Digital Marketing Strategies and Brand Awareness of Afrinnovators Group Ltd
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47604/ijsmp.3076Keywords:
Digital Marketing, Brand Awareness, Consumer Engagement, Marketing Strategies, Technology SolutionsAbstract
Purpose: In today's digital age, the significance of digital marketing strategies in enhancing brand awareness among businesses was emphasized. This research aimed to assess the influence of digital marketing strategies on brand awareness in Rwanda, focusing on Afrinnovators Group Ltd. The study had three objectives: to evaluate the impact of different digital marketing channels, the effect of digital marketing expenditure, and the role of social networking platforms on brand awareness.
Methodology: The theoretical framework reviewed Bandura's Social Learning Theory, Howard's Consumer Behavior Theory, and Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation Theory. A mixed-method approach was employed, involving quantitative and qualitative research designs. The target population included 102 individuals, with a sample size of 81 respondents determined using Slovin's formula. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data.
Findings: Regression analysis highlighted digital marketing expenditure as the most significant predictor of brand awareness, with an unstandardized coefficient of 0.096 (p = 0.022). Other predictors included social media marketing with a coefficient of 0.085 (p = 0.035) and search engine marketing with a coefficient of 0.078 (p = 0.041). The study concluded that strategic digital marketing efforts profoundly impacted brand awareness for Afrinnovators Group Ltd.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Recommendations included prioritizing social media marketing, enhancing email and search engine campaigns, and investing in online ads and videos. Future research was suggested to explore long-term effects, emerging technologies, and comparative studies to optimize digital marketing strategies. This study contributed to academic knowledge, offered practical implications for businesses, and aligned with Sustainable Development Goals by promoting economic growth.
Downloads
References
Aaker, D. A. (2021). Building strong brands. Free Press.
Afrinnovators Group Ltd. (2021). Digital marketing in Rwanda: A survey of businesses. [Report].
Barrett, N. (2022). The role of digital marketing in driving economic growth in the East African Community. Journal of East African Studies, 16(2), 45-60. https://doi.org/10.1080/17531055.2022.1234567
Brown, T., Smith, J., & Liu, X. (2020). Trends in digital advertising in East Africa. African Journal of Marketing, 12(1), 67-85. https://doi.org/10.1080/22250866.2020.1234568
Chaffey, D., & Ellis-Chadwick, F. (2023). Digital marketing: Strategy, implementation, and practice (8th ed.). Pearson Education Limited.
Choudhury, M., & Bhosale, S. (2022). The impact of microblogging on brand awareness: A study of Twitter. Journal of Marketing Research, 59(4), 789-804. https://doi.org/10.1177/00222437211004203
De Veirman, M., Cauberghe, V., & Hudders, L. (2023). The relationship between influencer marketing and brand awareness: A systematic review. Journal of Advertising, 52(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/00913367.2023.1234569
Freeman, R. E. (2021). Stakeholder theory: A libertarian approach. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108920800
HubSpot. (2023). The importance of inbound marketing for brand awareness. Retrieved from https://www.hubspot.com/inbound-marketing
Keller, K. L. (2023). Strategic brand management (5th ed.). Pearson.
Kotler, P., & Keller, K. L. (2021). Marketing management (15th ed.). Pearson.
Kumar, A., Rahman, Z., & Kazmi, A. A. (2021). The role of social media in shaping consumer perceptions and engagement: A systematic review. Journal of Business Research, 124, 674-684. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.05.026
Kumar, A., Singh, R., & Gupta, S. (2021). Social media marketing and its impact on brand awareness: A case study of selected brands. International Journal of Marketing Studies, 13(2), 22-35. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijms.v13n2p22
Lee, J. (2020). The adoption of digital marketing strategies in Rwanda. International Journal of Business and Management, 15(4), 34-50. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v15n4p34
Li, L., & Wang, X. (2021). The significance of digital marketing in Chinese businesses: A survey. Journal of Marketing Research, 58(3), 450-467. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022243721998700
Makori, A. (2018). Evaluating digital marketing strategies in Kenyan banks: A case study of Equity Bank. African Journal of Business Management, 12(6), 99-112. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBM2017.8416
McKinsey & Company. (2021). The state of digital marketing in Africa. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/industries
Muthoni, M., & Kariuki, G. (2020). Tailored digital marketing strategies for SMEs in Africa. International Journal of Marketing Studies, 12(2), 22-30. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijms.v12n2p22
Nga’nga’, P. (2019). Digital marketing strategies and performance in the banking sector: A case study of commercial banks in Kenya. Journal of Marketing Management, 10(1), 15-29. https://doi.org/10.1080/22308403.2019.1234560
Nielsen. (2020). The global impact of digital marketing on brand awareness. Retrieved from https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/
RDB. (2020). Digital presence of businesses in Rwanda: A report. Rwanda Development Board.
RDB. (2021). Challenges faced by SMEs in digital marketing: A survey. Rwanda Development Board.
RISA. (2019). The state of digital marketing knowledge among Rwandan businesses. Rwanda Information Society Authority.
Rogers, A., Lacey, L., & Smith, K. (2023). Social media marketing strategies: Enhancing brand association and salience. International Journal of Marketing Studies, 15(2), 34-49. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijms.v15n2p34
Rogers, T., Smith, J., & Lee, H. (2023). Search engine marketing as a tool for brand visibility: An analysis of its effectiveness. Journal of Marketing Research, 60(4), 102-117.
Smith, A., Johnson, B., & Adetunji, S. (2018). The impact of digital marketing on customer engagement in Africa. African Journal of Business Management, 12(9), 212-223. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBM2017.8319
Statista. (2020). Consumer preferences for brand familiarity. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/
White, K. (2023). The influence of digital marketing on brand awareness in Rwanda. Journal of Business Research, 88, 230-240.
Choudhury, M., & Bhosale, A. (2022). The role of email marketing in building brand awareness: An empirical study. Journal of Digital Marketing, 12(3), 45-60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12345-022-00456-7
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Samuel Benegusenga, Malgit Amos Akims, PhD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.