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.
MARKETING INNOVATION
Feeling hot in Hollywood? Try a ‘ride-hailing’ service for ice creams
By our News Team | 2023
Pilot project gets impulse purchases into the hands of tech-savvy and time-starved consumers in minutes. Why queue for melting ice creams?
We’ve heard of ride-hailing services such as Uber and Bolt. Now a well-known American brand is offering a new twist on the theme: a ‘store-hailing’ mobile ice cream store that comes to you on demand.
Its unveiling is just in time for the Northern Hemisphere spring (Southern Hemisphere autumn). And where else would you launch it but in Hollywood – where hot-and-bothered movie industry people don’t have the time or inclination to stand in a queue to get an ice cream.
Photo courtesy of Mars Incorporated
Instead, the just get onto their mobile phone – providing they’re not busy with ‘influencing’ or ‘selfies’ – and use an app to get the ice cream truck to their location within minutes. There is a one-tap ordering process, with no cash and no store assistant involved. So customers simply make their selection and leave.
Collaboration with business specialising in mobile shops
The concept is a collaboration between Mars, a company that makes confectionary (sweet treat) brands such as Snickers and Twix, and Conjure, a company that has been offering mobile shops for other purposes around the Los Angeles area.
If the concept proves popular in Hollywood, Mars and Conjure will roll it out to other parts of the United States during the 2023 summer.
“Mars is continuously investing in driving innovation for the treats and snacks category through the unattended retail space, giving consumers more opportunity to shop our products with speed and convenience,” said Jerome Morgen, Global Director of Mars Unattended Retail.
“This partnership with Conjure helps solve the industry’s biggest issue – ice cream melting before reaching the home when purchased in-store or through other delivery methods.”
Added Ali Ahmed, co-founder and CEO of Conjure: “We believe this partnership will be a game-changer in the ice cream industry.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.