LAI MOHAMMED DIRECTS APCON, NBC TO SANITISE THE MEDIA INDUSTRY.

The Advertising Practitioners Council Of Nigeria (APCON) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the two government agencies regulating advertising practice and the broadcast media have agreed to collaborate in ensuring the resolution of the age-long industry debt, adherence to advertising code among other critical industry issues. This was part of the agreement reached during the courtesy visit of APCON management to the leadership of NBC.

The APCON Registrar/Chief Executive, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo recently met with the Acting Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Professor Armstrong Idachaba to seek collaboration and promote policies that will improve the advertising industry and strengthen intersectoral relationship.

The APCON Registrar hinted on the plan by APCON to develop a new business framework and Standard Operating Procedure for the advertising industry. He stated that the business framework will be comprehensive and will address critical industry concerns which include industry debt, payment policy, inter and intra sectoral relationships among other issues.

The APCON Registrar stated that NBC is expected to make substantial input and adequately participate in the formulation of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the industry. While the SOP will require stakeholders' participation, the APCON Registrar sought the mutual collaboration of NBC as a government regulatory agency to support and ensure compliance. He also solicited the support of NBC in ensuring that all broadcast media organisations comply and enforce the advertising code.

The APCON Registrar noted that the visit is in line with the directive of the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, requesting that all agencies regulating the advertising and media industry should collaborate and seek solution to the age-long media debt.

The Acting Director General of NBC, Professor Armstrong Idachaba expressed delight at the call for collaboration by APCON. He reaffirmed the commitment of NBC to partner with APCON in every area of interest that will improve the long-standing relationship and the respective mandate of the two government agencies.

He assured the APCON Registrar on the support and participation of NBC in the formulation and implementation of the SOP. He further sought the support of the APCON Registrar on Zero Debt Tolerance policy of the broadcast media and the revised broadcast code.

The two regulatory agencies agreed to sign a MOU and work together to promote a healthier business environment for all stakeholders.

ADVAN Executives visit APCON

 (L- R) Mr. Gerald Osugo, Executive Council Member, ADVAN, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, Registrar/Chief Executive, APCON, Mrs Bunmi Adeniba, Ag. President   ADVAN and Mrs Ijedi Iyoha, Deputy Director, Regulations, APCON, during a visit to the Concil by Executives of ADVAN on Tuesday, 6th of October,
2020.

MIPAN PAYS APCON A COURTESY CALL

L-R: Mr.Henry Onoruwa, Publicity Secretary, MIPAN, Mr.Femi Adelusi, President, MIPAN, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, Registrar/Chief Executive, APCON, Mr. Eki Adzufeh, Executive Secretary, MIPAN, and Mr. Ayo Kupoluyi, Chairman Media Liaison, during the courtesy visit of MIPAN Executives to APCON HOUSE on September 24, 2020.

APCON Inducts New Members

The Registrar/ Chief Executive, APCON, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, administering the Oath of Advertising Practice during the induction Ceremony of the new members on the 10th September, 2020, held at APCON office, Enugu.

NEW APCON BOSS ASSUMES OFFICE

The new Registrar/CEO of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) Dr. Olalekan Olumuyiwa Fadolapo has formally taken over on Tuesday, 1st of September as the 4th substantive Registrar of the Apex Regulatory Body.
The brief handover ceremony which was presided by the Acting Registrar, Mrs Ijedi Iyoha was held in the conference room at APCON House, Lagos. While handing over, Iyoha urged staff to support and cooperate with the new Registrar in his drive to take the organisation to greater heights.
Dr. Fadolapo who was received by top Management and staff of the Council expressed gratitude to God and to the Federal Government for the confidence reposed in him to serve the nation in that capacity, pledging to build on the successes and achievements of his predecessors in realising the organisation’s mandate.
He said the remarkable stewardship and achievements of his predecessors were possible as a result of the harmonious working relationship that existed within the high level management and staff, adding that there was the need to build on these achievements. He therefore, solicited new ideas and suggestions from staff aimed at making things work seamlessly and also urged them to brace up for hard work.
Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo who hails from Esie in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State was born in Lagos.

