Organizers of the annual Creativity Week have revealed the first wave of speakers who will be leading this year’s Young Pitcher Academy, 2026. This learning experience/cohort brings together some of the most influential creative, strategic, and marketing leaders from across Africa and beyond.
The speakers are Max Ngari, Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu Creative Africa (Kenya, Zambia, Uganda & Tanzania); Oriane Canfrin, Head of Marketing & Communications, Ecobank Côte d'Ivoire; and Graham Deneys, Chief Strategy Officer, Dentsu Media Brands South Africa.
Others are Carolina Rodriguez, Director, Dilucidar Singapore; and Nnenna Onyewuchi, Founder, The Barefoot Strategist Nigeria.
These speakers will guide participants through a week of high impact masterclasses designed to sharpen their creative instincts, deepen strategic thinking, and strengthen cross disciplinary collaboration.
One of the Academy’s most anticipated moments returns this year in a dynamic hybrid format. On Friday, 13 March 2026, the Group Presentation & Expert Panel Review Day will be hosted live from the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, with virtual participation from across the continent.
This event marks the grand finale of the Academy’s Cross Disciplinary Masterclasses Week (9 – 13 March). After receiving their brief on Wednesday and collaborating intensely through Thursday, participants will step forward — either on stage or online — to present their ideas before a distinguished panel of industry experts.
A look at the programme highlights indicates that the Cross Disciplinary Masterclasses Week
Creativity, culture, strategy, storytelling, collaboration, and case studies would run from March 9 to 13, 2026 while the Hybrid Group Presentation & Expert Panel Review Day Live from Radisson Blu Hotel Ikeja + virtual participation would be on March 13. March 16 to 20, 2026 would be for Sector Specific Sessions
Deep dives into Creative, Media, PR, and Brand disciplines, while the Young Pitcher Competitions where participants showcase their talent on a continental stage would hold from May 4, 2026 to May 8, 2026.
Beyond the sessions, participants gain access to mentorship, industry leaders, collaborative team challenges, and a pan African creative community that continues long after the programme ends.
According to the organizers, the 13 March hybrid Expert Panel Review Day at Radisson Blu Ikeja is set to be a defining moment of the Young Pitcher Academy — a powerful blend of creativity, collaboration, and industry level exposure. This year’s programme brings together cross disciplinary sessions, sector specific deep dives, and the highly anticipated Young Pitcher Competitions, giving participants a rare chance to sharpen their craft from multiple angles.
