These are the

A yellow rectangle sign with the word 'Ads' in large black letters, taped at the top with beige tape for Ayinde okin, Sodiq Sheu Portfolio.

What follows is over a decade of hunting. Some of these are spec work for brands I never officially worked with but couldn't stop thinking about. Others are campaigns created for agency clients during my time at the agency. Each piece is tagged accordingly.

Tip — agency logos link to the agency site

RECOGNITION

Ranked the Number One Art Director in Nigeria by Lürzer's Archive, with multiple features in Lürzer's Archive and Ads of the World.

Spec Ads

I sometimes refer to myself as a Huntsman because my mind is always conscious and alert to finding ideas and opportunities that can solve problems, and because of this, I've found myself creating Ads for brands that I never worked for or have direct contact with.

This section contains some selected Ads from these ideas, some I don't share because I hope that I get to execute them for an actual client one day. I hope you enjoy going through them as much as I enjoyed creating them.

KitKat x Linkedin

#OnABreak

SPEC


Circular badge with the hashtag #OnABreak and Nike KitKat logo at the bottom, featuring a red and white color scheme.
Partially visible person wearing a navy blue cap with white text, outdoors with blurred greenery in the background. KitKat Spec Ad.
Digital billboard in an urban area at dusk with bright red background displaying a message about replying all or not replying to emails, with a photo of a young woman smiling and the hashtag #ONABREAK, and the KitKat logo at the bottom. Campaign.

Created by me in 2026

Behind the Ad

After fifteen years in the industry, including a decade that felt like one nonstop shift, I realised I had forgotten how to actually stop. Midway through last year (2025), the engine started to stall; I was still delivering results, but the spark was going out from running ten years without a proper pause. Two months ago (March, 2026), I finally started a real break, completely stepping away from the daily grind of corporate emails and virtual meetings.

During this time, receiving career-related messages on LinkedIn made me wish the platform had an easy way to let connections know I was zoning out. While LinkedIn has tools for premium away statuses or profile slots, the overall environment is still geared towards keeping the hustle open. I originally intended to just design an #OnABreak profile frame for myself, but the concept of a break naturally led me to KitKat. This personal reflection evolved into a full brand collaboration concept, demonstrating how these two platforms can team up to encourage professionals to prioritise their mental health.

Hear Original

Sennheiser

SPEC


A pair of brown Sennheiser over-ear headphones with a beige headband, against a white background, with the text "But the chair is not my son" on the left and "But the kid is not my son" on the right.
Sennheiser headphones on a white background with German and English text. The left side says, "I'm in San Francisco Germany" and the right, "I'm in San Francisco jamming."
Pink wireless earbuds inside a matching pink charging case, with slogans 'Now I'm in the basement, playin' on my patience' and 'Now I'm in amazement, playin' on my patience' on a light background, branding for Sennheiser.
Pair of Sennheiser true wireless earbuds with the brand logo visible. Text on the image says, ''Scuse me while I kiss this guy' and ''Scuse me while I kiss the sky.'
A large advertisement for Sennheiser headphones in a subway or train station. The ad features an image of white over-ear headphones with the text 'all the lonely Starbucks lovers' and 'got a long list of ex-lovers' written beside the headphones. There are some smaller texts and logos at the bottom of the ad.
An open book with a pair of black wireless earbuds attached to the right page. The left page has the text "I'm so grateful for my eggs" and the right page has the text "I'm so grateful for my ex." There is also small text at the bottom right corner that says "HEAR ORIGINAL SENNHEISER."

Created by me in 2026

Behind the Ad

When Fireboy released "Peru" in 2021, it quickly went viral, alongside a widespread misunderstanding of the track's lyrics. Many listeners were singing a particular part incorrectly, substituting "I'm in San Francisco Germany" for the actual line. In a subsequent interview, Fireboy cleared the air by confirming the lyric is actually "I'm in San Francisco jamming."

This viral misinterpretation immediately sparked a creative idea. What if people hear the wrong lyrics simply because they are using inferior sound systems? Further research introduced me to a common phenomenon called a mondegreen: the mishearing or misinterpretation of a phrase, typically a song lyric.

I initially built a concept around "Hearing the Difference," but during the execution stage for Sennheiser, I pushed the idea further. I realised the core truth isn't just about hearing a difference: it is about Hearing the Original. This final campaign positions Sennheiser as the ultimate standard for delivering true, uncompromised sound exactly as the artist intended.

Made in Spain Peace

Spanish Government

SPEC


Text on a beige background promoting a campaign called Peace that highlights Spain's lesser-known exports, emphasizing peace over war and conflict.
Color palette chart showing four colors with names and hex codes: Saffron Gold, Castilla Navy, Andalucia Ivory, Olive Peace.
A graphic design showcasing different fonts and their characteristics, with a section titled 'IDENTITY' at the top, and the phrase 'Hecho con Paz' written in yellow cursive font. The background has multiple color blocks, including dark blue, light beige, and red, with the phrase 'MADE IN SPAIN' prominently displayed in red and yellow.
Website homepage with a header reading 'Made in Spain Peace' in Spanish and English, featuring statistics about Spanish exports and a quote about trading instead of fighting, followed by various product categories like olive oil, fashion, wine, ceramics, automotive, food, technology, and infrastructure, with a footer button to view all brands.
A motivational poster with a yellow background and text promoting peace. The poster states, 'Made in Spain' with a red slash crossing it out, followed by 'Peace' in red script. Below, it says, 'Every purchase is a stance for peace and quality' and encourages visiting madeinpeace.es.
A close-up of newspapers with a yellow and blue section, featuring the message "Made in Spain, Peace, Hecho con Paz" and text in Arabic, on a gray background.
Red background poster with yellow text stating, "We believe olives are stronger than bullets." Includes an illustration of a green olive with a pimento and several logos of olive oil brands at the bottom. Small text advertising various olive oil brands and a statement about their recognition in global competitions, along with a website link for peace initiatives.
Open magazine with a red page featuring bold yellow text that states, "We believe olives are stronger than bullets," and a small green olive illustration.
A large digital billboard on a building displaying the message: 'DRESS TO KILL WITHOUT KILLING.' The billboard also features a yellow high heel shoe illustration and logos of various brands, including Mango, Maximo Dutti, Pull&Bear, Zara, and Bimba Y Lola. The surrounding buildings have multiple smaller illuminated signs.
Two T-shirts, one red with a yellow and black emblem and the words 'MADE IN SPAIN' and 'Peace,' and one yellow with a small emblem on the shoulder, displayed against a plain background with a horizontal color bar transitioning from red to yellow at the bottom.
Collection of Spanish food products including a box of Turrón Jijona, a bottle of La Española olive oil, and a tin of Bonito del Norte tuna, with a focus on Spanish exports and branding for peace.
A campaign rollout poster with a red and yellow theme, featuring the text 'MADE IN SPAIN' with the word 'SPAIN' crossed out and replaced with 'Peace'. The background contains additional design elements such as a sun icon and a hand logo, and explains the campaign's online and offline components.