He attended Birch Freeman High School, Surulere, Lagos for his O’Levels. He proceeded to Ogun State University for his first degree in Economics. Dr. Fadolapo holds three (3) Master degrees, MSc in Marketing, Master in Business Administration (MBA), and Master in Legal Studies (MILS) from Babcock University, Ilisan, Ogun State, the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State and Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State respectively.
He also holds a PhD Degree in Marketing with specialization in Marketing Communications from the Babcock University, Illisan Remo, Ogun State.

Dr. Fadolapo is a Registered Advertising Practitioner, a Chartered Accountant and a Fellow of ICAN. He was a member of the immediate past Governing Council of APCON and also served in several capacities within the Council and other Advertising Industry Fora.

Ensure quality contents in advertisements, APCON charges new inductees

 The acting Registrar, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Mrs. Ijedi Iyoha has charged newly inducted practitioners to uphold the tenets of the advertising profession at all times.

Iyoha gave this charge at the induction of 50 new advertising practitioners and eight associate members who were upgraded as full members of the council, recently.

Among the inductees, is Head Media and Public Relations Unit, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, Elvis Otobo.

The acting registrar also tasked the certified advertisers to contribute their quota in promoting the principles and standards of advertising in Nigeria by ensuring quality content.

She admonished the inductees to abide by the rules and regulations as stated in the code of advertising and work with the council to improve advertising in Nigeria in line with global standards.

At the induction training session, the facilitators, Seni Adetu, founder/group chief executive, Algorithm Media and Steve Babaeko, chief operating officer, X3M Media canvassed the need for APCON to sanitize advertising on social media.

The facilitators said this was necessary because it has become a trend for people to record anything as advert or jingle and post it without vetting, adding that majority of such posts breach advertising laws as people lay claims to unverifiable outcomes.

“Many companies now use influencers on social media to launch or promote their goods and services without due process. Many of these influencers do not know the rules governing advertising. There have being several cases of violation,” they said.

FG Moves to Enforce Digital Regulation

Social media influencers and other purveyors of unregulated advertising contents in Nigeria may soon begin to face sanctions as federal government is set to put up a regulatory framework to regulate the emerging digital industry.

Speaking on Tuesday in Ghana, at the third Africa Leadership Conference, organised by the International Advertising Association (IAA), Acting Registrar, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Mrs. Ijedi Philomena Iyoha, admitted that digital revolution has become a huge bottleneck for advertising regulation, adding that government, through APCON and other stakeholders have started making move to put a framework in place to address the abnormal situation.

Iyoha, who took part in a panel discussion on the theme: “Brand Blocking: Regulations and Threats to Consumer Choices and Goods,” stated that there was nothing like digital when the Nigerian advertising code was put together, hence the need for review.

She said: “Much as I agree that digital is a blessing, I’m concerned about its threat to advertising regulation because a lot of unregulated messages are being churned out by bloggers and influencers on products to deceive consumers and regulators have almost become helpless.

“There is code of advertising in Nigeria but it was dated back to many years before digital revolution. Of course this is a global phenomenon but like other countries, Nigeria is set to put framework in place to check the abuse of digital platform,”

On the first day of the conference, the IAA Global President, Srinivasan K. Swarmy, expressed concern that data privacy had become a serious concern for advertisers and that the industry could collapse if the recent regulations on the issue are not revised.

He argued that data protection issues based on digital advertising needed urgent attention before more stringent regulations are passed.
“Considering data privacy, it has been an area of serious concern for advertisers. Many regulators are coming to play to deal with this area. This challenge must be addressed if not it will be a problem for advertising companies,” he stated.

Also speaking at the conference, the Vice president and Area Director of Africa, Norkor Duah, charged all advertising firms to create footprints in the various economies they represent and that practitioners should embrace new trends in technology so as to remain relevant.

