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Tag: winners

  • Etisalat names winners of Innovation 2015 competition

    Etisalat names winners of Innovation 2015 competition

    Etisalat has unveiled the winners of the 2015 Etisalat Prize for Innovation Competition in both the innovative product and Idea categories.

    The winners, Obi Brown and Chijioke Ezegbo, were unveiled last week in Lagos at an award ceremony during which they were presented with cheques of N5million and N2million for winning most innovative product/service category and the most innovative idea category.

    Its Chief Executive Officer , Matthew Willsher, said the Prize for Innovation is aimed at discovering and growing young Nigerians with innovative products, ideas and solutions using mobile broadband technology. He said it reflects the company’s commitment to nurturing talents and promoting creativity that will have invaluable impacts on individuals and organisations.

    “As a company, innovation is at the core of our business; it is the strength on which we thrive. The world is driven by innovation and Nigeria needs innovators whose ideas and products can drive development and help people live as they should. We at Etisalat are glad to provide a platform to mobilise the nation’s teeming crop of young and undiscovered innovators to impact all areas of the society,” he said.

    He urged people with innovative ideas to avail themselves of the opportunity offered by the initiative to contribute to the development of the society, adding “it is not about how many ideas you have, but how many you make happen that matters.”

    Winners of the most innovative product and ideas categories, Obi Brown and Chijioke Ezegbo in addition to their cash prizes were also rewarded with a publicity campaign, mentoring session at EDC Pan Atlantic University

    The winning product in the most innovative product category, Study Lab Math, is a repository of over 1300+ videos solving math problems in over 49 topics in the NERDC curriculum for senior secondary school Math. The videos are solved by a team of Math teachers led by WAEC Chief Examiner.

    Dedicated Traffic Mapping Device (DTMD) which emerged the winning idea in the most innovative idea category is a GPRS enabled traffic navigation device with voice over interface  which is affixed to a vehicle windshield to help users navigate their way through traffic by accessing real-time traffic data and suggesting shorter/alternate routes.

    Speaking shortly after receiving his prize, Chijioke  the DTMD was borne out of the need to help road users achieve more by managing traffic navigation through busy cities and other urban areas.

  • Fayrouz L’Original 2 winners storm LDFW 2015

    WINNERS of the second edition of Fayrouz L’Original competition, Team Meddlelane have joined top designers in the Nigerian Fashion industry to showcase their designs at the Lagos Design Fashion Week which kicked off on Wednesday.

    Making the announcement, Senior Brand Manager, Fayrouz, Nnenna Ifebigh-Hemeson said; “We are pleased to give Team Meddlelane this great opportunity to showcase their work alongside top designers in the Nigerian fashion scene. The team paid close attention to detail and suggestions from mentors Mai Atafo, Kelech Amadi-Obi & House of Tara during and after the competition, and their dedication and zeal is gradually paying off.

    “Fayrouz L’Original is focused on building young and creative individuals to become the best in the Fashion and Lifestyle industry and beyond. The winners of the first L’Original edition, Team Elan have since become major players in their fields especially the designer, Temitayo Nathan and Model, Toyin Oyeneye who have since featured on international platforms like the Lagos Fashion and Design Week, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week SA and the London Fashion Week. We cannot wait to see what Team Meddlelane has in store for the LFDW runway.”

    Team Meddlelane who emerged winners at the star-studded L’Original finale held July 25, going home with 4 million Naira alongside numerous fashion opportunities. The group is expected to display their work on the Lagos Fashion and Design Week runway alongside major designers like Mai Atafo, Kunbi Oyelese, Orange Culture, Jewel by Lisa, Kinabuti among others.

    The Lagos Fashion and Design Week is a fashion event that creates a platform for African designers to showcase their collections annually and seek out various opportunities as well as International buyers for designers in Nigeria and beyond. The 2015 edition of the LDFW ends today.

  • Foundation rewards essay winners

    Foundation rewards essay winners

    The Ibhawoh Foundation has announced the winners of its maiden essay competition titled: Strategies for addressing the challenges of funding higher education in Nigeria.

    Speaking at an event organised to unveil the winners, Gerald Ibhawoh, the founder, said the initiative was a way of giving back to the society.

    He said: “We all know the stress involved in passing through any higher institution in Nigeria. This is why the foundation has deemed it fit to encourage those who could differentiate themselves from the crowd.”

    The ceremony, held at Protea Hotel in Benin City, was attended by members of the judges’ panel, facilitators and high-profile guests.

