adminTinashe Makichi Business Reporter
Marketers should take a proactive approach by embracing digital media platforms to effectively market their brands, Chinhoyi University of Technology lecturer Professor Zororo Muranda has said.
Professor Muranda, who was speaking during the launch of the second edition of the Marketers Suppliers Expo (MASXPO) in Harare yesterday, said all marketing bosses should consider advertising on digital media platforms to advance their brands because the world had gone digital.
“Most marketing personnel only apply six out of 10 or below towards marketing innovation because their strategies are reactive rather than proactive and lack ambition.
“Digital platforms is the way to go in marketing products,” Prof Muranda said.
The expo which was organized by the Markerters Association of Zimbabwe is being sponsored by Zimpapers and is running under the theme “Revolutionizing Brand Exposure.”
Professor Muranda said marketers should also consider mobile platforms and setting social strategies for their brands.
“Marketers need to come up with marketing innovation strategies to define how their organisations should interact and engage customers on social platforms such as Facebook, twitter, while taking the entire marketing mix into account.
“Once marketing departments have defined their future, they should craft a marketing innovation roadmap to see how existing activities should be modified to fit into the new plan,” he said.
Professor Muranda said testing and learning activities should be undertaken before any new activities are launched.
He commended Zimpapers for coming up with new digital platforms such as BH 24 and the soon to be introduced Sports24, which are being embraced by some companies.
“Over the last seven years companies like Vodacom Tanzania have adopted the strategy of marketing on digital platforms in order to meet the global demands as well as penetrating new market trends.
This year, MAZ is targeting a diverse audience and an array of local and regional exhibitors which include print media, outdoor media, branding companies, SMEs, as well as ICT service providers.
Online Reporter