BRAND GIST

GLO RATED AMONG AFRICA’S TOP 10 BRANDS

Globacom has been rated among the top five most valuable brands in Africa in a survey conducted recently by Brand Africa to find out the most admired valued brands on the continent. A statement by the company said Glo got a brand value of 655 to rank high in the list of the top 10 most valuable brands in Africa.

According to the statement, the report was published in the latest edition of the African Business magazine and it indicated that Globacom made the list because of its ability to win the hearts of the communities where it does business. It stated, “Brand Africa noted that Globacom, in just 10 year, has established a reputation as a strong African brand and has made a significant impact in the West African sub-region where it operates.

“In each of these countries where Glo operates such as Ghana, Nigeria and Benin Republic, the network has become a household name not only because of its superior service offering, but also for the way it has affected lives in its business communities.”

Commenting on the development, Globacom’s Group Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Mohamed Jameel, said the company had worked hard to earn the recognition. He said, “Based on Brand Africa’s definition of an African brand as a multinational brand developed in Africa, by Africans, with a secondary or primary listing in Africa, servicing customers primarily in Africa, with a growing international recognition or footprint and contributes to Africa’s economic growth and global image and reputation, I believe Globacom deserves the recognition.”

MANTRAC REWARDS CUSTOMERS

As part of its efforts to make the year-end rewarding for its customers, Mantrac Nigeria Limited has said it is offering a wide range of CAT generators for residential, commercial and industrial use.

According to a statement by the company, the promotion comes with an instant gift of a Samsung Galaxy Tab for every generator bought by customers during the festive period.

Managing Director of Mantrac Nigeria, Edmond Martin-Lawson, said the global brand promise of the CAT power systems were in its lifetime of low cost through exceptional fuel economy.

He said, “Caterpillar generators reduce operational costs. The diesel fuelled CAT generator range, acclaimed worldwide for its reliability, durability and ruggedness, is in use across thousands of applications globally.

“Besides the superior functional value of the Caterpillar brand and the free gift of Samsung Galaxy Tab for every CAT generator purchase, Mantrac also offer technical support to customers to match individual customer power requirements with the best range of CAT power comprehensive financial solutions are also available to customers while the promotion lasts”

GOLDEN TREE BERTHS IN NIGERIA

In a move to expand its scope, Cocoa Processing Company, Ghana says t is bringing its GoldenTree chocolate and other semi-finished cocoa products to the country in conjunction with Anthill Investment Limited.

CPC Marketing Manager, Ms. Genevieve Pawer, said the company’s participation in the recently concluded Lagos International Trade Fair marked a major milestone and a significant market entry for the brand in Nigeria.

According t her, the goal is to create awareness and generate sales leads for GoldenTree range of chocolates in a strategic pursuit to expand its market in the country. She said, “Our participation at the Lagos International Trade Fair opens a new vista for GoldenTree; we are opening up one of the most attractive growth market in Africa, adding to our strong presence in the chocolate business.

“With this move, we will make our products more readily available to Nigerians. Together with our strategic agent in Nigerian Anthill Investment Limited, we have the wherewithal to efficiently create market channels for the brand to reach more consumers.

“This formal entry into Nigeria market is an important first step and we are currently working on a very interesting strategy to cultivate more consumers for the brand in the country.” Pawer said the company decided to introduce its products into the country due to its status as the largest market in the sub-region. She added that the traffic between both counties through the borders was also an avenue that could facilitate trade and investment.

GUINNESS ASSURES INVESTORS ON ROI

The management of Guinness Nigeria Plc has assured investors of brighter future on their investments going forward. According to the Chairman, Board of Directors, Mr. Babatunde Savage, who gave the assurance during the company’s 63^rd Annual General Meeting (AGM), Guinness has made very strategic investments to ensure a strong industry leadership for the business, supported by an economy appears to be yielding dividends.

He stated that the Nigeria’s inflation rate as at September 2013 stood at 7.83 percent as against 11.5 percent in September 2012 and the Central Bank of Nigeria expects the inflation rate for the rest of the year to remain moderate at below 10 percent. The company is its audited results for the financial year ended June 30, 2013 formally presented to the shareholders at the meeting, reported a give percent top-line growth in revenue.

The shareholders unanimously approved the dividend of 700 kobo per 50 kobo ordinary share proposed by the Board just as they applauded the effort of the management in taking the company to the agreed destination of business excellence. They also commended the management on the launch of new products and the expansion of the manufacturing plants in Benin and Lagos.

UNITY BANK EYES RETAILS SEGMENT

Unity Bank has said it will be making a strategic shift in focus to place greater emphasis on the retail segment which will enable it serve more Nigerians and add more value to the economy. The bank would also be using the agency banking model to take banking services to rural areas across Nigeria.

In a presentation on behalf of the bank at an interactive session with the media in Lagos recently, Head of Corporate communications of Unity Bank, Mrs. Tehodora Amaechi disclosed that the bank would be aiming to impact more on the economy with services that would reach the unbanked n Nigeria.

The management said it is strategizing to ensure that Unity Bank becomes the retail bank of choice in Nigeria. To this end, the banks has developed new products that will suit customers’ needs at a retail level and modified exciting products to increase their competitiveness. This has seen the bank make far-reaching changes in its structure so as to reach the mass market in more competitive ways part of which is the creation of a retail banking division that would be the primary driver of its retail-first agency.