Nigeria’s Dozie Okafor Makes Inroads To Global Creative Industry As Cannes Lions Juror

By Jeremiah Agada, and Chidimma Ugwunwa

Dozie Okafor, the Managing Director of Nigeria’s leading marketing communications agency, PHD Media, has been selected as a juror at the prestigious Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. As an African media buying professional, Okafor’s appointment to the jury is a significant achievement that reflects his exceptional talent and expertise in the industry.

The Cannes Lions Festival is an international event that recognizes outstanding creative work across various categories of entertainment, marketing, communication, and branding. Okafor’s selection as a juror for the Media Lions category is a testament to his vast experience and knowledge in media planning and buying.

For African media professionals like Okafor, being selected to serve on the Cannes Lions jury is a remarkable opportunity to showcase their expertise on a global stage. Okafor’s participation in the event is expected to pave the way for other talented African media professionals to gain recognition and contribute to the global creative industry.

Okafor’s appointment to the Cannes Lions jury follows his previous role as part of a 140-panel strong jury in Durban at the Loeries in South Africa in 2018. As Nigeria’s first-ever winner of a Cannes Lion, Okafor has a proven track record of excellence in the industry, making him a valuable addition to the Cannes Lions jury.

His achievements in media strategy and planning for key accounts like Twinings Nigeria, LaCasera Co. Ltd, Nutrifoods, SC Johnson, Bang & Olufsen and Martini Rose, L’Oreal, Ariston Thermo, NCC, Kalbe international, Distell SA, Huawei, Apple, Moet Hennessy, and PZ Cussons, have also contributed to his selection as a juror at Cannes Lions.

Okafor’s selection to the jury at the Cannes Lions Festival is a significant milestone for African media professionals and highlights the importance of recognizing and celebrating creative talent from all corners of the world.

The five-day event is scheduled to take place from Monday, June 19th, 2023 to Friday, June 23rd, 2023, at the Palace of Festivals and Congresses of Cannes, France. It will recognize different organizations and brands that have made their mark in film, advertising, marketing, public relations, publishing, and other fields. The event marks its 70th anniversary in awarding and recognizing different brands in various fields of communication and creativity, and it is considered the biggest event in the advertising and the creative industry worldwide.