Created by me in 2026

Behind the Ad

Geopolitics can be scary, sad, and highly dramatic; recently, it has become almost impossible to ignore. A prime example is the Spanish government’s recent decision to deny the use of its territory for war exercises. While a clear stance for peace, this move reportedly led to economic threats from the US, pushing me to look past my casual associations of Spain with football and tourism to research its actual international trade.

I discovered that Spain is actually a major global player in industries ranging from automotive parts and industrial machinery to pharmaceuticals and fashion. This realisation struck a creative chord: what if this geopolitical pressure is actually an opportunity? I created this campaign to demonstrate how Spain can pivot from a target of political tension into a powerful beacon of global commerce and peace.

Squid Paint

Medium

SPEC


Color palette featuring a container of paint labeled 'Squid Paint' in shades of purple, pink, yellow, and teal, with color swatches below the images.
Colorful abstract 3D geometric art with pink background and beige, blue, and pink shapes. Campaign for Squid Game.
Pink background with abstract geometric shapes in various shades of pink, blue, and yellow. The text 'Squid Paint Medium:' appears near the bottom right corner. Campaign for Squid Game.
Colorful interior with pink, yellow, and blue walls, featuring a staircase with black steps and gray tread, and a wall sign reading "Liquid Paint Medium". Campaign for Squid Game.
A colorful abstract digital art piece with pink, purple, dark blue, and orange geometric shapes and classroom elements, including stairs, walls, and structures, with the words 'SQUAD POINT MEDIUM' at the bottom right corner. Best Campaign.
Colorful interior scene inspired by the game Squid Game, featuring pink walls, geometric shapes, and staircases, with people exploring the space.
An open magazine lying flat shows a colorful abstract art piece with pink background and various geometric shapes in blue, purple, yellow, and red. Part of a candle on a black stand is visible outside the magazine on the right. Squid Game.
Art gallery with three colorful abstract paintings on white walls in a gray room with a dark ceiling. Campaign for Squid Game.
Colorful building with pink, blue, yellow, and orange arches and walls. Two people in pink suits with black helmets and gloves stand at the entrance, facing away. The interior shows a corridor with arched ceilings in matching colors and vibrant light reflections.

Created by me in 2024 ‍

Behind the Ad

As a marketing professional and a fan of Squid Game, I closely followed the brilliant brand partnerships that brought the second season to life beyond the screen. However, whilst watching the final episode, my attention was completely captured by the striking artistry of the iconic staircase area. It strongly reminded me of M.C. Escher's famous artwork, drawing me directly into the vibrant colours and the sheer quality of the paint product itself.

As a creative, I wondered why no paint brand had capitalised on these stunning visual scenes to promote their product. When an internet search revealed no official paint partnerships, I decided to build a campaign myself. Instead of using an existing brand, I created a fictional one called Squid Paint. Whilst I initially envisioned a simple print campaign showcasing the colourful stairs, I pushed the execution further into a broader concept called "Medium:", framing the paint itself as the essential medium used to create a cinematic masterpiece. The campaign also includes a photography exhibition, with a percentage of the proceeds going to a charity that helps selected individuals repay their loans, and a CSR activation in which painters, dressed in the Pink Guards costume, paint public facilities.

No Mask No Entry

Durex

SPEC


Collection of signs and posters indicating no mask and no entry policies, including a large blue billboard and smaller signs on windows and fences, some with the Durex brand logo.
Blue box of Durex condoms with large white text saying 'NO MASK NO ENTRY'

Created by me in 2021

Behind the Ad

“No Mask, No Entry” was everywhere during the COVID-19 era. Durex condoms are also about protection, and I saw an opportunity for Durex to hijack the double entendre in “No Mask, No Entry” to deliver a dual message of protection in one line.

2020 BAGGAGE

SPEC


Illustration of a human head profile with a brain area filled with images of healthcare workers and virus particles, accompanied by text encouraging discussions about mental health during COVID-19.
Silhouette of a person's face in profile with a speech bubble containing a green and red graphic related to mental health awareness, including silhouettes of people, houses, and text urging to talk about mental health.
A silhouette of a person's head in profile with the brain area filled with a protest scene. The scene includes silhouettes of people holding signs, one reading 'END SARS,' and some raising their fists. Text at the bottom urges not to take 2020's baggage into the next year and promotes a mental health discussion.

Created by me in 2020

Behind the Ad

The year 2020 was an extraordinary period of global disruption due to COVID-19, but for Nigerians, the intensity was amplified by the EndSARS protests and the traumatic aftermath of the Lekki Tollgate massacre. The entire nation was left in a deeply dark place, carrying immense collective trauma. I created this print campaign out of a vital need to help people heal, encouraging everyone to shed the heavy mental baggage of 2020 so they could approach 2021 with renewed mental and physical energy.

At Noah’s Ark

Oct 2015 – Jan 2020

This is where I officially began my full-time career as an Art Director, following an internship and holiday jobs at 141 Worldwide. I joined as a Junior Art Director and progressed to the role of Senior Art Director.

During my time there, I worked on numerous campaigns and pitches under the guidance of senior creatives and in close collaboration with my teammates. I was actively involved in strategy sessions and brainstorming that led to several impactful and award-winning campaigns.

In less than a year at Noah's Ark, I was featured in Lürzer's Archive and became the first person in the agency to receive the "Most Improved Arknimal" award.

The selected projects in this section showcase my creative contributions during my time at the agency.

Feed Their Imagination

Indomie Noodles


A box of uncooked instant noodles with some sliced tomatoes and a green chili on the side, set against a black background. The box has a red, yellow, green, and blue logo in the upper left corner. There is a message in the lower right corner that says, "Feed their imagination" and "Happy Children's Day."
A creative food art piece featuring noodles arranged to resemble a couch, with purple onion slices used as decorative accents, and the text 'Feed their imagination. Happy Children's Day' in the bottom right corner.

Credits

Agency: Noah’s Ark Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Copywriter: Kunle Omope, Zainab Giwa 3D Illustration: Olumaiye Aladeniji ‍

2016

This campaign earned me my first entry into Lürzer's Archive. It was inspired by the way children use random objects to create familiar forms through imagination and play. The campaign also won Silver at LAIF Awards and Bronze at African Cristal.

