The Nation Newspaper

Category: Brand week

  • Diamond Bank rewards customers

    Diamond Bank rewards customers

    Diamond Bank Plc has rewarded 15 customers in its ongoing DiamondXtra Season 8 campaigns.

    The millionaires emerged through a live draw in Lagos, which was witnessed by customers, journalists, the public and the management of the bank.

    Thirteen of the winners won N1 million each while one of the customers won N2 million. Mr. Imoh Udoh from Akwa Ibom State, however, won the star prize of Salary4Life, which entitles him to a monthly payment of N100, 000  in the next 20 years.

    According to the bank’s chief spokesperson, Ayona Trimnell, the DiamondXtra draws is a unique customer reward scheme tied to the DiamondXtra account, which promotes a savings culture among Nigerians, thereby deepening the financial inclusion initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    With a deposit balance of only N5000 in this special account, customers qualify to participate in the draws and multiples of that amount increases the depositor’s chances of winning.

    The Divisional Head, Consumer and Privilege Banking, Aisha Ahmed, said since the bank initiated the special account, it had given its numerous customers unique privilege of enjoying multiple benefits in one account.

    She said: “DiamondXtra was launched in 2008 to reward our loyal customers, both old and new. This event marks the first monthly draw of the new season to commemorate the launch of Season 8 and 15 lucky customers have emerged winners.

  • FirstBank bonds families at Fiesta of Flavour

    FirstBank bonds families at Fiesta of Flavour

    These are times for brands. At a time  when customers’ retention is based on how best brand managers explore every point of engagement to show that they care, FirstBank of Nigeria has explored Fiesta of Flavour, a three-day fun-for-the-family event, to deepen its relationship with its customers.

    The show featured music and movie. A young man, Ifeoluwa Adaranijo who was at the show said he relished the atmosphere of fun, love, relaxation and entertainment created by the FirstBank sponsored event.

    Another participant, Mrs. Caroline Ikpe, said the event gave her the opportunity to bond with her three kids whom she hardly had time to “catch fun and relieve stress with” because of work.

    She led her children to the gigantic bouncing castle, later to the stage where she learnt some latest dance steps. Her kids found the Nigerian dance steps, such as Shooki, Galala, Swor, among others, intriguing as danced with their mum and other kids.

    A father, who identified himself simply as Insikak, said his wife and children enjoyed every monent of the event.

    FirstBank had a tent for participants where they were asked to relate their experiences.

    The bank said the most intriguing experience would be shot as a TV commercial for the bank’s ongoing ‘Life is a Movie’ campaign. They were asked to entitle their life experience and act it out.

    One of those who shared their stories, Stephen Oladapo said his life journey so far could be titled: ‘Brave Heart’.

    Oladapo said he had to take some tough decisions to get to where he is.

    He gave a short drama of the scene in the movie and was rewarded with a branded gift while his story might the next bluckbuster on FirstBank’s Life is a Movie commercial.

  • LAIF Award: X3M Ideas targets top of the table slot

    LAIF Award: X3M Ideas targets top of the table slot

    The Chief Executive Officer, X3M Ideas, Mr. Steve Babaeko, has expressed regrets that the agency is yet to get to its target of topping the LAIF Award table.

    Despite winning gold in the just concluded edition, Babaeko said he is impressed with the fact his agency is three years old and has been able to compete favourably with leaders in the industry.

    “I am impressed that the so called younger agencies are making good marks against older ones. A certain young agency occupied the No.1 position while X3M is 4th on the table. This gives much hope to the younger generation of practitioners. We are grateful to God and our clients for giving us the opportunities and for believing in us,” he told The Nation.

    Overall, X3M Ideas won three Gold medals, two Silver and three Bronze to emerged the 4th on the 2015 LAIF medal table.

    The agency’s  Diamond Bank advert campaign titled: “Door” in the radio category of the corporate Image segment won Gold medal. The agency also won another via its work for Etisalat Lagos Photo (Best use of Original photography) while the third gold came in from a radio commercial for Virgin Atlantic for the Ads that never ran category. The ageny’s Etisalat’s Easy Cliq Cyber picked a silver medal each respectively among others.

    In addition, the duo of the agencies talents – Jessica Iwayemi (Copy Writer) and Uduak Akpan (Art Director) won the “2015 Young LAIFERS” awards having emerged ahead of other young professionals from other competing agencies.

