Brand communications network, Ogilvy Africa, has announced a strategic partnership with Kenya-based blockchain company, Savannah Labs, to lead the way in developing Web3.0 (web3) solutions for brands and marketers in sub-Saharan Africa.
A vision for a more democratic version of today’s online world, web3 will reduce the control of data by the few, empowering individuals to connect, collaborate and transact peer-to-peer. Underpinned with blockchain technology the metaverse and web3 will change our relationships with the online world profoundly.
(TOP: Jaipal Devgun – left -, the COO and co-founder, Savannah Labs; Mowgli Dodhia – centre -, the CEO and co-founder, Savannah Labs pose for a photo with Vikas Mehta – right -, the CEO of Ogilvy Africa after signing a partnership that will see Ogilvy Africa lead the way in developing Web3 solutions for brands, businesses and marketers in sub-Saharan Africa).
Through this agreement, Ogilvy Africa and Savannah Labs will collaborate and share complementary skills and competencies currently available in the two organizations. Ogilvy Africa brings on board its solution expertise in marketing and a deep understanding of the continent, while Savannah Labs brings technology expertise in blockchain and other Web 3 technologies .
“The recency of Web3 could prove to be a great leveler for developed and emerging markets alike. We believe the most valuable marketing use-cases of Web3 are yet to be established. Through this partnership with Savannah, we wish to bring the tools to marketers and brands in Africa to explore the potential of Web3 for their businesses” said Vikas Mehta, CEO, Ogilvy Africa. “Together with Savannah Labs, we are creating a sandbox for leading marketers and bold brands to play with web3 and shape their future with our help”.
The partnership with Savannah Labs will help drive and create opportunities for web 3 innovations in the region. As brands and enterprises continue to see the value in digital ownership and identity, Ogilvy Africa will help them find and develop the partnerships they need to execute their ambitions. The offerings would be available to clients in all 39 countries across sub-Saharan Africa where Ogilvy Africa operates, making it the first of its kind offering in East, Central and West Africa.
“Our aim is to help brands and enterprises navigate the emerging world of web3, by forging strategic alliances between organizations. Our partnership is tech and blockchain-agnostic, so we can help people find the perfect solutions for their business strategies, existing tech stacks, and ambitions in web3. There are immense opportunities to deliver innovative and exciting experiences for brands, businesses and their audiences across the continent over the coming years”, said Mowgli Dodhia, the CEO and co-founder, Savannah Labs.
With the continued adoption of web3 and blockchain technology across the global economy, partners working with Ogilvy Africa will be taking an essential step in establishing their futures not just locally, but on the global stage.
Ogilvy Africa is the largest network agency on the continent catering to 39 countries with a team of around 900 people across Central, East and West Africa. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, Ogilvy Africa manages a portfolio of over 100 brands for clients such as Airtel, Coca-Cola, Diageo, Distell, Equity Bank, Exxon Mobil, Kenya Airways, Mondelez, NCBA, Nestle, Philips, PWC, SAB Miller, Sanlam, Total, UNICEF, Unilever and WWF amongst others.
It offers services across the full spectrum of marketing domains including Communication (Advertising, branding and content), Consumer Experience (Technology and e-Commerce), Growth Consulting (incl. Digital Transformation), PR & Influence and Media; all under one unified setup. The agency has also created proprietary marketing products in areas such as real-time marketing, social intelligence, virtual experiences, influencer management, e-commerce enablement and content hubs. Its unique operating model, One Ogilvy, allows clients and brands to cut the complexity of agency structures and create seamless omnichannel experiences for their consumers, across touchpoints. Fuelled by the holy trinity of content, data and technology; Ogilvy Africa strives to be the best-practice agency model, for Developing and Emerging markets.
With over 20 years in Africa, Ogilvy Africa has won the highest number of regional and global awards, including D&AD, Cannes Lions, London International Awards, Clio, Loeries, Dubai Lynx, and SABRE Awards (Global and Africa); to name a few. Ogilvy is a global creative network of WPP, founded by David Ogilvy in 1948.
Savannah Labs is a Kenya-founded startup named after African grasslands; home to some of the richest and most unique natural ecosystems. The firm’s vision and mission are built on a first-hand understanding of both the vibrancy and the unique technological landscape present within Africa. It aims to equip developing countries, beginning within Africa, with blockchain solutions that are compatible with current digital capabilities and scalable to create a whole new realm for the digital economy. Savannah aims to lay the groundwork that will bring the next 1+ Billion users to blockchain by offering solutions that allow reach far beyond any other blockchain products.
Savannah Labs pioneering products:
- Savannah & Marula Networks: Extremely Scalable, eco-friendly, proof of stake, fourth generation Layer 1 blockchain networks, capable of handling limitless application specific networks, validators and extremely high throughputs.
- The Dhow: A GSM – Blockchain Bridge, allowing non-internet and non smartphone users the ability to interact with the blockchain.
- Kasuku: An NFT marketplace geared to solving problems faced both in the non-blockchain and blockchain sphere, for African creatives.
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