Brand Envoy Africa

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the business development manager for the MENA (Middle East North American) Region of ANTtention Media Africa, a Pan-African media company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Brand Envoy Africa?

We wanted to set up a media company that’d originate from Nigeria but didn’t want the same-old branding that everyone else has. Essentially, we were looking for a partner that could help us get a Pan-African brand rather than a Nigerian brand so people from other parts of Africa and the world could identify with it. Our team knew this was something not a lot of people could actually help us achieve. The second need was help with marketing across radio, TV, and online platforms.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Brand Envoy Africa handles our branding and marketing strategy. The first project was creating our logo. We wanted something that had an African essence to it but also had an international appeal. After the logo was completed, Brand Envoy Africa did our letterhead. Then, they created a video montage for us because we do a lot of video work.

Next, Brand Envoy Africa set up our website and planned our marketing strategy. We had a general idea of what we wanted to achieve but didn’t have the know-how. Their team came up with the idea to utilize radio and TV for our marketing efforts. Then, they took the necessary steps to properly position us. This was exactly what we needed.

We needed to know what the peak periods for radio and TV were. Brand Envoy Africa ran us through the entire dynamic. They planned everything to a tee, including all of the media planning. Their team planned our advertisement times on the radio and managed our media buy-ins as well. They helped us select the right media channels and did all of our digital marketing. Also, they currently help us plan and co-host events.

What is the team composition?

I work with the graphic designers, researchers, and business development team.

How did you come to work with Brand Envoy Africa?

First, we conducted a bit of research. We had a couple of our team members go and do some inquiries. Strategically, we looked at the top vendors who were implementing campaigns that were successfully visible. Our team wanted a partner who was active in running campaigns and managing brands.

Brand Envoy Africa’s name was at the top of the list. We initiated contact and opened up discussions. Of course, they wanted to make money, but they were happy just being creative. It was a no-brainer for us. Not only were they affordable, but they were also creative, efficient, and professional.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested about $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in July 2017, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The engagement has been a good experience for us. For every idea they give, they implement a feedback mechanism. For instance, newspaper announcements can be difficult and most agencies just collect money and print out the newspaper announcement for us.

However, Brand Envoy Africa published a newspaper announcement and put a feedback mechanism where they attached an offer to it. The offer said if a reader responds to the newspaper staff within a particular period, they’d get X, Y, and Z. We had many readers who responded to the offer. They had specifically learned about us as a result of the newspaper article they had stumbled upon.

We had put out PR articles over several months and years prior to this. But for the first time, an article gave us direct lead generation because of this feedback mechanism that Brand Envoy Africa implemented. This result was similar to the radio commercials that their team created for us. They recorded it in-house at their own space. Likewise, we received the same results with the TV commercials they shot for us. We were able to quantify the value of the money we were spending with them.

How did Brand Envoy Africa perform from a project management standpoint?

The CEO makes himself available, which is one of the things we enjoy about him. From the receptionist all the way to the company owner, their excellent work ethic trickles down the ranks. Everyone is friendly and approachable. We use email and Skype to communicate, and they utilize their own project management tool. Their team is as transparent as it gets.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I often sit in my office and think of ideas but don’t have a method as to how to make it happen. Knowing I can take that idea, give it to someone and have them deliver it for me is golden. The Brand Envoy Africa team delivers and are true professionals.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There was a commercial we shot that required at least 12 models. Brand Envoy Africa brought in the people and then the equipment which resulted in us falling behind schedule for the shoot. In all fairness to them, not many agencies in Nigeria have buses to move people around, so a lot of them have to rent buses.

Brand Envoy Africa has a bus, but we wish it was a bit bigger. This issue came up twice during the video shoots.  However, they explained it beforehand so it was an issue we knew about.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a PHP engineer for an innovation hub company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Brand Envoy Africa?

Our client needed some branding work for their app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Brand Envoy Africa provided design work, branding, and color schemes for our client’s apps. Their team came up with the ideas and implemented them, following client approval.

What is the team composition?

I worked with the CEO and a few graphic design teammates.

How did you come to work with Brand Envoy Africa?

They were referred to us by a few contacts. We requested their portfolio and showed it to the client, who was impressed and wanted to hire them. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked on the project from June – July 2018. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

The client was very satisfied with the work Brand Envoy Africa delivered.

How did Brand Envoy Africa perform from a project management standpoint?

They explained the work they were going to do and gave a timeline. Everything was delivered within the timeframe and they adapted to all the requested changes made by the client. We communicated a couple of times each week through email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were adaptable and maintained the deadlines they set.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Sometimes communication between our teams was broken, so more direct communication would be better. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Do a test for the project and if you’re satisfied, let them expand on it toward your goals. They’ll strategize and do an amazing job.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing director of Argentina for Foodstuff, a mini-market chain.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Brand Envoy Africa?

We hired Brand Envoy Africa to provide marketing support, working to especially target the Filipino customer-base.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Their team helped us come with a promotional campaign idea to collaborate with one of the biggest foreign exchange houses. With this collaboration, customers of either company receive discount vouchers for use at the other business.

To promote this partnership, Brand Envoy Africa helped with local, on the ground marketing. We ran a local campaign on social media and created a few banners. Our team also did a few roadshows to inform key demographics about the promotion and encourage them to leverage their memberships. 

What is the team composition?

I worked with Temple (Founder, Brand Envoy Africa).