    The agency’s entries across major categories of the awards culminated impressive number of nominations and X3M Ideas made its debut at the LAIF awards in November 2013. The agency which opened shop on August 2012 barely a year then, recorded one gold, two silver and one bronze medals despite  sending works done between August and December for the 2013 edition of the award.

    In 2014, the agency recorded two gold, five silver and six bronze medals carting home 13 medals.

    “The2014 result also proved that X3M Ideas’ performance at its maiden participation was never a fluke. For both years the agency stood at the No. 3 spot on the Nigeria’s creative advertising league table,” an industry observer stated.

    LAIF is organized by the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) As the body celebrated 10th edition of the awards whose objectives include encouraging and celebrating creative excellence and innovation, industry players believe the award begining to enhance the chances of agencies in getting recognised by clients.

  • ‘How to build small brands up to global status’

    ‘How to build small brands up to global status’

    Some start-ups are scared of hearing the word branding when advised to engage it for their businesses.

    They think branding and positioning should only be explored by top brands, such as Coca Cola, MTN and others.

    In the words of the convener of Brand Forum and Chief Executive Officer, Thots ‘n’ Works, Mrs. Ogunleye Ayanfeoluwa, most of the start-ups demarket their services by “exchanging with clients poorly designed complementary cards that looks like a photocopied item.”

    These, according to her, are some of the orientations that make start-ups remain small players till they are run out of business  by smarter ones who understand branding.

    “But they fail to understand that small businesses too should brand and position for business growth to attract good customers,” says Ogunleye.

    However, with the recession trailing most big businesses, experts at a just-concluded Brandforum, a free enlightenment forum for SMEs, said this is the right time for small business owners to brand their products and service to attract big clients who need affordable services.

    At the forum, the Executive Director, Rainoil Limited, Godrey Ogbeche, who delivered the keynote address titled: “Start small, grow, big”, urged business owners not to be deterred by the state of the economy.

    “Most things grow big start small. Businesses like seeds have to endure a period of heat and harsh conditions in before they make head way and become big enterprises and conglomerates that people appreciate today.

    “Most of the advanced economies that we know of today are supported by hundreds of thousands of small businesses that employ more people and grow their countries’ GDP. So, be ready to start small now and grow big gradually,” Ogbeche advised.

    -Besides, Ogbeche noted that to attract the right clients, start-ups must have drive, passion, discipline, integrity, dedication and also understand relationship management skills.

    To start out small, she urged SMEs to be sure of their value proposition; get adequate knowledge about the products and services and the industry they operate in as well as avoid loans to finance their start-ups or assets.

    Drawing from her personal experience of starting Rainoil with her husband in 1994 with N300,000, Ogbeche stated that the first step to growing big for SMEs is strategic planning, just as she explained that each entrepreneur must decide what being big is for him or her.

    Also, Ogunleye urged SMEs to brace up in spite of the dwindling economy because it is their “finest hour” to compete and grow.

    Also, the Chief Executive Officer, Thistle Praxis Consulting, Ini Onuk, while fielding questions from the audience comprising business owners,  warned that each business owner must be ready to operate by principles of integrity in business dealings, adding that training staff is not an option even if many leave immediately after receiving advanced training from their employees.

    “For me, we sign a bond of about two years with any staff we are going to train. We can’t just train you and you leave. We have even trained others overseas in the past and they resigned immediately they returned from the training,” she said.

    At the public presentation of the  book written by Ogunleye titled: “What Mr Zack taught about Business and Life”, Onuk enjoined SMEs to buy the book as it contains many real life nuggets of running a business in Nigeria.

    Ogunleye also announced a branding makeover for three SMEs selected by her firm. She handed  them over to mentors who will help them grow.

  • ‘Creativity key to client-agency relationship’

    Client collaboration with agencies is key to creativity in marketing communication field, said the President of Association of Advertising Agency of Nigeria (AAAN), Mr. Kelechi Nwosu.

    He spoke during the 10th edition of the Lagos Advertising Ideas Festival (LAIF) Award.

    He said better creative work equals better growth while better creative works can only be achieved through clients/agencies’ collaboration.

    He, however, urged clients and agencies to have authentic ideas that resonate with Nigerians, adding: “What we hear is that authentic work from us is what will win internationally. And that authentic work will cause better growth for brands.”