    Joy Oboh, a 400-Level History and International Studies student, emerged winner of Ambrose Alli University (AAU) in Ekpoma category, while Ezekiel Efeobhokhan, a 500-Level Pharmacy student, won the University of Benin (UNIBEN) category.

    Joy described the feat as a landmark achievement to her, saying the award would encourage her to participate in other contest that would improve her skill in writing. She said: “I really appreciate this opportunity given to me by the foundation to broaden my horizon in writing and research. I extensively carried out research in the course of the competition and I encourage other students to fully participate in subsequent competitions.”

    While encouraging the winners to keep up the good work and face their studies, Ibhawoh said participating in academic contest was the best way students could sustain educational excellence.

    He congratulated the winners for being ambassadors of the foundation, while advising them to be of good conduct to portray the foundation in good light.

    “This competition is a yearly event and I encourage students to always participate in it to show their skills in writing and research. It took us rigorous process of scrutiny to select the two best articles among the brilliant works submitted,” he said.

  • Sprite to take dance winners to World Finals in Germany

    Winners of the Sprite-sponsored 2015 edition of the Battle of the Year (BOTY) dance contest, Space Unlimited, will be representing Nigeria at the International BOTY World Finals in Braunshwieg, Germany, later this year.

    The Lagos-based B-Boy Crew emerged winner last weekend during the contest which held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the University of Lagos Sports Center, ýAkoka, Lagos.

    The three-time winners who had consecutively won the 2011, 2012, and 2013 editions  defeated defending champions, 619 Crew in a keenly contested show of Break Dance skills and artistry to clinch the number one spot..

    Speaking at the event, Senior Brand Manager, Flavours, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Toyin Nnodi expressed delight at the number of highly talented youths who participated in this year’s contest, saying; “What we have seen at this year’s competition clearly attests to the fact that there are many youths in Nigeria with amazing talent. Sprite’s commitment is to be the spark that fuels the passions of Nigerian Youths, and we are happy to have brought this to life at this year’s edition of the BOTY event.”

    Of the 13 Crews who participated in this year’s edition of the contest, four crews made it to the semi-final round – 619, Floorworkz, Space Unlimited and Squad One. The keenly contested semi-finals saw Space Unlimited and 619 progress to the Finale where Space Unlimited emerged as the judges’ favourites for this year’s competition.

    Excited about their win and the upcoming trip to Germany, the members of Space Unlimited crew thanked Sprite and the organizers of the event, House of Royalty, for the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the international competition.

    Speaking on behalf of the crew, Vikbone said; “We are grateful for this amazing opportunity once more to represent Nigeria at the International BOTY World Finals in Germany. This time we promise to bring home the crown.”

    The competition which held between 22nd and 23rd of August kicked off with the individual competitions in the Locking, Popping, Krumping and B-boy one-on-one battle categories. 24-year old Michael Obi and Victor Amanjo emerged winners of the Locking and Popping categories respectively, while 16-year old Bolu Ewedemi and Adesanya Bolaji came tops in the Krumping and B-Boy One-on-One categories, respectively.

    The event also featured guest performances from budding talents, Mz Kiss, Zyno Spice, Hof and C-Boy who entertained the audience in between the dance competition rounds. Vector Tha Viper, star performance of the event got the audience on their feet, rocking and singing along to his well-known lyrics.

    The judges for the event were A-list dancers, B-Boy Red 1 of Pockemon Crew in France, B-Boy Poxy from Cameroon, B-Boy Boon from Texas, USA, Franc Okwara and B-Boy Maxbuck. DJ Mekzy and DJ OZ were on the wheels of steel to provide the beats for the event.

  • More winners emerge in FCMB millionaires’ promo

    Another set of 646 customers of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited won various cash and gifts prizes at the grand finale of the bank’s millionaire promo held in different states across the country. The promo has been extended till January next year.

    At the end of the electronic selection exercise, three lucky customers of the bank were each rewarded with the star prize of N5 million, while three others won N1 million each at the Regional draws held in Lagos, Uyo (Akwa Ibom state) and Abuja.

    A total of 640 other  account holders went home with LED televisions, generating sets, decoders, tablets, smart phones and other consolation prizes at the Zonal draws held in different parts of the country. The winners emerged at the electronic selection exercise which took place across the three Regions and 25 zones of the bank nationwide.

    At the Lagos/South-West Regional draw, Nkem Egwuonwu, won the star prize of N5 million, while Mrs. Philomena Ewohimen, was rewarded with the sum of N1million.

