By Modupe Gbadeyanka

As part of his desire to advance the study of Public Relations (PR) measurement and evaluation in Nigeria and Africa, a leading media intelligence expert and PR measurement authority, Mr Philip Odiakose, has launched a new book titled The Science of Public Relations: A Comprehensive Guide to Measurement and Evaluation.

The author said readers will gain actionable insights grounded in global frameworks like the International Association for the Measurement and Evaluation of Communication (AMEC), case studies tailored to African and international markets, guidance on building PR dashboards, auditing campaign performance, and a shift in focus from output to outcomes—moving from guesswork to data-led credibility.

Rooted in over a decade of hands-on experience, this definitive guide helps PR and communications professionals move beyond assumptions and perception-based reporting toward data-driven, objective-led measurement that commands credibility in boardrooms.

As the Chief Media Analyst at P+ Measurement Services, Mr Odiakose has long advocated for evidence-based PR strategies in Africa.

His book provides practical frameworks, real-world case studies, and performance audit techniques that support a shift from vanity metrics to Return on Objective (ROO).

“Public Relations has often been underestimated due to the lack of measurable outcomes. This book delivers a real-world toolkit for proving value and positioning PR as a strategic driver of results,” he stated.

In a major endorsement, respected PR consultant and industry leader, Mr McMedal Olusegun, has been appointed as the official advocacy ambassador for the book.

He will lead efforts to promote its adoption across academic institutions, corporate organizations, and government agencies seeking to reform how communication success is evaluated and reported.

“This book comes at a crucial time for our profession. It demystifies measurement and gives every PR professional—from entry-level to executive—the tools to show impact, not just effort,” Mr Olusegun said.

The book is now available in paperback format in Nigeria and as a digital edition for readers globally.

The paperback for Nigeria can be pre-ordered via selar.com/thescienceofpublicrelations, while the digital copy can be bought via selar.com/thescienceofprebook.

Business, where competition runs rampant, sometimes is all about building strong, lasting relationships. The best way that companies accomplish this is through meaningful corporate gift giving. In Dubai, hub of global business, corporate gifts are not just superficial gestures; they are deliberate brand builders and relationship makers. Corporate gifts suppliers in Dubai are now redefining the gift-giving experience by taking advantage of technology, creating more personalized, effective, and innovative solutions.

Leading this revolution is BrandCare Solutions, one of the Corporate gifts suppliers Dubai. With its lineage of distinct niche gifting services, they have been instrumental in shaping the conceptualization, customization, and delivery of corporate gifts in the UAE.

The Digital Revolution in Corporate Gifting

Earlier, the corporate gifts were all about selecting common items like pens, mugs, or diaries and putting a company logo on them. Though it still holds true, it is no longer in line with the evolving demands of today’s companies. Today, customers as well as business associates prefer gifts that are meaningful, personal, and value-oriented, and technology steps in here.

Corporate gift providers in Dubai are capitalizing on technology solutions to create an intuitive and immersive experience. From artificial-intelligence-powered personalization engines to automated order fulfillment and real-time inventory management, technology is making gifting a wiser and more strategic endeavor.

Data-Driven Personalized Gifting

Perhaps one of the biggest game changers in the industry has been embracing data analytics. By breaking down client preferences, buying history, and even social media behavior, UAE corporate gifts suppliers can craft gifts that speak closer to the heart. Envision presenting a client with a gadget for their newly developed interest in fitness or a selection of premium teas from their previous travel location. These added human touches do more than create a positive brand image; they build loyalty.

BrandCare Solutions utilizes advanced CRM platforms and tracking functionality to create customized gifting campaigns as per the specific profile of each recipient. Personalization to this extent was unimaginable a decade back but is now quickly becoming the standard for the industry.

E-commerce and Online Customization Platforms

Online storehouses are now the backbone of most corporate gifts suppliers Dubai businesses. These websites enable clients to view a huge inventory of products, personalize them with logos, messages, or even AR elements, and order within minutes. This process-oriented approach greatly cuts down turnaround times and improves the overall customer experience.

BrandCare Solutions offers a user-friendly web portal in which businesses can surf through hundreds of gift options, everything from technology devices and eco-friendly products to luxury executive gifts. Visual mockups are available, so customers get to see what their end product looks like before committing to buy it.

