By Yinka Ajayi

The Marketing Director  of Coca-Cola Nigeria, Patricia Jemibewon, has attributed the awards bestowed  by Advertisers’ Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) for Marketing Excellence 2016 as a gratifying reward for the company’s  commitment to inspire consumers while refreshing them with their favourite beverage .

Speaking in Lagos, Jemibewon, stated that: “The awards represents a gratifying reward for Coca-Cola unrelenting commitment to engage and inspire consumers in unique ways while refreshing them with their favourite beverage . We are always seeking most engaging and memorable ways to connect with our consumers and keep our brands atop their minds,” she added.

The awards is Nigeria’s most prestigious event to celebrate outstanding creativity and impact in brand marketing and activation as well as to reward marketing professionals who have made a significant mark in the profession.

The Coke company clinched the award for ‘Best Digital and Social Media Marketing Campaign’ of the year for its inimitable  Share a Coke II  campaign, which has set a benchmark for brand advertising and consumer engagement.

The Brand also clinched the ‘Best Experiential Marketing Campaign’ Award for the  Copa Coca-Cola  grassroots youth football tournament, which set a record with 3, 000 matches played by 60, 000 teenage footballers drawn from 3, 000 schools across 32 towns and cities in the country. The grand final match at Onikan Stadium in Lagos featured an epic performance by one of Nigeria’s most famous football stars, Austin Jay Jay Okocha who, disguised as an aged janitor, wowed the crowd with a display of football artistry and sent it into a frenzy as he dramatically shed the make-up and costume to reveal himself.

It’s capped the wins as runner up for the ‘Brand of the Year Award’, while its sister brand and new juice offering, 5Alive Pulpy won the award for the most innovative brand. 5Alive Pulpy also emerged as runner up for the ‘New Brand Revitalization Award’.

The  award ceremony follows selection process of team of judges comprising marketing professionals like  Franco Maria Maggi, Marketing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, as the Chairman for this year’s awards among others.