#PureLoveChallenge

Hypo


A man with glasses and a beard smiling while holding a lace thong. There is a red heart-shaped sign with white lace trim that reads "Spread Love Beyond the Bedroom" and a small bottle of hand sanitizer attached to it, with the hashtag "Pure Love Challenge" written below.
A man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a white sleeveless shirt, is holding a white lace lingerie piece in front of a house with beige walls and a white window. A plant in a pot is visible behind him. There is a heart-shaped sign with the phrase 'Spread Love Beyond The Bedroom' and a small bottle of hand sanitizer with the brand name 'Hype' at the bottom right corner, along with the hashtag '#PureLoveChallenge'.
A man with short curly hair and a beard is smiling and holding a tissue in his right hand. He is standing in a bathroom, near a white tiled wall, with a grab bar and a face mask hanging from it. On the wall, there is a decorative heart-shaped sign that says, 'Spread love beyond the bedroom,' with a picture of a bottle of disinfectant spray and the hashtag '#PureLoveChallenge' written below.
A man hanging laundry on a clothesline with clothespins. There is a decorative heart-shaped sign in the background with the message 'Spread Love Beyond the Bedroom.' A bottle of hypoallergenic laundry detergent labeled 'hypo' is placed below the sign, and the hashtag '#PureLoveChallenge' with a heart symbol is written in red at the bottom right corner of the image.
Design with white text on a blue background, featuring hanging laundry lines with some hanging clothes, a bat with wings, a fluffy heart, and text promoting an Instagram challenge with hashtags and a call to action. The main message says: 'NO Spills attached just hype' and a phrase at the bottom states '#PureLoveChallenge'.
Colorful graphic with white lines resembling laundry lines, adorned with various hanging items like a person, a bottle, a shoe, and a sock. The words 'pure love' are written in large white chalk-like letters, and the words '#Pure love challenge' are written in a playful font. The background is bright blue.
A bright blue background with white text reading 'washing a small material does not reduce your husband's material.' Below, there is a red word 'hype' with the phrase 'Go Wipe O!' Ayinde Okin.
Colorful bath mat with playful text that reads 'If I can pull it, I can spread it' and includes illustrations of laundry and clothing items at the bottom, with a blue background. Sodiq Sheu.

Credits

Decorative background with white text on a blue background, including a drawing of a girl with pigtails, and the phrase '#Pure love challenge'.
Blue background with white text and illustrations. The main message is 'For better for wash for ricer.' There are drawings of laundry hangers, a pair of underwear, shower rings, dollar bills, and the word 'hype' in red with the tagline 'Go Wipe O!' at the bottom.
Blue background with white text and illustrations of laundry lines, a diaper, a cherub, and a heart. The text includes phrases like 'washing platter,' 'changing diaper,' 'division of labour,' and hashtags like '#Pure love' and '#Pure love challenge.'
A blue background with white text on strings resembling laundry, reading 'It's no taboo for wash your underwear. #Pure love #Pure love challenge', and a small silhouette of a person hanging clothes on a clothesline.

Agency: Noah’s Ark‍ ‍ Art Director: Aladeniji Olumaiye, Olashile Sodiq Sheu ‍ ‍Copywriter: Kunle Omope, OnyeKachi Uju Sarah‍ ‍‍ ‍‍ ‍Photography: Underdog Productions

2018

Behind the Ad

We were really struggling to find a Valentine's Day idea for Hypo until a fun office argument saved the day: Does it make sense for a man to wash his wife's underwear?

On my way home that night, the debate stayed with me, and I suddenly realised that the very chore most men avoid is exactly what Hypo does every day. Hypo does it out of a love for purity; it is "Pure Love".

The next morning, I shared the thought with the team. The initial idea was to demonstrate how Hypo shows pure love through what it does. However, after more lively discussions and brainstorming, we decided to flip the script. Instead of letting the brand do the talking, we challenged men across the country to step up and show that same pure love themselves.

That was how the Pure Love Challenge was born.

In Nigeria, it is often considered taboo for men to wash their partners' underwear. This campaign encouraged men to break that norm by doing exactly that and sharing it online using the hashtag #PureLoveChallenge. It quickly went viral, becoming the number one trending hashtag on Valentine's Day in Nigeria.

The campaign was also featured on Ads of the World and Lürzer's Archive, and went on to win multiple awards at LAIF, Pitcher and African Cristal award festivals.

Reaching for Peak

Peak


Blue paper cutout of a person playing the guitar with a message in the bottom right corner that says "Let them reach for their peak" and a can of Peak evaporated milk for Children's Day.
Silhouette of a person in a suit walking upwards, with a small can of Peak fish on the bottom right and text that reads, 'Let them reach for their peak. Happy Children's Day.'
Stylized illustration of a person with a chamberlain's hat and a tie, with the body dissolving into a tooth silhouette, on a light blue background. Text on the right reads, 'Let them reach for their peak. Happy Children's Day.' A can of Peak condensed milk is in the bottom right corner.

Credits

2018

Agency: Noah’s Ark Art Director: Gabriel Olu'seun Olonisakin, Olashile Sodiq Sheu Copywriter: Ademigbuji Aishat Illustrator: Kayode Onimole

Surprise

Hypo


A disposable diaper hanging on a clothesline against a purple background with a water bottle below it. The diaper has a speech bubble saying, 'Even your white won't believe it.'
A white face mask hanging on a clothesline with green clips against a green background, with a bottle of hypo Wipes below and a caption that reads, 'Even your white won’t believe it.'
A white diaper hanging on a clothesline with a phrase below it reading 'Even your white won't believe it,' and a white spray bottle labeled 'hypo' at the bottom, set against a blue background. Best Art Director in Nigeria.

Credits

2019

Agency: Noah’s Ark Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Copywriter: Olashile Sodiq Sheu 3D Artist: Olashile Sodiq Sheu

Behind the Ad

A close-up of a USA 50-dollar bill with the denomination partially visible, illuminated with purple and blue lighting. Best Campaign in Nigeria

After hanging my white T-shirt out to dry, I looked closely at its printed design. It seemed as though the shirt itself was surprised. This observation instantly triggered my creative hunting instincts, and I began to ask myself questions. Why would a shirt look surprised after being washed? Was it because it never expected to get that clean? And just like that, the idea for Hypo bleach was born.

As a proactive concept, I personally drove the execution from end to end by designing the garments in 3D, writing the copy, and handling the entire art direction. The resulting "Surprise" campaign went on to be published on Ads of the World and in the prestigious Lürzer’s Archive. It enjoyed immense industry recognition, winning multiple Gold awards at both the LAIF Awards and multiple Bronze at the Pitcher Awards.

Happiness in the Little Things

Maltina


A vibrant orange background with rays and Wi-Fi symbols. A bottle of Maltina beer in the center with the words 'Happiness Is Free' above. The Maltina logo at the bottom with the slogan 'Sharing Happiness'.
Bright orange background with yellow radial gradient and bubbles, the text 'Happiness is public holiday on a Monday.' in white, bold, playful font, a bottle of Maltina soda at the top center, below a white Maltina logo with a red, white, and black swoosh, and the phrase 'Sharing Happiness' at the bottom in white.
A bottle of Maltina classic malt beverage with a straw, set against a bright orange background with the message "Happiness is Sharing Happiness."

Credits

2019

Agency: Noah’s Ark Art Director: Ezekiel Resedenz, Sodiq Sheu, Gabriel Olu'seun Olonisakin, Abisola Anthonio, Yekeen Ibrahim Copywriter: Elizabeth Oghale Ughoro, Mary Ogedengbe, Dunni Williams, Ajayeoba Mayokun Production House: Underdog Productions

This was one of the most exciting pitches I worked on, made even more rewarding by the fact that the client went on to execute and run the idea as it was presented.

