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Heineken: Stay a Local Global Brand by Facilitating, Not Dictating
“Heineken is called ‘The Chairman’ in Nigeria. So, we give that flexibility to Nigeria to call it ‘The Chairman’, but we do not need to create a global campaign saying the ‘Chairman’ from Amsterdam. . . . We give that flexibility. That’s how we operate. Have a central idea, but give local flexibility to the markets.’” – Obabiyi Fagade
As a global beer brand, Heineken promotes a spirit of open-mindedness, framing its drinkers as global citizens who respect other cultures while still reveling in the comforts of their own. In this episode of Branding Over Wine, Obabiyi Fagade, commercial development manager of global brands at Heineken, shares how the iconic Dutch beer brand cultivates this flexible yet consistent brand identity in 190 different countries all over the world.
Here, Obabiyi reveals that Heineken’s identity in Northern Europe is actually quite different from its identity in Nigeria, which are both quite different from the one in the US. Rather than view this as inconsistency within the brand, Heineken embraces it as a reflection of its open-minded, progressive nature. So, for Heineken’s 150th anniversary, they ran a campaign celebrating its shifting identity in different eras and regions.
Ultimately, the local diversity within the brand still points to its established—and beloved—global identity. Listen in for universal insights on the power of local cultures to diversify and grow global brands here.
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Got itBranding over Wine
Each month we’re inviting one international marketer or brand manager we admire for a candid conversation about how to grow viable brands and businesses. Let’s see what worked and, just as important, what didn’t work for these amazing practitioners by addressing the hurdles of global marketing management.
Heineken: Stay a Local Global Brand by Facilitating, Not Dictating
Obabiyi FagadeIn this Branding over Wine podcast episode, Obabiyi Fagade, commercial development manager of global brands at Heineken, explains the importance of embracing the local while remaining open to global influences. In Africa’s emerging markets, for example, marketers have the opportunity to elevate local cultures in their brands, but they must be open to change and outside influences to do so.
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