Brands/Products
Iconic Marketing Campaigns That Stood Out From the Crowd
While we may not like to admit it, we’re all susceptible to the marketing and advertising efforts of companies. If we weren’t, we wouldn’t own many of the products we do today.
Advertising and marketing executives work hard to create campaigns that are emotive, humorous and memorable, in the hopes that it will encourage us to spend money on their product or service.
These campaigns pay for many of the things we take for granted. TV shows are paid for by the advertisements that run during commercial breaks, public transport is subsidised by the ads on the sides of buses and inside trains, and social media sites wouldn’t be free if they weren’t funded by sponsored posts and ads on the side of the screen. They work too, ads on Facebook are some of the most effective ways to promote a business.
The best campaigns are ones that make us laugh or feel emotional, stick in our minds, and get us talking. Here are some of those iconic campaigns.
Apple’s Get a Mac Campaign
The Apple we know today is a giant in the tech industry and one of the wealthiest companies in the world. It wasn’t always the case though. In the 1990s, the company was on the brink of collapse after a string of failed products like the Newton.
Steve Jobs’ return to the company changed that, launching the iMac in August 1998 followed by other successful products like the iPod, iPhone and iPad.
By 2006, the company was in a much strong position and was ready to take on its biggest rival, Microsoft. It did this through a series of ads called “Get a Mac” that personified Windows and Mac computers, the former as a boring office worker and the latter as a cool, younger person.
These ads ran until 2010 and were a huge success, helping Apple to increase its Mac sales by almost 40%.
It even spawned a series of parody videos, such as the “iPod vs Zune” and “PS3 vs Wii”.
PokerStars’ I’M IN Campaign
People have been playing poker and similar games for hundreds of years, but the internet helped to make it more accessible to millions of more players in the 2000s. The game has a widespread appeal that spans generations, social classes, and geographic borders, meaning you could everyone from retired investment bankers and computer programmers to dancers and teachers.
This was something that PokerStars, one of the world’s biggest online poker platforms, set to celebrate with its I’M IN campaign. The campaign was put together following extensive research among its community of poker players and was designed to demonstrate that the company provides a trusted environment for them to enjoy the game in. PokerStars launched the campaign with a 60 second TV ad, backing it up with a string of shorter ads shown in several key markets and a selection of digital assets used online.
British Heart Foundation’s Hands-Only CPR Campaign
In 2010, St John Ambulance warned that as many as 150,000 people could be dying each year because they do not receive first aid quickly enough. It highlighted the alarming fact that almost one-quarter of people said they would “do nothing” if they saw someone struggling, either waiting for an ambulance or hoping someone else knew first aid.
An additional 59% said they would “not feel confident trying to save a life”.
To combat these shocking statistics, the British Heart Foundation ran an advertising campaign in the UK called “Hands-Only CPR”.
Featuring Vinnie Jones, a British footballer and actor known for playing hard-nut criminals in his movies, the ad instructed people on how to perform hands-only CPR.
In the ad Jones says “no kissing…you push hard and fast…to Stayin’ Alive”. Then the Bee Gees song, Stayin’ Alive begins to play while Jones performs chest compressions.
While talking about a serious subject, the British Heart Foundation was able to create a memorable, humorous ad that would stick in the minds of viewers.
It worked because the instructions were simple and the song is one that is almost universally recognised.
Shortly afterwards, the American Heart Association also used the song in its “Keep The Beat” campaign, proving the merits of the song.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Nigerian shoppers who use one of the world’s largest online retail platforms, AliExpress, can now pay for the items with their Verve cards, Business Post has learned.
This has been made possible because of a partnership between the e-commerce platform and the leading domestic payments card scheme and token brand, Verve International.
It was gathered that the collaboration empowers Verve cardholders, both locally and internationally, to engage in cross-border transactions.
It also reinforces Verve’s unwavering commitment to delivering inclusive, innovative, and secure digital payment solutions that empower individuals and businesses alike, while bridging the gap in global digital commerce.
With AliExpress joining this network and Verve integrated into its payment options, Verve cardholders can easily shop and pay for a wide range of products.
To shop on AliExpress using a Verve card, users need to simply sign in, select the items to buy, and click ‘Buy now.’ When prompted, add a new card and enter the Verve card details. Save the information for future use, confirm the details, and complete the payment seamlessly.