I enjoyed contributing across the entire process, from strategy development to copywriting, and I designed the visuals.

Irregular Fathers

Noah’s Ark


A painting of a landscape with dark mountains, green fields, and a orange sky with clouds.
A diagram of a green frog holding a fish in its mouth, with descriptive text about frogs. The frog is positioned on grass and rocks, and there is a label "MOAH'S ARK" beneath the scene. Best Art Director in Nigeria.
Painting of a penguin standing on snow with a cloudy sky background. Best Art Director in Nigeria.
A watercolor illustration of an emperor penguin standing against a cloudy sky, with a blue text box titled 'The Caregiver' containing information about caring for penguins, and a small orange label at the bottom reading 'Noah's Ark.'
Close-up of a golf green with a golf ball and flag in the background. Best Art Director in Nigeria.
An illustrated scene from Noah's Ark focusing on the story of the nurturer. It shows a colorful depiction of a seahorse with small seahorses around it, set against a vibrant green background. The scene is part of an educational display about the nurturing process of seahorses.

Credits

Agency: Noah’s Ark Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu, Gabriel Olu'seun Olonisakin ‍ ‍Copywriter: Olashile Sodiq Sheu‍ ‍ Illustration: Olashile Sodiq Sheu‍ ‍‍ ‍

2019

This was also a proactive idea I developed and executed independently. It was one of the moments where I was able to bring my painting background into the visual execution.

Eid Brief

Noah’s Ark


A crumpled paper origami butterfly on a wooden surface with a blurred background and torn paper notes attached. One note says, "working today is haRAM" and another says, "NOAH'S ARK."
An origami elephant with a newspaper word on its body, placed on a desk with blurred monitors in the background. There are torn paper notes with phrases like 'The only brief to execute today' and 'Eid Mubarak' visible around the elephant.
An origami unicorn on a wooden surface with a sticker that says 'No brief, just beef' and a handwritten note reading 'NOAH'S ARK' and 'Eid Mubarak' in the background.
Two people folding a piece of paper into an origami shape on a wooden table. Sodiq Sheu Olashile, Best Art Director in Nigeria.

Credits

Agency: Noah’s Ark Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu, Yekeen Ibrahim Copywriter: Nike Ladokun, Mabayomije Akinyemi Origami Artist: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Photographer: Yekeen Ibrahim

2019

For this campaign, we literally turned the brief into the ad itself. It was one of the projects where I was able to apply my origami skills to the execution.

A paper origami creation resembling a dragon or dinosaur, placed on a white surface against a plain white wall. Sodiq Sheu Olashile, Best Art Director in Nigeria.
Origami paper swan made from white paper with blue and purple markings, placed on a white surface with a plain white background.
Hand holding two paper origami birds, one white and one neon green, against a plain white background.

Say No to Self-Violence

Noah’s Ark


A smiling man with short hair and a mustache, wearing a blue shirt, holding his hand near his ear, with added text about insecticide-treated mosquito nets and World Mosquito Day. Sodiq Sheu Olashile, Best Art Director in Nigeria.
A woman with dark skin and earrings lying on her back, looking upwards. Text overlay in purple and white reads, 'Bring an end to self-violence.' Smaller text advises using insecticide-treated mosquito net to protect oneself and loved ones, with a note about World Mosquito Day.
A woman with dark skin and black hair, wearing a red and white patterned dress, is blowing powder or dust into the air. The text on the image reads: "There's no excuse for self-abuse" and advises using insecticide-treated mosquito net to protect oneself. It is associated with World Mosquito Day.
Screenshot of a website featuring a black woman with her hair flying outward and a caption that says 'There's no excuse for self-abuse.' The website has a navigation menu at the top with links to Home, Search, Submit Work, Profiles, Ranking, Magazine, Students, Shop, and Log in. Below the main image, there is a section titled 'Print Ad of the Week' with names of photographers and a brief description of the content, along with thumbnails of other images.

Credits

Agency: Noah’s Ark Art Director: Mitchelle Defonga, Olashile Sodiq Sheu, Yekeen Ibrahim Copywriter: Oladunni Elemide Williams, Nike Ladokun, Mabayomije Akinyemi‍ Photographer: Yekeen Ibrahim

2019

At X3m Ideas Nigeria

Feb 2020 – Feb 2024

After over four years at Noah’s Ark, I moved to X3M Ideas Nigeria. I started at Manager level and progressed to Senior Manager level, where I also functioned as a Group Head, managing clusters of creatives across multiple client accounts, including Globacom, Oando, Peak Milk, Knorr, Bold, and Nirvana, among others.

It was during this period that I stepped further into leadership alongside my creative career. I attended and represented the agency at meetings, as well as at photography and TVC shoots, among others.

I also had the opportunity to work on the campaign that made me the first Cannes Lions-winning Art Director in West Africa.

This section showcases selected portfolio work from my time with the agency.

Get Relief

Algafen


A stylized, artistic illustration of a person holding a phone or camera in front of their face, with colorful lines and patterns radiating outward, resembling a digital or pop art style.
Stylized digital artwork of a person with a beard and glasses, surrounded by vibrant pink, yellow, and navy blue radiating lines. There is a blister pack of medication with pink tablets in the lower right corner. Sodiq Sheu Olashile, Best Art.
A neon-colored illustration of a tiger with a woman in an outline style, holding a shield and a sword, in front of a circular pattern with radiating lines. The image has a yellow border with sticker-like elements, including a blister pack of pills at the bottom right and text about relief with ALLEGA-FEN EVANS Baroben.

Credits

2021

Agency: X3m Ideas Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Copywriter: Kelechi Uduma illustrator: Olashile Sodiq Sheu

Behind the Ad

A stylized, abstract illustration of a woman with one arm raised, pointing, with color contrasts of red, blue, and white. A box of Panadol Extra is in the top right corner with the text 'Even when it seems spiritual use' written above.
Artistic depiction of a person's face in profile with long hair, created with colorful, sketch-like strokes. A box of Panadol Extra medicine is in the top right corner, and red text states, "Even when it seems spiritual use."

I have frequently heard people say, “Ó dà bí ẹni pé wọ́n ń lu ago lórí mi” (it’s like they are ringing a bell in my head) when experiencing a severe headache. Others say, “It’s like they are pounding yam in my head.” Even though these are traditional expressions, they serve as universally understood analogies. From these cultural sayings, a print advertising concept for headache medicine was conceived.

I originally created the artwork as a spec advertisement in 2016 to add to my portfolio, selecting Panadol Extra as the featured brand. In 2021, I was able to recreate the concept for Evans Baroque’s Algafen at X3M Ideas. The execution was inspired by my linocut printmaking experience. Although it was created digitally, the style effectively expresses the sensation of a severe headache.

The campaign was published on Ads of the World, won multiple Gold awards at the LAIF Awards, and secured a place on the shortlist for the MAD STARS Awards in South Korea, alongside various other industry accolades.

