The Utilization of Digital Platforms for Marketing in the Nigerian Entertainment and Media (E&M) Industry: Prospects and Challenges

Abstract

The National Bureau of Statistics recently announced that the entertainment and media (E&M) industry in Nigeria recorded growth of 1.86% to 12.81%; contributing N54bn to the country’s GDP. The industry’s revenue is projected to reach an estimated $8.5bn in 2018, from $4bn in 2013, with internet as one of the key drivers (PwC report, 2016, p.14). This comes at a time when Nigeria’s economy has shrunk by 2.24% since 2015 and receded by 0.18% from the previous quarter. Therefore, this study unpacks the possibilities and challenges of the impact of e-marketing tools on the growth of the Nigerian E&M industry. E-marketing tools provide “a unique combination of powerful capabilities for marketers” (Parsons et al., 2015). E-marketing suitability for the E&M industry lies in its lower capital demand, and a convenient and online means of disseminating marketing messages across a heterogeneous population at an unlimited geographical space. E-marketing is a reality in Nigeria as a study by Mathew, Ogedebe & Ogedebe (2013, p. 549) shows that “Many Nigerians who used (sic) the internet as one form of communication or another are bombarded daily with advertisements of products and services from industries in the country.” This reality has brought a shift from mechanical to electronic and from analogue to digital; ultimately impacting the marketing realms. The internet enables these electronic/digital platforms; which marketers (E&M industry) and customers (content consumers) rely on to effectively reach and receive communication content and feedback respectively. However, this study examined the challenges that have possibly hindered the full realization of the e-marketing tools of the Nigerian E&M industry and noted among others; poor power supply and unreliable network infrastructure in the country. There is also an increased customer expectation, security, content copyright and privacy issues as well as the challenge of compliance demand in the industry as influenced by ever dynamic digital boundaries. There is a huge economic need for the Nigerian government to live up to its obligation and enhance power supply and boost network infrastructure. The Nigerian E&M industry needs to continually integrate different digital platforms to reach targets and attract more content consumers. Both the government and industry should increasingly learn and bring a global perspective that can help the nation adapt to the constantly changing digital environment.

The Assimilation of Social Media in Marketing Management: A Case Review of Taliah’s Strategy

“…However, these ties may be weak or strong, open or closed, directional or reciprocal (Richardson, Choong & Parker, 2016); depending on the capacity of an idea to interact, engage and generate emotional connection among participants. As customer satisfaction is at the heart of marketing (Omenugha, 2018), brands are expected to creatively engage, recruit and retain customers against the backdrop of competition. This is achieved by social interaction which provides opportunities to establish strong and close ties with customers who could reciprocate the connection.…”

Determinants of Facebook adoption and its impact on service-based small and medium enterprise performance in northwestern Nigeria

“…Relative advantage was the second most significant predictor of Facebook adoption, indicating that understanding the benefits of adopting Facebook would have a great impact on enhancing Facebook adoption by SMEs (Ainin et al, 2015). Perceived risk exerted a significant negative effect on Facebook adoption (H2a), which aligns with the TOE framework and prior studies (Omenugha, 2018). The result suggested that the perception of risks related to Facebook adoption exerts an inhibitory effect on Facebook adoption by SMEs.…”

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“…He further noted that films in Nigeria are produced on comparatively low budgets but are popular and have influence and impact on lifestyles, popular opinion and culture there. The Nigerian film industry is adjudged the most prolific in the world and the second biggest employer in Nigeria after the government (Omenugha, 2018). PwC's Global entertainment and media outlook 2017-2021 asserted that Nigeria produces around 2,500 films a year, a figure that makes it the second biggest production hub after India.…”