Lagos hosts workshop on Out-of-Home business

30/05/11

All is now set for a two–day intensive and interactive workshop on modern strategies for Effective Marketing and Selling the Out – of – Home Media for senior management team. The workshop is scheduled for June 2 and 3 at the Whispering Palms Beach, Badagry, Lagos State.

According to the organisers, Daniels Phritnol Nigeria Limited, the workshop aims at exposing participants to relevant strategies that will ultimately help to significantly improve the marketing/selling approaches of Out-of-Home media firms; expose participants to the major barriers that hinder effective marketing / selling of Out – of - Home media, and to guide them to discover how to overcome such barriers as well as help participants discover the basic principles that will always serve as useful guide in driving the strategic marketing focus of their firms.

The workshop will be facilitated by seasoned marketing experts such as Chris Doghudje, Chief Executive, Zus Bureau and immediate past Chairman of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) and Dr. Josef Bel – Molokwu, Former Registrar/Chief Executive, APCON and member of Faculty, Lagos Business School, Pan-African University and ESUT Business School; Chris Ogbechie, member of Faculty, Lagos Business School and Chido Nwakanma, CEO Blueflower Limited/Vice-President, Public Relations Consultancy Association of Nigeria (PRCAN).

Chijide leads OAAN delegates to global outdoor forum

The newly elected president of Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), Charles Chijide, will lead members of the association on a one week trip to Madrid, Spain for, the world congress of outdoor practitioners.

With the theme, Tomorrow – the future of out-of-home (OOH), the 52^nd FEPE International Congress according to Chijide, offers Nigerian practitioners opportunity to explore global best practices innovations and technology, with attention focused on the future of the medium.

“We are going to FEPE for global exposure as part of our plans to move outdoor advertising to the next level in Nigeria,” Chijide said.

Besides, he said delegates at the congress would have opportunity of interacting and networking with top industry practitioners from different parts of the world as well as acquire new knowledge and skills from the galaxy of guest speakers who would make presentations at the event.

FEPE International came to existence following provision of Act 60-70 of the Swiss Code of Civil Law. Membership is open to all persons, legal entities, companies and federations, which are active in any way in the field of outdoor advertising.

OAAN became a member of the world outdoor body last year under the leadership of former president, Mr. Kole Ademulegan.

All members of FEPE International have access to the protected information on the FEPE website. A statement on the website of FEPE by the planning committee said there would be a larger exhibition area than last year.

“The programme is coming together. We are very fortunate to have Geral Leohard as a keynoter. He is a media futurist from Switzerland. Steffan Postaer will be providing a creative keynote. He was until recently, Chairman and Head of Creative at Euro RSCG in Chicago.”

Also expected at the forum is Hamish Pringle, Director General of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising; who is representing advertising agencies in the U.K. He will address the gathering alongside Oliver Gray, Director General of the European Advertising Standards Alliance from Brussels.

Other speakers expected are Rob Atkinson, Clear Channel, Anna Reeves, CBS; Nigel Clarkson- Primesight from the UK and others.

The forum will also concentrate on the future of opportunities, green issues, legislations regulations – the environment in the cities tomorrow – innovations, digital as well as lurking dangers in the industry.

African arts and crafts shine as AFAC 2011 opens in Abuja

There is no doubt that the Nigerian arts and crafts industry is beset with a lot of challenges arising from poor marketing strategies and low patronage.

While some blame the situation on general preference for imported goods over locally produced ones, others are of the opinion that artisans lack modern technological know-how to upgrade their products to meet internationally acceptable standard.

Ironically, these indigenous crafts have continued to improve by the day without proportionate attention and acceptance from both local and international audience. It is as a result of the need to lift indigenous Arts and Culture (NCAC), four years ago, mooted the idea of a two-week regional crafts market that would serve as platform to showcase indigenous arts and crafts.

