Ayeni Adekunle, founder and CEO of BHM, has been announced as a speaker at the ICCO Global Summit in London on November 17, 2021.
Ayeni’s session, titled ‘Freedom of Speech and Free Media’, will examine the fundamental human right of freedom of expression, the benefits of having independent media and implications of these on the PR industry across the world.
Ayeni will be joined by other agency CEOs alongside experienced Communications Directors and consultants from over thirty different countries. Speakers will focus on emerging trends and unresolved issues within the practice, leading to critical discussions that will challenge PR practitioners to reevaluate the industry.
Speaking ahead of the event, Ayeni said: “We have a lot to learn, and to do, if we are being honest, about ensuring absolute freedom of speech and free media; be it in Nigeria, my home country where Twitter remains banned and journalists are regularly censored and harassed, or in America and Europe where, as we continue to see, the entire concept is threatened by cultures more potent than government; and the gatekeeping has since been handed over to an industry that refuses to be accountable.
“There has never been a better time for communicators to take a stand – not just with words on paper; but with everything we do – our ethics, our counsel, our investments, our causes; even the kind of clients we choose to work for; and the kind of agenda we amplify.”
Ayeni is a Nigerian entrepreneur and consultant with interests in public relations, advertising, media innovation, Human capital development, technology, and entertainment. Ayeni started his career as a journalist spending over 10 years in the field before founding BHM in November 2006. The company currently serves a wide range of high-end clientele spread across different sectors including FMCGs, Telecommunication, and Media Services.
BHM is also the first African Platinum Sponsor of the summit. Commenting on the move to sponsor the over 20-year-old annual event, Ayeni said: “By putting BHM at the forefront of activities like the ICCO Summit, we are making ourselves heard and deepening our engagement with the international PR community. I hope to see greater African participation and representation at every level in global organisations and events. This is just the beginning.”
BHM’s Enitan Kehinde, ID Africa’s Femi Falodun, and Magna Carta’s Moliehi Molekoa will also participate in different sessions, as part of a full BHM delegation.
Nitin Mantri, President, ICCO added: “ICCO is a global organisation, and it is important that is reflected not just in our diverse, international speaker programme and membership but also our sponsor line up, so I am delighted that Ayeni has taken this step to support the event, which is a really positive statement of intent and ambition from him and his agency.”
Ayeni Adekunle will bring his unique viewpoint on bridging communications between Africa and the UK, and how diversity, technology, and advocacy will change the world as we know it.
