Scheming is going on for the post of President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), to replace Bunmi Oke, whose tenure is coming to an end. The battle ground is the annual general meeting in Abuja. GODDIE OFOSE writes on where the pendulum may swing and why.
Kelechi Nwosu
The process of producing the president of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) may change for the first time in its 41 years of existence if Noah’s Ark Managing Director, Lanre Adisa, emerges victorious at the election on July 17.
Until now, the job was never seriously contested for because the vice president always succeeded the outgoing president.
But two contestants have picked forms to vie for the position – Adisa and AAAN Vice President and Managing Director, TBWA/Concept, Kelechi Nwosu.
Old versus new
Adisa and Nwosu belong to two blocs, the new and the old. Each camp will try to protect its interest in the composition of the executive council.
What makes the contest interesting is that both contestants are friends as well as professional colleagues.
They had worked together at management level at TBWA/Concept before Adisa parted ways to set up Noah’s Ark.
Nwosu has served in different capacities in the AAAN in the past eight years, emerging Vice President in the election that produced Bunmi Oke as President.
Apart from his other programmes, he will be relying on the power of incumbency and the tradition of the vice president, a senior member of the council, taking over after the expiration of the president’s two-terms.
The bait has always been that the vice president, being part of the executive, should continue the good work.
But Adisa will be coming as anti-system, a game changer, likely to be supported by those who have grouses against the current executive and its leadership.
Precedent set by Okubanjo
Internal arrangement for leadership succession was set when the association was established in 1973. Apart from Dotun Okubanjo who was elected straight as the first president, the vice president has always taken over from the president.
Rufai Ladipo, former STB McCann Group Managing Director, served a single tenure and relinquished the post because he left the platform on which he won election.
The Odds
The campaign has begun. Nwosu has written to key stakeholders informing them of his intention to lead the AAAN. Adisa has taken to social media to sell himself.
Some industry players have encouraged Adisa to contest because he has successfully managed his agency to compete in the top ranks within five years.
Nwosu and Adisa are in the same age bracket, therefore this is not the case of an old man versus a younger man.
However, Nwosu is seen as representing the old order and Adisa perceived as a new breed.
It was learnt that Nwosu has the backing of the current executive members, some of whom have reportedly advised Adisa not to vie for the presidency. But a reliable inside source disclosed that Troika boss, Biodun Shobanjo, supports Adisa.
Tall Order
Stakeholders describe the coming election as tight and likely to change the age-long arrangement in the AAAN for good. Nwosu is leading in the race, but Adisa is consolidating his base among those in touch with industry matters.
Apart from a few new generation agencies backing Adisa, most members of the executive are said to be determined to ensure the election of Nwosu, who also has the endorsement of Oke.
