-
Symposium gets marketers fired up
For the first time, the country’s leading marketers met under one roof for an intense two-day session in a bid to take marketing to new heights in Botswana.
Converging on Phakalane Golf Estate for the inaugural Marketing Symposium last month, local marketers discussed ideas and shared strategies on how to get the most out of their profession.
Explaining the objectives behind the gathering, Founder and CEO of Ayzont Interactive (Pty) Ltd, Motabaseyo Nameela, said, “Marketing Symposium is a platform that gives marketing professionals who are driven by a common purpose, across diverse industries the opportunity to network, learn from each other and inspire excellence for the industry by sharing their unique experiences.”
He further pointed out marketing plans need to be fast and flexible in response to emerging technology as well as evolving brand strategies.
For her part, Stanbic Bank Botswana’s Head of Brand and Marketing, Stephanie Sandridge said collaboration and simplicity were crucial in the ‘theatre of marketing’.
“It is important for banks to build distinctive connections which are mutual and sustainable for both customers and companies. Customers are an important cog in any successful enterprise. Marketers have to fully embrace and take ownership of their campaigns so that the working process becomes even easier for other departments such as customer interfacing departments,” said Sandridge.
Giving her two Thebes worth, Head of Marketing and Communication at the recently rebranded Access Bank, Polelo Kilner insisted teamwork makes the dream work when it comes to a successful marketing department.
“Marketers should copy and reproduce the culture of enthusiasm and gusto that persists in advertising agencies,” stressed Kilner.
Sharing her thoughts, Head of Communications and Public Relations at Mascom, Tebogo Lebotse Sebego described Public Relations as a type of community engagement.
“One must be able to relate with people from all walks of life. In addition, a professional in the public relations and communications space must not react but rather control the narrative by telling the story first,” advised Sebego.
What is marketing?
The action or business of promoting and selling products or services, including market research and advertising.
Common examples of marketing at work include television commercials, billboards on the side of the road, and magazine advertisements.
