
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.
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
By our News Team | 2023
Using marketing technology shouldn’t necessarily replace real-life customer interactions, but martech can enhance the relationship.
The year 2022 showed us that something as simple as a grocery delivery service, if done well, can become extremely popular with customers and create a point of competitive advantage.
According to James Bayhack, Director for sub-Saharan Africa at international customer experience company CM.com, if a service works well, clients quickly appreciate it.
Bayhack list several marketing technology (martech) trends set to shape the year ahead and make for a more adventurous marketing approach in 2023.
Photo by Cytonn Photography from Pexels
The rise of ChatGPT
While intelligent solutions consistently dominate the tech space, we shouldn’t neglect the importance of human interaction.
Do we want to scan a QR code to download an app to place an order at a restaurant? Even as the Fourth Industrial Revolution advances, person-to-person customer service has a role in humanising customer contact points.
That said, exciting things are happening in intelligent customer service. Recently, the AI research lab, OpenAI, launched an AI chat interface called ChatGPT that uses machine learning and internet data to generate any type of text. This means messaging responses can be:
It will be interesting to see how human-like these machine-based communications become.
Becoming video-focused
We have all become familiar with this refrain, yet many businesses still shy away from the power of video. Businesses that embrace video marketing stand to gain:
For 2023, incorporating video into your overall marketing efforts is regarded as non-negotiable and should ideally include:
By repurposing video content for different platforms and channels, marketers can save money, time and effort. It’s certainly more efficient than constantly building brand-new content. This concept also applies to turning existing assets like blog posts into video content.
Merging real and virtual with holographic ads
Social media makes it easier for brands to position themselves in front of consumers. However, it’s a fight for attention and it can be challenging to get noticed. Holograms could solve this problem and ultimately control marketing, particularly in the Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising industry.
Holograms are an exciting marketing tool for businesses looking to push the envelope. Users of this advertising technique can show 3D animated and interactive images and objects.
Nike, Audi and Mercedes-Benz have all succeeded in creating holographic experiences. Whether hosting a holographic press conference or OOH advertising campaign, these brands have piqued the interest of consumers in an environment where traditional and digital advertisements are prevalent.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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