Over the decades, centuries perhaps, the Africa continent has been described and perceived in many lights. However, two words that jump out and aptly describe the continent, are Resilience and Adaptability. In recent times Africa has proven to be these and more. The continent’s heart continues to beat notwithstanding the exigencies. In our world today, strong brands have survived as a result of being resilient, adaptable, and innovative amongst others, so as to deliver their promise to the people.
Africa, comprising several developing economies rich in resources, is critical to the global value chain, and is fertile ground for building strong brands for consumption and export. The theme for last year’s virtual conference was “Africa to the world”. How far up the ladder have we gone to showcase brands of our own, packaged and curated from this continent on the world stage and to the global market? It is for this and other reasons that we are gathered here; to share our thoughts, firm up our steps and rise to the next level.
IAA Africa Rising has reached the fifth rung on its climb and is still rising. The theme for this year’s conference is BRANDS FOR PURPOSE, BRANDS FOR PEOPLE. It is worth emphasizing that Africa and the world by extension have had to battle with the global pandemic. Admittedly, Africa has fared quite well in certain areas, however, its economies have not been spared.
The flip side of the pandemic nevertheless exposed numerous untapped potentials that some brands have since capitalized on, promoting social good within communities, and rekindling brand love among consumers as a result. Consumers are demanding more from brands amidst the myriad of choice and options available to them.
Some brands are now engendering positive perceptions and supporting these with real action. The Consumer’s ship that accepted the concept of ‘brand sell’, in the days of old sailed long ago. Even now what the brand tells, is sounding like a broken record to the consumer, who now appears to be more inclined to how well the brand makes them feel. The proliferation of social media platforms is pointing to this paradigm shift, and the learning is that brands that are built for purpose are brands that are loved by People. This where we are headed today, and the hope is that we will make the most of it.
The International Advertising Association (IAA), the global compass provides the right road map on thought leadership in the Marketing communication space and is the unique platform that creates the avenue to rub minds, with some of the best brains in marketing, communication, media, finance and education, who are aligned with the ethos and values of the IAA and its global conferences. It can be stated explicitly that the IAA Africa Rising sessions have been greatly beneficial, in respect of the priceless knowledge and invaluable information that participants have gained and shared over the period.
The IAA and its partners (Brand Finance & Women in Marketing) welcome you to the 5th Africa Rising Leadership conference which is bringing the African continent together on a stage that will highlight brands that have not only chalked success in the areas of growth but in their ability to make a difference in their communities.
These 2-days will feature some of the most skilled speakers and panelists from Africa and the world who will share their knowledge and experiences. By the end of this conference, the impact of Purposeful Brands and an Africa Rising will truly be felt across the World.
Vice President / Area Director - Africa, IAA
Minister of Information, Nigeria
Group CEO, McDan Group
World President & Chairman, IAA
Presidential Advisor on Media
Founder, Goodvertising Agency
Founder, The Global Brain
Director - Africa, Brand Finance
Founder, Goodvertising Agency, Rep from Dangote
Group CEO, Media General
Managing Director, Tropical Cable Company Limited
Vice President, Homecare for Africa, Unilever
Moderator:International Correspondent, CNN
Managing Director, Interplast Limited
Executive Director, IAA Romania
Chief Brand Officer, Moderna
Moderator:CNN
Head of Communications, Kenya Airways
CEO, Ghana Commodity Exchange
CEO, Dentsu South Africa
Group CMO, Databank Group
CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network SA
Group Marketing & Corporate Affairs Manager, Madison Group (Kenya)
Moderator:Global Strategic Partner Manager, Google
Chairman, Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance
Registrar, Advertising Regulators Council of Nigeria
Founding Director & Chief Strategy Officer, Hub Culture
Director & Head of Africa, Women in Marketing CIC
President, IAA Ghana Chapter
MD, IAA Global
President, IAA Malaysia Chapter
Minister of Information, Ghana
Chief Executive Officer – Wunderman Thompson New York & Global Client Leader- Coca-Cola, Wunderman Thompson Global
Global Creative Strategy Director (Hydration, Sports, Tea & Coffee), The Coca Cola Company
CEO, African Brand Warrior
Chief Marketing Executive, NedBank
Founder, The Slingshot Group
CEO, Social Ghana), Sharon Mills (Lead Consultant, SMC Consulting Ltd.
Senior Partner Manager, Twitter
Moderator:Co-Founder / Chief Growth Officer, Halo Invest
Managing Partner, Frankfurt Kurnit (United States) Chair, IAA Public Policy Council)
Managing Partner, Sipi Law Associates
Founding Partner, O. Kayode & Co.
Partner, Adams & Adams
Lead Enabler, Enable Growth Consult
Regional Managing Director, Ogilvy Africa
Executive Director, CIMG
CEO, X3M Ideas
CNN Commercial)
Moderator:Chairman & Chef Client Officer, Stein IAS
Founder, Connecting the Dots Consultancy
CEO, MobileMoney Limited
Vice President / Area Director - Africa, IAA
Let’s start off our week of touring Ghana with a visit to the Central Business District of Accra, where participants will have the opportunity to visit Art Centre, shop at the Makola market (one of the biggest markets in Ghana) and cap off the visit by having lunch with the 1st Female Mayor of Accra.
Later in the evening, we will entice participants with a fashion show from some designers in Accra. Participants will have the chance to get custom made African print attires from these designers.
After an exciting day in Accra, we set off on a 2hour journey to the beautiful Central Region of Ghana, specifically Cape Coast where participants will have the pleasure of learning about Ghana’s history with slavery. The tour will take participants to the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, which hold a deep significance in Ghana’s history. From the castles, participants will head off to the shores of Cape Coast where fisherfolk set off on their canoes to go fishing. Participants will be treated to a seafood lunch consisting of freshly caught seafood from the fishermen. To end the day, participants will have the chance to paint and name one of the fishermen’s canoe after the IAA.
For our third day, participants will head off to the Eastern Region, the Akosombo township to be precise, where they will explore the gems that this region has to offer. During this tour, participants will visit the factory of Akosombo Textiles Limited (ATL), one of the oldest textiles makers in Ghana where they will experience textile production. The tour will continue with a visit to the Akosombo Dam, the main producer of electricity for Ghana and also houses the biggest man made lake in the world, Black Volta. At the end of the tour, participants will be treated to lunch by the Volta Lake.
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