PR Momentum Rises
The impact of public relations on businesses has been tremendous in recent years with more business owners and other stakeholders attesting to its relevance as a major tool for marketing and communications. Raheem Akingbolu reports
The years 2016 and 2017 were turbulent for businesses and brand owners. No thanks to the significant decline in economic activities that spread across the economy and lasted for about two years. As expected, marketing budget dropped while the tough time lasted and this led to unemployment and business decline in Marketing Communications industry. This notwithstanding, brand managers wanted to sell, hence the need for subtle approach and cost effective platforms to connect with consumers.
As a result of this, Public Relations and experiential marketing suddenly took the front seat as many marketing directors quickly readjusted their marketing plans and pitch their tent with PR and experiential agencies. For PR practitioners, it has been a blessing in disguise because they have warmed themselves into the hearts of government institutions and some business owners, who were initially conservative in their market approach. By December last year, many agency heads were not only counting their blessings, they attracted awards and recognition for being able to contribute meaningfully to brand building and economic growth.
Adherent to corporate practice For being able to maintain standard and adhere strictly to the ethics of the job, XLR8, one of West Africa’s leading public relations and communications consultancies, won the “Best Corporate Public Relations Practitioner of the year” at the 2017 Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Presidential Award, held towards the end of the year.
In his citation for XLR8, President of the Institute and Chairman of its Council, Dr. Rotimi Oladele, commended the “finesse and strategic rigour that have come to define the company’s craft”, adding that it is no surprise that XLR8’s interventions typically deliver the desired outcomes for its clients.
Chief Executive Officer of XLR8, Calixthus Okoruwa expressed thanks and appreciation to NIPR for the recognition.
“We are humbled and overwhelmed by this recognition coming from the apex guardian of professionalism in the public relations and communications management sector,” he stated, adding that it would inspire XLR8 to rededicate itself to excellence in every facet of its operations.
XLR8 has, in the course of the 13 years since its founding, expanded very rapidly in the marketing communications consulting space in Nigeria by proving itself an invaluable ally and trusted advisor to several leading brands and organisations across different sectors.
It currently consults for leading multinationals in the banking and financial services sector, technology and telecommunications, sports and entertainment, food and beverages, fast moving consumer goods and the public sector.
As if Lagos State was waiting for the recognition before engaging the PR firm to handle its sensitisation campaign on the Land Use Charge, news filtered in that the agency has been hired by the state government. Around the same time, XLR8 also clinched MTN PR business.
Recognition for PR report In a country where stakeholders have consistently clamoured for data and records, the industry was awash when an agency, BHM, damned the consequence and started the publication of a PR report. For the singular act, the agency was named Agency of the Year and the Best Agency to Work in 2017 by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Lagos Chapter.
The award presentation took place at the annual Lagos PR Industry Gala and Awards (LaPRIGA) night, which held recently in Lagos.
.According to the Chairman, NIPR Lagos State Chapter, Olusegun McMedal, the selection was based on the result of a survey of agency employees which scored BHM high on a wide range of parameters, ranging from integrity of senior management, quality of professional development, creativity, empowerment and risk-taking, staff welfare, mobility, retention and emolument.
Receiving the award on behalf of BHM, General Manager/COO, Moruff Adenekan, described the award as a mark of honour. “It’s an honour to receive this award on behalf of the entire team. At BHM, we’re all about keeping our people happy and doing great work. For us, creating better models for the Nigerian PR industry to reach greater heights, reach its fullest potential and attain global recognition is a task we’re committed to. This award is dedicated to our people and clients, both of whom are the reason for what we have achieved so far.”
In 2015, the agency launched a nationwide campaign themed ‘PR is Dead’ which was designed to draw attention of the public and marketing communications practitioners to the fact that communication has evolved beyond textbook practices and the good old traditional ways. The ‘PR is Dead’ campaign was designed to stir up in the minds of communicators, the urgent need to evolve with the times, learn new skills and embrace new ideas in order to remain relevant. As the year approached the end, the agency won part of MTN businesses.
Double Industry Honours TPT International Limited, Nigeria’s foremost PR consultancy, also closed 2017 on a glorious note with two awards within a week by the governing bodies of the public relations industry in the country.
At the Presidential Dinner Award of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Lagos, TPT International was conferred with the “Corporate Practitioner of Excellence 2017” award. Last Thursday, NIPR Lagos chapter announced TPT International as the “Best Agency to Work” at a gala night in Lagos. The result was the outcome of independent surveys conducted for the award organisers.
On the “Corporate Practitioner of Excellence 2017” award, NIPR President, Dr Rotimi Oladele said TPT International beat other competitors to win the highly-coveted honour because of its “innovative, excellent, professional and creative” approach to campaigns and contribution to the growth of PR practice in the past two decades.
Former NIPR President, Mazi Mike Okereke, who presented the ‘Best Place to Work’ award to TPT International, described the agency’s approach as innovative and pace-setting. The foremost PR practitioner said TPT International is renowned as a dream agency for practitioners, which is a proof of its leadership position.
Lead Strategist of TPT International, Adetokunbo Modupe, who dedicated the awards to his team, described the recognitions as a validation of the company’s focus in managing clients’ perception in line with global standards and result delivery, as well as its determination to emerge as one of the most-sought reputation managing firms in Africa.
Leadership Group Managing Director of CMC Connect (Perception Managers), Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, was also honoured at the LaPRIGA event by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) with the ‘Bob Ogbuagu Leadership Award’ for positively impacting the Nigerian PR profession and inspiring younger practitioners.
Mr.Badejo-Okusanya while receiving the award which was presented to him by veteran TV broadcaster/Producer, Mr. Bisi Olatilo, applauded the Lagos State NIPR for uplifting the profession through quality initiatives.
He said: “I want to thank my beautiful wife for her tremendous support. And I also commend my team at CMC Connect for the commitment, without them this cannot happen. They really do a lot. I am just one of the trees in that forest.”
Speaking in an emotional tone, he dedicated the LaPRIGA award to late Simeon Olawale Adelabu, one of the very active members of the Lagos State Chapter of NIPR who died recently.
A consummate public relations practitioner with decades of experience in the profession, Mr. Badejo-Okusanya is the current President of the African Public Relations Association (APRA), the umbrella body for the practice of public relations in Africa.
Lifetime Achievement A top female practitioner, NKECHI Ali-Balogun, who runs NECCI Limited and NECCI Public Relations Roundtable was also conferred with the “Lifetime Achievement Award, 2018,” by NIPR Lagos. According to the NIPR, the award was given in recognition of her role as a leading public relations practiotioner and strategist, as well as being the first female chairman of the Lagos branch of the Institute
“In addition, we also recognise her meritorious contribution to the public relations practice, inspiring younger practitioners, especially the females and the growth of the Institute over the years,” the institute said in a statement. The award presentation took place at the annual Lagos PR Industry Gala and Awards, LaPRIGA night, which held recently in Lagos. A Fellow of the Institute, Nkechi has in the recent past received “The Most Outstanding Public Relations Practitioner of the Year” for two consecutive years. She was a former chairman of the Lagos chapter of the professional body.
As 2018 business year begins, there is no gain saying the fact that PR growth is on the rise with more recognition coming its way.