“We are excited to announce that Verve is now accepted on AliExpress, a globally recognised e-commerce leader.
“This marks a significant milestone in our global expansion journey, reflecting our commitment to providing cardholders with access to more possibilities in today’s digital economy.
“The addition of AliExpress to our growing network is just the beginning, there’s much more to come as we continue to innovate, expand, and deliver value to millions of Verve cardholders in Nigeria and beyond,” the Managing Director of Verve International, Mr Vincent Ogbunude, said.
Verve’s expanding global network is bolstered by partnerships with renowned brands such as Google, YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Facebook, Uber, Spotify, among others, enabling cardholders to conveniently pay for subscriptions in Naira.
These alliances solidify Verve’s position as a trusted leader in the digital payments space, ensuring that consumers can access top-notch services across diverse industries.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has raised alarm about low-quality sugar from Brazil in the Nigerian markets.
In a statement signed by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Ondaje Ijagwu, the consumer protection agency said it uncovered the availability of substandard and unregistered sugar products in Nigerian markets, particularly smuggled brands from Brazil, including Grupo Moreno, Terous, USI S. Joao, Alvean and Arapora Bionergia.
The products failed to meet mandatory Vitamin A fortification requirements, posing serious health risks to consumers, undermining the integrity of the local sugar industry, and contributing to price manipulation that harms the market.
Acting on a tip-off, FCCPC operatives conducted discreet investigations across the country, particularly in the South-West and the North-East.
The investigations revealed that many of the identified sugar products lacked normal labelling, including production and expiry dates, batch numbers, and the mandatory National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration.
“Even more concerning, most of the products were not fortified with Vitamin A, a critical nutrient essential for good vision, immune health, and overall well-being.
“The absence of this fortification exposes Nigerian consumers to serious health risks, including blindness and increased susceptibility to infections, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women,” the statement added.
The FCCPC also lamented concerns about the economic impact of these products, noting that the influx of smuggled sugar undermines fair competition, placing undue pressure on compliant local producers who adhere to regulatory standards.
The body warned that importers of these substandard products engage in price manipulation to the detriment of genuine producers and consumers while pretending that the products are genuine.
“This jeopardises the sustainability of the Nigerian sugar industry and also erodes consumer trust in the market,” the statement added.
The FCCPC also warned that smuggling, facilitated through porous borders, particularly from neighbouring countries such as Cameroun and the Benin Republic, further complicates enforcement efforts and hampers traceability.
FCCPC also reassured the general public that it is taking decisive steps to address this issue consistent with the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
“The Commission charged Nigerian consumers to verify the authenticity of sugar products by ascertaining they carry proper labelling, including NAFDAC registration and evidence of Vitamin A fortification.
“The FCCPC is intensifying enforcement and surveillance in collaboration with NAFDAC, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other relevant agencies. These efforts include enhanced surveillance and follow-up market inspections to disrupt the supply chain of smuggled sugar products.
“The FCCPC is also engaging with industry stakeholders to promote compliance with quality standards, protect local producers, and foster fair competition within the sugar market,” it added.
MultiChoice Nigeria, the leading pay-TV service provider, has announced the extension of the Supa Plus Golden Window for the festive season.
Customers can continue to enjoy the GOtv Supa+ package at the discounted price of N13,900 instead of the regular N15,700.
The Executive Head of Marketing for West Africa at MultiChoice, Tope Oshunkeye, stated that the extension of the Golden Window is in line with making entertainment accessible to every home during the festive season.
“By extending the Golden Window, we’re allowing our valued customers to enjoy premium entertainment at a discounted price and create an immersive and delightful experience for families to enjoy together while creating memorable moments”. It’s part of our bigger goal this festive season; to make it a good season for everybody.
In addition to the extension of the Golden Window, GOtv also has an exciting lineup of shows on Africa Magic Showcase to keep viewers entertained throughout the festive season.
Running throughout the festive season, to January 11th, the lineup features captivating titles such as The Jump and 10th Anniversary two new Africa Magic original movies.
The schedule for this season promises something for everyone to enjoy, with the launch of the Holiday channel and the exclusive Bovi Comedy Special – Christmas with Bovi, from December 24th to 26th. Rounding up the entertainment is a feast of football this season.
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