‘Digital technology critical for marketing’

A South African-based marketer Ryan Hogarth has challenged local marketers to embrace digital technology, saying it is the easiest way to interact with customers and get feedback on products and services.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 2016 Marketers Conference in Mangochi on Friday, Hogarth, who is also a motivational speaker and researcher, said digital technology is here to stay and only those who embrace it will not be left behind.

“What digital is doing is bringing a change in the way businesses operate. Many businesses which are succeeding these days are the ones embracing the digital culture because they can reach out to more customers within a short period of time,” he said.

Agreeing with Hogarth, Wilkins Mijiga, who is head of strategy, marketing and corporate affairs at National Bank of Malawi, said digital marketing, if used properly, will make the job of marketers easy.

Mijiga, who was one of the panelilsts during a discussion on digital marketing, said digital technology has already made a difference, especially in the banking sector.

“Digital technology is already here because as banks we are advocating for  cashless transactions and people have accepted this arrangement.

“What is needed is civic education so that people should embrace e-commerce because if we do not do this, we will be left behind,” he said.