The Nation Newspaper

Category: Brand week

  • #NoBankingDay: Group calls for boycott of transactions on March 1

    #NoBankingDay: Group calls for boycott of transactions on March 1

    A coalition of consumer protection groups is set to rally customers against banks over excessive charges.

    The group,  at a briefing in Lagos, fixed Tuesday, March 1, as a #NoBankingDay, urging bank customers not to visit any banking hall, or use their ATM cards, or log in to any online banking platform, transfer any money through their phones, tablets, or laptops, or make any POS or online payments or issue or present any cheque on that day.

    The coalition, under the aegis of Nigerian Consumer Protection Associations (CONCA), consisting of Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON), Market Ombudsman, Consumer Empowerment Association of Nigeria (CEON), Consumer Rights Project (CRP), National Association of Telecommunication Subscribers (NATCOMMS) and United Consumers Association of Nigeria (UCAN), among others, urged customers  to heed the call and protest against unsatisfactory services, transactions and contractual terms.

    According to the President of CAFON, Mrs. Sola Salako, March 1, has been set aside as a day banking customers should avoid transactions as a way ot ptotesting against excessive charges and other negligent activities od bank.

    She said despite the CBN rules, abolished fees were being reintroduced, hence the need for total reversal of the multiple charges in the banks.

    “ATM withdrawals that were free 2 years ago, now cost N65 on third withdrawals (many banks even start charging from the first withdrawal!). We pay N1000 for debit card issuance and renewals (this has just been increased by between N200-500 by some banks without any form of notice though it is free in many countries),” she said.

    On the ATM management charges of N100 by the banks at the end of the year, she stated further consumers really want to know how banks ‘maintain’ debit cards already issued to them which they had already been charged N1000 when issued.

    “Then there is an Annual Debit Card Maintenance Fee N100. Even consumers who did not request for, or have never collected debit cards from some banks, are charged all these fees. On services they never used?” she stated.

    On online transfer charges, she said consumers pay N105 for every online transfer yet those same transactions were subjected to COT up until January 2016. “Just when we were going to start enjoying zero fees on current accounts, CBN reintroduces COT under a new guise as Monthly Account Maintenance Charge of N1/mille. This charge was levied by default on ALL consumers without the chance to negotiate according to CBN directive. Why must consumers pay double charges on every transaction? Contrary to global understanding of the fact that a Savings Account is usually a no-fee account, banks in Nigeria now deduct various fees from consumer savings accounts!  How will consumers be encouraged to save money with the banks?,” she said.

    On the Stamp Duty charges, she said: “A new Stamp Duty charge of N50 on every credit of over N1000 has just been introduced. While we recognis e the need for the FG to raise IGR in view of the current economic realities of our nation, there are legal issues on the validity of the levy. On our part, we question the fairness of a flat levy of N50 on deposits of N1000 or more. A student who receives an allowance of N2000 pays the same amount as a rich man who receives a deposit of N10m! So the student is technically paying more taxes than the rich man. That is inequitable and unfair thus requires an immediate review.”

    “We have endured excessive charges, unexplainable fees and unfair contracts that only protect the banks but do not protect the consumers. Banks debit consumers’ accounts at will for charges we never agreed to or were not aware of; they charge us for EVERYTHING; we pay to get our statements; introduction letters; debit cards, and now, some banks are charging N210 for the use of deposit and transfer forms in their branches!” said Salako.

  • Guinness renews Reminisce contract as Orijin Brand Ambassador

    Guinness Nigeria has renewed the contract of a rap artiste Remilekun Safaru, popularly known as Reminisce, as its Orijin Bitters brand ambassador.

    At the signing of the new contract at Guinness’Head Office in Ikeja, Lagos, the Portfolio Director, Lager and RTD, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Ms. Eyitemi Taire, said: “The music artist had within his short stay as Orijin brand ambassador distinguished himself and become an integral part of the brand.”