“It’s about revenue, reputation, research and regulation. Across the continent, there are so many issues regarding regulations that we need to address.
“Without effective regulation, we can’t forge ahead. New technological trends keep emerging. It is in our interest to tap into this for the good of the industry,” she stated.

Earlier, the Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, used the occasion to announce June 2020 as the dateline for all government agencies and ministries in the country to go cashless.

Bawumia said mobile money payments interoperability system that allows the transfer of funds from mobile money accounts to bank accounts (back-to-back) and from mobile or bank accounts to biometric payment card accounts (ezwich) means practically, every Ghanaian can enjoy banking services, in fulfillment of the pledge to give every Ghanaian access to a bank account.

“Mobile Money Interoperability has provided most of the unbanked and under banked with access to a transaction account that serves as a gateway to other financial services.

“If you have a Mobile Money (MoMo) account in Ghana you are no longer excluded from the financial system. Every user of a MoMo account can now use that account like a traditional bank account.

“Since a mobile money account now functions like a bank account we can confidently say that Ghana has solved the problem of basic financial inclusion. It is in this context that we said previously that Mobile Money Interoperability will give every Ghanaian access to a bank account.”

Experts described Ghana’s payment system architecture as one of the most advanced in Africa, and with 34.5 million registered mobile money accounts in Ghana for a country with a population of about 30 million, the use of Mobile money is becoming a way of life.

“Within the next year, we intend to integrate all payment channels to provide a platform for receipt of all government payments electronically. The kind of digital payments architecture that we are building has enabled the filing of tax returns and paying taxes electronically”, Vice President Bawumia disclosed

The vice president explained that the need to go cashless is aimed at ensuring efficiency and reducing corruption in the country.
“At least, by June 2020, the government will no longer receive cash payments. We are going cashless. We did a pilot with the Foreign Affairs ministry and the revenues increased fourfold. The technology is now available, we hope to make good use of it,” he said.

2017 ABUJA ADVERTISING EXHIBITION

APCON RATTAWU Chapter Inauguration held on June 20, 2017 at APCON House Lagos.

The Registrar/CEO, of APCON, Alh. Garba Bello Kankarofi in a warm hand-shake with the National President of Radio Television Theatre And Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) Comrade, Kabir Garba Tsanni while the Chairman, RATTAWU Lagos Council, Comrade Dare Durosimi looks on during the Inauguration of APCON RATTAWU chapter held recently at APCON House Lagos.

RATTAWU members chanting solidarity songs at the Inauguration.

Newly elected EXCO of APCON RATTAWU. L- R: Com. Chukwudi Ezeaba N. (Secretary) Com.Akpausoh Anieti Udo (National Sec.) Com. Neboh Augustine (Vice - Chairman) Com.Kabiru Garba Tsanni ( Nat. Pres. RATTAWU) Com. Ahmed Yelwa (Chairman, APCON RATTAWU) Com. Markus Inji Lukman (Fin. Sec.) Com. Kabiru Salihu A.( Treasurer) Com. Rabietu Amana ( Auditor) Com. Henry Ikechukwu Ogbu (Ass. Sec.)

Cross-section of happy faces of  APCON staff at the Inauguration.

Exhibition of Repatriated Artifacts by National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) on June 15, 2017 held at the National Museum Onikan, Lagos.

1. - Registrar/CEO APCON, Alhaji Bello Garba Kankarofi being interviewed by BBC Reporter at the Exhibition of Repatriated Artifacts.

2. L - R: D.G National Commission for Museum and Monuments (NCMM), Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman, Honorable Minister for Information and Culture, (HMIC) Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Registrar/CEO, APCON, Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi at the event.

3. IND1 - Some of the returned lost treasure

APCON Moves To Stop Unwholesome Advertisements - Lagos, April 12, 2017

PRESS RELEASE

                                                                           

                                                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

APCON Moves To Stop Unwholesome Advertisements

 Lagos, April 12, 2017 - The Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON has commenced a task force enforcement exercise to stop further exposure of unwholesome and unapproved advertisements in the media.

