Taking a look at a couple of ads that are recently airing in the media, I cant help but wonder if companies are out to kill their own brands in the name of outdoing the competition.
The first example would be the Safaricom and Zain ads where both companies are portraying coverage all over the country. the image are those of locals e. g the Maasai grazing,the fishermen down on lakeside and the dhows down in the Coast. Then we have KCB and Stanbic Bank,is it me or do the new billboards look familiar?All billboards showing images of nurturing talent or pursuing dreams?
Do we blame the Ad agencies for coming up with a similar concept for advertising? Do we blame the management of the organizations for approving the ads in the first place?Correct me if am wrong but if i was a client and my biggest competitor aired an ad similar to mine,should i kill the competitor or kill the ad agency?
An advert is supposed to provide a visual representation of an organizations brand.As a consumer,am I to believe that all companies in the same field all share a common brand?Isn't each brand supposed to be unique to a particular product?
A well established brand is to sell the product simply because the message is clear and straight to the point. How is this process to take place if all the competitors are selling the same image?I s the product failing to be one of a kind and swimming in the same pool as the rest?

I totally agree, the Ad Agencies need to improve and issue differentiated products. But I feel that companies too need to invest in research in their own and not just rely on Agencies since they know their own products best.

I rate it the best Kenyan Bank campaign. The strategy used focuses on friendliness an essential ingredient in marketing. From the corporate institutions to the small scale enterpreneur the goal is to attract long time customers and the best way to do that is by proving yourself friendly and capable of fullfilling the customers needs. This way a special bond is formed.

Equity Bank have proved that no matter where you are or however small your business you are a member and total satisfaction is guaranteed, they have in my opinion managed to capture the hearts of many a mwananchi.

The feeling of being branded a "member" gives you a sense of belonging and respect. Since Equity Bank focused on being a friendly bank where everyone is a member, it has managed to attract a significant amount of members. As the saying goes "To make many friends be a friend first."
KEEP IT UP EQUITY BANK.


Thank you Brandscape Africa for the opportunity to share my views.

Brands first and foremost need to deliver a promise.Safaricom delivers the promise of wide coverage in 'Niko na Safaricom' ads. Stanbic promises a commitment to seeing their customers thorough life and that also delivers a promise. However, this promise should follow through to service delivery

Agencies have good talent what I feel is lacking is the innovative mind. Marketing managers also need to understand their brands and allow for creativity. I agree, we need something new in terms of advertising.