    According to Taire, the company recognises the importance and impact of a dynamic brand ambassador in maintaining its leadership position in the market.

    “Orijin has been successful since its launch into the market and to compound this success and take us to the next level, we needed an icon and that’s why we took him and we have been working together since then in a symbiotic relationship,” she added.

    She added that Reminisce is not just a brand ambassador but an integral part of the brand and that’s why the brewing giant is renewing his contract for another two years.

    She said the choice of Reminisce is in line with what origin is. She noted that Orijin comes from a special blend of the old with the new, the traditional with the modern and these same qualities are epitomised by Reminisce, whose quality and depth of work as an artist makes him a perfect fit as brand ambassador. “He raps in local language and for us there is nobody else in that niche.”

    She said the company is confident that with Reminisce the brand will continue to further widen its appeal with the consumers.

    “Reminisce has been part of our brand campaigns. We have been very big on digital campaigns with him and we have done lots of trade activations with him. We have set up series of icons inform of emoticons with him.”

    She continued: “We have been doing a day in the life of Reminisce which has drawn a lot of conversation around the Reminisce brand and Orijin.”

    Asked why the use of local stars to promote the brand as against international stars, Taire noted: “origin is born here and so is Reminisce and the language that we speak is the language of naija.”

    She described the contract renewal ceremony as a further demonstration of Orijin’s success in a short time. “We always want to be connected to our customers and our intention is to tell our story in a way that allows us to relate to our esteemed customers and consumers. Origin is now a phenomenon in the market comes from nowhere and is now everywhere”

    Responding, Reminisce thanked Guinness for making him Orijin’s brand ambassador, promising to continue to make Orijin the brand that it should be.

    ”I try to live as original as I can be. I don’t attach too much to me as a brand than my music. I want to be as original as I can be and representing Orijin I have to be as original as I can be. There is no sugar coating.”

    Present at the signing were Gbemileke Otun, Brand Manager, Orijin; Olayinka Edmond, Corporate Communications Manager, Guinness Nigeria Plc; Ibrahim Okulaja, CEO, Edge Records & Business Manager for Reminisce and  Demilade Olaosun, a lawyer, who represented  Edge Records.

     

  • Strategic communication as tool for nation building

    Strategic communication as tool for nation building

    Nigeria may soon adopt a new rebranding policy under President Muhammadu Buhari. However, experts have underscored the role of strategic communication in achieving a sustainable rebuilding, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed, has been busy these days, collecting intelligence reports on a new national communication framework that will enhance behavioural change.

    In the last few weeks, he has met stakeholders in marketing communication. From his mien during some of the meetings with the critical stakeholders, comprising the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) and Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Mohammed appeared set to adopt a strategic approach to government’s communication beyond the sloganeering that once characterised the nation’s rebranding.

    Though the signs are clear that the government wants to work with marketing communication experts, Mohammed has continued to attract attention of other players who are offering ideas that could engender robust campaign for nation branding and re-orientation.

    While the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) is set to launch a new set of campaigns to support the drive by the government against corruption, insecurity, the Managing Director of SO&U, Mr. Udeme Uffot, has also joined the league of supporter of strategic communication for national development under the administration.

    Speaking at a lecture by Hallmark Newspaper last week, Uffot, who is also the  Chairman of APCON, noted that he is a firm believer of strategic communication  and brand building for a united Nigeria. “As a seasoned practitioner in the field of marketing communication and brand building, I am a firm believer in the power of strategic communication in building a united nation and creating a positive identity that inspires hope, confidence and pride,” he said.

    Explaining how the government can deploy and utilise strategic communication as an effective and credible tool, Uffot said the president must also see himself as the chief marketing officer of the nation for Nigeria to achieve its new positioning among committees of nations and the before the citizens.

