Billboard
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Intercontinental Marketing and Communication Consortium (IMCC) Limited, the agency responsible for allegedly deploying the “All Eyes on The Judiciary” advert without an approval certificate from the industry regulator has tendered an official apology to the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON).
In a widely circulated letter, dated August 17, 2023 and signed by its Managing Director Stephen Ogboko, and addressed to the now dissolved Advertising Standard Panel (ASP), the agency acknowledged its breach of Article 24(a) of the Nigeria Advertising practice code.
This article stipulates that all advertising, marketing communications, and related materials must undergo ARCON’s vetting process and secure the approval certificate of the ASP prior to public exposure.
“We sincerely apologise for this and state that our action was not intentional,” the agency wrote.
Explaining its side of the story, IMCC said: “The truth is that immediately we received the brief for the said campaign, we sent the artwork to Mr. Markus Inji Lukman, an ARCON liaison officer who has helped us vet campaign materials in the past.”
According to the agency, Mr. Lukman allegedly provided reassurances that the material would be approved.
Subsequently, the agency said it sought his advice on posting the billboard on Saturday, August 12.
Following his recommendation, they facilitated an expedited and accelerated vetting process, IMCC said.
Necessary documentation was submitted, in accordance with Mr. Lukman’s guidance, along with a promise of receiving the certificate of approval by Friday, August 11, it said.
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