NESCAFÉ stirs up activity at varsities with balloon ride

For three days in a row, the University of Calabar (UNICAL) was agog with fun and excitement as students were given the opportunity to take a ride in the NESCAFÉ ‘Magic Mug’ hot air balloon. Students also competed in singing, dancing and stand-up comedy. There was also a competition to find the hottest new DJ on campus. In each category, winners went home with handsome prizes such as LCD TV sets, Home theatres and Samsung Galaxy smartphones.

Rejoice Eziedo, a final year student of Administration and Planning, Faculty of Education, said “this is a once in a lifetime experience for me. School can be very dull and boring without gigs like this. In spite of the fact that it was during examination, the Abraham Odia Stadium was packed to overflow all three days that the programme lasted. Everyone went home with something and it was so much fun.”

The University of Benin was the next stop for the fun-filled exciting and scintillating experience. The balloon lifted great personalities into the Benin City sky and revealed a rare overhead view of the ancient kingdom of wonders. Just like in Calabar, it was a battle of talents in the dance, music, deejay and comedy category.

The Benin edition also witnessed the introduction of guest artistes BMG and Dizzy who thrilled the audience with their ingenious Rap Style of singing and the amazing acrobatic and athletic display of the awesome ‘Body language.’

The whole new digital interactive media ‘super photo booth’ was on board in both Calabar and Benin City to add to the experiential thrills of the students and consumers at large. “It was the first time I experienced the use of the photo machine. It’s amazing, fun and the poses you put on just makes you smile away your worries, and I honestly wished we had such cool photo booth in our hostels…. We love you NESCAFÉ.” These were the words of Ogie Obaseki, a 300 level student in the faculty of engineering.

The photos taken were given to students on the spot who also took their own individual pictures on the NESCAFÉ red carpet. This helped harness the power of social media during the event by boosting activity on the individual’s Facebook fan page, twitter handle through fan tagging/commenting on uploaded photos. All this activities coupled with the NESCAFÉ Magic Mug Flight got the students agog and wanting more. Additional prizes were also given to loyal consumers who liked the new Facebook fan page of NESCAFÉ.

The NESCAFÉ Hot Air Balloon has been creating excitement at’ school campuses across Central and West Africa for years. Hundreds of thousands of undergraduates have participated in this experience that they cannot stop talking about.

According to Kayode Oladapo, brand manager, NESCAFÉ, “NESCAFÉ is identifying with young people, class and reality. The NESCAFÉ Hot Air Balloon and the battle of Talents provide the opportunity to interact, socialize and enjoy. The experience is to also introduce the brand to young people who we expect to cultivate and sustain a NESCAFÉ drinking culture so as to enjoy all the benefits associated with coffee.”

The NESCAFÉ Hot Air Balloon concept started in Nigeria in October 2011. This phenomenon has now been to six Nigerian tertiary institutions in the last three years.

via – BusinessDay.