    He said the LAIF Award was organised to improve relevant body of creative knowledge with the aim of rewarding excellence in the advertising creative industry.

    He said: “Our aim is improving the relevant body of creative knowledge with the aim of rewarding excellence in creativity as a proactive attitude at encouraging creative ingenuity. You will agree with me that creative award is the only reward for excellence in creativity, which is the currency of our business.”

    He maintained that creativity is fast gaining currency and Nigeria now than ever needs creativity in government, in private sector, in infrastructure in entertainment and in business.

    “Even creativity is needed in the fight against Boko Haram. Government needs creativity to come out of the present economic problem. We are here; we can give government fresh creative approach. This year our theme of Creative Inspiring Life is so true to our words; we have created two public advocacy campaigns: one is to fight corruption. The other is the unity campaign. We will start the campaign soon with the support of the sectoral group collaborators,” he said.

    According to him, to boost LAIF, students should be carried along, with the Young LAIFERS award being introduced.

    “So creativity will continue to inspire life and LAIF will continue to inspire creativity. See how many more agencies have entered into Cannes and the Crystal Awards. Three of our agencies won awards at Crystal this year. All these show that creativity is gaining currency,” he said.

  • UBA customer relives Dubai experience

    UBA customer relives Dubai experience

    Customers, who recently visited Dubai courtesy UBA Awoof promo, have described their experience an exciting journey that would continue to sustain their bond with the bank.

    According to the bank, the 20 lucky customers on the trip had emerged as winners in the Remittance Awoof Promotion organised by the bank to reward customers that had received remittances through MoneyGram and Western Union from any UBA business office across the country.  Sixty other customers were rewarded with beautiful other gift items.

    “The trip is part of the bank’s efforts to reward loyalty, give back to the society and impact the lives of individuals that carry out business with the bank,” the bank said.

    One of the lucky customers, Benita Ojeh, Asaba, Delta State, said: “This is more like a miracle to me. I never believed this would ever happen to me. I am immensely grateful to UBA and most importantly very proud that a bank could reward a customer with a dream trip like this”.

    Ojeh excitement was occasioned by the five-star treatment enjoyed in the prestigious J5 Rimal Rotana Apartments, with each customer allocated a own room each; opportunity to take photographs at various tourism sites in Dubai including the Burj Khalifa, the tallest man made structure in the world.

    Directorate Head, Public Sector Group, Marketing, Mr. Oliver Alawuba, said UBA is more than happy to reward loyal customers because UBA believes that loyal customers deserve to be rewarded.

    He assured that UBA will continue to “reward customers who remain loyal to the bank and do repeat business with us”.

    Already, UBA says plans are at an advanced stage to roll out another Awoof promotion next  January.

  • Knorr launches campaign against anaemia

    Knorr, produced by Unilever Nigeria, has launched a campaign called Knorr Social Mission.

    It is aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians, with a special focus on teenage girls and promoting maternal health to help reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency Anaemia in Nigeria.

    The campaign is a demonstration of the brand’s fight against iron deficiency Anaemia through its unique culture of good nutrition targeted at making nutritious meals a priority, easy to achieve and more desirable.

    According to a statement from the company, Knorr is propagating the Knorr social mission tagged ‘Green Food Steps’ with its brand ambassadors, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and her daughter, Meraiah.

    The Green Food Steps encourages mothers to toss leafy green vegetables into their stew, stir it all together and crumble in iron-enriched Knorr cubes to achieve a tasty, nutritious and iron rich Knorr Stew for healthy living.

    Brand Building Director Foods, Unilever Nigeria, Mrs. Nsima Ogedi-Alakwe, said the campaign was part of Unilever’s commitment to bringing the United Nations’global goals to life through its Knorr social mission.

    Mrs Ogedi-Alakwe said: “Through our social mission campaign, Knorr is championing the fight against iron deficiency, giving hope to two billion people worldwide who suffer from micronutrient deficiencies.’’

    She added: “The Green Food Steps campaign is part of the brand’s social mission to improve the quality of life through healthy nutrition by getting Nigerian mothers who are the cooks of today, and teens, the cooks of tomorrow, to adopt simple cooking behaviours the Knorr Way, and enrich the nutritional value of their weekly meals.

