The Nation Newspaper

Category: Brand week

  • Black Iguana, Texas Margarita, comes to Nigeria

    Black Iguana, Texas Margarita, comes to Nigeria

    The Black Iguana, a special recipe for margarita started by two brothers back in America in 2009, has found its way into the Nigerian market after a series of successful market sampling and consumer tests.

    Speaking at a media presentation in Lagos, Mr. Earl Castor, President/Founder, DGI Beverages, USA, manufacturer of the Black Iguana brand, who founded the brand alongside his brother Paul, explained that the Lime variant made its debut in 2006 and after the successful launch and take off, the Strawberry flavour was added in 2008. The other two variants – Peach and Coconut Pina Colada, were added soon after.

    One of the differentiating factors, according the President/Founder is that Black Iguana is wine-based. “Our brand is unique because we decided to go down the wine-based lane. We created a wine-based margaritas instead of the usual hard liquor, making it more tolerable for consumption and acceptable by discerning health conscious consumers,” he said.

    Lending credence to its uniqueness, the company’s Director for African Regions, Mr. Lanre Okupe,  explained: “I am sure you’ve seen a lot of mixes most of which are hard liquor based, which raises a lot of health concerns in all parts of the world. Having a wine-based mix, in itself, is a unique selling proposition in the sense that from a health perspective, it’s not injurious. Wine has its health benefits. Its more tolerable for consumption,” he said.

    Packaged in a unique pouch, Black Iguna becomes the first adult drink in such innovative packages that lends the product to easy freezing, mobility, ease of access and usage by consumers.

    However, the design shows maturity with its major black background, which differentiates it from other packages, especially children drinks. According to the management, the black colour was adopted to make it appeal to its target audience rather than the children, who are attracted to bright colours.

    The brand, which originally started in Texas, has been on the upward swing in the popularity radar for over six years now. It enjoys huge patronage and market leadership in the Margarita segment of the ready to drink market.  “It has very good reception. The flavours, normally, we take a lot of time working on the quality of the product and this is where it is today with four successful variants,” said Director, Black Iguana, Dr. Solomon Olatoye.

    Before making its forage into Nigeria and Africa in general, the brand has expanded to a lot more states in the US. It is equally present in the United Kingdom (UK), South Korea, South America and South Africa, among others.

    It is an international brand that is recognised by Nigerians, who are known for their prowess at travelling. Such people, according to an official of Market Strat, the marketing consultants on the project, “recognised and showed their love and desire for the brand during the market and clubs’ activation exercises to introduce the brand”.

  • Consumer rights breaches worry stakeholders

    Consumer rights violations in public and private businesses are high. To address this, stakeholders have urged consumers to always demand for their rights, reports ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

    A crazy bill for unconsumed power supply, illegal deduction for unused phone calls, flight delays or flight rescheduling with no compensation, inexplicvable deduction by banks on deposits are some of the concerns raised on consumer right violation in Nigeria at the second Stakeholders’ Conference organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Lagos Chapter.

    Held in collaboration with the  Mass Communication Department of the University of Lagos, stakeholders are bothered by the rate at which no one seems to care about injuries suffered by consumers due to lack of response by regulatory agencies to some of their complaints against unscrupulous business concerns in the public and private sectors.

    A professor of Mass Communication, University of Lagos Mass Communication Department, Prof Ralph Akinfeleye, decried the gross violation of consumer right at both public and private sectors. He described the experience of Nigerian aviation consumers as sordid with no reprieve in sight to save millions of airline passengers from the whims and caprices of operators. He said while passengers book for flight to meet certain business, family and other engagement, airline operators could terminate or reschedule flights without resort to compensate the affected passengers.

    He also cited the plights of millions of energy consumers in the country who pay for power not supplied, and, in most cases, they are billed higher than the normal tariff for power not supplied.

    Akinfeleye believes public relations experts could use their forte  to help consumers get reprieve. He also noted that the telecommunication service providers and the banks, among others, are top on the list of organisations that violate consumer rights in Nigeria.

