Innerve Brand Architects, a brand strategy agency is set to hold an expo code- named ICEBO Design in Bulawayo next week.
The event will focus on challenging local companies to improve their standards of branding and packaging and to begin employing strategies to transform their brands into exciting and sustainable businesses that are able to reach both local and international audiences.
The expo will be held on the 14th of April at the Academy of Music.
It is targeting corporates, businesses, SMEs, entrepreneurs, government departments, branding professionals, high schools, creatives, and universities.
Speaking to CITE, Innerve Brand Architects Media Representative, Zibusiso Mpofu said the expo comes at a time when they have observed that most local products are good but are not packaged well and not backed by vibrant brands which makes it very difficult to market them effectively.
“Our local brands cannot compete in international markets because of these reasons and this is what we want to address at the expo,” said Mpofu.
He said they have lined up dynamic speakers who will give presentations on different aspects that come into play when building and rolling out a brand.
“The guest of honour will be Stella Nkomo, a seasoned marketing specialist and deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF).”
Mpofu said the topics to be covered include brand strategy, creative design, user experience design and marketing, photography and videography, printing, and export preparedness.
“We want to show business owners and companies how to create a brand using a succinct strategy, what to look for when interpreting that strategy into visual identity, the various stages of mapping a user-friendly and targeted product experience, the importance and benefits of investing photography and videography and how to get products and services ready for export,” he said.
He said the expo will also include an exhibition by local graphic designers who have been challenged to conceptualise designs on existing brands to show the possibilities creative design can offer businesses.
Mpofu added: “ICEBO Design Expo is also a building block in developing the Zimbabwe Branding Association which is currently in its legal stages. The association is set to create brand standards not only for branding practitioners but for companies at large. The vision is to create better, exciting, and sustainable brands that can grow, thrive, and compete internationally and transform the communities in which they transact.”
