Creative Africa Celebrates Creativity #AfricaMonth and Africa Day 25 May
Africa has creative talent to burn. We spoke to African creative leaders about how pan-African showcases like the Loeries, help promote African talent to the world – and why awards like these, inspire brands to be bolder, and do more creative and effective work.
There is a very human voice to African brand communication, as well as a sense of fun. Lesibane Mohale, Group Creative Director of Ogilvy Africa Group, in Ghana, admires the way “humour is weaved into communication messages”. In Africa, “telecommunications brands thrive on humour and simplicity to connect with consumers,” he says.
Many African creatives are driven by a belief that we can tell better stories by taking inspiration from each other, particularly from the unique and diverse creative resources across the continent. Angolan graphic designer Hilma Sassa feels that Africans don't yet fully value their creative industry and its importance in society, making it harder to get noticed, “As a creative, you may have more luck getting noticed beyond your country, and outside the continent, if you share your work on the international stage.”
That sentiment informs the work of the Loeries, the most prestigious creative awards across Africa and the Middle East. “Our mandate is to showcase the best creative work from the continent, of course. But, it’s equally about helping brands find the right creative team to help them realise their business goals,” says Andrew Human, CEO of the Loeries. “Countries such as Brazil and India are great examples of markets that have entered work into international award shows and won by leveraging locally relevant ideas backed by solid local consumer insights,” says Mohale.
“As a continent, we should champion work that feels unapologetically African so that we can showcase to the world what the continent is truly about.”
As Sassa puts it: “I am stimulated by the diversity of work created in Africa, which is deeply inspired by our culture and tradition. That signature makes it unique and different from the things we see out there.” A similar impulse drives Human, who urges more creatives from around the African continent to enter the Loeries. “The Loeries is the only award in Africa that is recognised by the global WARC Report, which makes the Loeries a unique platform for African excellence on the global stage.” Human says the international standing of the Loeries is the result of a commitment to high standards and an independent and objective judging process. “Every year, we host some of the world's top creative leaders to act as jury presidents, coupled with panels of leading experts from throughout the region. Their objectivity and expert insight is part of what makes the Loeries the benchmark.”
“Entrants know that their work is being held to the highest global standards, and it’s a unique opportunity for African creatives to show the world just how good they are.” About Loeries Africa Middle East: The Loeries, a non-profit company, is Africa and the Middle East’s premiere initiative that recognises, rewards, inspires and fosters creative excellence in the brand communication industry.
As the highest accolade for creativity and innovation across our region, the Loeries promotes and supports creativity by helping marketers, agencies and consumers appreciate the value of ideas and fresh thinking. Culminating in the biggest creative gathering in Africa and the Middle East, Loeries Creative Week Durban brings together the best innovative minds from our industry for a festival of networking, inspiring minds and recognising great work. Our region's creative economy is world-class and has great potential to grow and to offer employment to our talented youth. The growth occurring throughout Africa and the Middle East is very exciting, and a major focus of the Loeries is to increase the standard of brand communication in the region.
DEADLINE FOR 2019 ENTRIES EXTENDED TO 31 MAY
Major Partners: DStv Media Sales, Gearhouse
Category Partners: AB InBev, Barron, Brand South Africa, Facebook, Gagasi FM, Google, JCDecaux, Nando’s, Tsogo Sun, Vodacom, Woolworths
Additional Partners and Official Suppliers: AAA School of Advertising, Antalis South Africa, Aon South Africa, Backsberg, BEE Online, First Source, Fresh RSVP Guest Logistics, Funk Productions, Gallo Images, Grid Worldwide, Hetzner, Mama Creative, Newsclip, Paygate, Rocketseed, Shared Value Initiative, Shift Social Development, Vega School, VQI Communications Nigeria
Endorsed by: Association of Communication and Design, Brand Council South Africa, Commercial Producers Association, Creative Circle, EXCA, IAB, South African Institute of Architects, IID
Official Media Partners Between 10and5, Bizcommunity.com, Book of Swag, Brand Communicator Nigeria, Business Insider by Pulse, Campaign Middle East, Film & Event Media, Modern Marketing, The Redzone.
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Twitter: @loeries Instagram: Loerieawards Facebook: The Loeries
Distributed on behalf of the Loeries by: Riana Greenblo Communications Date: May 16, 2019
For more information, interview requests or high-res images, please contact: Riana Greenblo on 011 3256006; 0825675159 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Podcast Bureau is launched by eBizradio.com
Launched in 2011, www.ebizradio.com is todate still the only dedicated business audio stream (online radio) streaming 24/7 that shares information and insights pertaining to the world of business and the business of the world with a focus on a African context.
"Business is not just about profit and market share, business is about people and everything that affects and influences us, from technology, vehicles, marketing, news, trends, finance and literally everything in between. As part of our continued offering to market we have added a new division to our business - The Podcast Bureau. After many requests from the market to just do a podcast as opposed to an interview and then podcast sharing via the ebizradio.com stream we opened the Podcast Bureau, " says Ingrid von Stein, founder and CEO.
"Many small and large companies wanted to use a podcast to share information internally within their company or share a direct message from the company to its consumers and it was a natural progression for us to open this service. Its a really simple system. You connect with us, we do the briefing with the person who will be chatting and then we connect via SKYPE and do the interview. Its more of a conversation as opposed to a monologue by a person. Its relaxed and interactive - like a virtual cup of coffee", continues von Stein.
"We have seen a sudden rise of the use of podcast in business over the last 6 months, despite the fact that it has seen incredible growth globally, but finally South African businesses are seeing the incredible value in them," says von Stein
For further information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Nick 082 083 7842
