertising Association conference.
Steve is renowned for his creativity and consistency as he has successfully marshalled one of Nigeria’s most innovative creative agencies. Between 2016 and 2018, Babaeko was a jury member of the New York Advertising Festival, and his impressive stint in the International advertising scene also saw him act as judge on the 2017 The Loerie Awards.
He began his career in 1995 with MC&A Saatchi & Saatchi where he worked for five years, then to Prima Garnet Ogilvy, where he also worked for another five years. After 7 years at 141 Worldwide, where he worked as creative director, he left to set up X3M Ideas in 2012.
The announcement has been accompanied with the launch of his campaign website which states his agenda for the advertising industry.
Steve Babaeko’s vision of togetherness and women empowerment are very salient and exciting points, and the advertising industry may be set for an interesting upturn under his leadership.
Meanwhile, Dr. Tunji Olugbodi, the executive vice president of Verdant Zeal, a communication company situated in Opebi, has also thrown his hat into the ring ready to vie for the position of the ex-officio.
Dr. Olugbodi announced his intention on a facebook post and this has generated a lot of positive comments from within and without the industry.