Battle of the Year

Glo


A person dressed in sportswear poses in front of a dark background, with text overlay promoting the Glo Battle of the Year Nigeria event and encouraging self-confidence and representation.
A young man dancing shirtless in front of green curtains with overlay text promoting Glo Battle of the Year Nigeria, a dance competition with a grand prize of 84 million Naira.
Promotional poster for Glo Nigeria's data plans featuring a person with dreadlocks dancing on a stage with green and black graphics. The poster advertises data plans of 500MB, 2GB, and 6GB for N150, N450, and N1,400 respectively, with instructions to dial *777# to choose a plan.

Credits

2022

Agency: X3m Ideas Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu, Femi Olotu, Promise Eventus, Macdonald Iheme Copywriter: Kelechi Uduma, Sandra Igumbor Executive Producer: Sugnet Toerien Director: Mike Brennan

Bold Lessons

Bold


A young girl with her hair tied in small buns, wearing a white shirt, has her arm extended towards a vintage lantern on the ground. The background is solid blue. Text at the bottom reads: 'After many attempts, she said, "Let her touch it". She let us learn some things the hard way, thanks for all the bold lessons. Happy Mother's Day.'.
A young boy in a blue shirt and white pants lying on a yellow floor, crying. Text at the bottom reads, 'After many attempts, she said, 'DON'T CARRY HIM'.
A young girl with dark curly hair, dressed in white, sitting on the floor and holding a flower in her hand, with a neutral background.

Credits

2022

Agency: X3m Ideas Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu. Copywriter: Kelechi Uduma illustrator: Olashile Sodiq Sheu

This is another campaign where I was able to apply my painting skills to the visual execution.

Fingerprint

X3m Ideas


A grayscale photo of a hospital building with multiple floors, a helicopter on top, and a cross symbol on the entrance. The floor has a pattern of large circular designs, and a sticker in the bottom right corner mentions fingerprint unlocking, PVC, and democracy day in Nigeria.
Close-up image of a Nigerian PVC (Permanent Voter's Card) featuring the fingerprint of the voter, with a sticker in the lower right corner celebrating Nigeria's Democracy Day. Sodiq Sheu Olashile, Best Art Director in Nigeria.
Close-up of a Nigerian voter’s PVC (permanent voter’s card) with blue fingerprint pattern, and a sticker in the corner promoting fingerprint authentication for unlocking the card, with a message celebrating Nigeria's democracy.

Credits

2022

Agency: X3m Ideas Nigeria Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Copywriter: Olashile Sodiq Sheu, Aidovhioghie Anani, Misturah Owolabi illustrator: Olashile Sodiq Sheu

Behind the Ad

A person painting an image of four chickens on a large outdoor wall, next to a window with bars, with another person observing in the background. Ayinde Okin. Nigeria Artist.
Image: Me in front of the YABATECH HND 2 Painting Studio, creating a pointillism artwork with a feather impression stamp.

Pointillism was one of the styles I studied in art school. For a particular project, we were asked to create a stamp to produce the repetition required for a pointillist effect.

When I later developed this proactive idea for Democracy Day, I was able to draw on that experience to create a visual metaphor that powerfully demonstrates the importance of obtaining a Permanent Voter Card and voting for development in Nigerian society.

Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria

Mind Over Medal


Orange background with bold black and white text stating, 'There is danger in wanting a lion without fixing the voices roaring in your head.' An image of a gold lion-shaped object with a microphone in front of it, representing mental health awareness. The bottom includes text about World Mental Health Day, and logos of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria.
A protest poster with the bold message 'DON'T SUBMIT TO LÜRZER'S ARCHIVE', warning against the mental health risks of advertising work. It features text in black, grey, and white, and references World Mental Health Day, the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, and emphasizes advocacy for mental health awareness.
Green poster with bold black text saying 'Don't Care About'. A gold award trophy is on the right side, and at the bottom, there is smaller black text that says 'More than you care about life.', a paragraph about mental health statistics, and the logo of the Nigerian Association of Advertising Agencies.
Black background poster with large text reading "DONT'T ATTEMPT TO BAG AN EPICA" and smaller text below saying "WHILE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IS AN EPIC FAIL." The poster also has promotional text mentioning World Mental Health Day, a logo of the Nigerian Advertising Agencies, and a partial image of a reflective, faceted object such as an umbrella or a crystal.
A yellow poster with large black and white text that reads, "There is no D & D for the dead." at the top. Below the text, there's a black and natural wood-colored pencil with a black eraser and a yellow logo, positioned vertically on the right side of the poster. At the bottom, there's smaller black text that mentions World Mental Health Day, along with a logo and the name of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria.
Poster promoting World Mental Health Day with text encouraging people not to push themselves out of the world, featuring the logo of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria.

Credits

2022

Agency: X3m Ideas Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Copywriter: Olashile Sodiq Sheu, Kelechi Uduma, Anthony Wolve

Behind the Ad

Working as a creative in the advertising industry seems glamorous from the outside, but research shows that 56% of creatives experience symptoms of depression and anxiety. Having witnessed the mental health struggles of colleagues and experienced them myself, I believe the current work culture in many agencies is unsustainable. The lack of structure around deadlines and working hours, coupled with an absence of empathetic leadership, is causing the industry to lose vital talent.

This campaign is the most valuable and personally relevant message I have ever produced. Whilst structural industry improvements are necessary, this project serves as a crucial reminder to individual creatives that physical and mental stability must come before the job.

Adopt a Gift

Heritage Homes Orphanage


A festive holiday wrapping paper featuring illustrations of diverse children smiling, surrounded by Christmas-themed decorations such as holly, berries, presents, and snowflakes, with a message promoting family and community support.
A repeating pattern of a family with mother, father, and two children holding a Christmas gift, along with Christmas-themed decorations like holly, stars, presents, ornaments, and candy canes. There is also a message about family and a logo for Heritage Homes.
Pattern featuring family members, Christmas trees, ornaments, and snowflakes on a green background, with a message promoting family and charity at the bottom.
Pattern with illustrations of diverse families, Christmas trees, gift boxes, ornaments, stars, and holly leaves, with a message promoting family and holiday spirit by Heritage Homes.
Sheet of holiday-themed stickers featuring families, gifts, holly, stars, and ornaments on a gray surface.
Unwrapped holiday gift wrap featuring Christmas trees, presents, ornaments, and Santa Claus characters on a cream background.