    Defending the power sector, the Chairman/CEO, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, highlighted key issues impeding the Power Sector Reform from enhancing consumer protection in the sector.

    He said gas supply shortages, fragile electricity transmission system, cost reflective tariffs, electricity market revenue shortfall, metering in the Nigeria’s Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and threats to effective regulation are some of the challenges that undermine consumer satisfaction in the sector. These he said , have resulted to customers’ dissatisfaction and apathy. He said the result of poor supply and outrageous billing are some of the issues that the industry is facing in the consumer market.

    Amadi who was represented at the conference by Dr Uche Okoro said while metering is another big challenge, the commission has adopted a two pronged approach to addressing the metering challenge. He said one of the approaches which is metering intervention has been established with the aim of facilitating and supporting the operators on one hand and protecting the consumer on the other.

    “The Commission introduced a ‘Voluntary Scheme’ known as Credited Advance Programme for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) to assist in dealing with the metering gap. Strong enforcement of the commitment made by the Discos on closing the metering gap as contained in their business plans during the privatisation of the entities will be pusued. Appropriate financial penalties will be imposed on the Discos once the AT&C losses are adjusted and cost- reflective tariff released,” he said.

    The Head of Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Lagos Office, Mr. Tam Tamunokonbia said though the rate of consumer rights violation is high, the commission understands how Nigerian consumer feels when their rights are not addressed. He noted that the commission has invested efforts into protecting the rights of consumers in the country. He, however, said consumers often shy away from reporting or complaining rights violation by business concerns.

    Tamunokonbia affirmed that CPC can only act on reported cases as most consumers bury the injury in their hearts rather than seek for appropriate channel to get justice. He urged consumers to always demand for their rights by bringing complaints to the notice of the Commission.

    The Executive Vice Chairman, National Communication Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah, who was represented by the Director Public Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo,  insisted that the quality of telecoms service in Nigeria is not falling in any way that undermines consumer right and satisfaction compared to the days of analogue when Nigerian Telecommunication (NITEL) held sway.   “Even if we wish to compare service quality with the situation in the 1970s to 1990s, up to 2000, or at the inception and during the telecom revolution years which began in 2001, or just the status in three to five years ago, we are uncomfortable to admit that the quality or standard of services is falling. But we may argue that the challenges to quality of service are increasing at the same pace at which services are expanding to all the nooks and crannies of the country,” he said.

    He noted that part of the industry constraints that affects consumers satisfaction includes poor power supply, multiple regulation and taxation, right of way issues, vandalisation of telecoms infrastructures and infrastructure deficit. He, however, affirmed the commission’s commitment to ensuring that operators deliver on their promises.

    The Chairman, NIPR Lagos Chapter, Joseph Okonmah, explained that the conference was designed for regulatory authorities and corporate organisations to deliberate on issues affecting consumers in the country.

    Also, the President/Chairman Governing Council, NIPR, Dr. Rotimi Oladele, urged all stakeholders to use PR platform to advocate for the involvement of all stakeholders in ensuring that the essence of the conference is not defeated.

    “Protecting the rights of the Nigerian consumer is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders,” he said.

  • Noah’s Ark among world leading agencies

    Noah’s Ark has been listed among the top 16 world’s leading independent agencies for the year.

    The world’s leading independent agencies is published yearly on a non-profit basis by thenetworkone, the leading independent agencies organisation, in association with Campaign magazine, London.

    The publication is not a ranking by size, or success in awards festivals; but rather, a series of inspirational articles written by 16 agencies, from around the world, judged by this editorial board to be creative and thought leaders in the marketing communications industry.

    According to the organisers, inclusion in the global ranking is by invitation, decided by a joint editorial board of thenetworkone and Campaign Magazine based on the assessment of the dexterity of the creativity of the agencies from different countries across the globe.

