The Nation Newspaper

Category: Brand week

  • Bajaj unveils home appliances

    Bajaj unveils home appliances

    Indian manufacturing conglomerate Bajaj Electricals Limited has launched its range of home appliances in Nigeria.

    To enhance distribution, the company  named Polaris Trade and Logistics Limited (PTL) its distributors.

    A subsidiary of Bajaj Group of Companies, Bajaj Electricals Limited, has, for seven-and-half decades, impacted the global industrial landscape and the Indian economy, charting the course in small appliances, including lightings, transmission towers, special projects and power distribution.

    Executive Vice President, Bajaj Electricals Limited, Pradeep Patil, told a group of traders, salesmen and brand ambassadors at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, venue of the launch, that  Bajaj is an enigma in small appliances and a market leader in fans, lightings and power distribution.

    He said: “Bajaj Electricals has through its wide range of products provided convenience and happiness to millions of homes in India and other international markets… and with the same passion and commitment we will proudly assert these world-class products in Nigeria.”

    Patil, who is the company’s Business Unit Head, Kitchen Appliances, said: “Appliances isn’t only about quality products but the overall experience of the users and our goal, just as we did in India, is to change the experience of users and bring happiness to many more homes in Nigeria.”

    He applauded PTL, Bajaj local partners, describing the company’s experience in brand management and customer service as unprecedented with full infrastructure facilities for distribution, sales and aftermarket services nationwide.

    “With the vast experience of our partners in Nigeria, we will continue to expand our network and introduce new and world-class products and inspire trust,” Patil said.

    Reassuring of the quality and reliability of Bajaj products, PTL’s Managing Director, Mr. Parimal Vipani at the success of Bajaj two-wheeler and tricycles commonly used for commercial transportation in Nigeria as evidence of Bajaj ingenuity, reaffirming the technological excellence of Bajaj in home appliances.

    “Bajaj products are strong and durable and I’m convinced it will be an added value to each and every household of Nigerian family,” Vipani assured.

    He continued: “PTL has demonstrated exceptional resilience in brand management with uninterrupted network of branches across the country’s six geo-political zones that would speed up the distribution of Bajaj products and services to customers regardless of their locations.

    “Within the group, we already have good infrastructure and network of branches across the country through which we shall be able to distribute Bajaj products and services to our customers.

    Earlier, the High Commissioner of India, Mr. A. R. Ghanashyam praised the initiative of the duo of Bajaj Electricals and Polaris Trade and Logistics for introducing Bajaj appliances to Nigeria.

  • ADVAN gets president

    •Okeme: ‘we’ll make Nigeria the centre of gravity in advertising

    The Brand Building Director, Unilever, David Okeme, has been elected president of Advertisers’ Association of Nigeria (ADVAN).

    He defeated the Executive Director (Commercial) of Promasidor Nigeria, Onyekachi Onubogu, with a slim margin.

    With the new election, a new set of executives has been elected to take over from the immediate past President, Kola Oyeyemi.

    Others, who also make up the new executive committee include Joan Ihekwaba, General Manager (GM) Marketing UACN Foods as first Vice President; Bimbo Alabi, Marketing Manager SoKlin as second Vice-President;  Bukunola Ogunnusi, PR & Advert Manager,  Toyota Nigeria as Treasurer; Samson Oloche, Marketing Manager (non-alcoholic drinks) NB Plc as Publicity Secretary, while the three Ex-offcios are Toruka Osandukwo Head, Communications UBA; Osamede Uwubamen, Head of Corporate and Investment,  Marketing and communication –Stanbic IBTC and Ibraheem Awelenje, Category Manager Breakfast Cereals and Ediri Ose-Ediale remains the GM/Executive Secretary of the association.

    Speaking with reporters after the yearly general meeting of the association, Okeme said his administration would focus on ensuring that the country becomes the centre of attraction as far as advertising is concerned.

    He said: “In terms of focus, I think the exco will shift the focus a bit and that shift will be moving from being a pressure group to an enabler of growth in the industry. There is a Nigeria market agenda that we have and we are going to leverage on it.”

    He said further: “Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa and when you talk about advertising platform, people tend to go south of the continent but this EXCO will work to make Nigeria the centre of gravity in advertising. These are real big ambitions and we will mobilise our partners to make this happen.”

    Okeme lamented that about $1 million is spent yearly on advertising, adding: “It is a very big investment but if you look at the kind of returns that we get, it shows that growth among our members is between zero and five per cent.’’

    According to him, with the high level of investment that goes into advertising, it was unfortunate that advertisers were not getting the desired returns promising that the association was ready to collaborate and deploy all that is necessary to ensure clients get the desired leverage.

