Brandzone hosts inaugural branding conference to drive industry growth

Brandzone Consulting LLC together with its knowledge development arm Brandplatform Lecture Series is set to play host to a roster of professionals of branding, marketing and communications at its inaugural Brand Innovation Conference.

The conference is slated for Wednesday, October 21st 2015 at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

L-R: Mrs. Tosin Adefeko, Senior Consultant, The Quadrant Company; Mr. George Thorpe, Chairman, Tequila Nigeria Limited; Mrs. Chizor Malize, Managing Partner, Brandzone and Convener, Brand Innovation Conference, and Mrs. Bunmi Oke, Chief Operating Officer, 141 Worldwide, at the Brand Innovation Conference media briefing in Lagos on Friday.

With the theme, Branding In The New Normal, the inaugural conference is targeted at brand and marketing professionals who seek to advance their knowledge base through engagement with a robust faculty of knowledgeable speakers.  This years’ group of notable speakers are at the forefront of branding and communications with responsibility for managing some of the top brands in the country. They will share their in-depth knowledge and insights on a variety of areas and topical issues on communications and brand management with a look at the impact of technology on the future of businesses and brands.

While addressing Journalists during a press conference that held at The Quadrant Company’s offices in Ikeja, GRA, Lagos, to announce the upcoming event, Brand Innovation Convever, Chizor.

Malize stated that the conference would deliver new insights on the impact of technological advancements and the rapid proliferation of digital and new media on the overall business landscape and consumers’ interaction with brands in the market place.

Malize added, “The conference would also explore new channels of consumer engagement that technology has created and the resulting opportunities for increased customer engagement in the market place.  Harnessing and maximizing these opportunities will require executives to lead their organizations with skills necessary for these new ways of operation. This is the opportunity of learning that the Brand Innovation Conference has created for industry practitioners”

While responding to questions at the press briefing on the choice of the conference theme, Malize said “The rise of technology has transformed the marketing and branding paradigm. Today’s consumers are engaging very differently with brands owing to the growing power of the connected consumer and an explosion of new technology tools. Branding, Marketing and Communications experts today face a constant proliferation of new methods and channels for consumer engagement that query the traditional approach.

“In the 21st century, there is a battle for customer attention and the pressure to deliver meaning and business impact quickly is compounded by the new always-on digital, social, and mobile world. Brand messaging and management in this “new normal” must convey more than simply what the brand does for an individual consumer; it must engage the consumer and build positive relationships and associations that sit excitedly at the consumer’s heart.’’ Said Malize.

Malize revealed that the Brand Innovation Conference is expected to bring together hundreds of top Branding, Marketing and Communications professionals from diverse sectors including Banks, Pension and Insurance, Manufacturing, Telecommunications and Consumer Retail Services as well as  Oil and Gas sectors.

She disclosed that Marketing, Branding and Communications experts from diverse sectors that include FMCG, Telecommunications, Banking, Oil and Gas and Advertising representing Multinationals, Fortune 500 firms, Blue Chip companies and top rated indigenous corporations, will be facilitating and participating in different sessions at the full day conference.

The conference Keynote Address would be delivered by Biodun Shobanjo, Chairman of Troyka Holdings who is also Chairman of the Conference Advisory Board; with other speakers and panelists that include Tonye Cole, Co-Founder, Sahara Energy Group; Clem Ugorji, Communications and Public Affairs, Coca-Cola Nigeria; Lampe Omoyele, Managing Director, West Africa, The Nielsen Company; Iquo Uko, Marketing Director Nestle,  Kola Oyeyemi, General Manager, MTN Nigeria, amongst other high profile personalities and industry experts.

“We have put together for this years’ conference the most amazing community of branding, marketing and communications professionals. The Conference Speakers lineup is rich and constitutes individuals with proven track records of performance in their various fields. The Conference Advisory Board is filled with industry thought leaders. The members are responsible for the strategic direction of the Conference. The support and participation of these executives from top performing organizations ensures that we create excellent content and a conference that delivers maximum value.” Malize enthused.

Speaking at the press briefing George Thorpe, Chairman, Tequila Nigeria Limited ad member Conference Advisory Board reechoed that the consumers’ always-connected status and ability to find information in seconds has put them in control of their own experiences. This trend has forced marketers to rethink how they engage and connect with their customers. Given today’s reality, customer engagement has become very crucial in developing deeper relationship between brands and their target consumers.

According to Mrs Bunmi Oke, Chief Operating Officer of 141 Worldwide and a member of the Conference Advisory Board, participants at the Brand Innovation Conference will gain new knowledge and insights needed to drive more customer engagement, increase knowledge on media, technology and brand management strategies while networking and connecting with industry leaders and practitioners across diverse sectors.

In her closing, Malize explained that as s technology drive changes in the consumer behavior pattern and lifestyle, it is imperative for businesses and brand practioners to keep pace with emerging trends in branding and communication.

Malize also added that the conference would focus on how Branding, Marketing and Communications Experts can reach today’s technologically savvy audiences, build deep customer relationships, and connect with the consumer in a positive way.