    The agencies featured in the year are; Baldwin & – United States, BSUR– The Netherlands , Creature of London – UK, Goodstein – China, Gravity Road – United Kingdom, Hasan & Partners Group – Finland, Noah’s Ark – Nigeria, Repense – Brazil, Scarecrow – India, Serviceplan Group – Germany, Thinkhouse – Ireland, Thjnk – Germany, The Jupiter Drawing Room – South Africa, The Monkeys – Australia, The Newtons Laboratory – Greece and The Secret Little Agency – Singapore.

    Speaking on the development, the Managing Director, Noah’s Ark Communication Limited, Mr. Lanre Adisa noted that the inclusion of the Agency in the list of 2015 World’s Leading Independent Agencies marks another significant milestone in the annals of the Agency.

    Adisa noted that the achievement signifies another bold step in pursuant of the vision of the Agency to be in the league of the most successful brand builders out of Africa with a mission to continue to be an invaluable extension of our Clients’ marketing department.

    “We are very proud as agency to have make the list of the top 16 world’s leading independent agencies for 2015 not only because we are the only Agency from Nigeria but also that we are one of the two agencies that made the list out of Africa,’’ he said.

    He stressed further that Noah’s Ark is evolving as a new group of full service integrated marketing communication with two new businesses under the group – Integrated Indigo Limited (a Public Relations, Events & Experiential Marketing firm) and Underdog (a Radio/TV and Content development firm).

     

  • CHI Happy Hour targets social media fans in talent contest

    To harness the power of social media to build brand loyalty, Chi Happy Hour, a drink from the stable of CHI Limited, has launched the ‘Burst of Refreshment Talent Showcase’ contest.

    Fans of the Chi Happy Hour are expected to participate in the contest by uploading their videos where they are singing and drinking CHI Happy Hour with family members, friends and colleagues and win amazing prizes.

    The campaign, which is aimed at boosting the brand’s growing popularity among followers on social media platforms, was unveiled this month. The Burst of Refreshment Talent Showcase contest will see winners going home with fantastic prizes, such as Samsung Galaxy S5, digital cameras and cartons of Chi Happy Hour.

    To participate in the contest, a consumer is expected to record a 30 – 60 seconds video of him or herself singing about Chi Happy Hour to the tune of any song of choice. The song, however, must be refreshing.

    “In the chorus, the phrases ‘Chi Happy Hour’ and ‘Burst of Refreshment’ must be mentioned. The participant must also be seen drinking Chi Happy Hour in the video while taking an action that signifies how refreshed the participant is. The participant must then visit Chi Happy Hour’s page on Facebook, ‘Like’ the page and upload the Mp4 file video file as a private message. Shortlisted videos will then be posted on the Chi Happy Hour timeline. Shortlisted participants are encouraged to get all their Facebook friends to ‘Like’ their videos as the videos with the highest numbers of likes will emerge as winners of the competition,” the firm said in a statement.

    Since the commencement of the contest on Facebook this month, the promotion has recorded hundreds of entries and comments but only shortlisted entries can be seen on the timeline.

    With over 64,000 likes on Facebook, the Burst of Refreshment Talent Showcase is a great way to build awareness about the Chi Happy Hour page and by the time the competition is over, the number is expected to have crossed 100,000.

    According to Chi Limited’s Managing Director, Mr. Deepanjan Roy, “The Chi Happy Hour Social media engagement is a unique way of connecting with our consumers. For us at Chi Limited, we place premium on our products and consumers and the Chi Happy Hour Burst of Refreshment campaign offers an opportunity for both consumer engagement and brand affinity”.

    Chi Happy Hour fruit drinks, which comes in 1Ltr, 500ml and 250ml packs, are the fastest growing brand in the fruit juice and nectar category. The fruit drink is ideal for parties and other social gatherings. It is available in the market in variants of Peach and Tropicana, as well as Apple Peach Pear, Guava and Kiwi Mint Lime.

  • ICCO admits PRCAN as member

    The Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCAN), the umbrella body of PR consultancy firms operating in Nigeria, has been admitted into membership of the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO).

    PRCAN’s admission was announced by the ICCO Chief Executive, Francis Ingham, at the organization’s bi-annual Board of Management meeting which held in Vienna, Austria, on April 16-17, 2015.

