After a two-term, four-year tenure that industry stakeholders praised as exemplary, Steve Babaeko concluded his leadership of the Advertising Agencies Association of Nigeria (AAAN). Lanre Adisa, a creative leader and the founder and Chief Creative Officer of Noah’s Ark Communications, took over as the organization’s oldest member.
This comes after his unopposed candidature and unanimous election at the association’s 51st Annual General Meeting, which is now taking place in the capital of Ogun state, Abeokuta, Rock City.
It is anticipated that Adisa, who was the first African to serve on the Cannes Lions jury in 2018, will bring a wealth of experience, knowledge, and a visionary approach to his new role as leader. Adisa is well-known for having played a pioneering role in the advertising landscape of West Africa. As he builds on the foundation set by his 21 predecessors, he is also anticipated to lead the association to unprecedented heights.
Among the things industry stakeholders anticipate from the new AAAN Excos led by Adisa are increased cooperation among member agencies, advocacy for industry ethics and standards, and innovation in response to changing market conditions. It is anticipated that under his Over the course of her three decades in the advertising industry, Lanre Adisa has held a number of positions at top agencies. He started out as a trainee copywriter at MC&A: Saatchi & Saatchi in Lagos in 1990 and worked his way up to become the Copy Group Head before leaving in 1994. Adisa then worked at Franchise Communications and Rosabel Advertising to polish his skills before joining Insight-Grey in 1997. His tenure at Insight-Grey culminated in his departure as an Associate Creative Director in 2003, after which he assumed the role of Creative Director at TBWA\Concept until 2008, when he founded Noah’s Ark Communications.
Nigerian advertising will become even more influential and competitive on a regional and international scale.
Continuing, over the course of her three decades in the advertising industry, Lanre Adisa has held a number of positions at top agencies. He started out as a trainee copywriter at MC&A: Saatchi & Saatchi in Lagos in 1990 and worked his way up to become the Copy Group Head before leaving in 1994. Adisa then worked at Franchise Communications and Rosabel Advertising to polish his skills before joining Insight-Grey in 1997. His tenure at Insight-Grey culminated in his departure as an Associate Creative Director in 2003, after which he assumed the role of Creative Director at TBWA\Concept until 2008, when he founded Noah’s Ark Communications.
He has led Noah’s Ark to become a major force in Nigerian advertising, known for his creative campaigns and strategic insights. The agency grew into a group that includes Integrated Indigo (PR), The Red Wolf Company (Creative Digital), Underdog Productions (Content/Production), and Media Mast (Media Independent).
Beyond his accomplishments in the workplace, Lanre Adisa actively supports Nigeria’s future generation of creatives. He presided over the inaugural Pitcher Awards’ Heritage Jury and was Chairman of the Lagos Advertising & Ideas Festival (LAIF) Management Board. He is also well-known internationally. In 2016, he served on the African Cristals Festival jury. In 2018, he made jury history at Cannes. He served on the South African Loeries jury in 2019 and again in 2020 and 2021. In 2020, he participated in the Loeries Students Portfolio Boot Camp as a coach.
The local news brand further reports that he is a member of the South African Loeries Committee, which is one of the leading creative awards organisations in the Middle East and Africa. He graduated from the University of Ilorin with a Combined Honours degree in English and Linguistics. In addition to his academic accomplishments, he has taken part in executive programmes at the London Business School, Pan Atlantic University in Lagos, and the School of Media and Communication.
Apart from advertising, Lanre Adisa and his spouse have entered the culinary and hospitality industry by founding Labule, a quick-service restaurant operating under Roots Foods Limited’s umbrella.