    “The president is the Chief Marketing Officer of the nation. He defines, consistently communicates and markets the strategic agenda and the big idea for the brand and also mobilises the support and participation of his team and citizens. His actions and speeches must consistently inspire hope, belief and confidence in the brand in both local and international fora. His body language, silence, speech, actions and inactions have implications for the brand, either positively or negatively,” he said.

    He also advised the government to adopt a consistent, focused and strategic engagement in to make people buy in into its campaign for change. “It is mainly through consistent, focused communication and strategic engagements that Nigerians can be converted to become advocates and active participants in the success of such programmes. Once the citizenry are so sensitised and buy- in is secured, they take ownership of the process and become the driving force. Leadership will then have no option than to maintain the momentum or be consumed by the “movement”,’’ he said.

     South Africa’s Rainbow

    While a recent report that tagged Nigeria as “Most Happiest People on earth” remains a classical negative narrative of endurance in the midst of hardship, Uffot believes Nigeria must use its various platforms such as Nollywood among others as a potent medium to change the narrative. Citing the South Africa’s ‘Rainbow’ slogan, he said, “South Africa, under Mandela positioned and projected itself as a Rainbow nation. They used every narrative and platform to communicate the features and attractive diversities of the South African society and this injected a new level of positive energy in the whole nation. It inspired pride and love for their country. They campaigned the narrative of the great Madiba, turning him into the world’s best loved and respected man, and leveraged on  his positive attributes to the advantage of brand South Africa,” said Uffot.

    However, Uffot advised the government to strategically design and use selected communication platforms to project the positive qualities, image and behaviours expected of key public offices and office holders in a manner that will build respect and admiration for such offices such as the President/ Vice President, Senate President/ Senators/Ministers, Heads of the various arms of the military.

    “Strategic communications will help clarify and paint a clear picture of the policy direction and overriding ideology of the government. What destinations are we headed? Why does it matter? What are the implications and benefits for the nation and citizens in the different socio-economic groups? What level of adjustment and support is required from the various stakeholders for its success? What is the picture of the expected change or transformation if we succeed?” said Udeme using the Dakkada campaign in Akwa Ibom State as a case study.

  • NEXUS opens showroom in Ibadan

    NEXUS opens showroom in Ibadan

    Home appliances giant NEXUS operating under the Deekay Group, has opened a big show room in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    The group said its expansion to the new market is in line with the brand’s vision to reach more consumers and deliver durable, reliable, and stylish home appliances all at prices that won’t break the bank.

    During the opening of the new show room, the Managing Director, Mr. Kavine Vaswani, said: “We assemble ovens, refrigerators and freezers right here in Nigeria and import a selection of other items. We wanted to extend our reach. We have presence in Lagos. But we also consider Ibadan, Oyo State market as a viable option to reduce our dealers logistics challenges, potential damages during transportation from Lagos to Ibadan and sustain the momentum of attraction and business opportunities we are getting from our client from Ibadan, Oyo state,” he said.

    He said further that Nexus pioneered the introduction of coloured home appliances into Nigeria allowing customers for the first time to colour coordinate their kitchens, “Deekay Group imports a wide range of quality and affordable home and kitchen appliances under the Nexus and Saisho brands. We have been offering our Nigerian customers high quality products since 1972. The key to our success has been our strong relationships with our partners and over the years, consumers have grown to love and trust our products.Nexus offers home appliances such as inverters, stabiliser, fans, water dispensers, gas cookers, fridges and freezers.

    “Saisho offers a complete kitchen appliance range at affordable prices. Nexus pioneered the introduction of coloured home appliances into Nigeria allowing customers for the first time to colour coordinate their kitchens. As a result, we are offering the Ibadan market the same thing we offer in Lagos as competitive as the Lagos is. We have brought the same products here on competitive ground,” he noted.

    Vaswani, however, assured the consumers of quality products, value for their money and friendly prices. “We are conscious of quality control and pricing, the adjustment that needs to be made to suit average consumers in Ibadan. We are aiming to give Ibadan market more affordable products compare to some Korean ranges that are available here. We will also offer after sales service,” he said.