    Following PRCAN’s inclusion, its President, Mr. John Ehiguese, has also been appointed to the Board of Management of the Organisation, for a maximum tenure of four years. By this appointment, he joins 30 other members in ICCO’s highest decision-making authority.

    Ehiguese said: “I am very excited at this development, because it means that Nigerian PR has finally joined the global mainstream. ICCO is the largest global PR body, representing over 2,000 consultancy firms from 31 countries. It is heavily involved in training, events, industry updates, CMS and Global reports, areas in which I believe PRCAN members will benefit tremendously.

    “With my admission to the Board of ICCO we also now have a voice on the world stage. I intend, not only to be a worthy ambassador of Nigerian PR practice, but to also encourage our members to participate fully in the activities of ICCO so that we can bring ourselves up to speed with current global best practice, enabling us to attain higher professional standards and deliver more value to the clients we work for.”

    ICCO is the voice of PR consultancies around the world. Its membership comprises national trade associations in 31 countries across the globe: from Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australasia. Collectively, these associations represent over 2,000 firms.

    It provides a forum for senior management of the world’s best PR consultancies to meet and address issues of mutual interest and concern. Members work together to raise standards of quality, address ethical issues, harmonise professional consultancy practice and share knowledge.

  • Nigeria’s advert industry lacks global competitiveness

    Nigeria’s advert industry lacks global competitiveness

    With the lack of global recognisition for Nigerian advertising industry, experts are worried that some of the challenges hindering the rise of the industry to global status are yet to be addressed and tasked stakeholders to borrow a leaf from India and Brazil, whose industries are as old as Nigeria’s, reports ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

    The gathering brought back the memory of the past when Lintas Advertising, Ogilvy Benson and & Mather (OBM), Grant Advertising with foreign affiliations, bestrode the industry like a colossus.

    With the great stride recorded then, it was thought that by this millennium, the advertising industry in Nigeria, wh ich prospect was further enhanced by the second generation agencies, will be on the world reckoning, but the position of the industry in global competitiveness today is giving industry stakeholders a serious concern.

    During a marketing summit organised by MarketingEdge, a marketing publication, the Lead Speaker, Mr. Lanre Adisa,  lamented that despite the efforts of second generation ad agencies that made the biggest impact on the industry by transforming it into a multibillion naira industry, it cannot compete effectively at the international advertising market space.

    He said India and Brazil whose advertising industry started the same year with Nigeria’s, are top global advertising brand name.

    Adisa who is the Managing Director of Noah’s Ark, said the  industry needs a shift from its present comfort zone.

    “We need to plant our feet on the globe in a manner that celebrates the Naija spirit that drives our everyday life,” he said, adding that the spirit has found its voice in music, filmmaking, writing and comedy.

    Sadly, he lamented that the world “is yet to feel us the way it has come to feel and appreciate Brazilian and Indian advertising. It may interest you to know, he pointed out, that advertising started in Nigeria and India in 1928 and later in 1929 in Brazil. Today, we cannot stand up to both of these countries as far as international reputation goes.”

    Comparing these countries with Nigeria, he said both Brazil and India were able to set their agenda for competing with the world. “We are quick to talk about adopting the Brazilian model in our reform, but we fail to realise that Brazil was in a better position talent-wise at the time of embarking on its reforms. Let us face the reality; we have a big talent problem in this industry. We cannot hope that the next generation will make a shift if we don’t create the environment that allows them to grow and compete,” he said.

    Adisa noted that while it is easy to see the immediate gains of the Indigenisation Decree of the 70’s, which brought the likes of Biodun Sobanjo’s Insight Communication; Akin Odunsi, Tunde Adelaja and Steve Omojafor’s Rosabel Advertising Limited, to the era of international affiliations, the essence of new reform in the industry has not been felt. It has not been seen as driver for the industry incursion into global advertising phenomenon either.

