…….Unveils Okocha, Kanu As ShineOnNigeria Ambassadors
Star lager beer, Nigeria’s favourite beer, has launched a series of activations geared towards deepening its association with Nigeria’s favourite sport – football.
To begin with, the beer brand has partnered DSTV to beam all the football matches of the upcoming FIFA Football Mundial in June, to TV audiences. This is to ensure that Nigerians can view the competition from the comfort of their homes.
This was revealed at a media parley convened to formally announce Star Football, another trailblazing innovation through which the beer brand will connect with football.
Walter Drenth, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc. said: “We decided to partner DSTV so as to give Star beer consumers and football lovers the opportunity of watching live football matches as well as in-depth analysis of games. We do not want them to miss a moment of the exciting and exhilarating games.”
Star beer, manufactured by Nigerian Breweries Plc., has also unveiled ex – internationals, Austin Jay Jay Okocha and Kanu Papillo Nwankwo as ambassadors for its football activation.
Star has also chosen to align with the millions of fans who are passionate about the game of football and fervently cheer their teams to victory. The brand has adopted ShineOnNigeria as the official tagline to propel Nigeria to victory in competitive football games. Both Okocha and Kanu, joined by Nigeria’s football loving fans, will amplify the ShineOnNigeria call to attain the status of the Mexican wave and other global celebratory recitations.
According to Walter Drenth, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Star’s decision to recruit Austin Jay Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Papillo Kanu was borne out of the reason to celebrate their achievements in the game of football.
He said: “As a proudly Nigerian brand which seeks to promote the positive attributes of Nigeria’s heroes for others to emulate, Star is proud to announce the involvement of Nigerian superstar ex-footballers, Kanu Nwankwo and Austin ‘JayJay’ Okocha, two illustrious Nigerian ex-international footballers as the brand ambassadors to help in recognizing and rewarding the fans. You would agree with me that Okocha and Kanu have not only made Nigeria proud through football but have become role models for Nigerians who seek to emulate their victories on-the-pitch.”
On why Star lager opted to align with football fans, he remarked: “We believe that the greatness and victory associated with the game of football is not only about the 11 players in a team but about the millions of fans united by passion and pride cheering their teams to victory. This is the spark that ignites winning moments. Star recognizes this and has chosen to celebrate the passion and pride of the fans.”
According to the Marketing Director, Star recognises that football has become an important part of Nigeria’s identity and a source of national pride.
“We applaud the affinity which the average Nigerian has with football. Indeed it is often said that during football matches; Nigerians put aside all divisive sentiments and cheer our country’s representatives to victory. As the true Nigerian brand and a true national icon that constantly seeks to engage with consumers, we have identified the football platform as an avenue to deepen our bond with Nigerians. Star Football therefore is the brand’s platform to further strengthen the connection between Nigeria’s favourite beer, Star Lager, and the Nigerian people, more specifically the football lovers” he added.
Mr. Drenth described Star’s expansion of its football sponsorship activities as a new vista in the annals of Nigerian Breweries Plc. He explained that the brand’s incursion into football will be beneficial to the consumers of Star lager beer and also promote the sports.
“I have no doubt that Star Football will be beneficial to the Nigerians, especially football lovers, in the long run. Not forgetting the influence of the ever-growing online community, Social media will continue to play a pivotal role in what we do at Star. Fans would also have the opportunity of joining the conversation with #ShineOnNigeria and stay updated on all Star Football projects” he stated.