Credits

2023

Agency: X3m Ideas Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu, Promise Eventus, Gabriel Okoro Copywriter: Suchet Baba, Iyioluwa Akanbi, Isaac Rufus Digital Artist: Olashile Sodiq Sheu

The Soot City Life Expectancy

The Extra Step Initiative


A black-and-white photo of a man with a serious expression, wearing a black beanie. Overlaid text states: 'Kashimawo Ikudaisi, 11 More Years to Live.' Additional text at the bottom encourages residents of Port Harcourt to visit soocity.com to learn about inhaled toxins and to contact Nigerian senators to address the issue. The logo at the bottom reads: 'The Extra Step Initiative.'
Portrait of a woman with dreadlocks and hoop earrings, with text overlay promoting awareness for living in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, highlighting 13 more years to live and encouraging viewers to visit soticity.com to find out how to help Nigerian senators address the issue.
A black and white close-up photo of a man's face with dark skin, full beard, mustache, and short hair. Text on the image reads, 'Bontus Miebaka, 9 More Years To Live.' Cannes Lions Winner.
A smiling woman with long dreadlocks, wearing a collared shirt and a necklace. There is text on the image that reads: 'Oge Chukwu, 20 More Years to Live', and a message encouraging viewers to advocate for clean air by visiting Soccity.com and sending letters to Nigerian senators.
A tornado touching down in a field with dark clouds above and the word 'SOOT CITY' in large yellow letters at the bottom. First Cannes Winning Art Director in Nigeria and west Africa.
A grayscale image of a person smoking in front of industrial smoke clouds.

Credits

2023

Agency: X3m Ideas Nigeria Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu, Godswill Kalu‍ ‍ Copywriter:Misturah Owolabi, Aidovhioghie Anani‍ Key Researcher: Pelumi Fadolapo Digital Team: Deji Balogun, Simisola Apatira, Olajumoke Fakomi

A digital infographic about the effect of soot on the lifespan of Nigerians, including statistics on impressions, letters sent, social media engagements, media mentions, and website views. It features photos of individuals, references to documentaries and petitions, and logos of various news outlets.

Behind the Ad

A sketch of a person's profile with short hair and beard, with the words 'Soot City' written across the face. In the background, a city skyline and trees reflect on a body of water.
Image: Rough checkes I made for documentary poster before execution.

This was one of the projects I enjoyed working on the most because it challenged me and pushed me to explore different approaches to execution. I designed the campaign visuals and developed the system from which every other execution of the campaign evolved.

The main challenge was creating the soot effect in a way that worked seamlessly across different images while maintaining a consistent appearance. Beyond that, it also had to be adaptable enough to function as a filter for digital automation on the website.

The campaign went on to become both impactful and highly celebrated. It did not just win Nigeria's first Cannes Lion; it won the first Cannes Lion in West Africa. It also received the Grand Prix at the Pitcher, African Cristal and Luum award festivals among many other accolades.

At X3m Ideas Zambia

Mar 2024 – Feb 2026

After more than four years at X3M Ideas Nigeria, and following three months in the group's first-ever staff exchange programme, which took me to Zambia in the third quarter of 2023, I was invited to relocate and lead the creative department in Zambia, and I accepted.

I have always believed in my ability to lead, inspire, and create meaningful solutions wherever I find myself, and this role gave me the chance to put that belief to the test.

As Head of Creative, I was responsible for shaping the agency's overall artistic and strategic vision across marketing campaigns. I translated clients' business objectives into compelling creative solutions and executions. In addition, I recruited, managed, and mentored multidisciplinary creative teams, nurturing talent and ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality work.

I was also responsible for presenting and pitching major campaign ideas to clients.

This section showcases selected work that I personally executed, beyond providing guidance and feedback on creative direction.

X3m Ideas Zambia

He Lives On


Illustration of human growth from baby to adult, ending with a person teaching in front of a whiteboard. Text at the bottom reads, 'He lives on. Nelson Mandela International Day.'
A series of people representing different stages of life from infancy to old age, standing in a line and casting votes at a ballot box, symbolizing the life journey and democracy. The image includes a baby, a young child, teenagers, adults, and elderly individuals, with a caption about Nelson Mandela International Day and Zambia.
A visual representation of human evolution from infancy to old age culminating in a diverse group of people dining together, with a child lying on the floor, walking, and sitting at a table. The image symbolizes unity and progress, with the caption: 'His impact gave us the freedom to live as one.' The logos for X3M Ideas and Zambia are in the bottom right corner.

Credits

2023

Agency: X3m IdeasZambia‍ ‍Head of Creative: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu, Goodson Mwansa, Grace Mwamba Copywriter: Sodiq Sheu, Olubukunola Tijani

A sequence of images illustrating the evolution of man from an infant to an adult, then to elderly, and finally a person in a wheelchair, with a baby crawling on the ground and a person giving a speech at a whiteboard.

I executed this during my three-month transfer programme to Zambia. The campaign became the first work from Zambia to be featured on Ads of the World and went on to win Bronze in the Print Craft category at the Pitcher Awards, marking another first for the country.

Passing the Joy

DStv Zambia


Credits

2023

Agency: X3m IdeasZambia Head of Creative: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Copywriter: Olubukunola Tijani, Joy Opene-Terry ‍ ‍. Production: K-Roc Picture Director: Kenny Mumba Producer: Yasmin Dodia Mumba

This was the first TVC shoot for which I had complete responsibility as Head of Creative. I served as the brand guardian on set, ensuring that the final execution remained true to the approved script and strategic direction.

I reviewed takes live alongside the client, monitoring the tone, pacing, and visual identity of the production. I also managed client feedback and communicated any necessary changes directly to the film director.

In addition, I was also responsible for making final decisions on wardrobe, props, and performances, working closely with the client to select the best takes and bring the shoot to a successful conclusion.

This TVC was also publish on Ads of the World and shortlisted at the Pitcher Awards.

DStv Zambia

Always On


Promotional graphic for DStv streaming service in Zambia, showing a family of six sitting on a couch, all looking at tablets and smartphones. The text emphasizes keeping family connected and watching DStv Stream with a message about uninterrupted entertainment and downloading the app from the App Store or Google Play.
A group of children watching a tablet screen displaying cartoon characters, with promotional text for DSTV Stream service and download icons for Apple App Store and Google Play.
Split-screen image with text and people watching TV. Left side: 3 women sitting in a dark room, illuminated by a screen, with neutral or serious expressions. Right side: 2 women and 1 man sitting in a well-lit room, smiling and looking at a device. Over the image, white and neon blue text reads: 'Power may go off, but your spark should stay ALWAYS ON.' Logo and app store icons at the bottom right corner, promoting DSTV streaming app.

Credits

2024

Agency: X3m IdeasZambia Head of Creative: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Copywriter: Olubukunola Tijani, Joy Opene-Terry ‍ ‍ Animator: Kennedy Phiri

A digital infographic about DSTv stream service in Zambia, discussing power outages, and promoting the app for entertainment and load shedding survival tips.

This was the first campaign I executed after joining the team as Head of Creative and Lead Art Director. The campaign effectively addressed the brand’s business needs. It was also published on Ads of the World and won Bronze in the Digital Campaign category at the Pitcher Awards.

Ise Sitimazimya

GOtv Zambia


Dark aerial view of a small town or neighborhood with scattered houses and buildings. There is a label in the lower right corner reading 'GOVt stream' with app store icons and a note about subscription.
An aerial view of a nighttime village scene with small houses, some with metal roofs, streets, trees, and scattered lights. There is a logo in the bottom left corner for 'GOV stream' and app download icons.
Nighttime aerial view of a small village with scattered houses and a dirt road. Some houses have faintly visible lights. There is a logo and text in the lower left corner indicating a streaming service advertisement.

