EDITOR’ S DESK n what is a most powerful endorsement of the industry, the Iworld ' s richest man and founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates declared:“ If I was down to my last dollar I ' d spend it on public relations.” Mr. Gates, as a successful businessman, understands the power of effective public relations in building lasting companies. Good products or the best services do not automatically translate into sales and income for a business, to remain successful in today ' s ultra-competitive marketplace, a business must invest its time and other resources into ensuring it stands out in a global sea of rivals.
The world continues to change at a faster pace than at any other time in human history. Driven by information and communications technology, today ' s business communications space presents new challenges for the communications practitioner as well as the consumer. With the social media phenomenon creating a level playing field between small and large organizations, in terms of their ability to reach out to customers, the PR practitioner must be ever more creative in reaching out to an ever more informed consumer. No longer is the practice of Public Relations a one-way communication, rather public relations have evolved into a two-way and today it is a practice of multi-dimensional communications from company to customers and from customers to other customers.
PR Times exists as a bridge between
THE TEAM the customer and relevant brands, while also keeping the brand connected to ever changing trends in a marketplace where information is being rendered obsolete almost within the twinkle of an eye. The journal is fully packed with information to keep the discerning and aspiring PR practitioner and other relevant publics adequately informed in an evermore fluid communications space.
Our headline feature is a package of five key drivers, who in their own unique and individual ways represent what the Africa of the 21st century is all about. These women, through their different paths, have become models of what the 21st century African woman should be. Fatima Zahra Mansouri took a stand on the side of her oppressed people and emerged Mayor of Marrakech in a society where very little is seen or heard of women.
Lupita took the world by storm, for her role in the blockbuster, 12 years a slave after having travelled the world and built her career, literally from the ground up. She won an Oscar for her efforts, and has since become a symbol of achievement.
Monica Musonda traverses the corporate and industrial world, which is traditionally dominated by men like a colosus. Having cut her teeth with the Dangote group, where she grew to become a director, she ventured into producing her own brands in Zambia and has made an absolute success of it. Tara Fela Durotoye transformed a make-up industry, which was practically nonexistent a few years back, into a money spinner both for herself and for other young women through her pioneering efforts in establishing makeup schools across Africa.
Ola Orekunrin for her part, has been touching lives through her Flying Doctors, moving the critically ill and injured to places where facilities are available to cater to their needs in good time. Moved by the loss of her sister to poor emergency services, Ola has made the sky her starting block by making air emergency medical services available to those who need them.
We do not claim, in any way, that our list is exhaustive of what African womanhood is about, for indeed the women and youth of Africa are doing wonderful things for our common humanity both at home and in the diaspora.
This edition is packed full with key tips and insights that make it an indispensable companion to the discerning PR professional, Business Executive and general interest reader. We hope that PR Times Africa, will spur a new conversation about Africa and Africans, changing negative perceptions, by highlighting the progress being made both by individuals and nations of Africa.
Publisher: Alwalled Khabir H. Yusuff.
Marketing: Susan Benson
Joseph Napoleon
Corporate Affairs:
Suleiman O. Munirat( Barr.) Udok Emmanuel Anthony
Graphics: Sunday Peters( Elejiba)
Editor: Basah Mohammed
Columnists: Milita Adeyemo Temitayo Orekoya Samandu Tshimanga
Photographer: Global Watch Pictures Int’ l Ltd.
Printer: Printworks Nigeria Limited
Published by: Brand Republique Innovative Creations No. 2A, Aba Close, Garki-Abuja.
Unit 13, Honey Close, 75 Clover Road, Ext. 3, Kruger, Honeydew, Johanesbong, South Africa
Tel: 0803 414 4302, 0705 771 2799 Email: prtimesafrica @ gmail. com
02 VOL 1. JULY 2015 1ST EDITION
PR TIMES AFRICA