Advertising Week Africa is led globally by Stillwell Partners, and in Africa by Republicom group. The event aims to recognise, celebrate and amplify Africa's contribution to the global industry.

Over the past 15 years, Advertising Week events have strived to provide platforms to showcase innovative approaches to creative crafts, new collaborations, partnerships and next-generation thought leadership across the global marketing and advertising industry.

2019 marks the first year that Johannesburg will be a host of the event, alongside cities including New York, London, Sydney, Tokyo and Mexico City. "Many of the positive cultural shifts that we have seen in art, music, entertainment and film originate from Africa," says Matt Scheckner, Advertising Week's CEO.

"It's the perfect time to provide the international platform to share authentic African stories and showcase thought-provoking marketing and technological innovations sweeping the continent," Scheckner adds.

"It's an exciting opportunity to bring internationally recognised professionals together with emerging talent to exchange ideas about how this vibrant continent is shaping global trends," he says.

"For us, Advertising Week provides a great platform to tell authentic African stories and showcase the great marketing and technology innovations and breakthroughs that has come out of Africa," says Tunji Adeyinka, Republicom group managing director and chair of the Advertising Week Africa advisory council.

The first '#AWAfrica' will be held at 1Fox, FerreirasDorp in centre-city Johannesburg from Monday, 28 October to Thursday, 31 October. The four-day programme, which is expected to attract 4 000 attendees, will include more than 100 curated events and involve over 200 leading speakers.

Each day will feature the 'Global Keynote Series' — a selection of thought leaders from around the world, who intend to share their perspectives ranging from brands to cultural icons and agencies to tech companies.

In addition, the '#AWLearn' workshops will strive to offer teaching and learning experiences, where delegates can interact with presenters to not only gain new knowledge but to walk away with actionable plans to position them at the industry's leading edge.

The inaugural edition's confirmed speakers include:
  • Jean Marie Dru — chairman, TBWA Worldwide
  • Kwame Acheampong — CEO, Mall for Africa
  • Lolu Akinwunmi — Group CEO, Prima Garnett, Africa
  • Faheem Chaudry — managing partner, MC Saatchi Abel, SA
  • Colleen DeCourcy — co-president and chief creative officer, Weiden + Kennedy
  • Jeff Goodby — co-chairman and partner, Goodby Silverstein & Partners
  • Enver Groenewald — Africa director: media, marketing & enterprise digital transformation, Unilever
  • Thebe Ikalafeng — founder and group CEO, Brand Leadership
  • Monique Nelson — CEO, UWG
  • Ikechi Odigbo — managing director, DDB Lagos
  • Asha Patel — head of marketing, Google SA
  • Boniswa Pezisa — group CEO, Net#work BBDO
  • Thabang Skwambane — managing director, FCB Africa
  • Jimmy Smith — founder & CEO, Amusement Park
  • Wole Soyinka — renowned author and Nobel Laureate
You can register and purchase tickets for Advertising Week Africa 2019 here.

'#AWAfrica' packages include:
  • Platinum Pass — R10 350 for launch priced tickets
  • Delegate Pass — R4 200 for launch priced tickets
  • NewGen Pass — R1 300 for launch priced tickets
For more information, visit www.africa.advertisingweek.com. You can also follow Advertising Week Africa on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.