The exercise, which commenced in Abuja has so far been carried out in Minna, Jos, Katsina Ilorin, Onitsha/Nnewi and is planned to extend to several other cities across Nigeria. 

In the course of the exercise, advertisements exposed on outdoor structures without satisfying the regulation requiring advertisements to be submitted for vetting and approval by the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) will be blanked out.

The exercise also involves enlightening advertisers, media owners and the public on the regulatory responsibilities of APCON as well as on the purpose and procedures for compliance with advertising regulations.

Incidences of indiscriminate exposure of advertisements, some of which contain misleading and unwholesome messages, have caused APCON serious concern. These unprofessional conducts have been traced mainly to persons and organizations who are not licensed to practise Advertising in Nigeria.

A large percentage of the advertisements targeted in the exercise are first party advertisements usually produced and displayed by business owners without the use of advertising professionals.

The advertisements typically employ graphic designs, images and messaging which attract, persuade or invite patronage for the businesses advertised. Some of them make claims requiring substantiation.

The exercises do not affect regular business signages which are typically identification or informational signs without persuasive illustrations and claims.

The task force enforcement exercise is one of the measures to stem incidences of misleading, deceitful, offensive and other forms of spurious messages and protect members of the public from the harmful effects of such unwholesome and unprofessional advertisements.  The exercise complements the Council’s routine monitoring and enforcement activities undertaken by its various zonal and liaison offices across the country.

APCON is committed to ensuring responsible advertising – the use of advertising communication to positively impact the economy and the society, rather than to take undue advantage of consumers, disparage competitors or offend the sensibilities of members of the public.

Signed: Joe Eugene Onuorah, rpa (08033723514)

Assistant Director Operations and Special Duties

For:  Registrar/Chief Executive

CHINI 2017 CREATIVITY WEEK - March 13-18, 2017

INDUSTRY NEWS

BJAN HONOURS MINISTER OF INFORMATION & CULTURE AND OTHERS

L-R: Mrs Neta Nwosu, Former Chairman of BJAN; Mr John Ehiguese, President, PRCAN, Presenting the award to Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi, Reg./CEO of APCON as Patron of BJAN, while Mrs Clara Okoro, Vice-chairman BJAN looks on 

The Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN) has conferred the honour of Grand Patron on the Hon. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who was represented by Mr. Gboyega, in recognition of his immense contributions to the growth of Communications and Integrated Marketing Communications Industry. 

The Association also honoured some eminent individuals as Patrons and Matrons who have equally contributed their quota to the development of the Industry over the years. 

Those honoured at the 4^th BJAN World Consumers’ Rights Day Symposium held in Lagos on March 15, 2016, include: 

• The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy
• Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Group Managing Director of Insight Communications, Mr. Jimi Awosika
• Mr. Udeme Ufot.  Group Managing Director of SO&U Limited

Others were: 

• Reg/CEO of APCON, Alh. Garba Bello Kankarofi
• CEO Worldwide, Mrs. Bunmi Oke
• MD of Executive Options Ltd.,/Publisher of Billboard World Magazine, Mrs. Maureen Umanah.

PIX 2 - at the 4th Brand Journalist Association of Nigeria Consumers’ Rights Day Symposium 2016,  with the theme: Banking in Nigeria Development and Customers’ Challenges, held at the White House Hotel GRA, Ikeja Lagos on Tuesday 15^th day of March 2016.

L-R: Mr Goddie Ofose, Chairman Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN); Ms. Sola Salako, President/CEO, Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria; Mr John Ehiguese, President, PRCAN; Mr Adetokunbo Modupe, Keynote Speaker/Chairman, TPT International with Mrs Maureen Umanah, MD, Executive Options Media Limited and Mrs Olubunmi Oke, CEO, 141 Worldwide 

Brand Innovation Conference 2015 - "Branding in the New Normal" - October 21, 2015

Dear Sir/Madam,

Find attached documentation on Brand Innovation Conference 2015 tagged “Branding in the New Normal” organized by Brandzone Consulting LLC and partnered by Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).

