ARTICLE BY KEHINDE AJOSE
Aren’t you inspired by these Nollywood belles and how they’ve been able to sustain their brands? I bet the majority can’t deny the impact they have made on Nolywood, becoming an inspiration to others on how to build and sustain a brand. Their beauties are never hard to spot , same thing applies to their sheer competence in their craft. The term “branding” originates from the practice of cattle ranchers burning a distinctive symbol into the skin of their livestock to differentiate them from those of other ranchers. Today, the term has evolved to define an intangible quality. Brands that have long term relevance must take into consideration two factors , people and time..Your brand has to have a significant impact on people, and this will be achieved on the platform of time. Omotola,Genevieve and Kate Henshaw have these qualities in common. They epitomize competence, brand re invention, and thirst for conquering new territories.
Some actresses make the mistake of going to sleep over their success and don’t give enough consideration to brand sustenance and upgrading their art. Some of them either lose that chic sexy stature that makes the media and their fans just want more of them, or they just simply stop becoming better, focusing on activities that will diminish their relevance.
In my opinion , brands that last must exhibit Visual delight .Have you ever seen a bestselling product with a messy packaging ? It doesn’t work. The likes of Omotola, Genevieve, and Kate Henshaw are boss ladies when it comes to these. They put on luxury items, clothes, shoes, jewelries that helps to accentuate their sexiness and makes them a visual delight to their fans. According to Akinyemi Ayinoluwa:’ It is beyond stating the obvious to assert that it takes blood, sweat, and tears to own this body type – includes endless hours in the gym, the actualization is borne out of extreme desire to have a perfect showbiz friendly, healthy and marketable body”
Brand re- invention is another tool for brand sustenance. Brands are like beauty queens, even the most beautiful needs makeover from time to time. Omotola exemplifies this. She is the first African celebrity to receive over 1 million likes on her Facebook page. Today, she is not only noted for her incomparable showbiz accomplishments, but is also applauded for her remarkable humanitarian efforts. Over the years, Omotola has been a pioneer in the Nollywood, successfully becoming the most watched actress in Africa. She was recently honored on the 2013 Time 100 Most Influential People in the World List alongside Michelle Obama, Beyonceand Kate Middleton. Omotola launched her own reality show Omotola: The Real Me on Africa Magic Entertainment, a M-Net subsidiary broadcast on DStv.Omotola: The Real Me made Omotola the first Nigerian celebrity to star in their own reality show. She is always doing one thing or the other to become assert her relevance
Let’s take a look at brand Genevieve. Miss Nnaji started her acting career as a child actress in the then popular television soap opera Ripples at the age of 8.She has jumped past that now to assert her relevance. In 2010 she starred in the award winning film Ijé: The Journey. Also in the same 2004, she became the “Face of Lux“ in Nigeria in a highly lucrative sponsorship deal.2008 saw Nnaji launching a clothing line, “St. Genevieve”, which donates its proceeds to charity. In May 2010 Nnaji was appointed to be the official “Face of MUD“ in Nigeria. The pretty actress is also the brand ambassador for Range Rovers SUV brands in Nigeria
Let’s flip to brand Kate Henshaw. In 1993 Henshaw auditioned for the lead role in the movieWhen the Sun Sets and was handed the role. This was her first appearance in a majorNollywood flick. She has stepped up since then crashing ceilings in the pursuits of her passion .In 2008, she won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the film Stronger than Pain. She is presently “The Face of Onga” and one of Nigeria’s Got Talent’ judges.
Eugenia Abu an ace broadcaster describes her this way:” You have brought us so much joy by your gift as a thespian working extremely hard on your craft to ensure that everything you touch is believable. Your recent cover shoots show why we love you so much. Forever young; Kate Henshaw, is such an apt title for one of them. You have kept your charm and simplicity in spite of how much you have grown in the industry. Your pedigree and value add as a frontline actress has led to multiple endorsements by an electronics giant and a well-loved spice brand. As a brand bearer you have continued to carry yourself with dignity.”
These damsels do well to Engage their fans. One tool they don’t fail to use is the social media. They realize that a strong brand is nothing without diehard followership. Brand building can be a lonely journey without a supportive followership. Their fans are always quick to lend their support and encourage them and also criticize them via Twitter. In a “like”-based online ecosystem, Omotola, Genevieve and Kate Henshaw, stand out as a testament to the emotional ties that take years, not minutes to build, and can come crashing down in fleeting seconds if not properly nourished and managed. Social media is every brand’s stage. Successful personal brands use it to reinforce their brand’s value and affinity with their fan base. You should do that too.
It’s time for you to unveil your inner rock star, and build a brand that stands the test of time. Leggo!
reach article writer @splendidkenny on Twitter
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