Brands/Products
Why Your PR Report Must Include CEO Metrics — Or Risk Losing Their Interest Entirely
By Philip Odiakose
Let us be honest — if I had a Naira for every time a CEO said or thinks PR is a “cost center,” I would probably have built a second agency by now. And I get it — PR feels intangible to some folks in the C-suite. It is not always as direct as “We spent X and sold Y.” But here is the kicker: PR is the only business function working daily to maintain the public reputation of the brand that the CEO wakes up every day to lead. Without PR, a brand’s reputation could crumble quietly while the finance team celebrates balance sheets. So when next you hear someone say PR doesn’t bring value, kindly show them this article — and maybe offer them a bottle of water too, because they are clearly thirsty for the truth.
Having stated the value of PR, let us start this conversation with a bit of PR truth serum. If you have ever presented a beautifully designed PR report and watched your CEO flip through it with all the enthusiasm of someone reviewing a phone book in 2025, I feel your pain. And I have lived it. With over 15 years in PR measurement, research, and media intelligence — and having worked across different markets in Africa — one recurring silent theme has always echoed from boardrooms: “This is great, but what exactly does it say about me?”
You do be surprised how fast a CEO’s interest sparks when they see their name with a performance score next to their competitors.
Now, before you roll your eyes and scream “vanity metrics,” hold on. This isn’t about stroking egos or creating a separate report that worships leadership. It is about relatability. One of the major reasons why some executives see PR teams as a cost center — and why they struggle to sign off on measurement budgets — is because they simply can’t connect with the report. Yes, the brand got 500+ mentions. Yes, the sentiment was 80% positive. Yes, you landed an exclusive in a top-tier publication. Yes, you have raised brand awareness. But guess what? If nothing in that report speaks directly to the leadership’s role in that performance, you are missing a critical link.
PR isn’t only about brand exposure and reputation — it’s also about brand leadership visibility.
At P+ Measurement Services, I can’t count how many times PR professionals have said to us during cold calls, “Our CEO isn’t buying into the PR measurement thing; he thinks it is fluff.” And honestly, I get why. When a report is full of brand numbers but doesn’t show how the leadership contributed or is being perceived, it loses the executive audience quickly. That is why in the early years of our agency, we developed a proprietary framework (P+MCA) that captures CEO-specific performance metrics — not just the presence of their names in headlines but how they rank in sentiment, thought leadership, share of voice, and positioning versus competitive CEOs.
You want sign-off on your Measurement and Evaluation budget? Show your CEO how they perform against other CEOs. Then step back and watch the magic.
There was a time we worked with a leading insurance brand in South Africa. The PR team had been practically begging their CEO to take up a keynote speaking slot at an industry event, but the man was adamant: “Not now.” Frustrated, the team approached us for help. We produced a CEO-focused performance audit — showcasing not just his media presence but a comparison of his leadership metrics against rival insurance CEOs. When he saw his score at the bottom of the table, his reaction was priceless: “How can I be last on this scoreboard?” The very next week, he was asking the PR team for the event lineup. That moment right there? That’s what we call data doing the heavy lifting.
Let the data speak where words fail. CEOs don’t argue with numbers.
This doesn’t just help you secure leadership buy-in for PR campaigns; it opens up strategic conversations around executive positioning, thought leadership, and industry influence. One of our proudest long-term engagements came from that South African experience — we have supported that team since 2018, helping position their CEO from media-shy to media-smart. Data made that happen.
And this isn’t just relevant for CEOs with PR-phobia. It is vital for CEOs who sit on multiple boards. A chairman might be squeaky clean in one company and still drag your brand into crisis by association. I remember working with a multinational FMCG brand in Nigeria whose chairman also served on the board of a financial services company. When the latter entered crisis mode, the FMCG brand was dragged into headlines it didn’t ask for. Why? Because media doesn’t separate leadership roles — it connects them.
Your CEO’s reputation isn’t siloed. If they sit on multiple boards, so do their risks.
Including CEO-specific metrics and competitive insights helps PR professionals spot reputational risks early. It also helps pre-empt crises. When you know how the media is talking about your leadership, and how that compares with others, you have the leverage to act — not react. And that, dear PR pro, is the difference between being seen as a “cost center” and a strategic partner.
This is your call to upgrade your report. Brand performance is great — but leadership performance? That’s where the real power lies.
So next time you are struggling to justify your PR strategy, your measurement and evaluation budget, or why your CEO should attend that industry event — don’t argue. Just present the data. Let it tell the story, and let P+ help you craft one they can’t ignore.
Philip Odiakose is a leader and advocate of public relations monitoring, measurement, evaluation and intelligence in Africa. He is also the Chief Media Analyst at P+ Measurement Services, a member of AMEC, NIPR, AMCRON, ACIOM and Founding Member of AMEC Lab Initiative
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The chief executive of Canal+ Africa, Mr David Mignot, has disclosed that MultiChoice is now fully integrated into the media group.
