Mr Emmanuel Nwafor, Chief Executive Officer of Alternative Adverts Ltd. and Convener of the awards, disclosed this during the official unveiling of the award programmes in Lagos.
Nwafor said that the theme for the year’s edition was, “The Spotlight”, as there were plans to beam light on the lofty achievements and contributions of individuals and corporate organisations to the growth of the social media space.
According to him, the SMA was designed to recognise outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals, brands and corporate organisations in the field of social media.
He said recognising these achievements was quite important, considering the fact that the social media had become an increasingly important aspect of modern communication, marketing and culture.
“The 2024 Social Media Awards will hold Nov. 23, at Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island. This will be a rewarding platform for players in the social media space, who have been entertaining, innovative and creative.
“We will be looking at brands and individuals who use their social media platforms to promote people’s businesses as well as educate people on specific areas.
“Nominations will begin on Sept. 12 and close Oct. 23. These can be done on our website: www.sma.ng.
“We encourage every social media user to participate in nominating individuals or organisations for one of the award categories. The voting process will commence Sept. 23 and close Oct. 30.
“This award is given to individuals, brands, organisations, or campaigns that have demonstrated excellence in social media strategy, content creation, audience engagement, or community building,” the awards convener said.
Speaking further on the programmes outlined for the awards, Nwafor said that five activities had been designed to hold, like charity, sporting activities, nomination party and more.
He said new categories of the award had been added to accommodate those left out in the previous year.
“We are going to have charity activity where we are going to be visiting hospitals and orphanage homes to give to the less privileged.
“We urge you our sponsors to work with us through out the entire process.
“By recognising excellence in social media, these awards serve as a means of highlighting best practices, inspiring others to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible in the field.
“They also help to establish benchmarks for success and encourage ongoing improvement and development in the industry.
“This year, we want to beam “The Spotlight” on the most exceptional individuals and brands that have captivated audiences and inspired us with their creativity and passion,” he said.
According to Nwafor, the previous year’s SMA was a resounding success, with a record number of entries and a stellar lineup of winners.
He said for 2024, the award will be taken to the next level with “The Spotlight” theme representing the organiser’s commitment to illuminating excellence in social media, amplifying marginalised voices, showcasing innovative storytelling and honoring authenticity and creativity.
“In our commitment to remain one of Nigeria’s most transparent and credible awards, the nomination and voting process would be 100 per cent user-based.
“This means the public will nominate and vote for their preferred social media influencers, content creators, and brands to ensure fairness and equity.
“As we look to the future, the SMA will continue to evolve, adapting to the ever-changing social media landscape.
“We will remain committed to celebrating creativity and innovation, supporting social media education and literacy and providing a platform for diverse voices and perspectives,” he said. (NAN)
