To empower future leaders in the creative ecosystem, Media Fuse Dentsu Nigeria, a leading marketing communications group in the country,  has entered into a strategic partnership with Pitcher Festival of Creativity, organizers of the Pitcher Awards. The collaboration aims to nurture talent, ignite innovation, and shape the future of the advertising industry through the sponsorship of the 2024 Future Creative Leaders Academy (FCLA)

The partnership was announced by the organizers of the Pitcher Festival, recently.

Now in its 17th year, the FCLA has become a beacon for aspiring professionals seeking careers in advertising, marketing, and related fields. This youth-focused program serves as a launchpad into the real professional world, providing them with essential skills, mentorship, and exposure to industry best practices. Notably, successful FCLA participants stand a chance to be selected for the prestigious Cannes Lions Roger Hatchuel Student Academy in France. 

Each year, the FCLA Awards celebrate excellence within the program. The top three performing students in the FCLA competition are honored, along with the distinguished lecturer of the year and the best participating school. These accolades underscore the commitment to fostering creativity and excellence in the next generation of advertising professionals. 

In an exciting development, the 2024 FCLA introduces a creative cultural exchange program. Students from Romania will join their counterparts in the academy for a unique experience. The exchange will include presentations on culture, advertising, and marketing communications, as well as a collaborative group activity to create a joint advertising campaign. Additionally, a dynamic creative workshop will empower participants to think outside the box and push creative boundaries. 

Several institutions have already enrolled their brightest minds in the FCLA. These include the Mass Communication departments of Ajayi Crowther University, Ebonyi State University, Fountain University, Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Olabisi Onobanjo University, Pan-Atlantic University, University of Lagos, the Redeemers University, and the University of Nigeria Nsukka. The Communication and Language Arts Department of the University of Ibadan has also enrolled its students and they will be joined by the Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication students of Red and Yellow Creative School of Business, South African and other tertiary institutions from Ghana and Kenya.

This diverse participation promises a rich exchange of ideas, perspectives, and creative energy. The main session of the 2024 Future Creative Leaders Academy will take place from 19 to 22 March 2024. 

Commenting on the partnership, the Group Chief Executive Officer of MediaFuse-Dentsu Nigeria, Emeka Chris Okeke, said, “We believe that investing in young talent is essential for the growth of our industry. Our partnership with Pitcher Festival to sponsor the 2024 Future Creative Leaders Academy aligns perfectly with this mission and core values.” 

Also speaking on the partnership, the chairman of Pitcher Festival, Dr. Nnamdi Ndu, said, “the FCLA is at the heart of what we do at Pitcher Festival and we’re so excited to partner with MediaFuse Dentsu. Together, we can ignite creativity, drive innovation, and empower the next generation of advertising leaders”.