
Pre-conference masterclass discusses taking African brands to the world
Participants challenged to identify, articulate and commercialise the cultural assets that make their brand ready for a global audience.
A.M.C MEMBER NEWS
By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025
Awards will provide a vital feedback loop for brands to measure their performance through the eyes of Malawian consumers.
The Institute of Marketing in Malawi (IMM), a member of the African Marketing Confederation, has officially launched the inaugural IMM Superbrand Awards.
IMM President, George Damson, speaking at the Superbrands launch event
The launch took place at the Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre, where the country’s Top 200 Brands were unveiled – marking a historic milestone in celebrating brand excellence, consumer trust and marketing leadership across the country.
IMM President George Damson highlighted the strategic significance of the awards, noting: “These awards are research-based; a departure from the normal award processes that we do during our annual awards, where we reward brands that have done well in the different categories.”
A vital feedback loop
Graciano Bwanali, representing Impact Research Centre, commended the initiative, stating: “The IMM Superbrand Awards are not only a celebration of marketing success, but also a vital feedback loop for brands to measure their performance through the eyes of Malawian consumers.”
To ensure a broader and more inclusive perspective, the evaluation panel includes experts from diverse industries beyond marketing, including: the Bankers Association of Malawi (BAM), the ICT Association of Malawi (ICTAM), the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi (ICAM), and many more.
“Stay tuned as we gear up for the grand awards ceremony later this year, where we will unveil Malawi’s Top 100 Brands and crown the ultimate Superbrand winners,” says the Institute of Marketing in Malawi in a social media post.

Participants challenged to identify, articulate and commercialise the cultural assets that make their brand ready for a global audience.

Second outlet planned for Nairobi before year end, with Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco said to be future target markets.

Online search behaviour has changed significantly with the rise of AI. How can African brands adapt to this new marketing landscape?

Researchers propose a framework for packaging that senses, learns and acts – making packaging an active, AI-powered tool against food waste.

Country needs marketers to build recognition and consumer trust around Malawian products and national brand, says Deputy Minister.

Fashion brand suspends giant lingerie high above the city’s streets, using shadows to create a moving billboard for pedestrians and motorists.

Researchers describe AI influencers as having a ‘dual identity’. Consumers evaluate both ‘person’ and ‘technology’ identities at once.

Reputation and trust, once modest influences on hotel choice, have become some of the strongest predictors of patronage, study finds.

South African brands are increasingly setting the global benchmark for customer loyalty strategies, organisers say.

Global influences among younger consumers are still present, but they are being filtered through a distinctly Zambian lens.

Researchers find that lack of perceived ‘genuine care’ is the mechanism connecting AI involvement to lower trust ratings.