BIODUN SHOBANJO

Posted on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 7:43pm.

Biodun Shobanjo is perhaps known to Africans outside of Nigeria more for his role as the Donald Trump of The Apprentice - Africa television show.  While in Nigeria, he maintains a reputation as a communications and advertising guru that rose through the corporate ranks quickly eventually starting his own successful Ad agency.

He started his communications career with the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation where he worked for seven years in the Programs Department.

He later joined the Client Service Department of Grant Advertising.  Four years later he was appointed to the Board and served as Deputy Managing Director for another four years.

In 1980, his vision of establishing a marketing communications company that would revolutionize the relationship between the Nigerian consumer and the advertisers’ brands came to fruition with the formation of Insight Communications.  He has since put together a team of dynamic directors and first-class managers who have set new standards of advertising excellence in the industry.

A highly trained and experienced man himself, Biodun’s belief in sound and strategically focused training has made the Agency a top choice among blue-chip companies in Nigeria and has also produced a highly sought after team of communication professionals.

The Troyka Group, which is the holding company for Insight, SKG2, Optimum Exposure, Media Perpective, MediaCom, Quadrant and Halogen amongst others, employs over 7,000 Nigerian men and women.

The superior management skills, experience and success creating other millionaires in his industry were key reasons he was chosen by Bank PHB Plc as the icon of its new television reality spin off show: The Apprentice Africa.

Mr. Shobanjo attributes his success to his fierce determination and a steely can-do attitude.  “I was young when I left Grant advertising and young people are very daring. So it didn‘t cross my mind that I wouldn‘t make it. Again, without meaning to be immodest, I really have never failed in my life. If you‘re not used to failing, you don‘t even contemplate failure,” he says.

The dapper and fashion forward man says there are four essential elements of success. According to him, “The first is professionalism. The other is honor. The third is integrity. The fourth is passion. They come in any order, but if you have these four things, chances are that you‘re going to succeed.”

According to a senior official at Bank BHP, “Today, the CEOs of the top 10 advertising and marketing communications outfits in Nigeria are proud alumni of what admirers love to refer to as the “Insight University.”

Mr. Shobanjo, with  40 years of experience behind him, entrepreneurial savvy, multi-disciplinary industry experience and a business maxim founded squarely on the belief that success is not negotiable, continues to inspire advertising industry professionals aspiring for bigger and better things.

In his own words, “Winning is not everything. It is the only thing!”