At the Entertainment Week Lagos, Iretomiwa Akintunde-Johnson, Regional Manager for West Africa at ID Africa, a BHM company, delivered a compelling address on the imperative of staying ahead in the dynamic realm of influencer marketing. The masterclass, held on Saturday, 16th of December, delved into emerging trends, notably the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) influencers.
Addressing the audience, Iretomiwa underscored the potential pitfalls of misinterpreting trends in the approaching year of 2024. She urged influencers to conduct thorough research and cautioned, “Getting trends wrong can be very disastrous.”
The focal point of her discourse was the rise of AI influencers and their transformative effect on the marketing landscape. Iretomiwa asserted, “AI influencers are on the horizon, and they are here to stay. Understanding the nuances of AI and its impact on the influencer space is crucial for staying relevant.”
Emphasizing the importance of authenticity, she encouraged influencers to remain true to themselves as a key differentiator in an era where technology blurs the lines between reality and virtuality. “Being authentically yourself as an influencer will distinguish you from all other influencers, AI or otherwise. It’s all about finding your unique voice,” she remarked.
The masterclass further delved into effective brand communication, stressing the significance of using the right words, conveying the right message, adopting the right voice, and choosing the right timing. Iretomiwa emphasized the need for influencers to tailor their communication strategies to align with brand objectives and resonate with their target audience.
Exploring the evolving role of influencers, Iretomiwa highlighted the importance of acting as genuine brand ambassadors and building relationships beyond surface-level engagement. “Trust the person or company you are working with,” she advised, cautioning against mindlessly embracing trends without a sincere connection to the brand or product.
Encouraging influencers to discover their unique selling points, Iretomiwa concluded, “Influencer’s jobs are evolving, and personal branding is more crucial than ever. Finding your niche and capitalizing on your strengths will not only safeguard your career but also elevate your influence.”
The masterclass, facilitated by Iretomiwa and Njideka Akabogu, the East Africa Regional Manager at ID Africa, took place as part of Entertainment Week Lagos (EWL), a revolutionary gathering and platform that converges the entertainment world in Lagos for collaboration, networking, ideation, showcasing, and knowledge exchange.