    For dealers, he said the firm is obviously reducing their risks by bringing NEXUS closer to them. “What we are doing is bringing the products to Ibadan markets to reduce challenges of logistics and potential damages during transportation,” he assured.

    Meanwhile, the General Manager, Mr Parnesh V said NEXUS is a marriage between product and consumers and the company is here to fulfill its brand promises to consumers in Oyo State.

    He said the company will ensures quality products and services are provided to valued clientele and continue to act with integrity, confidence and accountability in exercising of its brand mission in Nigeria.

    Also, the Head of Sales, Mr. Christy Augustine, said the company will not undermine Ibadan market and has plan to extend to other states in an attempt to reduce dealers cost of moving the products from Lagos to their states.

  • PR industry report faces reliability test

    PR industry report faces reliability test

    Black House Media (BHM) has released Nigeria’s first Public Relations Report. The report is, however, facing a reliability test amid commendation, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

    The newly launched Nigeria PR Report, a first of its kind in the public relations industry is eliciting cheers and jeers in the marketing communication industry. The 106-page book is a compendium of quantitative and qualitative research augmented by industry-wide perspective and knowledgeable commentary on PR practice in the country.

    It was released in collaboration with the group’s research arm – BHM Research & Intelligence (BRI), digital agency ID Africa, and Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), notable dignitaries from the PR, advertising and academic sectors.

    They all converged on Protea Hotel, Ikeja where the report was made public for discussion and review.

    ”The inaugural Nigeria PR Report is an unbiased endeavour to depict the history, current state, existing challenges and prospects of the PR industry in Nigeria. Despite increasing intervention by PR to help communities, organisations and governments resolve problems they considered insurmountable, there is little data, if any, on the role of in-house PR teams and external consultancies in aiding local and international brands make sense of Nigeria’s chaotic business environment. This is the latest focus of BHM Research and Intelligence,” Founder and CEO BHM Group, Ayeni Adekunle said.

    However, such painstaking effort is facing a reliability test on certain premises.

    The CEO, Relics and Chief Brand Analyst-in-Chief at Brandish, Mr. Ikem Okuhu, who raised some posers on the report, said while it is a great intervention for an industry whose offerings have lost the respect of clients as because of dearth of data to back up their strategies, there are lots of loopholes that put the reliability of the report to question.

    The report is criticised on the premise that an industry rating and report should come from an independent body and not from a player.

    Secondly, the report is written in first person plural. Thirdly, most of the chapters (or sections) are signed off by the founder of this agency or in some instances, by his workers. Fourthly, generous doses of content were devoted to appealing to industry leaders, especially the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) (pages 34 to 44 of the report were exceptionally devoted for this purpose hence, coming out “obviously superfluous.”

    “I devoted an entire weekend to digest the ‘Nigeria PR Report 2015: Inside the Public Relations Industry in Nigeria’. It may have been the first of such reports on the industry in Nigeria, but I expected a lot more. I have never seen a report written in the first person. But no matter how much you re-invent a wheel, it must have to be round. “Brave effort but there was just too much about his company and his person to make the report an acceptable ‘industry Report.’ But that was the biggest error in the report released by BHM. You do not write such reports in the first person. But paragraph after paragraphs, chapter after chapter, page after page, I kept reading Adekunle Ayeni. But I wanted to read the Nigeria PR Report!”

    Okuhu noted that such reports are meant to be non-personal but based on facts and research.

    “But even with all the research, the moment you present it by using the pronouns of ‘I’, ‘We’, ‘Us’, the message you are sending out is that you are merely presenting your personal opinion. As knowledgeable as you may be, this will certainly send the wrong message. In the end, what we have are very strong opinions of the people that worked on the project than a dispassionate, depersonalised report,” he added.

