A.M.C. MEMBER NEWS

Marketers Association of Zimbabwe launches its Business Institute

By our News Team | 2023

New arm is responsible for the career development activities of marketers, sales people and other business professionals.

The Marketers Association of Zimbabwe (MAZ) recently made history by launching its Business Institute, further cementing the association’s position as the home of professional development in marketing and related professions in Zimbabwe.

MAZ Business Institute is the arm responsible for undertaking the career development activities of marketers, sales professionals, customer experience managers, public relations practitioners and other business-related professionals.

Senator Monica Mutsvangwa (left) and Gillian Rusike of MAZ open the MAZ Business Institute. Photo courtesy of MAZ

The institute’s operations are guided by MAZ principles and values. It comprises three strategic business units (SBUs), namely: MAZ Institute of Digital Practitioners; MAZ Institute of Sales Professionals; and MAZ Institute of Customer Experience Practitioners.

Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, MAZ Patron and Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, officially launched the MAZ Business Institute.

In her speech, she highlighted how business trends are changing and urged Zimbabwe’s marketers to always be alert on these.

“Globally, the business trends are changing very fast. This therefore calls you, the marketers and communications professionals, to be at the forefront of presenting your brands,” she stated.

A revolution in the way businesses must communicate

Minister Mutsvangwa said digitalisation of the business world and its processes, as well as the advent of social media, had completely revolutionised the way businesses communicated with their customers.

“Social media is a very powerful medium which can either destroy or build brands, as well as nations. We have to tailor-make our products and services to the demand of customers. Even as government, we take communication seriously, as we need to keep abreast with technology”, said the Minister.

MAZ Executive Secretary, Mr Gillian Rusike, said the establishment of the Business Institute was in line with the education 5.0 being promoted by the government.

“The Institute is part of education 5.0 and we are working with industry and institutions of higher learning to enhance our programmes and make sure that the calls by the President are incorporated at industry level,” said Mr Rusike.

He added that MAZ was committed to upholding professionalism in the marketing and related professions in the country and beyond, as seen by synergies with other regional marketing bodies.

Mr Rusike said the cross-border partnerships had seen MAZ offering the Digital Marketing program to students in Malawi and Zambia. MAZ was also working on a partnership with Kenya.

A passenger jet at a gate viewed from the nose with a sunset sky and dark clouds in the background

Airline body urges African governments to act on opening market access

‘Strategies don’t move people. Now it is time to make the difficult decisions and execute them,’ senior executive stresses.

Two hockey players battle for the puck along the boards during a game one in blue and one in white

Uganda Tourism Board partners with major European ice hockey league

UTB says its ambition is to turn the visibility into interest, bookings and more visitors choosing to explore Uganda.

Two young women sit together looking at a tablet one in an orange sweater holds a bottle while the other in a pink hoodie eyes the screen

Researchers explain why 10-second micro ads outperform longer spots

Short ads shown on TV increased website visits within five minutes of airing by 10-40% compared with longer advertisements.

Worker on a ladder painting the yellow storefront of a corner shop labeled supeco and label vie with shoppers and parked vehicles nearby

Competition continues to grow in the Moroccan supermarket sector

Supeco’s rapid expansion shows how the discount model is becoming a bigger part of grocery retail in the North African country.

Gold hotel toiletries sachets arranged on a marble bathroom counter including a vanity kit and shower gel beside a glass

Study identifies harmful paradox behind well-meaning green efforts

Consumers reward visible eco-friendly additions such as reusable bottles, but give little credit to businesses that reduce or remove products.

Medical professional in a white coat and pink hairnet demonstrates handwashing at a stainless steel station while soldiers watch nearby

President Mahama commissions expanded evaporated milk facility in Ghana

Nestlé believes Ghana will continue to play a leading role in the future of Central and West Africa.

Diverse group of people posing for a group photo in a bright lobby under an empa banner with 'this is possibility ' text above

Momentum beginning to build for 2027 ACCS gathering in Addis Ababa

Ethiopia’s marketers gather to celebrate hosting next year’s conference – but with an eye on the hard work ahead.

Young woman with curly hair smiling while looking at her phone outdoors wearing earphones

PwC report examines the future of African entertainment and media

Tech is creating more ways for audiences to connect, but lasting value will come from understanding the people behind those connections.

Four professionals in blue protective coats and hairnets cut a blue ribbon during a factory ceremony celebrating a ribbon cutting event

Unilever investment expands its Vaseline production capacity in Africa

The new production line at the historic Maydon Wharf facility in Durban will address growing international demand.

Group of formally dressed award winners posing on stage with trophies at the world cruise awards ceremony

World MICE Awards in Jamaica honour best African and global achievers

Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and South Africa all feature in the African meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions awards.

Five adults in a rural village square talk holding notebooks and papers as they discuss together at sunset

AI won’t replace market research. But it will expose weak strategy

Much of the broader conversation around AI in market research assumes conditions that do not consistently exist across many African markets, writes Soyinka Witness.