    “While it is easy to see the immediate gains of the Indigenisation Decree of the 70’s, one finds it difficult to see the immediate benefits of our new APCON Reforms. The reforms are meant to be sacrosanct. “With regard to how it sanitises the industry to enable agencies become more resourceful to plan for the future, there’s little or nothing to show. On the other hand, it has created an isolationist industry that keeps international players at bay,” he said.

    In a globalised economy, where Nigeria is supposed to be playing a leading role economically in Africa, he said the advertising industry cannot afford to isolate itself. “What we risk is an environment devoid of serious competition. The present conditions for foreign participation in our industry cannot take us anywhere. Like Brazil and India, we need to engage the world on our own terms. However, those terms must be a win-win for local and foreign players. There’s an urgent need to review the APCON Reforms to enable a more competitive environment in a manner that protects the interest of Nigerians while encouraging the foreign partners to invest more in our people and our industry. We have seen this in other sectors of our economy, where Nigerian interests are protected while encouraging the foreign partners to take the game more serious,” said Adisa.

    He suggested that advertising business concerns should look beyond being a local champion and go global to be champion. He said this is the only way to become an industry that has a global feel in terms of creative spark, investment and recognition.

    “Why should this be of importance to us? You cannot claim to be in the business of advertising if you choose to stay a local champion all your life. I have been at advertising forums where countries are celebrated not for their geographical sizes but for the size of their ideas. When Ecuador won its first Cannes Lion, the statuette was donated to the National Museum. It was a big national affair; a thing of pride. Ask George Weah what it feels like to be celebrated as a talented footballer without competing at the World Cup.

    “Let me share with you the story of a Nigerian agency. I was told that when it won its first international award, it went to its regional office in Paris. The head of the sub-region congratulated its Nigerian affiliate and entered their name into a register with a particular number of points attached to it. After so many years of being with the network as an affiliate, that was the first time that network would accord it the respect other agencies who have been winning laurels for the network were receiving.

    “The moral of the story? Our business is about reputation and the currency and consistency of our reputation matter a great deal. When Noah’s Ark was recently listed among the 16 leading independent agencies in the world, not only did we get a lot of commendations from our peers and clients, we equally attracted positive business enquiries from offshore,” he said.

    In addition, he advised stakeholders not to worry about a generation taking over from another but to should build an industry where ideas competes for the attention of clients.

    He said: “the path to that future is talent development and a more open attitude to business that embraces the world on our own terms. It’s only then that we can be sure of effecting the much shift our industry urgently needs.”

  • Airtel narrows media business search to top agencies

    The multi-million naira Airtel Nigeria creative and media accounts pitch has been narrowed down to top agencies.

    In a report by marketingedge.com.ng, it was gathered that Media specialists’ Starcom Media, MediaReach, Universal McCan, BrandEye Media and incumbents on the account, STB McCan and Centrespread are still in the race to retain the deep pocket  brand.

    Although, the Airtel advertising account experienced hiccups in transmission at its stop-over in Prima Garnet, the Ogilvy/Scanad break needed the hallowed chambers of the court of law and APCON to resolve the matter. Since then, every party has since moved on and the ‘reds’ are growing qualitatively and quantitatively.

    The telco has transformed from Celtel to Zain and now Airtel Nigeria. Through dogged repositioning and huge investment in building the brand, it has now become the envy of its peers with over 40 million subscribers and holds approximately 25 per cent of the mobile market share as at last year. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Indian telecom operator group, Bharti Airtel.

    Bharti Airtel Limited has operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa. With headquarters in New Delhi, India, the company ranks amongst the top five mobile service providers globally in terms of subscribers.

    In India, the company’s product offerings include 2G, 3G and 4G services, fixed line, high speed broadband through DSL, IPTV, DTH, enterprise services including national and international long distance services to carriers. In the rest of the geographies, it offers 2G, 3G mobile services. Bharti Airtel had over 264 million customers across its operations at the end of July 2012.

  • Where is Dabur?

    Where is Dabur?