    He said: “So, one of the things that ADVAN we look into is how to leverage on the industry such that we can build greater efficiency in terms of advertising returns,”

  • TBWA concept introduces Write Mothers

    TBWA concept introduces Write Mothers

    To give mothers the opportunity to express their creative spark, TBWA Concept, a creative advertising agency, has unveiled five creative mothers who emerged the overall best in what the agency described as a ‘disruptive’ initiative, Write Mothers.

    According to the agency, the women will be engaged to work for the TBWA from their homes or wherever.

    TBWA Managing Director Kelechi Nwosu said the advertising industry had always experienced a dearth of women.

    “The initiative was, therefore, an opportunity to motivate, stimulate and challenge our mothers who are outside of the industry but who, nonetheless, are specially talented to write for us from wherever they are. And, you all know we are looking for copywriters in the (advertising) industry,”Nwosu said.

    He said the initiative is flexible so that it draws from the multi-tasking capabilities and skills that women are known for and that his agency opted for mothers because “that itself, brings a particular perspective that is missing from the  experience of motherhood,” adding that the profiles of several mothers across our land reveal women who are well-educated, skilled and talented but who, perhaps, because of the challenges of society and motherhood, are not working.

    On the selection of the women, he explained that his agency placed an advert on some online platforms which requested mothers to simply “Tell us two interesting things about you” and that they (TBWA) opted for on-line platforms because they wanted women who are on-line savvy.

    Meanwhile, a Co-founding Partner of LTC/JWT advertising and first female president of the Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria (AAPN) now Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) Mrs. Bola Thomas urged the selected women to remain strong in the face of obvious challenges.

    He said the society tends to under-estimate women but women with great zeal will surely break the seal. She, however, urged women to trade cautiously while aspiring for greatness.

    Mrs Thomas urged them with the inspiring story of her successful  life, assuring them that in spite of the challenges, women can be the best in their career.

  • Winning consumers via EPL

    Winning consumers via EPL

    PZ is to take consumers to watch live matches in England, in partnership with Manchester City through a new promo, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

    As Nigerian football followers continue to show growing emotion for English Premiership League (EPL), more brands have continued to sort for partnership with EPL clubs to engage Nigerian consumers.
    Brands such as Heineken, Guinness, Chivita, among others have launched various promos and partnership with English premiership clubs with promises to take winners to England to watch lives matches.

    While growing fan base of EPL clubs in Nigeria has become a point of engagement with consumers, more brands now design various promos to tap into sales enhancing bond to grow market share and increase share of voice.
    Clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Barcelona have found one brand or the other in Nigeria signing a partnership deal with them to kick-start consumer promo. On the other hand, many consumers, who have won promo from such deals, have been given all expense paid trips to watch some of the live matches in Europe.
    In a latest effort, PZ Cussons has sealed a three-year partnership deal with Manchester City Football Club to kickstart a promo and as a result four journalists have won free ticket to watch live matches in London at the unveiling of the promo in Lagos last weekend.

    While the deal is beneficial to the club, the brand and consumers, PZ will drive the partnership deal through three of its leading brands – Premier, Olympic and Robb.
    As a result, PZ Cussons’ customers will by this partnership be given the opportunity to win a number of the exclusive VIP match day experiences at the Etihad Stadium and opportunities to meet the players and watch private training sessions.

    The Group Category & Brand Director, PZ Cussons Plc, Mr. Tim Perman noted that the company’s commitment to Africa goes beyond the provision of quality products, but also has a focus at bringing real consumer value through relevant content and services by igniting exceptional experiences to consumers.

    He noted: “As a critical part of this strategy, we are pleased to be working closely with Manchester City Football Club in Nigeria to deliver on our consumer promise. There is a great fit between our brands in terms of heritage, values and a desire to win. We look forward to delighting our consumers with unique experiences from brands that they trust and a sport that they love,”

    Perman also hinted that: “The region’s growing Manchester City football club’s fan base will be propositioned with a number of experiences and prizes to get them closer to the club. VIP tickets and meet-and-greets will be made available to competition entrants in the coming months.”

    The Commercial Director of Manchester City Football Marketing, Omar Berrada, who brokered Manchester City’s commercial partnerships, said Nigeria, and Africa more broadly, are extremely important markets where its fan base is continuing to grow. “We will continue to build a strong relationship with PZ Cussons and are looking forward to providing fantastic experiences for their customers and our fans.”