BrandPlatform is a knowledge-based arm of BRANDZONE CONSULTING which specializes in developing content and information through seminars and workshops that aid the growth of the practice of Branding and Marketing Communications. Owing to the dire need to constantly infuse their brands with ideas and dynamic thinking, corporations and practitioners are constantly seeking for opportunities to elevate the thinking and capabilities of their branding and marketing team.

The rise of technologies has transformed the Branding and communications paradigm. Today’s consumers are engaging very differently with brands owing to the growing power of the connected consumer and an explosion of new technology tools. Branding and Communications experts today face a constant proliferation of new methods and channels for consumer engagement that queries the traditional approach given the proliferation of digital technology and Social marketing. The Full Day Conference focuses on how branding and communications experts can reach today’s Technologically savvy audiences, build deep customer relationships, and connect with the consumer in a positive way, in today’s new normal.

The conference will attract top and senior branding, marketing and communications professional from diverse sectors who will converge to share learning and new insights about the future of Branding and marketing in a technologically driven world. Speakers at the conference are senior and top marketing, branding and communications executives from diverse sectors that include FMCG, telecommunications, banking, oil and gas and advertising representing multinationals, Fortune 500 firms, blue chip companies and top rated indigenous corporations.

CONFERENCE CORE OBJECTIVES:

Focused on achieving collective intelligence, the Brand Innovation Conference is hinged on the collection and documentation of new knowledge and best practice in the areas of Branding and Marketing Communication Management with a view to aid industry development.

Part of the process is to provide a platform where participants will:
• Gain new knowledge and insights needed to drive more customer engagement.
• Increase knowledge on media, technology and brand management strategies.
• Understand the dynamics of digital and new media in achieving business objectives.
• Increase knowledge on social enterprise dynamics as a catalyst for organizational growth.
• Learn and share branding best practice with industry experts
• Network and connect with industry leaders and practitioners across diverse sectors.

Conference Venue: The Oriental Hotel, 3, Lekki-Epe Express Way, Lagos
                 Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2015
                 Time:  9:00am
                 Fee: N 45,000 per participant.

The Conference would equip participants to drive positive impact in their organizations.

Kindly find attached the Conference Flyers.

For further information, kindly contact the Project Manager Emmanuel Charles on emmanuel@brandzonellc.com or +2348165188611.

#FLASHBACK #TUESDAY - OAAN DINER WITH POSTER AWARD 2014 PARTNERS

 

 

Illegal Advertising Practice: APCON Begins Crackdown on Offenders

Press Release

Illegal Advertising Practice:

APCON Begins Crackdown on Offenders

                                   

After several sensitization visits to advertising establishments and warning notices to illegal persons in advertising practice, the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria has commenced the arrest and prosecution of offenders.

The crackdown on illegal practice which resumed last week took the enforcement team of APCON to advertising agencies and media organizations identified as employing unlicensed persons. The offenders have been invited for questioning by the police.

Some of the illegal advertising persons being quizzed by the police include:

Mr. Manomahan Chandroth, Product manager, Samsung, Mr. Kayode Adunmadeyin, Marketing manager Radio Lagos, Omololu Omigbule, commercial manager, Top Radio and Yemi Egbebiyi, head of client service, Blue Seal Communication.  Others include Fifemayo Aiyesimaju, Strategy and Business Executive of DDB, Lagos and Akinola Salu, Marketing manager of Multi-Choice Nigeria and Kholeka Maringa, Head DSTV Media Sales.

Police investigation is the first step in the process of prosecution of illegal advertising persons.

Act 55 of 1988, empowers APCON to arrest and prosecute persons not registered by it to practice advertising in Nigeria.

Head, Planning, Research,

Corporate Affairs & Strategy

2/4/14

PUBLIC COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT - OCT. 9 - 10, 2013

DIGITAL MEDIA MARKETING ... July 10 & 11, 2013

APCON LIFTS BAN ON GUINNESS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES CERTIFICATES