How did you come to work with Brand Envoy Africa?

I met Temple at an MBA course a few years ago. I got in touch with him to share my business demographics and goals to reward and grow our base of loyal Filipino customers. I knew they had great marketing expertise, so I chose them to support our efforts. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from March–December 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Within the Filipino demographic, our sales grew by 27%, which was quite significant. If I had the right resources, I’d use Brand Envoy Africa every time because of their work. 

How did Brand Envoy Africa perform from a project management standpoint?

They delivered their work even earlier than the deadline we set. Despite them being remote, we interacted daily. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were disciplined and respected our views—they really listened to us, which is rare in this industry. Though their suggestions were good, they ultimately always did what we wanted. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there’s nothing I’d have them improve.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They deliver work professionally and with discipline, so I’m recommending them to my network. I give my vote of confidence to Brand Envoy Africa. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Global Trade Advisors, a real estate consulting company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Brand Envoy Africa?

I needed a company to assist with mass marketing research.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had an initial meeting where we had all of our requirements and requests. The research was for materials around mines in Ghana. In about four weeks, we were presented with the full market research report with regards to the specific location we were targeting. After the proposal was delivered, we moved forward from a marketing standpoint where we worked with branding along with figuring out what equipment villages needed like umbrellas and raincoats. We provided necessities to gain trust with their people.

What is the team composition?

My main point of contact was Temple (Director of Marketing & Business Development, Brand Envoy Africa).

How did you come to work with Brand Envoy Africa?

I met the CEO in Dubai about eight years ago through another one of my businesses. He assisted with the position and marketing of that business. I was quite satisfied with the reach they had with marketing. They know their market, being in Nigeria, and have a wealth of experience in surrounding regions. Brand Envoy Africa guaranteed me that this is something they’re familiar with. They’re straightforward and honest with what they’re able to do.

How much have you invested with them?

I spent under $150,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with Brand Envoy Africa from September 2013 to January 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Brand Envoy Africa successfully managed to have a reasonable price, communication, and quality of work consistently.

How did Brand Envoy Africa perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated through email and WhatsApp. Their team is responsive, sending reports via email. We discuss them the same day or at least within 24 hours. Once it’s discussed, our teams press forward.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Brand Envoy Africa delivers quality work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The only downside is time differences. They’re in a time zone that’s five to six hours ahead of us.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Brand Envoy Africa is as professional as any North American company I’ve worked with. They communicate promptly, never missing a conference or meeting.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Managing Director of Easer Lifestyle Africa

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are 3 PL logistics service provider that ensures safe, convenient last mile deliveries for both partners and customers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Brand Envoy Africa to accomplish?

• Set up a Brand identity
• Create our service offering
• Earn our first revenue

SOLUTION

How did you find Brand Envoy Africa?

• Online Search
• Referral

Why did you select Brand Envoy Africa over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Brand Envoy Africa were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We only had an idea for a business. On introduction to Brand Envoy Africa, we were able to turn this into a profitable business. The agency had suggested that we create a name that was easy, memorable and clear. Past this stage and registering the business, the agency helped us build our brand personality. The research around what type of bikes and trucks to buy was also overseen by the agency. Glad to have worked with them because they delivered.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Oh there were lots of measurable results. 
  • We built a brand that was reputable and had them support us even when we wanted to give up some days 
  • We generated our first revenues under their guidance and experience 
  • The Agency CEO trained our staff and riders whose reputation for positive courtesy has been bringing in more refferals.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The items set out were delivered on time and the their response time for everything escalated was next to great even though half of their team were on projects across some African countries at the time.

What was your primary form of communication with Brand Envoy Africa?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their energy, creativity, and ability to not just conceptualize but birth ideas are impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Brand Envoy Africa could have done differently?

We wanted them to help us get influencers for our marketing. They referred us to another agency that claimed this was their forte and we were dissapointed. We would love them to consider signing up directly with influencers.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Head of Marketing at a psychotherapy, counseling and addiction recovery practice in Nigeria.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Brand Envoy Africa?

1. We firstly needed to become a visible brand with a friendly personality.
2. We needed at least 10 clients on a weekly basis

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We googled for creative brand agencies around us and this came up with a couple of names. I then selected the top 5. I shared this with the team and we picked our top 2. After this they were invited into the office to pitch for the job. Post review We selected Brand Envoy Africa.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

From our choice of colors, words and image associations, Brand Envoy sat with us and discussed this with marketing team. At some point, they spoke with two of our therapists who put them through our current clie t I boarding process. After this stage, they provided us with 3 customer profiles they were going to model a funnel towards. This 2as the first time we heard of the word "evergreen funnel" so they taught is what this meant. They built us the funnel, set up our brand Materials, online presence and pitched that we position to attract corporates as well. This was done as well

What was the team composition?

Their team consisted of the Markeing director, bulling team, creative team who we interfaced with comprising of their animators, graphics designers and Web design team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Firstly, we started by rebranding the website and this made it easy for visitors to navigate our site. We also began to rank slowly for some keywords, we became a lot more confident and lastly started attracting corporates and not just individual clients.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

This was seamless.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their creativity and team spirit made work seamless. Their ability to truly research their clients needs and sector.

Is there any area for improvement or anything that could have been done differently?

At the onset, the email responses were delayed by almost 14 hours apart. We later found out after speaking to their CEO that they were a team of just 10 and had to double task. The moment we began , this improved and lasted throughout the length of our project.