  • PR Council warns unregistered consultants

    The Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) has warned unregistered Public Relations Consultants, who have set up PR practice, to get ready to be named and shamed.

    Rising from an extraordinary General Meeting in Lagos to discuss the state of PR Practice in Nigeria, the professional body warned all unregistered consultants and clients doing businesses with them to get ready for a legal showdown.

    Following a motion moved by the Chief Executive Officer of CMC Connect Burson-Marsteller, Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, members unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the present leadership of PRCAN, while praising them for partnering with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to step up the fight to rid the industry of quacks and unregistered PR Consultants.

    According to him: “PR is a profession regulated by law just like medicine and accountancy. The law regulating PR practice in Nigeria  is an Act of the Parliament. You cannot just wake up one morning in South Africa and decide to float a PR agency. No, it is never done and this will not be allowed here in Nigeria. We must take the battle to the gates of these unregistered professionals just like our colleagues in advertising have done.”

    Responding, the PRCAN President, John Ehiguese, thanked members for their unalloyed support, saying the PRCAN leadership will continue to work with the NIPR to ensure that the crusade is pursued to its logical conclusion.

    He reiterated the resolve of the association to engage other corporate bodies and government establishments still patronising the services of unregistered PR Consultants, assuring those who are qualified to practise PR of the readiness of the professional body to welcome them to its fold.

    The PRCAN President further assured all private and public sector organisations in need of PRCAN consultancy services that the professional circle is the right direction to look.

    He said: “This is a win-win situation for us and for all private and public sector clients, who need the services of PR consultancies. If any of our members is not living up to the standards expected by the clients, such clients should know that they can make a formal report to PRCAN and we will ensure they get their money’s worth in terms of best-in-class professional PR services. But we can only hold our registered members accountable for standards and not the unregistered army currently parading themselves about as PR consultants in Nigeria.”

    PRCAN and the NIPR have challenged MTN Nigeria and Guinness Plc for appointing unregistered PR firms as Public Relations Consultants.

  • Breaking the Guinness World Book of Records

    Breaking the Guinness World Book of Records

    Nigerian Breweries and Guinness are, indisputably, rivals. With the recent unveiling of the world’s largest poster, Nigerian Breweries has tactically entered its rival’s book of world record, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

    The Nigerian Breweries (NB) has a way of upsetting its competitor, Guinness, which always wants to play by the rules when driving its marketing efforts for market share. Ruthless and offensive, the NB will not care when thinking of the ways to edge out competitors in order to have a good posting and make shareholders smile at the end of financial year.

    Last week, the brand handlers did the unthinkable. About 80 journalists were ferried to Enugu. They were oblivious of the purpose of the trip and tricks of the NB this time around. As the event kicked off last Monday, it dawned on them that they have been brought to participate in what appeared to come  for a game: Guilder Ultimate search, where the ultimate winner was expected to win an ultimate prize: a Hyundai car. The event was meant to kick off the National Consumer Promotion, with 123 journalists invited from all over Nigeria as participants.

    But more important to NB was not just having a winner to go back with the ultimate prize and consolation prizes, but the unveiling of the world largest advertisement poster measuring 5,367 square metres, which, perhaps, was meant to make a headline: NB Guilder’s world largest breaks Guinness Book of Records.

    Prior to the competition among journalists, Nigerian Breweries set the world record to unveil the world largest advertisement poster. The epoch-making poster measuring 5,367 square metres unveiled at the Michael Okpara Square in Enugu State broke the record for the largest poster measuring 4,793.65 square metres, which was displayed in India last June 27.

    The size of the poster was attested to by a chartered quantity surveyor, Mr. Nath Agu, while a lawyer, Mr  Onyekwuluje Ogochukwu, legally affirmed the measurement.

    The Gulder poster was to kick-start the 2015 edition of the Gulder National Consumer Promotion. The new poster is said to be another way to showcase the commitment of Nigerian Breweries to win with Nigerians and is said to be larger than the Baahubali poster, which is rated by the Guinness Book of record as the largest poster in world with a size of 4,793.65 meter square in India.

    In order to attract attention of a large number of people and quickly deliver the intended message, the poster was creatively and colourfully crafted with the Gulder drink.

    Speaking during the event  at Eagle Square, Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the governor,  represented by Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Sam Ogbu Nwododo, said the event was a remarkable investment in advertisement, adding that the Ministry in Enugu will continue to support business activities in the state.

    According to him, “Rockefeller Foundation added Enugu as one of the hundred most resilient cities in the world and the unveiling today adds to that as Enugu hosts the first largest advert poster in the world.”

