The Pitcher Awards 2025, Africa’s prestigious platform for celebrating creative excellence, has unveiled its Jury Presidents, spotlighting two Nigerian creative industry giants and a highly respected media buyer. Obi Asika, Dozie Okafor, and Mike Miller have been entrusted to lead the Entertainment, Channel, and Craft juries, respectively, marking a significant moment in African marketing and advertising history.
Meet the Visionaries Shaping the Future of African Creativity
Obi Asika – President, Entertainment Jury
A beacon of innovation in Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries, Obi Asika serves as the Director General/CEO of the National Council for Arts & Culture. With a career spanning over three decades, Asika is widely recognized as a cultural pioneer, entertainment mogul, and advocate for cross-industry collaboration. From co-founding Social Media Week Lagos to establishing the renowned Storm 360/Storm Records, he has consistently elevated African storytelling. As President of the Entertainment Jury, Asika brings his rich legacy of fostering creative talent and global collaboration to the Pitcher Awards.
Mike Miller – President, Craft Jury
With over 30 years of experience in the global advertising industry, Mike Miller, the Executive Creative Director of X3M Ideas, stands out as a champion of craftsmanship in creative campaigns. From bold branding concepts to impactful retail promotions, Miller has consistently delivered work that blends artistry with effectiveness. As Craft Jury President, he aims to highlight the intricate details that define world-class creativity in Africa.
Dozie Okafor – President, Channel Jury
As the MD/CEO of PHD Nigeria and President of the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), Dozie Okafor has redefined media strategy and execution. Beginning his career at OMD Nigeria, Okafor has worked with leading global brands, including Coca-Cola, Guinness, and Vodafone, shaping groundbreaking campaigns. His strategic leadership and forward-thinking approach will be instrumental in evaluating media channel strategies at this year’s awards.
Returning as Culture Jury President, Nthabiseng Lekoaletsoe, an advertising consultant at Ogilvy South Africa, brings her commitment to pushing creative boundaries. Nthabiseng’s focus lies in building brands that resonate deeply with consumers while reflecting Africa’s diverse and vibrant cultures. “We’ll be looking for creative work that embodies cultural marketing, deeply connects with consumers, and showcases our distinct yet diverse African creativity, pushing boundaries and creating social impact,” she shared.
Leading the Heritage Jury is Karim Yermeche, CEO of Lotus Conseil in Algeria. At just 22, Karim co-founded the agency, transforming it into the country’s top independent advertising powerhouse. Renowned for his innovative approach and dedication to fostering inclusivity, Karim bridges marketing and art through initiatives like Art@Work, inspiring a new generation of marketers while celebrating cultural heritage.
Dawn Rowlands, CEO of Dentsu Africa, will preside over the Good & Effectiveness Jury. Recognized as Business Woman of the Year, serial entrepreneur, and wine lover, Dawn is passionate about innovating to impact society. “Look forward to awarding work that innovates to impact society, brands, and the planet,” she said.
The Vision for 2025
Dr. Nnamdi Ndu, Chairman of the Pitcher Festival, shared his excitement for this year’s event:
“Pitcher Festival is set to once again showcase and celebrate ideas that will hopefully surpass those of the past. We’re delighted to be working with some of the best talents on the continent, which reassures us that we will definitely exceed expectations.”
The Pitcher Awards 2025 is poised to be a landmark event, celebrating the dynamic creativity and innovation that define African advertising and marketing. With leaders like Yash Deb, Dawn Rowlands, Nthabiseng Lekoaletsoe, and Karim Yermeche at the helm, this year’s awards promise to set a new benchmark for excellence.
New Additions Reflect the Evolving Marketing Landscape
In line with its mission to push creative boundaries, the Pitcher Awards 2025 introduces exciting new categories:
- Best Use of AI: Celebrating campaigns that utilize Artificial Intelligence to drive innovation and exceptional outcomes.
- Content Marketing: Recognizing stellar blogs, newsletters, e-books, and other online content that showcase creativity and effectiveness in engaging audiences.
The awards also debut four new honors for marketing companies and brands:
- Brand of the Year (National)
- Brand of the Year (Multinational)
- Marketing Company of the Year (National)
- Marketing Company of the Year (Multinational)
A Celebration of African Ingenuity
The Pitcher Awards 2025 promises to be a landmark event, shining a spotlight on the creative talents that are shaping the future of African marketing and advertising. As the continent’s finest minds gather under the stewardship of visionary leaders like Obi Asika, Dozie Okafor, and Mike Miller, the stage is set for a celebration of ingenuity, resilience, and unmatched creativity.
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