    At the Abuja/North draw,  Adamu Oseni received N5 million for emerging as the star prize winner, just as Dorcas Terfa received N1 million. The winner of N5 million at the South-East/South-South draw was Peters Emmanuel and Oke Owhubetine smiled home with N1 million. In all, a total of 1,932 winners emerged during the FCMB Millionaire Promo through the three draws conducted in April, June and the grand finale in August.

    Speaking during the ceremony in Lagos, the Divisional Police Officer of Ogudu, Mrs. Chioma Ajunw-Opara, praised the bank for introducing the promo. According to her, ‘’the FCMB Millionaire Promo is an opportunity deliberately created by the bank for poverty alleviation’’, adding that, ‘’FCMB has shown enormous magnanimity and goodwill as a financial institution with human feelings and care’’.

    FCMB’s Regional Director for Lagos, Mrs. Bukola Smith, said that with the grand finale of the draws held nationwide, the Bank has fulfilled the promise it made to customers to reward those who participated and qualified in the promo.

  • Winners emerge in Indomie Flash & Win promo

    The first set of winners in the ongoing Indomie Flash & Win National Consumer Promo has emerged.

    They comprise the N1 million winners and others who won N100, 000 each. They were presented  their cheques at a ceremony at the company’s head office in Surulere, Lagos.

    The event was attended by  journalists and relevant regulatory agencies.

    Brand Manager, Indomie, Mr. Amber Yadav, said Indomie believes in giving back to its numerous consumers. He said: “As a company, Indomie believes in giving back to the society.”

    He said the promo was aimed at  celebrating with consumers. “We want to give them a chance to win something substantial. It gives us joy to give back to our loyal consumers. So far, we’ve had over half a million participants. We have also given out airtime recharge to over 50, 000 consumers,” he said.

    On how to participate in the promo, Amber said consumers were required to buy Indomie 120g Super pack where a unique number could be found printed on the seasoning sachet inside the pack.

    Participants are required to flash the unique number after which their mobile phone number would be registered to take part in the daily and monthly raffle draws where they stand a chance to win N100, 000 and N1million.

    Also, the Manager Public Relations/Events Dufil Prima Foods, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju restated the company’s commitment to continue to reward and give back to its loyal consumers.

    The Senior Public Relations Officer, Consumer Protection Council, Lagos Office, Mr. Nicholas Utsalo, confirmed that Dufil Prima foods Plc, adhered  to its regulations.

  • Sterling rewards 40 winners

    Sterling Bank Plc has rewarded 40 customers in the New Sterling Plus Cash Reward Scheme. The customers were selected via an electronic raffle draw and winners emerged from various parts of the country. Sterling Plus is a new proposition for the retail segment of the market.

    The bank said it is in fulfillment of its promise to reward customer loyalty and encourage a savings culture among Nigerians.

    All customers with a minimum balance of N5, 000 automatically qualify for the draws with 1 ticket while subsequent multiples of N5,000 result in additional tickets. The next draw will come up this week at the Sterling Towers head office of the Bank in Lagos.

    The New Sterling Plus is a hybrid offering with the promise of many goodies and freebies such as free Lenovo smartphones pre-loaded with cool financial and entertainment applications among others for individual customers.

    The bank’s Executive Director, Finance & Strategy, Abubakar Suleiman explained that with some of the bank’s applications, customers are assured of having an exciting experience while fulfilling their banking, entertainment and financial literacy needs.

    He disclosed that the product which can be accessed at any Sterling Bank branch with a minimum balance of N5,000 was the perfect solution for individuals interested in enjoying the benefits of both current and savings account offerings, without the associated cost of running a current account.

    Suleiman stated that customers with the New Sterling Plus will be entitled to a free Lenovo mobile smart phone, free cheque books, free debit cards and free alerts (SMS and e-mails) on their transactions adding  that 20 people would win N50,000 each every week for a period of one year while10 people would win N100,000 monthly. According to him, “two people would win N500,000 quarterly and one lucky individual would win N1 million on special holidays  (as declared by the federal government)”.

    His words: “The product (New Sterling Plus) was developed after an extensive market research to address the need of our existing and potential customers. It is part of the bank’s contribution to boost and encourage savings in the country. The choice of gifts for customers, especially the free smartphones was in consideration of the increasing demand and use of mobile platforms in the Nigerian market”.

