New Year 3 Weeks Late!!

New Year, Whats New? 

So I am happily wishing you, the reader and a friend of Cosmopolitanization (I assume) , a Happy New Year this late? It’s the thought that counts though, right?

Approximately a year ago, I started blogging and I have loved it thus far. So I turn one this month and I thank you for stopping by and reading, even when I sometimes force you to (for my very lazy friends).

What are your year Plans? I am now in my final semester and I am a bit excited about it. Can’t wait to see how this year turns out. Am hoping it’s the best one yet. One thing I plan to do is to take a more personal approach in my writing.

Speaking of year plans, have you registered for this year’s Mobile East Africa 2014 Conference? Kicking off the year is the Annual Mobile Web East Africa Conference scheduled to run from the 11^th through the 14^th of February. It is back for the fourth time in a row!

Speakers such as Tomi Ahonen (the man measured by Forbes as the world’s most influential expert in mobile) is coming! Also in attendance will be Managing Director for East Africa at SAP Mr. Andrew Waititu, Jose Henrique of Airtel Africa and Algy Williams of Every1Mobile. Senior representatives from IBM, Safaricom, iHub Research and Google will be in attendance too.

The 2014's focus is “Expanding data Usage and driving monetization through industry collaboration”. Having attended last year’s event, I can assure you of a few things: super networking check, a few ‘on-the-money’ debates check, high tempo presentations check and of course, penetrating panel discussions.

The tickets go for $400 for the 12^th and 13^th but in case you represent a startup, NGO or are an Independent app developer, it goes down to $200. With Ahonen’s eye opening workshop on the 14^th, tickets go for $550 and $275 respectively. You can register here.

I hope to see you there! Lets start 2014 on a high note, shall we?

My MWEA (Mobile Web East Africa) experience.

The MWEA 2013 technology event went down last week at the Southern Sun Mayfair Hotel. It ran from 19th of February til the 21st. I got to attend it for one day but was so bummed since i wish i had attended the conference on all the days. The main focus for this year was taking Monetisation and content creation dialogue to the next level.

There were several speakers from world renowned organisations that shared priceless information concerning trivial matters that every budding or established developer should put in mind. The sessions were interactive as well because of the round table format and the 15 minutes break that was offered to discuss and internalize on what the speaker had presented. Not only did it offer a chance to exchange ideas on trivial marketing issues, it also offered an awesome platform for networking and meeting new people in tech industry because most of the attendees were major key players from different major tech organisations throughout Africa . The open bar after the Wednesday session was a particular delight :)

Some of the key aspects that were discussed during the Mobile Marketing East Africa Focus day(19th) included highlighting major factors for monitoring and measuring mobile web marketing campaigns and how to go about conceptualization, construction and execution. It also focused on how to apply creative and design principles to mobile marketing and its fusion with responsive design especially in matters to do with digital marketing. With relevant case studies such as Guinness VIP, presentations were made to show how mobile has, and can enrich the presence of brands. Lastly, the speakers explored on future considerations that can be implemented to increase impact and deliverance.

The Main Conference day offered an array of insight to me. Some of the key issues that were highlighted include suggestions on how creativity can contribute to the tech mobile platform and if the more creative and traditional industries can intertwine with the technology industry. One speaker talked about how creativity can be used as a catalyst for disruptive innovation and creation through citing very helpful case studies. Another key highlight was the subject on distribution and entertainment in relation to the mobile savvy consumer with relevant examples from key companies such as Buni t.v, IROKO partners and Retroviral Digital Communications.

This is just but a brief summary of some of the key aspects that made me a bit more insightful than i was before. Hopefully, i will be able to share each and every aspect that i have talked about in detail to spread the insight. It was simply awesome and i have no idea why i have never attended the previous conferences. Looking forward to next year's Event and i hope to see you there.

ps: The venue was spectacular.