Ayeni Adekunle, CEO of BlackHouse Media (BHM), Nigeria’s leading Public Relations agency, has been named a fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) in recognition of the enormous contribution he has made to the profession. He was inducted at the recent investiture ceremony which held yesterday August 1, 2019, at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos.
Ayeni, a seasoned public relations practitioner, journalist, trained scientist and serial entrepreneur is the founder of BHM Group which houses BlackHouse Media a public relations outfit, ID Africa a digital marketing and media company, and Plaqad, a business that connects individuals, brands and agencies with websites, blogs and influencers around the world.
Through his companies, he has been responsible for several forward-thinking interventions in the industry including the NEC Live – the most important gathering of Nigeria’s entertainment industry practitioners; the BHM app launched in 2014 – a mobile app for all things public relations; the #PRIsDead campaign; the Nigeria PR report launched in 2015; the BHM guide to PR for professionals interested in smart PR and The concept of virality: A case study on Olajumoke Orisaguna and other viral stars.
BlackHouse Media has on its roster three of the biggest PR accounts in the country – MTN, Multichoice DSTV, and Nigerian Breweries. Starting with zero capital 12 years ago, the agency has worked with clients in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Milan, Paris, Las Vegas, Ghana, Barcelona, etc.
Under his leadership, BHM has recorded some impressive wins. In 2017, the firm was named the PR Agency of the Year and Best Agency to Work in by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Lagos Chapter; PR Agency of the Year in 2018 by Brandcom; and The best PR agency using New Media by the NIPR in 2018.
Ayeni described his award as “an honour not just for me but for all of us at BHM”. “ I went into PR because I saw an opportunity to make an impact and create value. At BHM, my team and I continue to privilege people over profit. So this honour for work we do and enjoy is a huge boost and one I hope we can continue to live up to” he said.
Speaking at the event, NIMN’s President, Tony Agenmonmen said the newly inducted members are “individuals that have met the high standards set by the institute and distinguished themselves in marketing and its related areas. Ayeni Adekunle’s work on behalf of the industry has been exceptional and his leadership inside and outside of the industry has grown its professionalism”.
The Nigerian Institute of Marketing is the leading body for marketing professionals, sales and marketing directors, customer service managers, relationship directors as well as other diverse marketing & communication professionals across the country.
The Institute was chartered by Act of Nigerian Parliament 25 of 2003 as the body with the sole regulatory powers for the marketing profession in Nigeria.