  • Stanbic IBTC rewards promo winners with cash prizes

    Stanbic IBTC rewards promo winners with cash prizes

    Stanbic IBTC Bank has given out a total sum of N4.22 million in prize money to 16 lucky winners of its Visa Gold Credit card promo titled Spend-and-Win.

    The promo, which was in conjunction with Visa, ran between May and June 2015. To ensure transparency, the draws were done electronically and in batches, with eight winners each picked for May and June.

    Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Obinnia Abajue, explained that the lender has high regards for its customers and is using the promo to appreciate their patronage and loyalty over time.

    “The Visa Gold Credit card promo is our way to say thank you to our faithful customers who continue to add to our bottom line through their patronage and loyalty. It is also part of the bank’s effort to encourage usage of cards as a preferred method of payment for goods and services,” Abajue said.

    Head, Cards, Stanbic IBTC, Ademola Adeniran, said only Stanbic IBTC Bank Visa Gold credit cardholders with credit limits of N750,000 and below are qualified to participate in the promo. “Participating cardholders must spend over 50 percent of their credit limit in the calendar month in Nigeria or abroad to stand a chance of winning back the entire spend,” Adeniran stated.

  • Marketing pitch: Controversy trails emergence of winners

    Marketing pitch: Controversy trails emergence of winners

    Winning a business pitch in the public relations, media and advertising industry is not always a game of luck. So many things go into getting a business aside being a leading agency. In the last few months, some agencies have lost business while some have added to their portfolio. Controversy has also trailed the emergence of one of the firms. In all, it is different strokes for different folks, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

    Getting an agency to manage public relations, advertising, media or experiential marketing account is not always an easy task for brand owners. This is because it is a process that is cumbersome for both clients and agencies especially when an incumbent who understands the brand suspects that another agency might be hired. The agency will do whatever it could to retain the account.

    Going out to the market place is full of several risks and costs are also involved as brand owners try to impress the prospective brand. At the end, when pitches are concluded and winners announced, losers go home disappointed considering the prospect of the account, investment in external costs such as consumer research, animatics (for creative agencies), external artwork and the likes put into presentations. In the Nigerian marketing communication system, every agency is afraid to tell the media that the clients refused to pay pitch fee for fear of being blacklisted.

    These, perhaps, are the cases of losers and gainers in recent pitches in the last few months where some PR and advertising agencies have won and lost businesses as the winners commence work for the second half of the year.

    For MTN accounts adjudged one of the most juicy accounts in the telecoms sector, sometimes in March decided to review its marketing communication businesses. The incumbent, MarketingMix Ideas Limited, had for 11 years managed the business, supporting the brand with various communication solutions against some of the telco’s PR challenges in the country. Propelled by the need to reconfigure its PR strategy, the telco called for pitch early in the year and appointed new agencies-Brooks & Blakes and DKK Associates.

    The two agencies emerged out of nine that presented their pitch for the account. The other agencies that competed for the account include JSP Communications, Mediacraft & Associates, Black House Media (BHM) and Lead Communications. Others are Soulcom Communications, a subsidiary of SO & U,  and the incumbents –Marketing Mix and XLR8.

    It was gathered that a week later, precisely on March 26 and 27, few hours before the presidential election, presentations were made by the various agencies. Participating agencies were told to expect result one month after in line with global practice.

    Eventually, Brooks & Blakes and DKK Associates emerged winner. The emergence of these firms is still being debated by leading PR practitioners.

    DKK is being queried for winning a PR business while it is not a registered PR agency. While the controversy over the agency’s locus standi to manage a PR business, the winners have commenced work.

    Meanwhile, after losing the juicy MTN PR business, XLR8 is not stranded.  The agency recently won Guinness Nigeria corporate brand account. Its emergence followed an extensive selection process that included an open pitch for credentials presentations followed by panel discussions. Taking over the account from The Quadrant Company (TQC), its Corporate Relations Director, Mr. Sesan Sobowale, said: “Throughout the selection process, we were impressed by XLR8’s industry and market knowledge and we feel confident that the organisation possesses the wherewithal to add value and provide support as we partner to achieve our business objectives.”

    The Chief Executive Officer of XLR8, Calixthus Okoruwa said: “Any organisation that has been able to build a brand and sustain its iconic status for more than 250 years deserves all the respect and adulation it gets.

    “We are indeed, humbled by this opportunity to be of service to this formidable organisation and will continue to seek to justify the confidence which it has reposed in XLR8.”

    The Guinness PR business is split into two-Corporate and Brands. While XLR8 manages the corporate Brooks & Blake will continue to handle the brands portfolio.

