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Media Fuse Dentsu Aegis Network Launches Services in Nigeria
Full-service media independent agency Network, Media Fuse Dentsu Aegis Network Limited has officially announced the launch of its services in Nigeria to a cross section of the media in Lagos.
Incorporated in 2013, Media Fuse Limited launched its services in the Nigerian market in January 2014 under the leadership of Emeka Chris Okeke, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the agency as an indigenous national media agency having obtained a national operating license from APCON.
With a small team of professionals Media Fuse broke its first campaign in February 2014 with the launch of the Swedish on-line classified ads service -tradestable.com having won the business in a keenly contested media pitch.
As the agency continues in its drive to deliver compelling services in the Nigerian marketing communications industry, it’s operations received a boost with the keen interest shown in the business by global player Dentsu Aegis Network resulting in acquisition of equity interest in the business in July 2014 and subsequent change in name of the company to Media Fuse Dentsu Aegis Network Limited.
Part of Dentsu Inc., Dentsu Aegis Network is made up of several global network brands – Carat, Dentsu, Dentsu media, iProspect, Isobar, Mcgarrybowen, Posterscope and Vizeum and supported by its specialist/multi-market brands including Amnet, Amplifi, Data2Decisions, Mitchell Communications (PR), PSLive and 360i.
Dentsu Aegis Network is Innovating the Way Brands Are Built for its clients through its best-in-class expertise and capabilities in media, digital and creative communications services.
Offering a distinctive and innovative range of products and services, Dentsu Aegis Network is headquartered in London and operates in 110 countries worldwide with over 23,000 dedicated specialists.
The investment will enable the provision of specialist services from Carat and Vizeum (both full service communications strategy and planning agencies) Posterscope (specialist out-of-home media services) Isobar (digital strategy creative and production) and Iprospect (digital performance) as well as skills transfer driven by access to tools, training and systems such as the Consumer Connection Studies, Dentsu Aegis Network Academy, Route 500 etc and position the country as a veritable destination for foreign investment in the marketing communications sector.
Dawn Rowlands, chief executive officer, Dentsu Aegis Network in sub-Saharan Africa had this to say about the partnership “Dentsu Aegis Network is making an investment in Media Fuse based on our belief in Nigeria and the ability of Emeka Okeke and his team to bring our unique operating model to life in Nigeria. Our partnership with Media Fuse enables us to launch our unique and proprietary tools like CCS and Convergence Planning, which will help local and our global clients grow the value they derive from media significantly.”
Also speaking at the media unveil in Lagos, Andre Andrade, chief executive officer Dentsu Aegis Network Iberia & Sub-Saharan Africa said “we are thrilled with the launch of Media Fuse Dentsu Aegis Network and the partnership with Emeka Okeke and his team of world class professionals that will bring our global assets to Nigeria and bring to life for international and local clients alike our promise of innovating the way brands are built.”
Commenting, Emeka Okeke, group chief executive officer of Media Fuse Dentsu Aegis Network, said “this merger marks the dawn of a new era in marketing communications in Nigeria with a young indigenous media agency getting the attention of a global network in foreign direct investment with full access to tools, capacity building, specialist agencies offerings in digital marketing, digital performance, OOH specialist offerings in strategy and planning; as well as convergence planning through the flagship power brands of Carat, Vizeum, Isobar, I-Prospect and Posterscope”.
Continuing he said “this development provides discerning clients the opportunity to leverage the Media Fuse Dentsu Aegis Network mantra of ‘innovating the way brands are built’ given the enthusiasm and professionalism embedded in the staff and management of the group in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.”
As a full-service media agency network, the group provides integrated communication strategy, planning and implementation, digital media creative and production, digital performance and optimization, social/community media management as well as specialist out-of-home communication services to prospective and current clients like Procter & Gamble, MasterCard, Friesland Campina WAMCO, TOTAL, Microsoft Devices and Services, British Airways, Adidas, Old Mutual, British Airways et al.
The agency operates from two locations on Oduduwa Crescent, Ikeja GRA with full integration to the Dentsu Aegis Network global IT Back bone and systems.
With over 50-man work force within seventeen months of operation, Media Fuse Dentsu Aegis Network provides cutting edge services to its growing clientele base.
At the event were the CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network, Liberia and Sub-Saharan Africa – Andres Andrade, CEO Dentsu Aegis Network Sub-Saharan Africa, Dawn Rowlands, Group CEO Media Fuse Dentsu Aegis Network Nigeria Emeka Okeke, COO Dentsu Aegis Network SSA Bevis Hoets, Bruce Burgess, Business Development Director Posterscope SSA and other top executives and service divisional leaders in the group in Nigeria.
The World Bank Group has announced the 31-month debarments of United Aviation Services Limited (UNASEL), a transportation services company based in Nigeria, and Air Vice Marshal Alkali Mamu, its owner and president, “in connection with fraudulent practices under the Enhancing Niger Northeastern Connectivity Project,” according to a press release issued by the multilateral development bank.
The statement said that the project aims to enhance connectivity and road safety along the Zinder-Agadez Road section and improve access to basic socioeconomic infrastructure for selected communities in that road section.
However, according to the statement: “UNASEL and Mr. Mamu presented false experience documents in a prequalification application to qualify for a contract under the project. This was a fraudulent practice under the World Bank’s sanctions framework.”
“The debarments make UNASEL and Mr. Mamu ineligible to participate in projects and operations financed by Bank Group institutions. The debarments are part of two settlement agreements under which UNASEL and Mr. Mamu admit culpability for the underlying sanctionable practices,” it added.