Credits

2024

Agency: X3m IdeasZambia Head of Creative: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Copywriter: Joy Opene-Terry ‍ Animator: Kennedy Phiri

This was a co-campaign developed from the same insight and idea as DStv’s Always On, with both executions addressing the same brief under the MultiChoice brand. This is a more localised version of the campaign, with copy that translates to “You’re always on with GOtv Stream”.

The campaign went on to win two Silver awards in the Heritage Print category and three Bronze awards in Print Craft at the Pitcher Awards.

Access Bank Zambia

Bank of Life


Promotional flyer encouraging protection of biodiversity, featuring a Zambian 50 kwacha banknote with a leopard and a monument, logos for access and more than banking, and text about avoiding bankruptcy and World Biodiversity Day
A Zambian banknote featuring the Roan Antelope, with text about biodiversity conservation and a logo promoting World Biodiversity Day.
Zambian banknote featuring a buffalo, with text emphasizing biodiversity and environmental protection, promoting World Biodiversity Day.
A 20,000 Ugandan Shilling banknote featuring the Black Lechwe, a type of antelope, with a person handling equipment in the background. The note includes vibrant red, pink, green, and yellow colors, with text emphasizing conservation and biodiversity themes.
A banknote of ten Kwacha from Zambia, featuring an illustration of a porcupine and farmland, with text highlighting the importance of porcupines for biodiversity and ecosystem health. The banknote has security features and are part of an awareness campaign for World Biodiversity Day, with an additional logo and branding at the bottom.

Credits

2024

Agency: X3m IdeasZambia Head of Creative: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu, Musamba Mwape
Copywriter: Joy Opene-Terry

Display of various banknotes from Zambia highlighting their biodiversity featuring animals like elephants, leopards, and buffalo on colorful notes, with accompanying text about Zambia's rich biodiversity and the importance of conservation.

This campaign received two Bronze awards in the Heritage Print category at the Pitcher Awards.

WildGrass

Lend a Hand


A crackled dry earth with a line of green wildgrass growing through the middle, accompanied by text promoting environmental awareness and World Environment Day.
An aerial view of a landscape showing a body of water, land with cracks and dry patches, and a silhouette of a hand reaching out with the words 'Lend a hand to the environment. Let's make our land drought resistant. World Environment Day' and a logo of wild grass.
An aerial view of a forest with a clear division between a lush, green forested area and a deforested area with numerous tree stumps. The photo is overlaid with text encouraging environmental conservation, with a WildGrass logo at the bottom.

Credits

2024

Agency: X3m IdeasZambia Head of Creative: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Copywriter: Olashile Sodiq Sheu ‍ ‍

Digital infographic promoting environmental awareness during World Environment Day, featuring various images of land and ecosystems with messages encouraging people to support the environment by lending a hand, including statistics on impressions and engagements.

This campaign received a Bronze awards in the Heritage Print category at the Pitcher Awards.

Dangerous Silence

The W Community Zambia


Close-up of a woman with short, natural black hair, dark eyes, and smooth brown skin, looking directly at the camera. Text overlay highlights the observance of the International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Close-up of a woman's face with short hair and pearl earrings, set against a white background. Overlaid text promotes awareness about ending violence against women, emphasizing that silence during violence never saves anyone, and highlights the International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Close-up portrait of a woman with dark hair and brown skin, with text overlay promoting International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Credits

2024

Agency: X3m IdeasZambia Head of Creative: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Copywriter: Olashile Sodiq Sheu, Joy Opene-Terry ‍ ‍

A poster with the title 'Dangerous Silence' featuring statistics, text about violence against women, and a large photograph of a young woman's face. The text discusses violence in Zambia, silence during violence, and includes various statistics and solutions.

Executed as Lead Art Director while concurrently managing all agency output as Head of Creative. This campaign won Gold in the Good Category and Bronze in the Heritage Print Category at the Pitcher Awards.

Talk of the Season

DStv Zambia


A blue background with white decorative borders, featuring a message titled 'Mukosa Bells Lyrics' and handwritten-style text of the lyrics of a song, with some holly and star illustrations.
Holiday-themed digital flyer with blue background, white snowflakes, music notes, and a song lyrics section. Features a DStv Zambia logo, a small icon of a speaker, and a message about subscribing to DStv for Christmas entertainment.

Credits

2024

Agency: X3m IdeasZambia Head of Creative: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Copywriter: Olashile Sodiq Sheu, Joy Opene-Terry Animator: Grace Mwamba Production Studio: Ututuntu Creative Hub ‍

A digital infographic titled 'Talk of the Season' with a festive blue background, white snowflakes, musical notes, and text highlighting holiday themes such as Christmas and family holidays. The infographic includes various statistics, quotes, and section titles related to holiday celebrations in Zambia, with mentions of media discussions, subscription renewal rates, and the evolution of traditional Christmas carols.

This is one campaign I'm particularly proud of. Although art direction is my core discipline, I also enjoy writing and occasionally push myself beyond my comfort zone.

Over the years, I have independently written copy for print campaigns and contributed to scripts by providing guidance and feedback that strengthened the writing. However, I had never independently written a radio script.

I have always found audio to be an interesting medium that is not explored creatively enough. So, I was excited to write this radio piece as a proactive idea, crafting not only the script but also the lyrics and rhythm of the song. Then presented it well enough to convince the client to invest additional budget to bring it to life.

I directed the studio production session and the work went on to receive recognition at the Pitcher Awards, winning Silver in the Radio Craft category and another Silver in the Heritage Radio category.

Ultimate Banter

DStv Zambia


Digital graphic of the UEFA Champions League trophy with rainbow neon colors on a blue background. Text overlay states "You have been added to Road to Munich 25 Ultimate Banter Group" and instructs to swipe to read the group chat.
A promotional graphic for a football match between PSG and Arsenal, showing two players using phones and emojis, with text about the match and a humorous quiz about who will have the last laugh.
Graphics showing the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg results with Inter Milan defeating Barcelona 4-3 on April 25 in Munich, score 7-6 on aggregate, and the phrase "One team silenced. The ultimate banter continues!"

Credits

2025

Agency: X3m IdeasZambia Head of Creative: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Copywriter: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Animator: Gift Manda

Behind the Ad

Banter makes football more fun, and there is no bigger annual football banter moment than the UEFA Champions League.

In 2025, during the semi-finals, DStv Zambia, in its usual tradition, wanted to create anticipation and excitement that would drive subscriptions and reconnections among viewers. Banter is not unfamiliar territory for the brand; in fact, meme-style visual banter is commonly used across different markets. However, we decided to approach it differently.

Instead of creating standalone meme content, we built a system that felt personal and encouraged continuous banter: The Ultimate Banter Group, where the semi-finalists take shots at each other in an ongoing group conversation.

The chat is updated weekly after each match, positioning the campaign as an exclusive group that DStv subscribers have access to. We made this tangible by also including selected banter comments from DStv Zambia’s social media followers, turning it into a living, participatory digital experience.