    Etisalat Nigeria PR pitch result is yet to be announced. About six agencies are currently on the hot seat waiting for Etisalat to decide. The agencies are The Quadrant Company, the incumbent agency on the account, Chain Reactions, Brooks and Blake, XLR8, MediaCraft and C&F Potter Novelli. C&F.

    C&F is the pioneer agency on the brand before the business moved to TQC three years ago.

    “The struggle for Etisalat’s PR account could be a straight fight between TQC and C & F. The two agencies parade robust profile and seem to understand the brand more than their counterparts,” one sector analyst said.

    However, having won the MTN PR business, Brooks & Blakes appear to be making tactical withdrawal from the race.

    Meanwhile, so much business has also moved in the advertising industry from one agency to the other. Releasing its pitch result recently, Airtel arrived at the agency of choice from a list of five agencies invited for the main pitch. After credential presentation, it was gathered that Insight Communications, Centrespread Advertising and Noah’s Ark Advertising were selected winners ahead of the pack of agencies that contested for the creative business. According to reports, the telco, however, arrived at the final two winners and would be custodians of the business, after the review entered into the financial stage. This warranted prospective handlers to submit and defend their financial requirements with a view to availing the client opportunity to align demands with its realistic budgets and financial projections. Airtel certified Centrespread and Noah’s Ark to manage the brand’s creative in Nigeria at least for the next two years.

    In the same way, Centrespread is expected to use the business to improve its rating and pedigree in the industry especially after a lull occasioned by the loss of some senior hands. It was gathered that the  agency has since commenced a reorganisation and repositioning  aimed at creating a youthful brand out of the over three decades old agency.

  • Winners emerge in ASUS ZenWatch design contest

    Taiwanese original equipment manufacturer, ASUS, has announced winners of its Face the Future, a design contest where participants created their own original watch faces for the ASUS ZenWatch. Five winners were chosen to have their designs made available as standard watch faces on ZenWatch. The winners also received a ZenWatch of their own as well as an award certificate recognizing their accomplishment.

    The tech firm said it received over 2,300 watch face design entries from participants around the world. ASUS Design Center – the multi-disciplinary and award-winning design team within ASUS – judged the contest and selected winning designs in the categories of Gold Medal, Best in Beauty, Best in Creativity, Best Practical Design, and Best Student Design Award. An additional Fan Favorite award was given for the watch face that received the highest number of votes from users on Facebook, and of those who voted, three were randomly selected to receive a ZenWatch.

    In addition to the contest winners, ASUS Design Center chose several other outstanding watch face designs as honorable mentions to be included as standard watch faces on ZenWatch. Five of the winning designs have been added together with the designers’ names to the ASUS ZenWatch Manager app, and are available for all ZenWatch wearers to download and use as their watch face

    It explained that its ZenWatch is the first ASUS wearable device powered by Android Wear and produced in partnership with Google. ZenWatch is an exquisitely crafted watch that pairs seamlessly with an Android™ 4.3+ smartphone to provide relevant and useful information when it is needed most, and serves as a personal wellness manager.

    “ZenWatch follows the tradition of fine watch craftsmanship with its stylish, detail-focused design and use of high quality materials. Its curved Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 display and case that follows the contour of the wrist, combined with a premium, stitched-leather strap with unique clasp, results in a design that is both comfortable and elegant. Complementing its physical design, ZenWatch comes with a selection of instantly-changeable watch faces to fit any style, mood, or occasion. Wearers can use ASUS ZenWatch Manager on their smartphone to pick a watch face and customize its color and the information it displays, and change the watch face directly from ZenWatch,” the firm explained in a statement.

    ASUS said as a smart companion for Android phones, ZenWatch provides timely information at a glance and lets wearers get things done with a simple touch or voice command. ZenWatch brings some of the great features of ASUS ZenUI to an Android wearable for the first time. Users of ASUS smartphones can enjoy seamless integration with ASUS ZenUI on their phones, and experience exclusive ASUS ZenUI apps like What’s Next and Do It Later in ways that are more convenient and powerful than ever. Other apps add additional functionality to ZenWatch, including Remote Camera, which displays the smartphone viewfinder on the watch, letting wearers easily take selfies and other creative photos.

    Combining sophisticated sensors with all-day comfort, ZenWatch is also a personal wellness manager that tracks a variety of wellness statistics, such as heart rate, step counts, and relaxation levels to help wearers keep their lives in balance and achieve personal fitness goals.