    Reacting to Okuhu’s review, the Corporate Communication Director of Airtel, Mr. Emeka Oparah said: “As a practitioner from the clients’ side, I relate with most of the points raised. There’s a good point about an operator reviewing himself. Well, maybe he wouldn’t have, if there was someone out there looking at the industry and the practice critically.

    “So, he’s created a niche opportunity for research practitioners to cash in. It’s bothered me forever how and why marketing professionals have earned more respect by keeping records, building up data, investing in research and promoting their profession-than PR practitioners.

    “And by the way, PR practitioners, all over the world-not just in Nigeria, promote everyone else but themselves.”

    He said these are issues that must be engaged, challenged and confronted head on.

    Ayeni or BMH (what’s the difference, anyway) has got everyone thinking. I’m sure the report will spurn other reports and the second edition will be a vast improvement.

    Also, speaking, the President of Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), Mr. John Ehiguese, said: “Like I said in my brief remarks, ideally it should have PRCAN preparing such a report, and I assure you that under my leadership we will take up that challenge in a practical way. Regardless of whatever perceived shortcomings in that report, we cannot deny that Ayeni has challenged us all, and it is up to us as PR practitioners to build upon what he has started. I mentioned to Ayeni in a telephone conversation that, at the very least, next time any Nigerian PR practitioner is attending an international conference, he/she can at least have something (from the report) to share with the world about Nigerian PR practice, beyond just talking about ‘opportunities’ and ‘potentials’. It’s definitely a good start, and I personally congratulate him for that.”

    Despite that, the report joins a host of groundbreaking initiatives executed by the BHM Group. In 2014, the company launched Nigeria’s first PR app, simultaneously recording over one billion social media impressions for its portfolio of client campaigns.

    The Brand Rating Index (BRI’s) report is an overview of public relations in Nigeria, its evolution, and an analysis of BHM’s #PrisDead campaign. For the campaign, about 200 Nigerians from three major cities (Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Abuja) were interviewed for the offline section of the research, with findings already presented in a series of videos, infographics, memes, blurbs and articles.

    Ayeni explained: “The aim is to shed more light on the workings of the PR industry in Nigeria and chronicle the public – and practitioners’ – perception of the industry, with a view to ensuring its development moves apace with global standards of practice and the changing consumer demographics and preferences Nigeria is experiencing.”

  • Ensure Insurance breaks No Wahala campaign

    Ensure Insurance Plc has launched a new campaign, tagged No Wahala. According to Ensure, the aim of the campaign is to revolutionise retail distribution in the country through the use of technology and products that have been designed with benefits to the consumer.

    The No Wahala according to the firm is a distribution platform that provides convenience to customers giving them flexibility to send their desired products name (Motor or life or house) to the short code 30812 to get insurance.

    Speaking at the launch, Mr. Oyetunji Oshiyoye said Ensure Insurance No Wahala platform is a new system called No Wahala, a phrase that cut across every ethnic group in Nigeria which simply means insurance without stress.

    He explained: “We understand insurance purchase is a bit difficult and because of this we have decided to launch a process that will make people buy insurance easily from the comfort of their offices and the comfort of their homes.”

    He said to buy any of the insurance package, customers can simply text the product that they want “to buy with name, middle name, surname to 30812. After texting you will get an automatic response that tells you our customer representative will speak to you shortly. The customer representative will take your details and you will get another text message giving you your reference number for the insurance you are buying and you will get your certificate,” he explained.

  • We ’ll look into APCON’s dissolution, says Lai Mohammed

    We ’ll look into APCON’s dissolution, says Lai Mohammed

    The Minister Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has assured advertising stakeholders that he will look into the dissolution of council of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) and see how the council will return to work.

    Mohammed, who gave the assurance during a visit to the APCON head office in Lagos, said APCON is more of a professional body and an institute and regulator, which should be run by professionals.

    He said he is aware that the agency has not been able to perform its statutory duties since the council was dissolved .

