#SMW 2014: How can social marketing help Africa?

#SMW2014 How can social marketing help Africa? presented by Guy Clapperton, UK Journalist in technology & small business with two books written on social media.

The presentation had the opportunity to be quite enlightening as well as entertaining, however fell short of my expectations.  Instead, it was too vague & not well thought through.

Ironically, although Guy’s topic was “How can social marketing help Africa?”, he never actually discussed this.

The main parts of his discussion were in summary:-

• Social media is here to stay
• Emerging markets economies like Africa, have a mobile opportunity
• Learn from the mobile/digital mistakes others have made globally & locally
• Anticipate that other companies and/or people might play dirty games with this form of media & have all alternative strategies as back-up.My personal perspective is knowing how viral this media tool is, have a SST (special situations task team) in place for all responses for key outcomes & possibilities that need to be done in real-quick time e.g. Apple’s latest OS launch with the free U2 album, #ARIKwhereismyipad

Interesting Facts & Figures:-

• Africa’s iGDP in 2013 was $18bn (McKinsey & Co)
• 78% of African internet use was for social media in 2013 (Source: Pew Research)
• Projected contribution to African Growth by 2025 $230bn (Source: Ventures-Africa.com)