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Called Masiyephambili Drive, the programme will afford businesses an opportunity to advertise themselves to their customers and possible partners as the station joins in the crusade to revive industries in the once industrial hub of the country.
Speaking at a breakfast meeting organised by Star FM in conjunction with the Marketing Association of Zimbabwe on Wednesday, the station’s sales and marketing manager Mr Piwayi Dzuda said the programme would start in the next fortnight and only businesses from Bulawayo would advertise on the segment.
The breakfast meeting, which was attended by more than 100 delegates drawn from various fields, was held under the theme “Cutting edge marketing for superior business returns”.
“We are going to create a special segment called Masiyephambili Drive which is going to be highlighting businesses based in Bulawayo. The segment will cover a lot of issues but businesses will benefit in that they will now be visible in terms of their brand which means more business for them,” said Mr Dzuda.
“There is a huge market for any sector in Bulawayo and our aim is to make sure businesses are highlighted. This programme will start at the beginning of October. We are an extension of your marketing departments and we should work together to grow.”
He said the station would craft special advertising rates for the businesses.
The station’s general manager Mr Admire Taderera said they would continue holding breakfast meetings as the station was proving a “true” business partner.
“This is our second marketers’ breakfast meeting. We wanted to come and have our footprint in Bulawayo and we want businesses here to know that we value their time and patronage. Our station has been growing in leaps and bounds and we will continue supporting business,” he said.
Marketers and business managers commended the meeting saying it was a platform for them to network and create synergies.
“Such events help us retrace our steps and take stock of our professions. It is a platform for sharing ideas and how to take the profession forward and face the challenges. We have challenges like financial constraints and it is through such platforms that we learn new innovations and use them in future,” said Ms Stella Nkomo, the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair marketing and corporate communications manager.
Mr Mduduzi Gwebu from the Computer Association of Zimbabwe said the event had helped them ensure they promote new technologies.
Econet chief marketing officer Mr Isaiah Nyangari, who was the guest of honour, urged businesses to give value to the needs of the customer and also introduce new innovations to widen their customer base.
“Before introducing any product there is a need to interact and understand the values and beliefs of consumers,” he said.
Online Reporter