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Iconic Marketing Campaigns That Stood Out From the Crowd

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PokerStars

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. 

 

Apple Macbook PokerStars

 

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. 

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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JMG Installs Solar Power Systems at Three NIPCO Fuel Stations

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JMG solar power systems NIPCO

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Nigeria’s trusted hybrid and integrated electromechanical energy provider, JMG Limited, has completed the installation of solar power systems at three key fuel stations of NIPCO Plc.

The clean energy source was installed at NIPCO’s petrol dispensing outlets in Gwagwalada Abuja, Lekki Lagos, and Mpape Abuja.

This will help the organisation eliminate diesel reliance, and unlock more than N44 million in annual energy cost savings.

The installations feature advanced hybrid systems, combining solar arrays, lithium battery storage, and smart inverters to provide 24/7 energy for fuel pumps, lighting, and office operations. Each site has reported zero use of electricity or generator power since the systems were installed.

The three NIPCO stations now run on an advanced hybrid solar system that combines high‑efficiency PV panels, intelligent lithium‑battery storage and smart inverters.

Since commissioning, the sites have operated with zero grid or generator power, providing silent, clean, uninterrupted electricity for pumps, lighting and administration.

“We are proud to help NIPCO lead the energy transition at the retail level.

“The scalable architecture can be sized to each location and has already delivered significant savings, about 88,535 kWh/year, N44.4 million in annual cost savings and a 43.8‑tonne reduction in CO₂ emissions,” the Head of JMG’s Hybrid Solar Division, Mr Abbass Hussein, stated, adding that, “Collaborating with NIPCO on this initiative demonstrates a practical pathway for other firms to reduce both emissions and energy expenses.”

Also commenting, NIPCO’s Station Manager at Gwagwalada, Mr Idoko Jacob, said, “The stations have not relied on electricity or generator power on bright-weather days since commissioning. The solar systems fully meet our daily energy needs during such periods. On days with poor weather, we supplement the solar system with generator power to ensure uninterrupted operations.”

Business Post gathered that the NIPCO Gwagwalada Station has a solar output of 42,450 kWh/year, annual savings of N15.6 million, and CO₂ reduction of 15,332.76 kg/year, with a system installed consisting of a 20kW Deye LV Hybrid Inverter, 26.8kWp Solar PV, and 51.2kWh Lithium Battery Storage.

The NIPCO Lekki Station has a solar output of 3,635 kWh/year, annual savings of N12 million, and CO₂ reduction of 13,130.1 kg/year, with a system installed consisting of a 25kW Must Hybrid Inverter, 22.95kWp Solar PV, and 76.8kWh Lithium Battery Storage.

As for the NIPCO Mpape Station, it has a solar output of 42,450 kWh/year, annual savings of N16.8 million, and CO₂ reduction of 15,332.76 kg/year, with a system installed consisting of a 20kW Deye LV Hybrid Inverter, 26.8kWp Solar PV, and 61.44kWh Lithium Battery Storage.

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MAGGI Unveils ‘Taste of Christmas’ Campaign

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MAGGI Taste of Christmas

MAGGI, the culinary brand from Nestlé Nigeria, has announced the launch of its festive campaign, Taste of Christmas, designed to celebrate the sights, sounds, and flavours that define the Nigerian Christmas experience.

Central to the campaign is a collaboration with Nigeria’s fast-rising pop star Qing Madi and the renowned Loud Urban Choir, resulting in a new Christmas anthem titled Taste of Christmas.

Now available across all major music streaming platforms, the song blends contemporary sound with cultural warmth, evoking the joy of family, togetherness, and shared meals that characterize the season.

Extending beyond music, the Taste of Christmas campaign will roll out a curated series of festive recipes and culinary inspiration over a 12-day period. The collection features creative twists such as Coco Bongus, alongside beloved Nigerian classics, encouraging families to explore new flavours while enjoying MAGGI’s trusted range of seasonings.

Commenting on the campaign, the Category Manager for Culinary at MAGGI, Ms Funmi Osineye, said, “Christmas is a time when family, culture, and shared experiences come alive. With the Taste of Christmas campaign, we set out to create a platform that resonates strongly with today’s young adults while still celebrating the warmth of home. Partnering with Qing Madi and The Loud Urban Choir allows us to connect music and food in a way that feels authentic, modern, and deeply Nigerian.”

The campaign further reflects MAGGI’s commitment to celebrating home-grown talent, nurturing culinary creativity, and strengthening the role of food as a unifying force in Nigerian homes.

Consumers can access festive recipes, campaign content, and the Taste of Christmas anthem on MAGGI’s digital platforms and social media channels. Conversations around the campaign can be followed using #MAGGIChristmas.

MAGGI is a leading culinary brand from Nestlé Nigeria, committed to inspiring better cooking habits and bringing families together through delicious, nutritious meals.

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FG Suspension of Sachet Alcohol Ban Excites NECA

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sachet alcohol

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The decision of the federal government to suspend the ban on alcohol produced in sachets has been welcomed by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA).

The Director-General of the group, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, described it as a right step in the right direction because it respects existing National Assembly resolutions and restores regulatory clarity.

Recall that recently, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) ordered the suspension of the policy due to concerns raised by the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control.

In a statement, the NECA chief said the immediate suspension of all enforcement actions relating to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle products, pending the conclusion of consultations and the issuance of a final policy directive, was good for the industry and the economy.

According to him, the sachet and PET segment of the alcoholic beverage industry accounts for a significant portion of the estimated N800 billion invested in the sector and supports thousands of direct and indirect jobs in manufacturing, packaging, logistics, wholesale and retail.

He stressed that in an economy already struggling with high unemployment and rising business costs, abrupt policy measures that threaten existing jobs and legitimate investments would be counterproductive.

“We fully acknowledge the need to address public health concerns, especially regarding children and young people, but the solutions must be evidence-based and carefully designed so as not to drive activities into the informal and unregulated economy or encourage illicit products.

“We are looking forward to a deepened consultation to enable the protection of jobs, livelihoods and legitimate investments, etc., while also ensuring that public health objectives are effectively and sustainably achieved,” Mr Oyerinde said.

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