    The Commissioner also explained that the award opened up the state and showcased what has been the fruit of long toil in the state, adding that current administration is working hard to ensure the state becomes the first destination for tourists and investors all over the world.

    The Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries, Nicholas Vervelde,  said the event came with a promotion where four million prizes would be won, adding that this is another way to showcase Nigerian Breweries’ commitment to winning with Nigeria through its brands, investment, footprints and social economic impact.

    Vervelde noted that Enugu being the choice of state for the launch was strategic as the foundation of the city has been laid by people, who used their strength and power to build the city and Gulder has these same characteristics.

  • 80% of ad executives battle digital challenges

    About 65 per cent of marketing and advertising job roles are expected to change in the next five years while approximately 80 per cent of advertising and media executives are struggling to reinvent themselves in the digital marketing space, said Street Toolz Digital Centre (SDC).

    To remain relevant in the competitive market, the centre urged brands and agencies to hire more digital talents to excel in today’s competitive digital-driven economy.

    To help agencies overcome some of the challenges of migrating to digital space, the agency said it is offering Free Digital Marketing Masterclass in partnership with Digital Marketing Institute (DMI), Ireland all over Nigeria to help marketing firms, advertising agencies and brands reinvent themselves in today’s fast driven digital marketing economy.

    The Centre’s Director of Training, Babajide Alaka, said the centre’s commitment to a digital Nigeria and contribution to the Integrated Marketing Communications industry, in partnership with the world‘s leading digital training organisation DMI will be offering free the tailored Digital Marketing Masterclass to PR, media, advertising and marketing executives to enhance their understanding of digital marketing landscape, digital PR, digital strategy, digital trends, search marketing, mobile marketing, social media marketing, digital budgeting, content marketing, agency de-liverables and brand expectation among others.

    Alaka disclosed that all participants would also have the opportunity to take a practical digital diagnostic test to benchmark their current skills with global industry standards and to determine their individual digital skills level. Thereafter, custom training solutions will be advised and recommended for the agency or individual.

    He  further explained that already, agencies and brands, such as Dana Airlines; KIA Motors; Golden Lite; Property Mart; Renault Motors; Fuel Communications; Verdant Zeal; Eslia Communications; TBWA; Creative Xone; Mediacraft Associates and Brand Journalist Association of Nigeria (BJAN) amongst others have all benefited from the Centre’s Digital Marketing Agency Masterclass.

    The Business Director of TBWA, Mr. Osibo Imhoitsike, praised the effort of the centre, adding that the training has shown him and his agency that there needed to be a digital revolution in their midst instead of a digital culling.

    The Chief Marketing Officer of Street Toolz, Jerry Oche, however, said the centre aims to reinvent marketers and change the phase of marketing/advertising in Nigeria with the considerable digital talents and strategic insights of Street Toolz and the global teaching modules standard of Digital Marketing Institute.

    The Founder/President of the DMI,   Ian Dodson, said: “Street Toolz, with its knowledge of the industry and the numerous subject matter experts was a prime candidate for Digital Marketing Institute’s partnership.”

  • 15 things you need to know about TSA

    I have been worried. No, it is not about the weather. It is not about the fortunes of my team, Arsenal. It is about TSA. It is about what this acronym portends to so many brands in the country. I do not care about the name your call your brand.

    The present dispensation will affect your brand for good or bad. Do you want to know why? If the economy melts, it melts everything that is dependent on it, particularly the manufacturing and service areas. However, I digress.

    Before now, we have been living on good luck. Everybody just got lucky. Tompolo got lucky at NIMASA. Diezani got lucky with petrol-dollar. Aunty Ngozi got lucky coordinating the economy. Well, not any more. The drumbeat has changed. My mother had warned me not to depend on good luck but to work hard and earn my “pay.”

    With the advent of PMB, the concept of good luck is dead. PMB has cleaned the slate. He came to the party not with champagne and caviar, but with carrot, stick and a short acronym, TSA. Suddenly, everybody is talking at once. Some brands have even sponsored researchers to unveil the concept of TSA.

     What is TSA? Why are the banks afraid of TSA? Who is pushing it? Is it Buhari-nomics? Unfortunately, you will not get answers to these questions here. What you will get are 15 things you need to know about the Treasury Single Account or TSA. If you are not satisfied, refer to the manufacturer.

