AAG Connects Ghanaian Students to the Roger Hatchuel Student Academy.

The Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) has nominated three (3) Ghanaian students to the Roger Hatchuel Student Academy (RHSA), marking Ghana’s entry into one of the world’s most prestigious global talent development platforms within the creative and advertising industry. This is Ghana’s first ever entry into the prestigious academy from the advertising industry in the country.

The Roger Hatchuel Student Academy is a highly competetivelearning programme held annually during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in Cannes, France. The academy is designed for exceptional final-year students and emerging talents in advertising, marketing, communications, media, and related creative disciplines. It brings together a global cohort of young creatives for an immersive experience that includes masterclasses, mentorship, collaborative workshops, and live creative challenges led by leading industry practitioners. Widely regarded as a launchpad for future creative leaders, selection into the Academy is considered a strong endorsement of creative excellence, leadership potential, and readiness for the global stage.

Against this backdrop, the nomination of Ghanaian students represents a significant step forward for the country’s creative ecosystem. Led by the Advertising Association of Ghana, this initiative underscores the Association’s commitment to nurturing young talent, expanding global exposure, and ensuring that Ghanaian perspectives and stories are represented within international creative conversations. This first-ever nomination also signals Ghana’s growing influence and readiness to participate meaningfully in the global creative economy.

Each of the three (3) outstanding students nominated reflects the diversity, depth, and promise of the country’s next generation of creative leaders:

Eliot Serlom Agbedor

Eliot Serlom Agbedor is a communications student at the University of Media, Arts and Communication, majoring in Public Relations. With a vibrant and energetic communication style deeply rooted in African storytelling, Eliot represents a multidisciplinary creative voice spanning writing, fashion, content creation, lifestyle media, acting, storytelling, and directing. His academic and professional journey is driven by a commitment to purposeful, human-centred communication. Notable highlights include leading his team to first place in the 2025 Sustainable Development Goals Advertising Campaign Competition, alongside hands-on experience in news writing, reporting, producing, voice-over artistry, and event hosting. Eliot’s work reflects a strong focus on impact, leadership, and storytelling with intent.

 

Amaris Bedwei

Amaris is a final-year marketing student at Lancaster University, Ghana, with a passion for multidisciplinary creativity. A filmmaker, creative director, editor, and social media manager, she approaches her career with curiosity, experimentation, and bold creative ambition. Rather than being confined by titles, Amaris has consistently chosen creativity across mediums, including filmmaking, marketing, and editorial work. Her work is driven by a desire to tell stories that resonate emotionally and culturally, while exploring different forms of expression. Through the Roger Hatchuel Student Academy, she seeks to sharpen her skills, gain global exposure, and build the confidence and tools required to navigate the creative industry with clarity and intention.

Naa Odarkor Mills

Naa Odarkor Mills is a final-year journalism and mass communication student whose creative identity is shaped by a deep love for photography, film, language, and storytelling. Fluent in Ga and inspired by Ghanaian culture, Naa is motivated by a desire to use storytelling to take Ghana to the world while bringing global perspectives back home. Her early aspirations included documentary and wildlife photography, and while her career ambitions have evolved, her commitment to storytelling remains central. Drawn to advertising through the rich narrative tradition of classic Ghanaian commercials, she is particularly interested in how brands can use culture, language, and emotion to create meaningful connections. Through her photography work with emerging Ghanaian brands, Naa actively explores this intersection of storytelling and brand building. She seeks the Roger Hatchuel Student Academy experience to learn how bold ideas are shaped, and how culturally grounded stories can travel globally without losing their roots.

As the selection process progresses, and should the nominees be officially admitted into the Academy in Cannes, support from agencies, organisations, and industry stakeholders will be essential. Sponsorship and partnership opportunities will help ensure that Ghana’s representatives are able to fully participate in this global programme, maximising the learning, exposure, and long-term benefits for the individuals involved and for the industry as a whole.

Through this landmark initiative, the Advertising Association of Ghana continues to demonstrate leadership in talent development, international collaboration, and the strategic positioning of Ghana as an emerging force within the global creative economy.

Pitcher Festival Partners with Advertising Association of Ghana to Elevate Creativity Across Africa

The Pitcher Festival of Creativity, Africa’s premier celebration of innovation in advertising and communications, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG). This collaboration is designed to strengthen Ghana’s creative industry, expand opportunities for young professionals, and position both organizations as leading voices in Africa’s creative economy transformation.

Speaking on the significance of the partnership, Venus Tawiah, Director of Global Partnerships at AAG, noted: “This partnership is about more than awards and events — it is about building bridges. By connecting Ghana’s creative community with peers across Africa, we are fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation.”

The partnership will create opportunities through initiatives such as the Pitcher Awards, the Young Pitcher Academy, the Young Pitcher Competition, and the Festival Watch Parties in Ghana. The Young Pitcher Academy 2026, Africa’s leading training and competition platform for young professionals in marketing communications, is now open for registration. Running from 9 March to 16 May 2026, the Academy will deliver cross-disciplinary masterclasses with global and African thought leaders, sector-specific sessions for creative, media, PR, and brand professionals, regional watch parties in designated cities, and competitions across seven categories, culminating in winners being announced at the prestigious Pitcher Festival. Open to professionals 30 years old or younger working across Africa, the Academy offers high-impact training, networking with top creative minds, continental recognition, and certificates of participation.

