Search is fragmenting – credibility and trust create the new visibility
Online search behaviour has changed significantly with the rise of AI. How can African brands adapt to this new marketing landscape?
A.M.C. MEMBER NEWS
Successful gathering for Malawi’s marketers on the shores of the Lake
By our News Team | 2022
Second conference under the IMM banner included dynamic speakers, a marketing awards event and the election of new office bearers.
The annual conference of the Institute of Marketing in Malawi concluded on Saturday (29 October) at the Sunbird Livingstonia Beach hotel on the Salima shores of Lake Malawi.
According to Organising Committee Chairperson, George Damson, the conference was a success based on the feedback received from the delegates.
“This was our second conference under the IMM banner and coming into this conference we took key learnings and members’ feedback from our inaugural conference last year to make improvements to this year’s conference,” he said.
Winners at the 2022 Madolo Marketing Excellence Awards celebrate their success. Photo credit: Institute of Marketing in Malawi
“We had a very dynamic theme and a speaker line up that tackled a wide range of topics.”
Among the speakers was Helen McIntee, President of the African Marketing Confederation, who gave the keynote address. Other speakers included Paul Bailey, UK-based Director of Strategy at Halo; Zambian radical entrepreneur Dumisani Ncube; Lekani Katandula, Managing Director of Illovo Malawi; and Levie Nkunika, Head of Marketing and Communication at FDH Bank.
Conference theme emphasised excellence
The theme of this year’s conference was ‘From Surviving to Thriving: Scaling Towards Excellence’.
Masterclasses were introduced to the conference for the first time, with Ncube inspiring attendees with his personal growth story during his masterclass.
On Saturday, delegates went to the maternity wing of the Salima District Hospital to donate various items. That evening, the Madolo Marketing Excellence Awards were hosted by Alfred Kanjere and Chawa Mphande.
Award winners include Airtel Malawi for best CSR Initiative, PremierBet for Commercial of the Year Outdoor, FDH Bank for Marketing Team of the Year. Lorraine Phiri of Nico Holdings won the Marketer of the Year Award, while National Bank of Malawi’s Akossa Hiwa won PR Personality of the Year.
A new council was also elected. Isabel Kachinjika was re-elected as President for a further two years, while George Damson was confirmed as Vice-President. Daniel Ngwira, Nicole Ngulube, Cecelia Mussa, Mercy Kamanga, Fanny Namonde and Enoch Nkomba were elected as Council Directors.
The Institute of Marketing in Malawi is a member of the African Marketing Confederation (AMC).
The move toward future-ready food packaging where materials meet AI
Researchers propose a framework for packaging that senses, learns and acts – making packaging an active, AI-powered tool against food waste.
Malawi’s marketers urged to put trust at the heart of the profession
Country needs marketers to build recognition and consumer trust around Malawian products and national brand, says Deputy Minister.
Lingerie brand creates street-stopping advertising in Manhattan
Fashion brand suspends giant lingerie high above the city’s streets, using shadows to create a moving billboard for pedestrians and motorists.
We know AI influencers aren’t real – so why do we trust them?
Researchers describe AI influencers as having a ‘dual identity’. Consumers evaluate both ‘person’ and ‘technology’ identities at once.
Why trust has become a critical asset for hotel industry marketers
Reputation and trust, once modest influences on hotel choice, have become some of the strongest predictors of patronage, study finds.
FNB bank’s eBucks programme dominates the 2026 SA loyalty awards
South African brands are increasingly setting the global benchmark for customer loyalty strategies, organisers say.
Zambia’s strongest creative ideas are emerging from local truths
Global influences among younger consumers are still present, but they are being filtered through a distinctly Zambian lens.
Consumers have doubts about products when they’re designed by AI
Researchers find that lack of perceived ‘genuine care’ is the mechanism connecting AI involvement to lower trust ratings.
Top African marketing voices confirmed for AMC 2026
Explore the 2026 AMC Conference speaker line-up. Top African marketing voices gather in Zambia to tackle AI, AfCFTA, and brand power. Register today.
Broadcast Research Council confirms launch of total video measurement
New industry currency will bring South African television and online video audiences together in a single measurement system.