    Dabur Toothpaste stormed the oral care market over a decade ago, stamping its feet in herbal oral care offering. It, however, disappeared, following the entry of other brands, igniting questions about the whereabouts of the herbal toothpaste, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

    The last time it appeared in the news was October 19, 2011 on Nairaland Forum, and in the September 7, 2012 edition of a national newspaper.

    While the discussion of the brand on Nairaland is uncomplimentary- Darbur herbal Toothpaste’s Dengerous Side Effect, the other report was the advocacy drive of the toothpaste- Dabur embarks on free oral health care project, to commemorate the World Oral Health Day.

    However, what appeared to be the brand’s appearance on social media when it displayed Dabur Herbal Toothpaste with Basil (175g) on mobofree.com, could not be attributed to any major newspaper, hence  far from the brand’s former position in the media.

    Besides, the brand once posted a 10-second ad on Youtube in 2009,  announcing a new pack. But experts  could not recall the brand that brought other leading toothpastes to the herbal oral care market.

    Remembering one of the brand’s old advert, an analyst with an online platform, 360nobs, could recall a Dabur ad on NTA Network sometimes ago and quried its creative copy-cat: “Dabur Herbal Toothpaste’ advert that aired similar to the Harpic cleaning solution advert where some of our favourite Nollywood celebrities went from door to door with a camera crew asking household related questions, Dabur Toothpaste ad features Muna Abii former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria turned acclaimed hip hop rapper, mechanically marching into a restaurant and accosting a customer if they had bad breathe.

    While the latter had a better approach to home owners, as stated earlier, Muna had a mechanical style, and if she was meant to be a superhero or the solution provider to all bad breath issues (this is because of the wind that seemed to be blowing at her hair)her role was truly icy coupled with her pair of contacts, which was really troubling and definitely scared the crap out of the customers approached.

    Well, maybe this was the strategy for Dabur, ‘Icy queen/solution provider to bad breath issues’, but that lines were not even in sync with the movement of her lips on NTA – not sure of other stations – also made viewing the advert terrible. To share my excruciating pain with you guys, I searched YouTube, Facebook and even IrokoTV for the advert to upload for your viewing pleasure or displeasure, but I guess non-availability of the advert is also a strategy.

    So, at this junction, I would like to say to agencies and advertisers, the use of social media tools like Facebook and YouTube is a good avenue for you to measure what people think about your adverts before deploying to electronic mediums like television or radio. Through this method, you actively engage customers and get their view and eventually, become a brand that cares about what your customers or potential customers think of you.”

    However, with the brands fast dimming visibility on retail shelves despite its efficacy in enhancing oral care, the brand appears to have surrendered its unique selling point to the big marketing budget brands such as Close Up and McClean who are now doing well in herbal oral care offerings.

    Rated behind Close Up and McClean by Bestnaija toothpaste brand rating in Nigeria, Dabur used to enjoy great patronage when it was introduced into the Nigerian market by Dabur International Limited, trading in Nigeria as African Consumer Care Limited (AFCC). With the inability of the leaders of the pack to enhance effective oral care, the USP of Dabur which used herbal extracts from India to offer solutions to oral issues became an instant success.

    Realising its success as an imported brand after its launch of the oral care brand Dabur Herbal Toothpaste in December 2004, it was followed by that of Dabur Herbal Gel in April 2007. The maker of the brand moved their plants to Nigeria, promising to spend about 15 per cent on its earnings on campaigns. “Nigeria is one of the fastest growing overseas markets for Dabur. We have already seen our business in Nigeria triple during the July-September quarter of 2007, and with this new facility in place, African Consumer Care Ltd (AFCC) is confident of further boosting its presence in the Nigeria and neighbouring markets,” Dabur India Chief Executive Officer,  Sunil Duggal, said in a statement.

    The inability of the brand to sustain its innovative product has enabled other big players to have a field day in the market. For instance, Unilever has expanded its share in the oral care market and give consumers more options.

    The global brand offers herbal variant, such as Close Up Complete 8, Close Up Complete 8 White and Close Up White Now toothpastes. Also, Colgate has four variants one of which is herbal.