Isaac Cudjoe, Executive Director of AAG, emphasized the importance of this collaboration for Ghana’s creative industry: “We are proud to endorse the Pitcher Festival as a platform that not only recognizes creativity but also nurtures it. For Ghanaian agencies and professionals, this collaboration opens doors to continental recognition and global exposure.”

Entries for the Pitcher Awards 2026 are also open, with Early Bird discounts available until 31 December 2025. New for 2026 is the Care Category, which celebrates creative excellence in health-related communication across Africa and the diaspora. Subcategories include public health, pharmaceuticals, wellness, healthcare services, employee wellbeing, and health equity advocacy. Returning Special Awards include Brand of the Year (national and multinational) and Marketing Company of the Year (national and multinational), recognizing outstanding achievements in shaping Africa’s marketing landscape. The Special Awards also include Agencies of the Year, Networks of the Year and Regional Holding Companies of the Year. Now in its ninth year, the Pitcher Awards remain one of Africa’s most prestigious accolades, judged by distinguished juries from across the continent.

Reflecting on the broader vision, Dr. Nnamdi Ndu, Chairman of Pitcher Festival, stated: “This partnership with the Advertising Association of Ghana is a milestone in our mission to unite Africa’s creative voices. By working together, we can amplify Ghana’s role in the continental creative economy, empower young professionals, and showcase the transformative power of African creativity to the world.”

The collaboration between Pitcher Festival and AAG signals a new era of opportunity for Ghanaian and African professionals alike – one that champions learning, recognition, and the collective ambition to place Africa at the forefront of global creative excellence.

Publicis, EchoHouse, and Others Sweep Awards at the17th Gong Gong Festival of Creativity & Awards

The 17th Gong Gong Festival of Creativity & Awards, by the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG), climaxed on Saturday, June 28th, 2025. The entire festival of creativity and awards was more than an award ceremony — it was a celebration of ideas, culture, and bold industry impact. The Gong Gong festival began with an inter-agency fun game that ramped up a lot of excitement and energy across the industry, and it climaxed with the awards dinner night at the Adesa Pavilion of Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra. The awards dinner night brought together Ghana’s top advertising and media minds, culminating in high recognitions for agencies like Publicis Ghana, EchoHouse Insel Communications, Ogilvy, Rezultz Advertising, Innova DBB, Pulse Ghana, Primetime, EXP, and a host of others.

Publicis West Africa, EchoHouse, and EXP Ghana, which won the three available platinum awards for the year. From the red carpet glam to groundbreaking campaign showcases, this year’s Gong Gong Awards set a clear standard for creativity and excellence in the industry.

  1. Creative Brilliance was on Full Display as Publicis Ghana was crowned Creative Agency of the Year, taking home a whopping 16 awards, including: 1 Platinum,7 Gold, 6 Silver, and 2 Bronze. Their performance showed that data-led creativity and culturally aligned messaging are still effective tools for advertising.  
  2. Media Innovation Mattered More Than Ever- and EchoHouse won the grand prix in that sector as they were awarded Media Agency of the Year, and walked away with 11 awards, including 1 Platinum, 2 Gold, 5 Silver, and 3 Bronze. Their youthful, culturally-driven content strategies continue to shape the next wave of media consumption in Ghana.
  3. Experiential is evolving and highly competitive, but EXP Ghana took home the Experiential Agency of the Year title, highlighting the growing demand for immersive, real-world brand experiences that go beyond screen-based storytelling.

Moments That Defined the Night

To truly understand the vibe of the night, a photo gallery says it all. From the stunning setup to the proud smiles of winners holding their trophies, each image captured the energy and pride of the industry.

 

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Every year brings something new — this time, it was the clear shift towards performance-based recognition. Agencies weren’t just awarded for creativity, but for results, impact, and message clarity. It marked a turning point for how success is measured in the industry.

The stage design and production also raised the bar, showing that even local events can deliver world-class presentations. Events like this don’t happen in isolation. AAG extends its gratitude to all the sponsors, supporting brands, production teams, jury panel, and agencies who made the event what it was. Your contributions made this a night to remember — and a night that will inspire many more.

What This Means for Ghana’s Creative Industry

The 17th Gong Gong Awards reminded us that Ghana’s advertising industry is not just surviving — it’s thriving. With the rise of young talent, expanding digital platforms, and conversations around tech like AI in advertising, the future is full of promise.

Events like these are more than celebrations; they’re milestones that inspire future greatness.

The Gong Gong Awards continue to be more than just trophies — they are a mirror of how far we’ve come, and a light for where we’re headed. Here’s to pushing boundaries, telling better stories, and building an industry rooted in creativity, excellence, and collaboration.