Marcom Pros Urge Brands to Support Nigeria’s Entertainment Industry Ahead of 17th Headies Awards
In a fervent appeal, marketing communications professionals are calling on brands to step up their support for Nigeria’s vibrant entertainment industry as the highly anticipated 17th edition of the Headies Awards gears up for its grand return to the country. This year’s event promises to celebrate the country’s rich musical landscape, while experts emphasize the need for collective action to unlock the industry’s vast potential.
At the recent Headies Big Announcement event, where plans for the prestigious awards ceremony were unveiled, notable figures in marketing—including Yinka Adebayo, Group Executive Director, Omnicom Media Group, West & Central Africa; Ayeni Adekunle, Founder of Black House Media; and Adebola Williams, Founder of Red Media—made the call. They urged brands to seize the opportunity to connect with the ever-growing community of entertainment enthusiasts in Nigeria and across the world.
Yinka Adebayo praised the award’s organizers for their resilience and innovation while stressing the importance of transparency and continual improvement. “For brands not yet involved, remember: the bridge you need to cross must be built before the journey begins,” he advised.
Echoing Adebayo’s sentiments, Ayeni Adekunle urged industry stakeholders to collaborate more effectively. He highlighted the necessity of initiatives like the Headies to fortify the industry, likening it to global giants such as the Grammy Awards. “We should be working together to create an industry that stands among the most formidable in the world,” Adekunle asserted.
Debola Williams added to the chorus, calling attention to the immense potential within Nigeria’s entertainment sector. “We possess untapped opportunities that, if harnessed together, can elevate our industry to unprecedented heights,” he declared.
The Headies Awards, Nigeria’s premier music accolade, is set to take place on April 5, 2025, celebrating the musical talents of 2024. Ayo Animashuan, the founder of The Headies, announced that nominations will be revealed on February 12, paving the way for an exciting awards season. He noted that the upcoming event was initially slated for last year but was postponed to ensure no calendar year would be missed, with an additional edition planned for December to celebrate music from both 2024 and 2025.
Established in 2006, The Headies has become a hallmark of excellence in the Nigerian music landscape, with the previous edition held in Atlanta, USA, marking a pivotal moment in its history as the awards ceremony ventured outside the country’s borders for the second consecutive year.
As the countdown to the 17th Headies Awards begins, the call for brands to invest and collaborate in Nigeria’s entertainment sector has never been more urgent. Together, industry stakeholders can unlock a future where Nigerian talent shines on the global stage.