The Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN) has begun the countdown to its highly anticipated

2025 Brand Experience Summit, Annual General Meeting (AGM), and Awards,

scheduled for July 17–18 at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Ikeja.

This year’s summit is themed: “Personalization at Scale: From Insights to Impact in a Data-Driven, Immersive World,”

while the awards ceremony will hold under the theme: “Building Bridges, Strengthening Bonds.”

Speaking at a press conference, Tolulope Medebem, President of EXMAN, noted that the summit’s theme is both timely and transformative.

“This year’s summit theme, ‘Personalization at Scale: From Insights to Impact in a Data-Driven, Immersive World,’

is not only a timely conversation but also transformational.

As we navigate an era shaped by AI, automation, and analytics, the debate surrounding AI’s impact on our lives continues. We believe this summit is perfectly timed to address these pressing issues.”

She added:

“At its core, the summit will tackle enduring challenges we all face: How can we scale intimacy without sacrificing authenticity? How can we harness the power of data without losing our humanity? These are critical questions in today’s AI-influenced world.”

According to the President, the summit will bring together key stakeholders for critical conversations exploring these themes.

“We’ll kick off with a high-impact session featuring the Lagos Business School. Following the success of our industry panel in 2023, we’re excited to continue the discussion and explore new ideas and perspectives.”

Key Speakers and Sessions

Medebem highlighted an exciting lineup of speakers, including:

• Dr. Uchenna Uzo, Faculty Lead at Lagos Business School, who will present insights on Experiential Marketing Trends and Consumer Behavior, based on research conducted in partnership with EXMAN.
• Mrs. Victoria Ajayi, Group Managing Director of TVC Communications, who will discuss AI’s Role in Reshaping Consumer Experiences and Personalization.
• Feyi Olubodun, Founder and Managing Partner of Open Squares Africa, who will speak on the Intersection of Data and Storytelling.

The summit will also feature:

• A panel session on data-driven creativity with real case studies.
• A session on strategic intelligence and designing for emotion, led by Mr. Aizehi Itua, Founder of Aim One Company.
• Two breakout sessions:
  • “The Power of Data: Personalization, Privacy, and Purpose”
  • “Pixels and Presence: Blending AI and Physical Brand Worlds”

According to Medebem, the summit promises to be future-forward, human-centered, and industry-integrated, culminating in the Grand Experience Summit, the EXMAN Awards, and the AGM.

She added that the biannual EXMAN Awards will recognize outstanding experiential marketing work from the past two years.

“We currently have over 60 agencies as members, and about 10 new agencies will be inducted at the upcoming AGM. We also received over 110 entries for this year’s awards.”

She also revealed that there will be a student competition involving tertiary institutions, as part of EXMAN’s effort to bridge the gap between academia and industry.

“Beyond competition, we are focused on building and strengthening bonds that make us stronger as an association and as individual agencies. In these challenging times, we believe it’s time to shift from mere competition to meaningful collaboration.”

“Our ecosystem thrives on transparency, shared standards, and mutual respect among agencies, clients, regulators, and the public. I’d like to commend all the agencies that submitted entries for the 2025 EXMAN Awards. This year, we’ve seen stronger, more data-driven, and insight-led submissions—a significant improvement compared to previous years.”

Organizing Committee Highlights Awards Process

Owolabi Mustapha, representing the Chairman of the Summit and Awards Committee, said:

“This year’s theme, ‘Personalization at Scale: From Insight to Impact in a Data-Driven, Innovative World,’ reflects the tension and opportunity in today’s marketing landscape. As we leverage AI, automate experiences, and harness big data, the core question remains—how do we stay personal at scale while keeping the human at the heart of marketing?”

He described the summit as more than an event, calling it a platform for collaboration, cooperation, and future growth, with programming that spans academic research, thought leadership, student innovation, and real-world case studies.

Raising the Bar for the EXMAN Awards

Agnus Ailuelohia, Chairman of the EXMAN AGM and Awards 2025 Committee, emphasized the depth of this year’s awards theme: “Building Bridges and Strengthening Bonds.”

She noted that the awards celebrate not just creativity, but also strategic thinking, ethical execution, and innovation.

“We’ve raised the bar this year by refining the entry process, assembling a diverse judging panel, and implementing clear evaluation benchmarks. We received over 111 entries, including a notable number from first-time participants. This speaks to the growing relevance and credibility of the EXMAN Awards.”