At the opening of the 4^th African Arts and Crafts Expo (AFAC 2011) last week in Abuja, President Goodluck Jonathan, noted that in addition to mitigating the challenges of unemployment and wealth creation, the yearly regional market could also promote socio-economic integration of African nations.

Represented by the Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Retired Navy Captain Kaleb O. Olubolade, the President said the art and craft industry represented a veritable promising investment opportunity, which is yet to be exploited.

He was optimistic that the expo would provide the much needed consciousness and attention for the industry.

"I am therefore glad that the African Arts and Craft Expo been initiated as an effective platform that would create the much required consciousness to enable us take a structured look at this vibrant sector."

Adding that the Expo would re-awaken the past glamour, glory and dignity of the crafts industry and transform it into a significant contributor to the country's foreign exchange earnings, the President tasked practitioners on the need to acquire relevant skills and knowledge that would bring their products to compete favourably in the global market.

Commending the organizers, the representative of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mrs. Ruth David, said one of the greatest achievements of the expo lies in its ability to promote national, regional as well as continental integration.

According to her, since culture is globally acclaimed as a fundamental dimension of economic development, it behooves on every wise nation and government to factor it into its developmental strategies.

She added that ECOWAS authority had recognized AFAC as a major regional and continental event, which has over the years, exposed works of African culture practitioners, thereby offering them the opportunity to highlight their creativity, establish working relationship, exchange ideas as well as promote and market their works. This milestone, she informed, had assisted ECOWAS in its drive to generally elevate the living standard of its citizens in fulfillment of vision 2020.

"The resultant positive ripple effect being that Nigeria through its hosting of the AFAC is assisting ECOWAS community citizens in their capacity for innovation, adaptation and improvement of their living conditions through the promotion of sustainable development that safeguard solidarity, unity, free movement and inter- mingling of peoples, exchange of goods and services, promotion of human rights, development of regional tourism, promotion of the culture of peace and fostering of the regional integration process as ECOWAS moves from an ECOWAS of state to an ECOWAS of people in fulfillment of its vision 2020".

Earlier in his welcome address, the executive Director National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), organizers of the event, Mr. M.M Maidugu, said the expo seeks to explore, develop market and generally leverage the nation’s rich and diverse craft industry with a view to effectively respond to government’s effort at job creation, youth empowerment and rural economic transformation.

He said the two-week event would also showcase the best of African crafts. In addition, the Investment Forum, a one-day programme designed to stimulate creative discourse with a view to sharing and imparting the requisite skills and knowledge on the best practices, would hold simultaneously.

“It is to direct attention and emphasis on product design, development and marketing strategy and by so doing, our products could be able to compete favourably and excel at the global market.”

In his remarks, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed, said the expo was influenced by the challenges of harnessing art and craft for national development.

According to Mohammed, who was represented by the Director, Tourism, Mrs. Sola Olumeko, Africa has a comparative advantage in the area of arts and crafts and should be able to tap the resource of this expo to grow and market the regional craft industry for social-cultural integration that Africa Union Charter seeks to promote.

Over 10 African countries including Ghana, Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Niger, Cameroon, Senegal, Republic of Benin and Togo are participating at the expo. Also in attendance are over 100 non-governmental organizations, student groups and individual marketers.

Some of the products on display include interior decoration, apparels, garments and embroidery. Others are household utensils, jewelleries, brass and metal, leather and fibre designs, ceramics, pottery as well as traditional African cuisine, music and dance from various states of the federation and countries of Africa.

The market closes on May 31.

Jonathan task Craft industry players on job creation

42/05/11

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said the craft industry could mitigate the challenges of unemployment and create wealth as well as promote the socio-economic integration of Africa through its regional market platform.

The President gave the hint at the official opening of this year's African Arts and Crafts (AFAC) at the weekend in Abuja.

Represented by the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Navy Captain Kaleb O. Olubolade (rtd), said the art and craft industry represents a veritable promising investment opportunity, which is yet to be meaningfully exploited.

"I am therefore glad that the African Arts and Craft Expo been initiated as an effective platform that will create the much required consciousness to enable us take a structured look at this vibrant sector."