    “APCON is not just a key agency in the ministry. It is a catalyst in the advertising industry and economy. APCON is often misunderstood for what its stands for. It is a regulator and institute. It is a professional body and those who constitute the board should be professionals. APCON board is not for politicians.  I urge the management to furnish me with more information.  APCON council is a matter that we will address immediately because it is affecting the job of the council,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the minister took a swipe on the council for turning a blind eye to the hate and abusive advertisements and documentaries that dominated the 2015 general elections. He stressed that such inaction could destroy the country.

    He noted that there were advertisements that insulted ethnic and religious sensitivities as well as the airing of documentaries that did little to unite the country, expressing the belief that the regulatory agency was mindful of them but gave itself away as incapable of stopping the practice, which deepened the nation’s fault-lines.

    The Minister urged APCON to always summon the courage to shut out offensive and inciting advertisements from the pages of newspapers and the airwaves.

    According to him, “in the run-up to the last general elections, I am sure you all saw a lot of advertisements that were capable of tearing this country apart”. “There were adverts that insulted ethnic and religious sensitivities. There were adverts that were purely offensive to people. Documentaries were aired that did little to unite this country,” he said.

    He, however, promised to address other challenges facing the council, which include the monitoring of over 6,000 channels by providing technological equipment that will aid the monitoring.

     

     

  • FirstBank reviews impact of CSR efforts

    FirstBank reviews impact of CSR efforts

    To reposition for 2016, FirstBank of Nigeria has reviewed some of its corporate social investments in the past few years in critical sectors to fulfill its brand promise, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

    In recent years, corporate organisations have shown growing interest in corporate social responsibility(CSR). Unlike in recent time when their  goals were to make sales, maximise profit, now they are concern about making impact on the enviroment through various interventions.

    As a result, some companies have made CSR an important part of their brand promise and contribute to national growth in the areas of education, health, agriculture, among others.

    In the light of this, several companies from telecommunications, fast moving consumer goods industry, set aside some budgets called ‘corporate social investment’ to support societial needs.

    One of Nigeria’s oldest brands, FirstBank of Nigeria recently reveals how much it has supported research in nine higher higher institutions. While reviewing its CSR efforts, the bank stated that with its mission to set the ‘gold standard’ of customer experience, excellence in financial solutions across sub-saharan Africa with vision to be a partner of first choice in building future for people and communities where it operates, it has been promoting educational development in Nigeria, driving and sustaining the economy through academic research.

    The bank said it has expressed these brand promises encoded in its mission and vision through the take-off of the Uyo Endowment Fund in Petroleum Engineering, the FUTA Endowment in Computer Science with focus on some of the research done by the Professorial Chair, Dr. B.K. Alese. The latest in social investment is Samuel Asabia Endowment in Business Ethics in the University of Lagos, which is about to take off

    The Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, First Bank, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, said: “We will always deliver the ultimate ‘gold standard’ of value and excellence. Our financial services knowledge and practices lead the market in ensuring that we understand our customers and surpass expectations to strive for a better way of delivering first-class service and experience.

    “FirstBank of Nigeria Limited established its endowment structure to complement the Federal Government’s efforts in the development and advancement of tertiary education in Nigeria. The Endowment Structure necessitates the funding of research projects in federal universities, selected around the six geographical regions of the country. The funds were set up in various departments as approved by the Bank’s Management to facilitate research work in the endowed universities.”

    She said FirstBank Endowment Programme was initiated in 1994  has professorial endowments in nine federal universities each located in the different geopolitical zones of the country.  Currently, the bank’s total endowment portfolio is N450 million.

    According to Ani-Mumuney, the bank engaged its sister company FBN Capital to manage the investment portfolio of the various endowments to ensure maximum yield for each endowment investment in order to promote research and learning in the universities.