    “The quick steps showcase that it is easy for people to effectively change their cooking habits without compromising on flavour, time, or cost.

    “Knorr is helping to improve health and livelihoods of Nigerian women, teaching them to cook more iron-rich meals and creating a #BrightFuture by following three simple Green Food steps – Toss, stir and crumble,” she added.

    Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia among women and young adults and eating food with too little iron over an extended period of time can actually cause iron shortage in the body. Reports say that in Nigeria, almost one in two women of reproductive age are anaemic and 50 per cent of these cases are caused by iron deficiency.

  • Changing CSR story line

    Changing CSR story line

    The practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is fast changing. With CSR attracting various nomenclatures, such as corporate social investment, corporate sustainability and others, experts say the story line of CSR must continue to change, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

    Where does Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budget really go? In whose interest, the society, organisation or the CEO? Are CSR programmes designed to create value for the society or to earn a bragging right for the company? These were some of the questions that begged for answers at the just-concluded forum organised by Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN).

    With global attention fast shifting from CSR to sustainability, experts are of the opinion that many corporate organisations do not adhere to standard practice, hence, they fall below best global CSR reporting guidelines.

    With the theme: “Challenges of Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria- Roles of Organisations, Government and the Media”, the forum held at Grand Seren Hotel, Iyaganku, GRA, Ibadan, Oyo State, last Friday.

    The Group Managing Director,  SO&U Limited and chairman of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Mr. Ufot Udeme, in his presentation entitled: “Pushing the moral boundaries between CSR spend and CSR marketing budget”, queried the intention of corporate organisations on CSR efforts.

    “Is there really a need to leverage an organisation’s CSR initiatives? It is argued that some of the highest givers around the world give quietly, sometimes even anonymously; they sincerely want to meet a need without attracting unnecessary attention to themselves. Why don’t organisations do the same?”

    Ufot noted that CSR is the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as the local community and the society at large.

    To him, CSR is the deliberate inclusion of public interest into corporate decision making, and the honouring of a triple bottom line: People, Planet, and Profit. “It is about how companies manage the business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society – to “make the world a better place,” he said.

    The Managing Director, TruContact, Mr. Ken Egbas, is worried that many companies fall below standard practice of CSR if benchmarked against global reporting guidelines.

    “They call people together and give them gifts, or give exercise books to school children or renovate a school classroom, grade a small stretch of  road, then, they call the journalist and splash the photos on the pages of their paper and they call that CSR,” he noted.

    He blamed the media for supporting the ignorance of corporate organisations about CSR, saying: “journalists contribute in lowering the standard.”

    “Where that leaves you is that it drops the standard so low because the journalists, who are supposed to demand for standard do not even know the standard for CSR and sustainability reporting, which is very sad,” Egbas observed.

    He stressed further that until the media pay attention to standard, it would be difficult to hold organisations accountable.

  • PZ presents prize money to Mamador winner

    PZ Wilmar has redeemed its N1 million prize money to the first winner of its Mamador consumer promo tagged: “Mamador Cook & Cruise Promo”.  The winner, Mrs. Anjola Ogunmodede, is a 2007 graduate of Business Administration from the Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State. Ogunbodede, a staff of a new generation bank, who was accompanied to the presentation by her mother, Mrs. Bola Lapite, expressed appreciation to PZ Wilmar for putting such a smile on her face.

    Recalling how the journey to winning the N1 million started, Ogunbodede said she bought a 3.1 litre Mamador oil from Alhaja Raobis at Mushin market, and was informed of the promo tied to the product. She said she would keep the money in the bank first before spending it, but obviously a part will go to God. “God is the owner of the money He has to take His own share before I spend the rest,” she said.

    The General Manager, Marketing, PZ Wilmar, Mrs Bukky Bandele, explained that Ogunbodede was very lucky to be a star winner ahead of other several participants.  She said Mamador is proud to be touching the lives of women.

    “If you empower a woman you have actually empowered the family. Mamador radiates purity and care, which could be likened to the care of a mother, it is manufactured by a reputable company and approved by NAFDAC,” Bandele said.

    The star price, which is a salon car, would be up for grabs at the grand finale. The car price will be won at the grand finale and loyal customers that have bought the product for two to three months, and have accumulated points would have their names automatically drawn and three winners will emerge for the cars just like there will be three winners for the one million naira cash.