Inaugural Advertising Week Africa Shifted to 2020

Advertising Week, the world's largest annual gathering of advertising, creative, entertainment, marketing, media and technology industry leaders, has announced the shift of its inaugural Africa edition from 2019 to 2020.

Advertising Week Africa will now take place in the first half of 2020, with a new date to be confirmed. The date change comes after a joint decision by the event's African-based advisory council and other local and international stakeholders.

The decision was made following the unrest in South Africa and the resulting reprisal attacks across several African countries. Stillwell Partners, global producers of Advertising Week, re-affirmed the commitment to Africa.

"Our commitment to launching Advertising Week Africa in Johannesburg is only stronger," says Stillwell President Lance Pillersdorf. "From adversity often comes opportunity, and we will continue and accelerate all planning and development to ensure the success of Advertising Week Africa in 2020."

The following lead-up to Adverting Week Africa milestone events will continue as planned:
An AWAfrica gala reception honouring the 20th anniversary of the Nelson Mandela Foundation in New York City on Wednesday, 25 September, as a centerpiece of the 16th global edition of Advertising Week in New York City.

The next edition of Advertising Week Europe in London in March 2020 will shine the spotlight on the spirit and impact of African entrepreneurs and storytellers.
South Africa House on Trafalgar Square will host a 'Road to AWAfrica Leadership Reception' during AWEurope.

Tunji Adeyinka, Republicom group managing director and chair of the AWAfrica advisory council, says, "The message of Advertising Week Africa has always been that there is strength in our diversity, and therefore we stand against violence anywhere on the continent."

"As our central theme 'Great Minds Think Unalike' succinctly illustrates, we are excited to showcase the fact that we may have different languages, practices and belief systems across the continent, but those very differences create a rich tapestry of culture, industry and creativity that represent a massive and hugely positive contribution to our continent and to the world," concludes Adeyinka.

Advertising Week is the premier global event for marketing, brand, advertising and technology professionals. Now in five different major cities across the globe – New York, London, Tokyo, Mexico City and Sydney and coming to South Africa for the first time this year – each edition of Advertising Week presents endless opportunities to learn, network and liaise with the industry’s best.

This year, from 28 – 31 October, Johannesburg will join the other global destinations to host its maiden edition of Advertising Week Africa (AWAfrica). This will consist of thought leadership keynotes, seminars and workshops led by some of the greatest minds in the industry by day, to world class entertainment in some of the city’s iconic venues by night.