The statement further said: “Per the Bank Group Sanctioning Guidelines, the settlement agreements provide for a reduced period of debarment in light of UNASEL and Mr. Mamu’s cooperation.
As a condition for release from sanction under the terms of the settlement agreements, UNASEL and Mr. Mamu commit to developing and implementing integrity compliance measures that reflect the relevant principles set out in the Bank Group Integrity Compliance Guidelines, and Mr. Mamu further agrees to complete corporate ethics training.
UNASEL and Mr. Mamu also commit to continue to fully cooperate with the Bank Group’s Integrity Vice Presidency.
“The debarments of UNA SEL and Mr. Mamu qualify for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions that was signed on April 9, 2010.”
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, has approved the allocation of a parcel of land in Enugu, the state capital, for the establishment of a state-of-the-art Digital Fabrication Centre by the Industrial Training Fund.
Mbah announced this while receiving a delegation from the Industrial Training Fund on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Enugu.
The ITF disclosed this on Friday in a statement signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Thomas Ngor.
According to the statement, Mbah described the proposed project as timely and aligned with his administration’s vision of transforming Enugu into a leading destination for investment, innovation and technology-driven industrial development.
He noted that the future of economic prosperity lies in deliberate investments in human capital and emerging technologies, adding that the state has continued to create an enabling environment for innovation, enterprise and sustainable growth.
The governor explained that his administration has made technical education compulsory in the state’s basic education system, with emphasis on digital literacy, robotics and mechatronics to prepare learners for the future of work.
According to him, many traditional trades are now driven by digital technologies, making it imperative to equip young people with relevant technical competencies that will enable them to compete globally and contribute meaningfully to economic development.
Governor Mbah further disclosed that his administration has built smart schools across the state, equipped with robotics centres, mechatronics laboratories and other modern learning facilities, to prepare youths for the evolving global economy.
He noted that artificial intelligence is expected to contribute about $20tn to the global economy in the coming years.
He therefore stressed that the state must be intentional about upskilling its citizens, adding that the establishment of the ITF Digital Fabrication Centre will significantly strengthen the state’s drive to build a knowledge-based economy, foster innovation, promote local manufacturing and create employment opportunities for its growing youthful population.
Earlier, Afiz Ogun, the Director-General of the ITF, who led the delegation, said that upon his appointment by President Bola Tinubu, he was mandated to upskill Nigerian artisans to international standards.
He explained that the Fund subsequently repositioned its technical and vocational skills development efforts through strategic initiatives, including the Skill-Up Artisans Programme, which is designed to train, certify and license Nigerian artisans to international standards.
Ogun disclosed that the Fund had already established a Digital Fabrication Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, with the capacity to produce more than 400 different products. He therefore requested the allocation of land in Enugu State to establish a similar centre with the same production capacity.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at promoting industrialisation, reducing dependence on imports and preparing Nigerians for opportunities in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He also reaffirmed the Fund’s readiness to enter into public-private partnerships that will transform Nigeria’s artisanal ecosystem.
Ogun further noted that digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics and computer-aided manufacturing, are rapidly transforming the global economy, making it imperative for Nigeria to deliberately invest in upskilling its workforce to remain globally competitive.
The ITF delegation was later conducted on a guided tour of facilities at one of the smart schools established by the Enugu State Government.
Glovo, a multi-category tech company, has announced its integration into the generative AI ecosystem with the launch of its “Shopping Assistant” for ChatGPT and Claude. Users can now discover retail products, compare prices, and seamlessly order any item using natural conversational language with the AI systems.
The Glovo experience inside such platforms introduces a conversational commerce model that shifts from a search-based web to an intent-based web. Rather than navigating traditional app menus and filters, users can express needs, such as asking for a “last-minute gift for a coffee lover under ₦50,000”, and the assistant handles semantic search, location validation, and product curation.
A Seamless, Concierge-Like Experience
Once both platforms have been connected through either ChatGPT or Claude apps, the user will be able to have a multi-turn dialogue where the assistant remembers context and constraints, such as budget caps. Users receive a visual carousel of up to five highly customised product options available at local stores. Each product displays its image, name, store details and ratings, and price. While the search and discovery experience takes place directly on the Generative AI platforms, selecting a product via the “view on Glovo” button takes the user to the Glovo mobile or web app, where the payment and final purchase are exclusively completed.
Strategic Focus on Retail and Growth
Glovo is prioritising the retail and grocery sectors for this initial launch, capturing the established habit of using AI for product research. Generative AI has driven a significant jump in retail traffic globally, so this first-mover advantage aims to meet customers where they are meeting Gen AI daily, and ensure it captures high-intent organic traffic as search behaviours evolve.
“We’re always looking for ways to meet our customers where they already are. Being available on Claude and ChatGPT means people can discover what Glovo has to offer as part of a natural conversation, with no friction. Glovo has always been about being the everyday app that provides choice and convenience, and this is another step in that direction”, said Shiro Theuri, Chief Technology Officer at Glovo.
How to look for products in the Glovo app through ChatGPT or Claude
- The user must sync ChatGPT or Claude with the Glovo app with the plug-in.
- Once synced, the user must type in @glovo followed by their request.
- The AI platform displays a carousel with 5 available options for the user.
- If the user wants to purchase any of the products or continue searching within the Glovo app, they must click “View on Glovo”, which will redirect the user to the Glovo app or website.
- After the order is confirmed, the store will prepare the item(s) and the courier will head up to the pick-up location. The user will receive the order in minutes.
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