Optimistic that the Expo will re-awaken the past glamour, glory and dignity of the crafts industry and transform it into a significant contributor to the country's foreign exchange earnings, the President tasked practitioners to endeavour to acquire relevant skills and knowledge that will enhance the production of goods that will compete favourably in the global market.

Representing the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was Mrs. Ruth David of the Human Resources Development. Congratulating the ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation on behalf of the Commission, she said that promoting national, regional as well as continental integration through the initiative was one of the greatest achievements of the Expo.

Since culture is globally acclaimed as a fundamental dimension of economic development, David said that societies that ensure integration of cultural factor into developmental strategies can be said to be on the right track to attaining a well- balanced development that is rooted in socio-economic emancipation of the people.

She noted that ECOWAS has noted that AFAC, as a major regional and continental event, has over the years, exposed and brought to lime light, works of African culture professionals that offer them the opportunity to highlight their creativity, establish working relationship, exchange ideas, promote and market their works.

"The resultant positive ripple effect being that Nigeria through its hosting of the AFAC is assisting ECOWAS community citizens in their capacity for innovation, adaptation and improvement of their living conditions, through promoting sustainable development that safeguard solidarity, unity, free movement and inter mingling of peoples, exchange of goods and services, promotion of human rights, development of regional tourism, promotion of the culture of peace and the fostering of the regional integration process as ECOWAS moves from an ECOWAS of state to an ECOWAS of people in fulfillment of its Vision 2020".

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Director, National Council of Arts and Craft (NCAC), organisers of the annual regional market, Mr. M.M Maidugu said that the expo with the theme Promoting Craft Industry for Economic Transformation, seeks to explore, develop market and generally leverage the nation’s rich and diverse craft industry with a view to effectively respond to government’s effort at job creation, youth empowerment and rural economic transformation.

He said the two weeks event will also show case the best of African craft. Also revealed that a one-day Investment Forum that is designed to stimulate creative discourse with a view to sharing imparting skills on the people holds today.

“it is to direct attention and emphasis on product design, development and market strategy by so doing our product could be able to compete favourable and exile at the global market.

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed, was represented by the Director of Tourism, Mrs. Sola Olumeko. He said the expo was influenced by the challenges of harnessing art and craft for national development.

According to him, Africa has comparative advantage and we should tap the resource of this expo to grow and market the regional craft industry for social-cultural integration that Africa Union Charter seeks to promote.

Over ten African countries including Ghana, Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Niger, Cameroon, are participating in the market that closes on May 31. Also in attendance are Non Governmental Organisations (NGO), student bodies, individual artisans and various state of the federation.

BT out with In the open

Popularly known as BT, the multi-talented and wave-making artiste, Chuks Uzor has concluded plans to release his new album titled In the open soon.

With songs such as ‘Just because’, ‘Baby’, ‘Chukwubuikem’, ‘Up and down’, ‘Melody’, ‘Jembe’, ‘Inememu’, ‘All about money’, ‘Forever’, the nine-tracker is part of efforts to make an appreciable impact in the music industry.

BT, whose lyrical focus is love and praise to God, says his lifestyle has influenced his music, especially the financial challenge he encountered, saying “I have to work in several places in other to save money for this project”.

The Delta State-born artiste’s love for music and arts started at a very young age. He said he opted for music because that is what everyone, be it young and old, male and female, listens to and understands.

For someone, who speaks Kwale, Isoko and English, his songs are a mix of dance hall and hip-hop style with a lot of African touch and beats.

His hit track, ‘Jembe’ is currently enjoying favourable airplay on some stations both radio and TV. BT says, “My inspiration comes from things I see around and out of experience”.

On the industry, which he acknowledges its upward movement, BT said, “Our industry is improving by the day and the sky would soon be our starting point if only we could combat piracy in the country. And to do this, it has to start from the head; the government needs to look more into the activities of the sector and act fast”.