The result was a unique, engaging, and highly shareable campaign built around real-time football conversation.

Give Him His Flowers

Shuma&Co.


Inspirational quote about support and resilience with floral illustrations, celebrating International Men's Day.
Inspirational quote about carrying loved ones' needs, with a floral illustration and a note celebrating men for International Men's Day.
Quote about men's emotions with a flower illustration and a message celebrating men's day.

Credits

2025

Agency: X3m IdeasZambia Head of Creative: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu, Musamba Mwape, Kennedy Phiri, Gift Manda Copywriter: Olashile Sodiq Sheu, Natasha Bwalya Coordinator / Digital Executive:Grace Mwamba ‍ ‍

Behind the Ad

Creating campaigns to mark notable dates is a common agency tradition. During internal brainstorming for International Men’s Day, the team shared several ideas with me, and I was particularly drawn to a concept about recognising and appreciating men under the theme of giving men their flowers.

However, I saw an opportunity to take it beyond just visual or online content, and even beyond the agency, to make it more meaningful for both men and the business. The idea was to partner with a flower brand and actually give men flowers, along with the recognition they deserve, on the day and beyond.

The challenge was that we did not have a flower shop client at the time, so the team was tasked with securing one. After several attempts, we successfully brought a flower shop on board, and I was able to present the idea in a way that secured their buy-in, ultimately making the campaign possible.

The campaign had an immediate impact, with the brand gaining increased followers and receiving direct messages from both existing and new customers appreciating the initiative, asking questions about International Men’s Day, and requesting flowers for the men in their lives.

A WhatsApp conversation with a message about sending flowers for International Men's Day, including a photo of a man in a blue jacket and a cap standing outdoors near a tree, with a lamp post and two boxes in the background.
A WhatsApp chat conversation showing a message with a news headline about the suicide rate among men and a reply stating a need for a bouquet for their husband.
Screen capture of a WhatsApp chat with a suicide-related message and a caption about men’s facial expressions.
A WhatsApp chat screen showing a status update about suicide among men, with a recent status message in white saying 'This is beautiful sis am tearing right now' and a red heart emoji at the bottom.
Screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation with text about mental health and images of a person in a blue jacket standing next to a lamp post in a park.
Screenshot of a WhatsApp chat with a message about mental health, showing an emoji of a heart, a photo of two women hugging, and a follow-up message with emojis of a sad face and a smiling face, and a red heart emoji.

Recognition at the Zambia Institute of Marketing’s 2024 Marketing Excellence Awards

Beyond winning Pan-African awards and receiving international publications and accolades, we also received recognition at the most prestigious local award shows.

Most notably, within my two-year tenure as Head of Creative at X3M Ideas Zambia, I was nominated as one of the Best Art Directors in the country, and for the first time, the agency was also nominated as one of the most creative marketing agencies in the country.

7even interactive

August 2024 – Feb 2026

While I was in Zambia leading the creative department, I was also entrusted with the responsibility of heading a creative unit at 7even Interactive that managed the SKY Girls Nigeria account, alongside other special projects. 7even Interactive is an agency within the X3M Group.

Leading the SKY creative team challenged me and further developed my capabilities as a creative leader. I had to quickly adapt to managing the team remotely from Zambia, despite never having met them in person. On the occasions when I returned to Nigeria, I also managed the Zambia team remotely. Navigating both responsibilities strengthened my ability to lead effectively across markets and geographies.

SKY Girls Nigeria is the Nigerian branch of SKY, a multimedia empowerment movement created to help teenage girls build confidence, life skills, and health awareness. Through engaging content such as the TV series Journey to Bloom, magazines, comics, and interactive events like SKY Fest, the initiative creates a safe space for teenage girls to resist negative peer pressure and stay true to themselves.

Leading the team expanded my experience into media formats I had not previously worked with. I successfully managed the development and production of magazines, comic series, TV series campaigns and promotions, events, and vodcast content, while continually evolving the brand to resonate with the fast-changing interests and trends of teenage audiences.

Beyond SKY, there were two projects that I led and managed creatively from conception through to execution and deployment. These were independent collaborative projects between 7even Interactive and other partners.

Recipe for Success


Credits

Agency: 7even Interactive Head of Creative: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Scriptwriter: Jane Ukpai-Okoro, Damian Obilonu, Ese Grage‍ ‍Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu, Gbolahan Adekunle, Musamba Mwape, Gift Manda Animator: Gift Manda, Kennedy Phiri Digital Executive: Grace Mwamba ‍ Project Lead: Osamudiame Iyamu Brand Manager: Ikeade Tunde-Adeleke. Director: Ibidunni Oladayo‍ ‍Producer: Oluwabukola Makinde ‍ Production: Zero Degrees

2025

This is another project I'm particularly proud of, as I was involved in every stage of its development and execution.

The brief was to create a campaign that encouraged conversations between mothers and daughters, particularly around money, with the broader goal of helping to bridge the gap in female financial inclusion. We explored several ideas, including games, radio shows, vodcasts, and other formats before arriving at the final concept.

Once the direction of the show had been agreed upon in collaboration with our partners, I led the creative process from start to finish. I was involved in defining the show's structure, developing its name, recommending hosts, contributing to scripting, participating in the selection of the director and casting, involved in production, and guiding its marketing and promotion.

I worked closely with freelancers, partners, and my team to ensure everyone remained aligned and that communication was clear and consistent throughout the project. I also designed the logo and developed the visual system for all communication materials.

It was a fun, challenging, and deeply fulfilling project to be part of.

Blazing Boot


Credits

2025

Agency: 7even Interactive Head of Creative: Olashile Sodiq Sheu Scriptwriter: Joy Opene-Terry, Precious Adeyemi, Ese Grage‍ ‍Illustrator: Stanley Obende, Olashile Sodiq Sheu, Art Director: Olashile Sodiq Sheu, Gift Manda, Grace Mwamba ‍ Animator: Gift Manda Digital Executive: Grace Mwamba ‍ Project Lead: Osamudiame Iyamu Brand Manager: Ikeade Tunde-Adeleke.

Beyond leading the team, coordinating the various stakeholders, and managing the client throughout the process, what made this project especially meaningful was that I also took on the role of co-illustrator to help ensure we delivered on schedule.

I illustrated selected comic panels, incorporated feedback, made revisions where necessary, and contributed to the final finishing of the comic book. It allowed me to reconnect with a part of my creative practice that I seldom have the opportunity to explore.

More from My Archive

As mentioned earlier, some of these ads are spec work, while others were created for agency clients during my time at X3M Ideas and Noah’s Ark. Enjoy exploring the work.

See more on

Yellow background with the word 'Ads' in bold black letters.

Oh, and Some Logo Designs

I know you came for the ads, but a few logos won't hurt, right?

Let's Round It Off With Packaging

Brands I’ve Gone on the Hunt For

Selected client accounts I have led and shaped over the course of my career.

The best ideas often start with a conversation. Let's have one.

Reach out for collaborations and consultations.