    In addition, “CloseUp Naija Herbal is joining a long list of CloseUp variants in the market. As at last count, there are more than seven of these variants. These include Red Hot, Menthol Chill and the Herbal variants. Others are the CloseUp Complete 8, CloseUp Complete 8 White and CloseUp White Now toothpastes. This did not include the CloseUp FireFreeze launched about a year ago,” said Analyst-in-Chief at Brandish.com, Mr. Ikem Okuhu .

    Meanwhile, when The Nation called Dabur office in Nigeria to enquire about the brand seeming silence in the marketing communication landscape and the competitive oral care market where the likes of Close-Up, Oral B, Pepsodent, Sensodyne, McClean, MyMy, Colgate now bestride like colossus, the non-ringing tones from the telephone raises concern if the brand has stopped producing in Nigeria; it perhaps, may have opted for importation.

    Whichever the case, experts advised that Dabur should return to re-ignite its brand irrespective of what might have informed the brand’s silence.

  • LASAA compensates brands for outdoor ads’ disruption

    TO compensate some brands, whose outdoor ads were disrupted by political advertising campaigns, the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) has extended by three months.

    LAASA noted that the move was borne out of the agency’s understanding of the advertisers loss of share of exposure, hence, decided to make up for losses and inconveniences some of the brands and outdoor advertising practitioners  must have suffered as a result of the disruptions.

    LASAA’s Managing Director Mr. George Noah, explained that while the agency is committed to the growth of the industry, it also feels the pain and bore the brunt of excesses displayed by political agents against regulatory framework for outdoor advertising in Lagos State during the elections.

    “As an agency deeply committed to the growth of the outdoor advertising industry and well-being of our stakeholders, we also feel the pain and  bear the brunt of  excesses perpetrated on the outdoor advertising industry, by political agents who showed a blatant disregard for existing outdoor advertising contractual agreements and   guidelines we issued to  regulate the use of outdoor political campaign materials.”

    He said the acts made the clients and outdoor practitioners loose more money, hence, the need to pay the stakeholders some incentives to cushion the effect.

    “These brazen acts cost us and our esteemed stakeholders’severe losses.Consequently, we are obliged to come up with incentives that could cushion the impact and help restore confidence and jump-start investments in the sector, following the lull recorded in the build up to the general elections,” he said.

    Some outdoor ad practitioners in Lagos, especially those with Streetlamp poles contracts,   it will be recalled, suffered huge losses,  when the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), a support group for the re-election of Nigeria’s outgoing President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, deployed campaign materials in streetlamp poles already paid for by some practitioners.

    This resulted in losses worth millions of naira and the termination of contracts by some leading telecom firms, such as Globacom and Huawei.

  • Firm joins online marketing

    A FIRM, Riela Direct, has joined the online marketing delivery service in Nigeria.

    It focuses on food, clothing, electronics, gifts, parcel shopping as well as home delivery.

    Riella Direct addresses and establishes a new culture in online shopping and delivery which will have a strong impact on customer attraction and retention, its founder/Managing Director Gabriella Azonabor said.

    He said it’s unique selling proposition is to focus on customer lifestyle.

    Established this year, Azonabor said the site has dual responsibilities – to provide a shopping experience for those who can’t get out’, as well providing a shopping experience for those who don’t have time.

    He added: “We believe a lot of people are busy and therefore seeking modern solutions that save them time.Riella Direct was founded to redefine the shopping experience with an innovative alternative; so our customers can get what they need from their favourite stores, when they need it without having to go through the hassle of google.”

    Also, Azonabor said Reila Direct allows clients to select and pay for items online or on delivery, then either picks same up at the store or have it delivered to their doorsteps.

    Services offered are housed in mini-sites with catchy names, which includes food court, gift lounge, Riellaonline (shopping mall), wedding registry,  speedy movers’ and errand express’, Azonabor added: “The objective is that by having personal shoppers select items based on your preferences create that human link which makes the internet more personal.”