WHERE WAS KENYA’S P.R WHEN LUPITA NEEDED IT?

#PUBLICRELATIONS

“When I look down at this golden statue; may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you are from; your dreams are valid?”

The above quote went viral and trended. It was Lupita Nyongo’s acceptance speech at the Oscars. Whatever way it seems; destiny has it that Lupita Nyong’o will be on our lips for a long time.

As a student of communication; one of the fundamental units is Public Relations (PR). Infact, we are taught; “buildings depreciate, patents expire, but, properly managed, a company’s name and reputation grow in value every year.”

But typically; our PR as Kenya failed   completely! We have been caught flatfooted and seemingly clueless on how to react to golden Lupita moment and take full advantage of the Oscar winner’s day of glamour in all possible ways.

There is a notion that those in authority do not fully appreciate the effect a co-ordinated media campaign can play. We have seen it in Kenya. Oliver Litondo generated good international publicity with the First Grader; but was largely ignored. It happened to Sidede Onyulo; who wooed overseas film audiences and critics for his role in the Oscar award winning film, Nowhere in Africa.

On the road to the Oscar for Monster; South Africa’s Charlize Theron had the entire country behind her; putting out a cozy media campaign to announce to all and sundry that she was South African.

South African not only threw parties in Hollywood; but also made her homecoming a public holiday, with tens of thousands of people waiting to receive and celebrate her triumph. The icing on the cake was a moment with Nelson Mandela. Theron was clearly overwhelmed.

For Kenya; one would have expected a high profile delegation to Los Angeles for the Oscar night- Lupita was already big news, with or without the award.

It was also an occasion to brand to brand Kenya, promote national harmony by rallying for a true winner and celebrate value of hard work, commitment and sheer talent.

There should have been congratulatory messages on huge billboards all over the country, strategically placed media advertisements and on major international show business magazines too share her joy and emphasize that she is Kenyan.

Where were the publicists? Were they caught napping on the job? Give us your feedback. Go ahead and criticize, vehemently if that’s how you feel.

By Embukane Vincent Libosso; as inspired by John Kariuki’s piece for The Standard; “how Kenya lost rare; golden Lupita moment.”

MACHUNGU YA WATAMU DOCUMENTARY: HOW WATAMU COMMUNITY IS REACTING TO THE POOR TOURISTS...

KITUI SEVENS UNVEILED

#RUGBY254

Kitui county will host the inaugural Kitui sevens rugby tournament on May 31- June 1 at the former Kitui Agricultural Show Ground.

Launching the event at the Fuse Club in Kitui town on Wednesday; the East African breweries sales Director Kimani Mwaura; said they had partnered with other sponsors to support the competition through their “TWENDE KAZI” initiative to devolve the game to the counties.

He added; “as EABL; we are proud to be associated with the Kitui Sevens and we will continue to support the event to greater heights.”

The former National sevens rugby coach and who is the tournament director Benjamin Ayimba said 64 teams including defending champions Quins and Mwamba are expected to participate.

Ayimba who was flanked by Kenya Harlequin head coach Charles Cardovillis and Mike Mumo Mwendwa were encouraged by the Governor dr Julius malombe who assured them of total support.

By Paul Mutua for The Standard.

NON-STOP MOVIE SALES SOAR AFTER LUPITA BAGS OSCAR

#THEBOXOFFICE

Call it the Oscar’s aftermath but only a few days after Kenyan Hollywood star Lupita Nyong’o won her first Oscar for the portrayal of Patsey in Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave; Box-office sales for her second film Non-Stop has soared across US-theatres.

Non-stop went directly to the top after collecting a clean sh 2.6 billion ($30 million) at the weekend.

The flick; released on February 28 alongside Son of God; has overtaken the latter that has grossed sh 2.3 billion ($26.5million) and the Lego movie whose uptake stands at 1.8billion ($21 million) that have dominated sales in the last couple of weeks.

In Non-stop; Lupita is acting alongside Liam Neeson, Juliana Moore and Michelle Dockery.

The silver screen icon will be in Paris for a couple of days but will be back for a full diary of activities.

By Embukane Vincent Libosso.

BUNI MEDIA LAUNCHES A SIMILAR XYZ SHOW IN NIGERIA

#comedy

Last Sunday Buni-TV’s THE XYZ SHOW made its season 9 premiere on NTV. But the success of the show in Kenya has been amazing with great response too both from the continent and abroad. But now, the big question is: is Naija ready for a puppet onslaught?

Buni Media; the production company behind the massively popular Kenyan puppet political satire program The XYZ Show; is launching a similar show in Nigeria called : Ogas at The Top.

From President Goodluck Jonathan to former rulers like Olusegun Obasanjo; Ogas at The Top will take an unflinching and hilarious look at the Nigeria’s political elite and the other Ogas and Igwees ruling contemporary Naija society.

You can catch up with the show on www.buni.tv; saharareporters.com and yotube.com

By Embukane Vincent libosso

NAIROBI FASHION MARKET & THE GO DOWN GIG

#254weekendrecap

Last weekend two of#254Nairobievents went down! Fashion, revelers having a good time and good music was significant in both. For Nairobi Fashion Market (NFM); it was all shoes; fashion accessories; hats; handbags; dresses and unique designs.

The semi-annual two-day festival gives online retailers a rare chance to interact with their clients and make new ones.

At The Go Down; dj kafi; Nazizi; Chris Adwar and The Villagers Band gave the growing number of revelers to The Go Down Gig a good time. The air filled with soothing sounds; good music and a great crowd; made the event a must attend and a must talk-about!