DDB Lagos’ Duzie Ikwuegbu, Ogilvy Nigeria’s Jolomi Awala, 5 Other Nigerians Named In NYF’s Grand Jury
…As NFY Partner’s Nigeria’s Dotun Bello In New Creative Ambassador Program
After two years of a global pandemic and sweeping industry changes, New York Festivals (NYF) will resume face-to-face in-person Jury judging with an international Grand Jury that includes six Nigerian creatives.
NYF’s global Grand Jury is comprised of ground-breaking industry creatives from 56 countries. The 2022 jury panel includes Chief Creative Officers, Executive Creative Directors, Art Directors, Copywriters, Executive Producers, Social Media and Public Relations Pros who all review entries and play a pivotal role in selecting the World’s Best Advertising® from 56 countries, including Nigeria.
The impressive roll call of Nigerians on duty for the NYF include DDB Lagos’ Creative Director, Duzie Ikwuegbu; Ogilvy Africa’s Creative Director, Jolomi Awala and Independent’s Creative Director, Kunle Akoleowo.
Others are Beyond The Visual’s Co-founder and Executive Director, Omayemi Arawore; Loose Media’s Design Lead, Abisola Anthonio; Hello Creative Nigeria Founder, Oyindamola Fakile and TheVisualAdvocates’ Creative Director, Ayotunde Ishola.
Lauren Murray, Associate Executive Director, New York Festivals speaking on the selection of the members of the NYF Grand Jury said, “New York Festivals is honored to have these respected creatives share their industry experience on the 2022 Grand Jury.” He added, “With more than 300+ industry innovators on board to date, 2022’s jury panel represents a diverse range of creative talent who will lend their perspective to determine the 2022 Advertising Awards Shortlist.”
In a related development, this year NYF is partnering with Dotun Bello, Senior Copywriter for TBWA\Chiat\Day as its first ambassador.
The initiative, launched by Murray, provides an opportunity for NYF to shine the spotlight on emerging and established talent represented by the Program. NYF’s Ambassadors will be showcased via NYF’s platforms during the competition and serve on the 2022 Grand Jury.
“NYFA’s Ambassadors will be our eyes and ears within the representative’s country. Working together with our team, they will introduce us to local creatives and agencies and will be sharing exceptional creative work represented by their country.
“We look forward to spreading the word about this ground-breaking work through video interviews and social media posts, as well as offering each person featured a spot on our Grand Jury,” explains Murray.
She adds that they are ecstatic to have Dotun Bello as the first Ambassador for this program “as we go across the globe with him to highlight the creatives in Nigeria who are making a mark on the industry”.
Bello says he was thrilled “beyond belief” when New York Festivals agreed to partner with me and created the Ambassador Program. “This gives folks with ties to smaller advertising communities the platform they need to show off their work and creativity,” he says.
A Brooklyn-based Nigerian creative, Bello began his advertising career in Lagos, Nigeria before making his way to the US in 2015. His creative career spans seven-plus years and has created campaigns for such prestigious brands as Guinness, Bharti-Airtel, BMW, Xfinity, Louis XIII, Samsung, YouTube and many more.
The New York Festivals Advertising Awards competition receives entries from more than 60 countries and are judged by more than 400 members of NYF’s Executive Jury and Grand Jury, who collectively cast their votes to select the year’s trophy-winning work.
The 2022 Executive Jury and Grand Jury panel selection process is in progress. Executive Jury sessions will convene in June. The deadline to enter the 2022 New York Festivals Advertising Awards is 1 April 2022.