Taking into consideration the criminal tendency of some youths due to lack of jobs, he advised that the youths should not “give up and be discouraged rather they should believe in themselves and keep trying till they succeed”.

Tuface, Adebayo to sing national anthem at Guinness The Match

Omotola Adebayo has won a lifetime opportunity to do a duet with one of the most popular artistes on the continent, Tuface Idibia. The anthem will kick off proceedings as the Super Eagles of Nigeria takes on Argentina at the National Stadium, Abuja on June 1. The match is sponsored by Guinness Nigeria Limited. Adebayo will join Tuface to perform the anthem live.

Omotola was one of hundreds of hopefuls who entered the competition on Beat FM and fans on Guinness VIP voted her as their favourite to step up and play a part in the Match. She will be in Abuja to also rally the whole nation as she showcases her talent in front of a possible capacity stadium and millions of others that will tune in to the match to catch all the drama and excitement live on TV and radio.

An ecstatic Omotola gushed, “I’m so excited that I’m going to be playing a part at Match. I have been singing since I was eight and the very first song I learnt as a child was my national anthem, which makes this performance a dream come true for me. I dream music, eat music, and play music and I will be practising every day between now and June 1. I will be hoping to get some expert advice from Tuface before the big performance as well”.

The General Manager of Beat FM, Deji Awokoya, who congratulated Omotola said, “It was a great competition and we had some brilliant singing stars take part, but she impressed the voters the most. We can’t wait to tune in to Guinness® The Match to hear her performance. Goodluck, Omotola; we know you’ll make us proud!”

Bumper harvest for Gulder consumers

While companies engage in different activities such as talent hunt, musical jams, gift to orphanages and to the less privileged and others, to sensitize their products to the public, the consumers on the other have been the happier for them; as they openly embrace them as a way the companies give back to the society.

But with promos, whose prizes are advertised on the pages of newspapers, billboards, radio and television stations with no winners emerging, participants and observers are likely to believe that such promos are gimmicks designed by the various organisers to rip-off consumers of their hard earned money while growing their market share.

However, with promos being monitored by regulating and controlling agencies, established by Federal and State governments to authenticate lottery and promotion games in the country, participants can be rest assured that the days of such gimmicks are over.

For these reasons, companies no longer renege on their promises, but rather, have to use every available medium to make their activities public.

As some brands use means such as price discount, buy-one-get-one, free buzz, sponsorship of cultural festivals, football, seminars and other marketing activities to connect to prospective and discerning consumers, Gulder lager beer, a stable of Nigerian Breweries (NB) is not left out in the game with its on-going National Consumer Promotion (NCP) in prizes ranging from cars to cash prizes, airtime, free drinks, pen and others would be given to winner.

The first set of winners selected via an electronic raffle draw, which took place at the Pekas Hotel and Bar, Ikeja, Lagos emerged on April 8 with their prizes officially handed over to them on the April 13.

Among the prizes were the three star prize winners a brand-new Honda Accord car and cash prizes of N400, 000, N250, 000, N150, 000 and N100, 000 respectively.

According to the company’s spokesperson other draws for selecting winners will hold at various parts of the states.

Scheduled to end on May 31, Mr. Jacco Ver der Linden, Marketing Director, NB said, “this special promo is conceived to reward Nigerian consumers for their years of patronage.”

“Millions of Nigerians are daily drinking Gulder and to reward them for that, the brand chose to give every consumer a chance to win big cash prizes and cars,” he said.

On the feedback ever since the promo started, Ver der Linden stated, “ though, we are looking forward to seeing other winners emerge, our consumers feedback have been very positive. We always respond when there is a complaint. Transparency is the key in anything we do and we always keep to our promises.”

Expressing his happiness, 22-year old John Benjamin of Government Day Secondary, school Nasarawa State, one of the winners of a Honda car said, “I’m very happy being one of the first winner of this promo and my message to my friends is that, they should always stay focus and keep to their dream and aspirations, they might as well be a lucky winner like me.”