E-Business
Marketers Need to Master the Unification of the Physical and Digital: Here’s why
By Stephen A. Newton, Managing Director for Africa, Aleph
There was a time when physical and digital marketing were approached in completely separate ways. This separation demanded distinct strategies, budgets, departments, and more often than not, personnel. It’s becoming increasingly clear, however, that businesses taking this approach are missing out and that a more integrated approach is required to hold the attention of today’s customers.
Stephen Newton, Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Ad Dynamo by Aleph
As more and more elements of the digital world are integrated into the physical world, marketing has followed suit. In this new world, the most successful marketers use measurable marketing strategies that combine digital and physical advertising in ways that encourage brand building and conversions. This kind of strategy also means that customers who see your brand’s physical marketing are also going to engage with your digital output. As connectivity becomes increasingly affordable and ubiquitous in Nigeria, that overlap will only become more pronounced.
As a result, customers increasingly expect a well-integrated and thorough mix of physical and digital touchpoints. They already experience it in the retail environment, with online shopping enhancing their brick-and-mortar experiences and vice versa, rather than one being preferable to the other. But how can brands and marketers best ensure they can deliver the kind of unified experiences customers want and set their businesses up for success, providing a unified and enhanced customer experience?
Integrated campaigns
Marketers must continue to develop a seamless marketing plan, integrating both physical and digital elements. For example, use traditional advertising methods like billboards or print ads to drive traffic to digital platforms, where customers can engage further with the brand or make online purchases.
Unified brand messaging
Marketers must ensure that they are consistent in their messaging across all channels, online and offline integrated into one comprehensive message. The brand’s values, voice, and image should remain cohesive, reinforcing a unified identity in the minds of consumers.
Cross-channel promotion:
Marketers must implement cross-channel promotions where activities in one channel complement and enhance the experience in another. For instance, using a QR code on a physical brochure or billboard could lead customers to an exclusive online offer, creating a seamless transition between the physical and digital realms.
Data Integration:
Marketers should leverage customer data collected from both physical and digital interactions to gain comprehensive insights into consumer behavior. This integrated data can inform more personalized and targeted marketing strategies, enhancing the overall customer journey. There are undoubtedly more privacy issues when dealing with data, so marketers have to ensure that they are compliant with data security, but the benefits of proper integration and usage of off/online data are immediately impactful.
Technology adoption:
Where possible, marketers should embrace emerging technologies like augmented reality (AR) or near-field communication (NFC) to bridge the gap between physical and digital experiences. Interactive elements in physical spaces can lead customers to engage with digital content, creating a more immersive brand experience. In bandwidth-challenged areas, this may prove more difficult, but the rewards of the immersive experiences some of these technologies offer are unrivaled.
Omnichannel retail:
Marketers in the retail space need to continually emphasize an omnichannel retail approach, where online and offline stores work in tandem. Provide services like click-and-collect, enabling customers to seamlessly transition between digital product discovery and physical purchase.
User-Generated content:
With the proliferation of social media adoption, marketers must encourage customers to share their experiences with the brand across both physical and digital platforms. User-generated content creates a sense of community and authenticity, fostering a stronger connection between the brand and its audience.
Adaptive marketing strategies:
As in most things business-related, marketers need to stay agile and adapt marketing strategies based on real-time feedback and performance metrics. This iterative approach allows for continuous improvement in delivering a unified and effective marketing mix.
Employee training:
C-levels need to ensure that their marketing professionals are well-versed in integrated marketing. A well-informed team can seamlessly assist customers in navigating both physical and digital touchpoints, enhancing overall satisfaction.
Continuous monitoring and analysis:
Don’t set it and forget it: Marketers must regularly monitor the performance of marketing efforts across all channels. Analyze data to identify successful strategies, areas for improvement, and emerging trends, allowing for ongoing refinement of their approach.
By implementing these strategies, brands can create a more integrated and customer-centric marketing approach, capitalizing on the synergy between physical and digital channels to achieve both brand-building and conversion objectives in a rapidly evolving market.
Fifty selected young unemployed Nigerians have completed a four-week intensive digital skills bootcamp under the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, gaining practical training in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and IT Essentials.
The programme, a collaborative effort between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Cisco, was hosted at NITDA’s South West Zonal Office in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa , the Head of the South West Zonal Office, Mrs. Chioma Okee-Agugwo, described the initiative as a vital component of Nigeria’s digital future. “This is not just a closing ceremony. It is the launchpad for new journeys—anchored in digital knowledge and powered by innovation,” she remarked.
According to the Director General, the initiative is rooted in NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) and reflects key focus areas including Digital Literacy, Emerging Technologies, and Youth Empowerment. It also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to accelerate economic diversification through digitisation, innovation, and skills development.
Inuwa noted that the DL4ALL initiative forms part of Nigeria’s broader commitment to digital inclusion—ensuring that no one is left behind in the evolving digital economy. It also supports the ambitious goal of achieving 70% digital literacy by 2027, championed by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. This national vision aims to equip millions of Nigerians with the skills required to thrive in a tech-driven world.