     

    Here we go:

    • TSA will promote transparency and facilitate compliance with sections 80 and 162 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
    • With TSA, all receipts due to government or its agencies will be paid into TSA resident in Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
    • Since TSA is a unified structure of government bank accounts, it enables consolidation and optimal utilisation of government’s cash resources.
    • TSA provides a consolidated view of government’s cash position always.
    • The CBN, SEC, CAC and NPA, NCC as well as FAAN and NCAA, NIMASA, NDIC, NSC, NNPC, FIRS, NCS, MMSD, DPR and other government agencies will implement TSA.
    • When linked to TSA, the accounting system will be configured to allow the agencies access to funds based on their approved budgetary provisions.
    • The implementation of TSA brings transparency, efficiently and accountability.
    • TSA is part of the public financial management reforms under pillar three of the National Strategy for Public Service Reforms towards vision 20:2020.
    • TSA addresses impediments to effective and efficient cash management.
    • TSA ends problems of fragmented banking, which affected government’s ability to undertake efficient cash planning and management as required by the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
    • Wth TSA, government can track its expenditure in a timely manner.
    • TSA makes it possible for flexible operations, contrary to past regime where officers must get to their desks before effecting transactions.
    • SA enables online real time transactions, meaning payment can be made from any point in the world.
    • TSA instills fiscal discipline and prudence as over 1,000 dormant or idle accounts will remain shut.
    • With TSA, the average monthly overdrafts with the CBN fell from the overdrawn amount of N102 billion in December 2011 to N4.461 billion credit in September 2012 with 93 MDAs out of over 400.

  • ExxonMobil, NB, others beat The SERAs’entry deadline

    TruContact CSR Nigeria, organisers of the yearly Nigeria CSR awards otherwise known as The SERAs have announced receiving   47 entries from participating organisations for the 2015 Awards.

    Entries were received from ExxonMobil, Nigerian Breweries, Lafarge, Total, Cornerstone Insurance, Etisalat, BATN, Airtel, DHL, Nigerian Stock Exchange, FCMB, Promasidor, First Bank amongst others

    The award that is Nigeria’s top CSR and sustainability honour enters in ninth year. The awards process is designed to integrate principles and framework of the Global compact, global reporting Initiative and ISO 26000.

    The SERAs is reputed to be the major promoter and force behind galvanising businesses across various sectors and industries in Nigeria to imbibe the ethos of CSR and sustainability in Nigeria.

    The theme of the 2015 awards is – Building partnerships for a sustainable future; business leadership as a catalyst for development. This seeks to highlight the lessons learned from Nigeria’s inability to completely attain the millennium development goals targets and building on the lessons of the MDG’s to begin a move towards attaining the sustainability development goals (SDG’s), and also promoting the vital roles that cooperation and partnerships will play in efforts to achieve the SDG’s.

    All is set for the commencement of verification and facility visit to projects and locations entered by the organisations. The SERA involves the production of an annual Nigeria Social Enterprise Report that documents the CSR and sustainability interventions of corporate organisations countrywide.

    Meanwhile, the organisers have released a call for entry for the Tunmise Adekunle Awards for CSR reporting, a category introduced in 2009 to promote media excellence in reporting CSR and sustainability in Nigeria. Entries for this category close on September 21.

    The awards ceremony is billed to hold on November 14 at 6p.m. at Shell Hall, MUSON Centre.

  • Capri-Sonne unveils The Minions Promo

    Chi Limited, maker of Capri-Sonne natural fruit drink in Nigeria, has unveiled a promo to coincide with the global release of the movie The Minions.

    According to the brand handlers, with the promo, children across Nigeria are in for an exciting treat as they have an opportunity to win free gifts in every carton of their favourite Capri-Sonne.

    They are expected to win items, such as Beach Ball, magnet, goggle, magnetic frame, key chain, activity set among others.

    The promo is being amplified with an effective media campaign running on major regional and national television channels and radio stations.

    Simultaneously, campaign is being driven through advertisements on print, billboards and digital platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook where young fans can win loads of free gifts by participating in fun Minions games. Consumer engagement platforms such as trade activations in open markets and consumer activations like taste trials in schools and shopping malls has commenced in various cities to connect with the consumers.

    Managing Director, Chi Limited, Deepanjan Roy, said: “We are confident that the Capri-Sonne Minions Promo will resonate with children across Nigeria and increase product consumption and brand affinity. Minions are hugely popular amongst children the world over and we have no doubt that the Capri-Sonne Minions Promo will create excitement, buzz, adventure and fun which Capri-Sonne has been known for over the years.”

    The Minions is a 2015 3D computer-animated comedy film and a presequel/spin off to the Despicable Me franchise. Minions are small, yellow impulsive creatures with odd innocence that endears them to viewers and make them relatable. They have hundreds of thousands of fans around the world and have become a huge commercial success worldwide.