Mr Mignot disclosed this via a statement issued on Thursday, noting that this development marks a new phase in the evolution of one of Africa’s leading pay television operators.
He noted that the integration positions MultiChoice within a global media organisation with an extensive international footprint.
“MultiChoice is now a full subsidiary of a truly international media group operating in 70 countries. The group was founded in France, is listed in London and Johannesburg, and has a strong African presence with operations in more than 45 countries,” Mr Mignot said.
The statement underscores the scale of the combined business, highlighting Canal+’s global reach alongside its significant investments across Africa.
The completion of the transaction is expected to strengthen MultiChoice’s position in the African media and entertainment market by giving it access to the broader resources, expertise and international capabilities of the Canal+ Group, while reinforcing the group’s commitment to the continent.
MultiChoice operates across sub-Saharan Africa through platforms including DStv and GOtv, serving millions of subscribers with entertainment, sports and news content.
By Adedapo Adesanya
FoodCourt, a Nigerian cloud kitchen startup backed by Y Combinator, has suspended operations after months of unpaid salaries and mounting debts to vendors triggered a staff strike and forced the company to halt customer orders, according to a report by TechCabal.
The publication reported that customers first noticed on March 4 that they could no longer place orders through the FoodCourt app after the company disabled ordering as kitchen workers, delivery personnel and branch staff embarked on strike over unpaid wages. The company also owed outstanding payments to vendors.
By April 19, FoodCourt had temporarily shut its last operating branch after suspending activities across its Lagos and Abuja locations while seeking fresh funding and restructuring the business, according to the report.
The company’s chief executive, Mr Henry Nneji, said the decision to pause operations was not caused by a single issue but by a combination of operational, organisational and working-capital challenges.
“It’s important to clarify that the decision to pause operations wasn’t driven by one single issue. We reached a point where it became clear that continuing to patch those issues while operating wasn’t the right long-term decision,” he said.
“The objective is to build a stronger business than the one that existed before the suspension. We fully intend to bring FoodCourt back,” he added in an emailed response.
The company acknowledged outstanding obligations to employees, vendors, riders and service providers, but declined to disclose the number of affected workers or the total amount owed. It said efforts were underway to resolve the liabilities as part of its restructuring process.
It was also reported that the startup’s financial difficulties worsened after expansion into additional locations increased operating costs, while its cloud kitchen model came under pressure from rising labour, logistics, food and marketing expenses.
Despite the shutdown, Mr Nneji said FoodCourt intends to relaunch after completing its restructuring, adding that the company believes demand for its products remains strong.
Founded in 2021 by Henry Nneji and Paul Adokiye Iruene, FoodCourt operates cloud kitchens under multiple virtual restaurant brands through its consumer app. According to TechCabal, the startup had previously disclosed raising $1.7 million, delivering more than one million meals and reaching $4.3 million in annual recurring revenue by the end of 2024.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
To further reinforce its commitment to continuous enhancement of customer experience through menu innovation and quality improvements, Chicken Republic, Nigeria’s leading quick-service restaurant brand and a flagship brand of Food Concepts Plc, has improved its Smokey Jollof recipe across restaurants nationwide.
As a customer-centric brand, Chicken Republic regularly evaluates consumer feedback, dining trends, and product performance to ensure its menu continues to deliver the quality and value to which customers have become accustomed.
The updated Smokey Jollof is part of this ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.
The refreshed recipe represents the latest evolution of one of the brand’s most popular offerings.
Developed with a focus on richer flavour, greater consistency and an even more satisfying eating experience, the improved Smokey Jollof reflects Chicken Republic’s dedication to meeting the evolving tastes and expectations of its customers.
“At Chicken Republic, our customers are at the heart of every decision we make. We are constantly listening, learning and looking for ways to improve the experience we deliver.
“The improved Smokey Jollof is a reflection of that commitment. We’ve refined the recipe to deliver an even richer, more enjoyable taste experience while maintaining the flavour profile our customers know and love,” the Managing Director of Food Concept, Mr Olumide Aniyikaiye, stated.
“Great brands evolve with their consumers. This update is not about changing what people love, but about making it even better.
“We are confident that customers will enjoy the improved recipe and appreciate the attention we continue to invest in delivering quality meals every day,” Mr Aniyokaiye added.
The improved Smokey Jollof is now available at Chicken Republic outlets nationwide, allowing customers to experience a more flavourful and consistent version of a fan-favourite menu item.
This latest enhancement underscores Chicken Republic’s broader commitment to innovation, quality and creating memorable meal experiences for customers across Nigeria.