    “Each Professorial Endowment usually has a professorial chair occupant selected through a rigorous but transparent process to ensure qualified candidates are engaged for the research. Candidates for the Chair are sourced from within the affected Department of the University. He/she may not necessarily be a substantive Professor but not less than a senior lecturer. The University’s representative on the Board of Trustees for the Endowment Fund is empowered to advertise, select and interview candidates and thereafter appoint an occupant for the professorial chair,” she said.

    She said some of these CSR projects have impacted on the selected schools for global competitiveness. “Since the launch of the FBN FUTA Endowment Fund, it has witnessed a series of research projects that have resulted in knowledge creation and dissemination carefully articulated in organised public lectures and integrated into policies that have served as solutions to existing peculiar concerns in the country. One of the public lectures was delivered on April, 2014 and themed Security Issues in Nigeria: Getting Ready for The Digital Challenge.

    “The bank’s unflagging commitment to promoting educational development through the FBNFUTA Endowment Fund has positioned FUTA as a citadel of excellence in the global competitive stage. This was evidenced in the feat achieved by the FBN FUTA Professorial Chair Occupant and his associates in the Computer Science Department at the Eighth International Conference for Internet Technology and Secured Transactions (ICITST-2013) in London, United Kingdom in December 2013,” she noted.

  • Harrysong is Gala ambassador

    UAC Foods Limited has signed a brand ambassadorship deal for its flagship brand – Gala – with the 5 Star Music group.

    As part of the deal, Harrysong will be the new face of the brand while two other musicians under the record label of KCEE and Skiibii are expected to promote the brand.

    At a briefing on Wednesday at the company head office in Lagos, the General Manager-Marketing, UAC Foods Limited, Mrs. Joan Ihekwaba, explained that the signing on of the new brand ambassador was another way through which the company intends to engender a more robust brand affinity with the target consumers and to further reaffirm the leadership positioning of Gala in the market.

    Ihekwaba also noted that the deal was in line with the ‘Doing Good’ mantra of the UACN group.  ’’As a brand from a socially responsible corporate organisation, the ‘Naija Snack’ has chosen this endorsement deal as an opportunity to support the music industry, by promoting authentic Nigerian artistes. The numerous fans of Gala should gear up for exciting times as we go into  the year,’’ she said.

    She said for over 50 years, the brand Gala has come to occupy a special place in the hearts of the Nigerians, by supporting them on their journey to success.

    On the rationale for choosing the brand ambassador, Ihekwaba said Harrysong and the 5 Star Music Group represent the vibrant, entrepreneurial and indomitable spirit of Nigeria and Nigerians.

    Ihekwaba noted that the brand ambassadors, especially Harrysong, portray the Gala character, speak the language of the brand’s target audience.

    She said communication channels to be explored include radio (with jingles), television (with music videos), online communication (with consumer engagement via social media platforms), as well as outdoor and print media

    In his response, Harrysong said he was excited to be the face of the brand.

  • Ayorinde inaugurates PRCAN secretariat

    The Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) has opened its national secretariat office in Lagos.

    The office, on Moshood Abiola Crescent, Ikeja, was inaugurated by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde.

    The event, which took place last week, was witnessed by top echelon of Nigeria’s Integrated Marketing Communications sector, including egg-heads of sectorial regulatory bodies, the media and member firms of PRCAN.

    Ayorinde, who was the special guest at the commissioning, said the current level of integration and cooperation among the marketing communications sectorial bodies would further deepen professionalism in the industry to the greater benefit of the society.

    “What can I say today than to congratulate PRCAN. Everyone here is a friend or colleague. One of the great things that one can hope to accomplish as an association is to have integrity, unity and focus. I am glad that you (PRCAN) now have a place called home, though we are not there yet; but this is close to home; and I believe at no time, you will soon have a permanent place you can call your home. The state government is proud of you and we wish you all the very best,” Ayorinde expressed.

    The various groups were led by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) whose president, Dr Rotimi Oladele, was the chief host.