Brand Spur Issue 5 | Page 62

How brewers are selling beer with folklore As Nigeria’s recession deepens and consumers pockets are squeezed, majority of those still drinking have shifted their beer preferences to value or low cost brands. Nigerian Breweries Plc, the country’s leading brewer recently re-launched Goldberg Lager, one of its low cost brands as “Your Excellency” in a new credential campaign. The brand handlers said that “Your Excellency, as an appellation for Goldberg reinforces its leading position in the market”. Patrick Olowokere, Corporate Communications Brand PR Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, said “As you know, the honorific ‘Your Excellency’ is used to address the highest authorities in many political, religious and monarchical circles. As a beer brewed to golden standards by the master brewer, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Goldberg’s excellent credentials earns it the name ‘Your Excellency’ among its peers”. Brewers have learnt that consumers have a personal attachment to their beer of choice. It is more than just a beer. It is the consumer feeling that they have a personal relationship with their beer. The former SABMiller CEO, Allan Clarke once said: “People badge themselves with beer. It has an emotional content,” he adds. Read more…