Sustainability Meets Innovation

Another exciting trend is the coming together of technology and eco-friendly practices. A number of Dubai promotional gift suppliers are embracing green materials and green production methods that are supported by traceability technology. Blockchain, for example, is being utilized to verify sustainable sourcing of materials used in business gifts.

BrandCare Solutions product range includes a growing array of eco-friendly corporate gifts such as biodegradable stationery, solar-powered accessories, and recycled material products, all available with technology-enabled customization. It’s not so much about giving a gift; it’s about giving responsibly and making a statement.

Tech-Driven Logistics and Fulfillment

Corporate gift-giving logistics could be complex, especially for mass campaigns in multiple geographies. Thankfully, the latest supply chain technology has simplified the entire exercise. Robotic warehouses, GPS-tracked deliveries, and real-time tracking ensure timely and accurate delivery of gifts, a critical factor for situations like year-round festivals, product launches, or festival gift-giving.

Corporate gift distributors in Dubai, for example, BrandCare Solutions, have invested heavily in revamping their logistics infrastructure. Their platform-embedded solutions allow clients to track orders, get updates, and deliver gifts with precision and care.

Virtual and Digital Gifting Experiences

With a post-pandemic era present now, digital gifting is in vogue. Virtual gift vouchers, e-vouchers, and digital experiences are now offered with physical presents. Not only are they suitable for remote teams, but they also allow one to send gifts instantly and with a great amount of personalization.

BrandCare Solutions offers online gifting solutions which integrate with virtual conferencing software and email portals. This technology-driven approach helps businesses maintain a human touch in spite of remote working.

Conclusion: The Future of Corporate Gifting in Dubai

With the new face of business comes also a change in the way we appreciate and nurture relationships. Corporate gifts suppliers in UAE are no longer just sellers, but rather business partners who use creativity in enhancing corporate culture and communication.

With embracing technology to change the art of gift-giving, companies are setting new benchmarks in creativity, efficiency, and customization. With data analysis, green solutions, or online gifting websites, the future corporate gift-giving in Dubai is definitely smart, evolved, and technology-empowered.

If your business is destined to leave a lasting mark, then it is the time to partner with forward-thinking corporate gifts suppliers Dubai like BrandCare Solutions. Having the right mix of innovation, quality, and customer centrality, they are the first choice for impactful and effective corporate gifts.

By Adedapo Adesanya

A local Nigerian food vendor, Amoke Oge, has recorded orders worth N2.3 billion in 500,000 deliveries on Chowdeck, one of the country’s leading food delivery platforms.

The milestone marks a major achievement for both the vendor and the platform, reflecting the growing role of digital marketplaces in Nigeria’s food service sector.

The figure is based on an average order value of N4,600, as reported by Chowdeck in a video shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) account.

Chowdeck stated that Amoke Oge, which specialises in local delicacies, owned by Hajia Amoke Odukoya, was among the first 100 vendors to join the platform in 2023.

“Amoke Oge just became the first woman-led business to hit 500,000 deliveries on Chowdeck — with an average order value of N4,600. We’ll let you do the math. To mark the milestone, our CEO Femi Aluko (@femi_aluks) showed up in person to congratulate her,” the company wrote to accompany the video.

From the calculations, this indicated that the food seller has completed orders valued at N2.3 billion.

Chowdeck, which currently operates in eight Nigerian states, serves over 3,000 vendors and works with more than 10,000 delivery riders.

Earlier in 2024, the company secured $2.5 million in seed funding to support its operations and expansion.

Notable investors include Y Combinator, Goodwater Capital, FounderX Ventures, Hoaq Fund, and influential figures such as Rappi co-founders Mr Simon Borrero and Mr Juan Pablo Ortega, and Paystack co-founders, Mr Shola Akinlade and Mr Ezra Olubi.

Chowdeck is so far one of the biggest success stories in Nigerian startups— a testament to resilience amid global headwinds, particularly as it is estimated that Nigerians spend approximately 60 per cent of their earnings on food.

Amoke Oge’s milestone is not a standalone achievement for Chowdeck, as it earlier this month, precisely on May 13, revealed that Korede Spaghetti, a vendor operating in the heart of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in Yaba, had sold N1 billion worth of food items processed on the platform.