Stakeholders emphasise on sustainable marketing at Industry Summit & Awards
By Felicia Nwosu
It was a momentous celebration as fast rising niche magazine, “The Industry” marked half of a decade of its remarkable journey in the integrated marketing space and also held its popular industry summit with a call for marketing professionals to focus on sustainable marketing.
The Industry Summit 2024, held recently at Marcelina’s Place, Ikeja, Lagos, was themed: “Sustainable Marketing for Growth”. The event witnessed an array of notable speakers across the marketing and advertising industry.
Goddie Ofose, the CEO/Publisher of The Industry, while delivering his welcome address, explained that the importance of sustainable marketing cannot be overemphasized.
Ofose asserted that sustainable marketing is a purpose-driven practice that works to orientate businesses, brands and society towards a sustainable future, influencing appropriate awareness, aspiration, adoption and action across economic and sociocultural systems by taking necessary accountability for its impacts and opportunities.
The publisher while quoting Charlie Thompson, Director, Commercial Reach & Influence at CISL, reaffirmed that there has been a common misunderstanding that sustainable marketing is simply the act of promoting, endorsing or selling sustainability-orientated products, services, experiences or information.
“Therefore we at The Industry Newspaper, the organizers of The Industry Summit and Awards believe that this subject matter cannot be swept away, particularly as some statistics emerged on the importance of sustainable marketing.
“A recent research by Accenture on responsible leadership showed companies with high ratings for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance enjoyed average operating margins that were 3.7x higher than those of lower ESG performers. Alongside margin, the best ESG performers saw faster growth and were reported to have at least 10% higher company valuations,” he stated.
“However, only 24% of companies saw sustainability as a competitive advantage. Marketing your sustainability strategy in your own internal communications is vital to the retention and recruitment of top talent, and to making sure that your green initiatives are known and supported from the top down, 64% of European businesses have an Environmental Policy. More than two thirds of employees don’t know about the impact your Environmental policy is making. 70% of Gen-Z employees actively want to know about the policy,” Ofose added.
Appreciating and expressing his gratitude to several industry thought leaders for their support all through the years to the growth of his publication, The Industry boss reminisced as he delved into the history and transition of the brand in the last five years of its corporate existence, affirming that it has been five years of transformative journey.
The speakers at the event include Emmanuel Oriakhi, Marketing Director at Nigerian Breweries PLC., who keynoted the event; Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan of Access Bank; Rita Akao of Stanbic IBTC and other panelists, including Ms. Chioma Mbanugo, Head of Marketing PZ WILMAR; Mr. Abiodun Coker, Team Member Media, UBA; Mrs. Mabel Adeteye, Head, Brand & Marketing Communications, Wema Bank PLC; Mr. Kevin Olumese, a Marketing Communications Specialist; Mr. Adeola Kayode, Head, Brands & Creative Services, 9mobile Nigeria; Ms. Aishat Anaekwe, Head, Brands & Comms, Coronation Group; Mrs. Victoria N’dee Uwadoka, Public Relations, Public Affairs & Sustainability Lead, Nestle Nigeria Plc; Mr. Samson Adeoye, Public Relations Manager, Airtel Nigeria among many others.
Photo caption – L-R: Managing Director, Towncriers Limited, Kayode Olagesin representing the 2024 Industry Summit Chairman, Fumi Onabolu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Brands Optimal Limited, Otis Ojeikhoa, Chief Executive Officer, Financial Institution Training Centre (FITC), Chizor Malize, President, Outdoor Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (OAAN), Sola Akinsiku receiving the Industry Governor of the Year Award for Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Chief Executive Officer, Ladybird Advertising, Bunmi Oke and the Convener, The Industry Summit/Awards, Goddie Ofose at the fifth edition of the Industry Summit/Awards 2024 in Ikeja, Lagos over the weekend.
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