Marketing in 2014: Season of elections, failures and controversies

The 2014 fiscal year in the Integrated Marketing Communications, IMC, industry recoded significant success with election and re-election of new helmsmen in different sectoral bodies, with negative reports recorded in two sectors of the industry namely the advertising and manufacturing sectors.NIMN:The National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, NIMN, witnessed the re-election of its incumbent President, Mr. Ganiyu Koledoye, to stir the affairs of the institute for the next two years. While the Manchester Business School Alumni of the NIMN branch was launched in Nigeria.The Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria , AAAN, at its 41st Annual General Meeting had a smooth transmission by newly elected President for the association in the person of Mr. Kelechi Nwosu, to run the affairs of the association for two years.This year also, the Association was chosen to participate and put down their position on paper at the just ended national conference, which accordingly is a boost to the industry, as the government now recognizes their contribution to the growth of the polity.APCON:On the other hand, the negative report recorded in the concluding year rested on the controversial appointment of a Chairman for the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, by the federal government of one Mr. Ngozi Emioma,whose appointment attracted reactions and protests from different sectoral bodies, spearheaded by the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN, which till date, the issue has not been resolved, with the purported appointed Chairman purported to be operating from Abuja, leaving the known operating office in Lagos without impact on the industry.The other was the removal of the Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria, Seni Adetu as a result of the dwindling performance of its products in the market, against competing brands, particularly from the Nigerian Breweries Plc.NIPR:In the concluding year, election of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, produced Dr. Rotimi Oladele as the president of the institute, who on assumption promised the construction of the institute’s head office allocated to it at Yaba.ADVAN:The Advertisers Association of Nigeria, ADVAN unveiled the take off and construction of its N50 million secretariat and the institution of brand Journalists awards for those the cover the marketing communications industry.LASAA:Lagos Signage and Advertisement Agency orchestrated the first advertising exhibition to galvanize and expose the creative work of the Nigerian advertising industry, while reducing levies on advert rates to attract individuals and corporate organizations.OAAN:Outdoor Advertising Agency of Nigeria rejuvenated its rested annual posters awards.Pay-Tv sector:The pay-TV sector with the major players Multichoice and NTA-StarTimes grappled with the challenges associated with switching-over from analogue to digital come June 2015, as both operators say they are ready for the switchover as directed by the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, NBC.FMCGs:In 2014, the brands market witnessed some new product entrants from Fast Moving Consumer Goods, FMCGs with repackaging of some existing products. Promotions to increase he market of various companies took the front burner particularly during yuletide period.