- Inside OA
Inside OA: Willy MBENA
Can you describe your role as advertising manager and how you work with the different teams in the agency to bring campaigns to fruition?
The advertising manager, for my part, is responsible for defining and implementing the advertising strategy in line with the customer's needs, objectives and budget.
When it comes to working with teams, it's important to develop strong bonds, so as to facilitate communication and the sharing of ideas during the challenge.
What are the key stages in designing a successful advertising campaign, from customer brief to broadcast?
Understanding the brief: identifying the customer's expectations so as to be able to channel creative ideas that are relevant to both the customer and his targets.
Team mobilization: to gather as many ideas as possible and challenge them to come up with the proposal that will make B.A.N.D.E.R. a success.
Planning: sequencing ideas over time to show consistency in the evolution of the work.
What was your biggest challenge in managing an advertising campaign, and how did you overcome it?
Delays in the follow-up of activities, because the success of a project depends not only on the quality of ideas, but also on their timely implementation. For me, this is a very important aspect of professionalism. To overcome them, I've been able to rely not only on my composure in the face of adversity, but also on my colleagues, who know how to give me a boost.
Is there an advertising campaign of which you are particularly proud, and what contributed to its success?
Bubble Up Djindja. Introducing a new category of bubble up flavor to the Cameroonian market, this project represented an exciting challenge. The originality of this project, combined with an effective launch strategy, has paid off. The success of the teaser demonstrated the concept's potential and encourages us to pursue our development.
How do you see advertising trends evolving, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence?
AI is becoming an increasingly popular tool in our business, especially in project management. I sometimes use it when I get stuck; however, I prefer traditional involvement, because that's how you maintain and improve your skills to excel further.