He further emphasized the importance of empowering youth with globally relevant skills. “They are no longer just consumers of technology. They are creators, innovators, and future employers,” he said.
The NITDA boss explained that throughout the bootcamp, participants engaged in hands-on learning experiences designed to build both technical proficiency and digital leadership capabilities.
“This is only the beginning,” he stated. “Through our zonal strategy, we are bringing innovation closer to local communities. This is how we democratise access and unlock Nigeria’s full digital potential.”
Inuwa expressed appreciation to Cisco for delivering high-impact training and called on stakeholders to continue investing in partnerships, people, and platforms that drive digital inclusion.
He asserted that the newly certified participants are now equipped to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s digital economy—armed with the skills to build solutions, secure infrastructure, and launch tech ventures that solve real-world problems.
At the end of the bootcamp, participants demonstrated their knowledge through impressive presentations that showcased the integration of skills acquired across Data Science, AI, and IT Essentials. Many spoke passionately about how the programme had expanded their technical competence and sparked a drive to create job opportunities—not only for themselves but also for others—as entrepreneurs and digital solution providers in their communities.
Coinbase forecast a hit of between $180m and $400m from a cyberattack that breached account data of a “small subset” of its customers, the crypto exchange said in a regulatory filing on Thursday.
The company received an anonymous email on May 11, claiming to have information about certain customer accounts as well as internal documents.
While some data — including names, addresses and emails — was stolen, the hackers did not get access to login credentials or passwords, Coinbase said.
Still, it will reimburse customers who were tricked into sending funds to the attackers.
Hackers had paid multiple contractors and employees working in support roles outside the US to collect information.
The company has fired those involved, it said.
Separately, the New York Times reported that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was investigating whether the company had misstated its user numbers.
Coinbase shares extended losses after the report and were last down 6.5%.
“This is a hold-over investigation from the prior administration about a metric we stopped reporting two-and-a-half years ago, which was fully disclosed to the public,” said Paul Grewal, Coinbase’s chief legal officer.
“While we strongly believe this investigation should not continue, we remain committed to working with the SEC to bring this matter to a close.”
The SEC declined to comment.
The latest developments come days before the company is set to join the benchmark S&P 500 index, casting a shadow over what was expected to be a landmark moment for the crypto industry.
Security remains a challenge for the crypto industry despite its growing mainstream acceptance.
In February, Bybit disclosed a hack in which about $1.5bn worth of digital tokens were stolen — widely described the biggest crypto heist ever.
“The cyberattack may push the industry to adopt stricter employee vetting and introduce some reputational risks,” said Bo Pei, an analyst at US Tiger Securities.
Funds stolen by hacking crypto platforms amounted to $2.2bn in 2024, according to a report from Chainalysis, a US-based blockchain analysis firm.
“As our nascent industry grows rapidly, it draws the eye of bad actors, who are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the scope of their attacks,” said Nick Jones, founder of crypto firm Zumo.
Coinbase has refused to pay a ransom of $20m demanded by the attackers and is working with law enforcement agencies. Instead it has established a $20m reward for information on the hackers.
The company is also opening a new support hub in the US and taking other measures to prevent such cyberattacks, it said.
The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) presents its report on .ng domain name registration and renewal statistics for the first quarter of 2025, highlighting the continued expansion of Nigeria’s digital footprint. The data underscores a consistent and significant adoption of the nation’s Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD), reinforcing its pivotal role in the burgeoning Nigerian digital economy.
During the period spanning January to March 2025, a total of 40,791 .ng domain names were recorded. This figure comprises 22,236 new registrations and 18,555 renewals, indicating a healthy balance between the acquisition of new digital identities and the sustained commitment of existing domain name holders to their online presence.
Analysis of the registration trends within the quarter reveals a notable upward trajectory, with a 13.92% increase in domain name registrations observed between February and March 2025.
This growth signifies an increasing recognition of the importance of a localized online identity by a diverse range of stakeholders, including individuals, startups, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), and larger organizations.
Notably, the .com.ng extension continues to be the dominant choice, accounting for over 60% of both new registrations and renewals. This reaffirms its status as the preferred domain name extension for Nigerian businesses seeking to establish a credible and locally relevant online brand presence while maintaining global accessibility. The sustained popularity of .com.ng underscores its perceived value among Nigerian entrepreneurs and enterprises seeking to secure their digital real estate.
This upward trajectory isn’t happening by chance. The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has remained intentional in its drive for digital inclusion and domain adoption. Through public education, training via the .ng Academy, outreach campaigns, and partnerships with stakeholders across the tech ecosystem, NiRA has consistently advocated for the importance of owning a local domain. The current standing of .ng as the second most registered ccTLD in Africa reflects the efficacy of these efforts.
Digital adoption in Nigeria is no longer just about being online—it’s about owning your digital identity. And with a .ng domain, Nigerians are better positioned to assert that identity, connect with local and international audiences, and gain better control over their digital footprints.
As we look toward the rest of 2025, the Q1 results serve as a strong signal: more people are embracing the digital future, and the .ng domain is increasingly becoming their first step.
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