Microsoft Mobile offers N3.5m entrepreneurship support to young Nigerians

As part of its efforts at empowering consumers to achieve more, Microsoft Mobile Devices and Services is set to award N3.5m to 5 Nigerians with brilliant business ideas in the Microsoft Lumia 535 Dual SIM activation campaign tagged ‘From Passion to Empire’, which runs from February 16, 2015 to March 31, 2015. According to General Manager, Microsoft Mobile Devices and Services, West Africa, Joseph Umunakwe, “From Passion to Empire” initiative provides us the opportunity to help young entrepreneurs test the strength of their ideas, sharpen their skills and expand their frontiers as they go through a period of intensive business coaching with the aim to ultimately, establish their businesses. “Running a start-up is challenging in any environment, so Microsoft Mobile seeks to empower entrepreneurs in Nigeria who have great business ideas. “From Passion to Empire” would not be about a cash grant only as the 5 winners will also be mentored by highly successful entrepreneurs like House of Tara’s Tara Fela Durotoye, Chocolate City’s Audu Maikori and Jobberman’s Opeyemi Awoyemi. ” Umunakwe said. http://perfectbrandsng.com/microsoft-mobile-offers-n3-5m-entrepreneurship-support-to-young-nigerians/

Airtel Moves PR Business To CMC Connect

Airtel Nigeria has announced that, its brand’s Public Relations aspect of its marketing communications’ business has been awarded to Lagos PR shop, CMC Connect. The Multi-million naira business was reviewed in a bid to taking the brand to its next phase of development. According to Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, CEO, CMC Connect, in an interactive session with a cross section of the media, the agency which had its on-board meeting with the client representatives recently has officially taken over the management of the client’s Public Relations business. http://perfectbrandsng.com/airtel-moves-pr-business-to-cmc-connect/

Twitter Buys Zipdial For $40m To Aid Users In Emerging Markets

Twitter has acquired mobile phone service ZipDial for a reported $40 million in an attempt to make the real-time social network more accessible to people in India and other emerging markets. ZipDial allows people to use Twitter via a toll-free “missed call” to a designated phone number. Callers then receive inbound content on their phone in real time through voice, SMS or an app notification. This “missed call” marketing platform allows people to access content for free, which is especially useful in the developing world where many can’t afford data plans. Based in Bangalore, India, ZipDial has already been used by Twitter users in the country to follow famous actors, sportsmen and religious leaders. For more stories, please visit: http://perfectbrandsng.com/twitter-buys-zipdial-for-40m-to-aid-users-in-emerging-markets/

Federal Government Introduces Pneumonia Vaccine in Nigeria

The Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) was launched in Lokoja Kogi State on December 22, at the launch were National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the arm of Federal Ministry of Health responsible for Routine Immunization in Nigeria, also at the event were representatives of The World Health Organization (WHO), The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), The Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN), Clinton Health and Access Initiative, GlaxoSmithKline and other partners in the routine immunization landscape in Nigeria The Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Capt. Idris Wada described the introduction of the new pneumococcal conjugate vaccine as an essential response to reducing pneumonia in Nigeria. The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Arch. Yomi Awoniyi, said the newly introduced vaccine is a laudable initiative that is capable of protecting young children against pneumonia and other diseases, and disclosed that it is another strategy aimed at reaching every child at risk of pneumonia. He further called on stakeholders who are in the fore front of disseminating information on immunization and other health sectors to influence the acceptance of the newly introduced vaccine. Speaking at the launch, the Executive Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Ado Muhammad said by the time the nation achieves full time national coverage of the vaccine, Nigeria will avert over 600,000 childhood deaths over 3 years. He assured that the Federal government will ensure the availability of the “lifesaving” vaccines for the Nigerian child towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG4 L-R: Executive Director/CEO, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Ado Muhammad, Executive Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Architect Yomi Awoniyi and the Managing Director,GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Mr Lekan Asuni at the National Launch for Pneumonia Vaccine introduction in Nigeria by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency held in Lokoja Kogi State on 22nd December,2014. According to WHO Country Director, Dr. Rui VAS, “The introduction of PCV in Nigeria will ultimately improve the Child Health outcome of the country and accelerate the progress of the country towards achieving the MDG4 Goal”. The Country Director who was represented by Dr. Musa Omotosho said over 177,000 children under five years of age die from Pneumococcal diseases annually in Nigeria, and that “The introduction of PCV into the country EPI schedule will ultimately improve the health outcome of children in the country” http://perfectbrandsng.com/federal-government-introduces-pneumonia-vaccine-in-nigeria/

Olympic, Peter Okoye Fete Blue Santa Selfie Challenge winners

Nutricima Limited has rewarded consumers who emerged winners in the ‘Blue Santa Selfie Challenge,’ a Facebook competition which required participants to take a selfie picture imitating the pose of Olympic brand Ambassador, Peter Okoye. The winners were selected based on the numbers of likes for the selfie pictures on the Facebook page and the creativity of the pose. A total of 10 consumers emerged winners in the Blue Santa Selfie Challenge and they were rewarded with gifts and a special surprise visit by Peter Okoye who was dressed as the Blue Santa. Speaking on the reason behind this initiative, Category Marketing Manager, (Standard Milk), Nutricima, Mr. Raphael Agbaje, stated that Christmas is a season for caring and sharing, the brand decided to give gifts that will make the season memorable for its consumers. http://perfectbrandsng.com/olympic-peter-okoye-fete-blue-santa-selfie-challenge-winners/

Microsoft Mobile To Reward Customers With 12 Cars

With the holiday right around the corner, Microsoft Mobile Devices and Services has announced the commencement of the ‘Lumia Christmas’ promotion. Aimed at making this holiday season special for its customers, it runs from November 24th to December 31st 2014 will see 12 lucky Lumia smartphone and tablet buyers drive away with a brand new Ford Figo car as well as lots of instant gifts. Joseph Umunakwe, General Manager, Microsoft Mobile Devices and Services, West Africa commented that “We are very proud of our Lumia smartphones and tablets and how it continues to connect more people to our suite of productivity services, whilst providing them a rich smartphone experience at amazing price points. This is our little way of rewarding our consumers, ensuring they close this year and begin the New Year on a high note.” He explained that “Everyone stands a chance of winning one of the 12 brand new Ford Figocars on offer. All they need to do is buy any Lumia smartphone or tablet and SMS keyword LUMIA your NAME and IMEI number to 38680” http://perfectbrandsng.com/microsoft-mobile-to-reward-customers-with-12-cars/

Yahoo To Acquire Brightroll For $640m

Yahoo is to acquire BrightRoll, the programmatic video advertising platform, for $640 million (£402.7 million) in cash. Following the deal, Yahoo will combine its existing desktop and mobile video advertising with BrightRoll’s programmatic video platform and publisher relationships. Yahoo said the acquisition will “dramatically strengthen” its video advertising platform, “making it the largest in the US”. BrightRoll’s net revenue is expected to exceed $100 million this year. The acquisition is expected to close within the first quarter of 2015. Marissa Mayer, the chief executive at Yahoo, said: “Video, along with mobile, social, and native, is driving a surge in digital advertising. “Here at Yahoo, video is one of the largest growth opportunities and BrightRoll is a terrific, strategic and financially compelling fit for our video advertising business. “This acquisition will accelerate the growth of both companies. We can help BrightRoll scale to even more advertisers globally and they can bring its tremendous platform offering to Yahoo’s advertisers. “The combination builds positive momentum for Yahoo’s broader display advertising business in 2015.” http://perfectbrandsng.com/yahoo-to-acquire-brightroll-for-640m/