I missed this little gem made a while before the world cup. Featuring heavily on the Black Stars (Ghana’s National Football Team), cameo shots from Samuel Eto’o and other African teams, Syrup a New York based agency, spear head its direction alongside their client PUMA. “Love = Football” was inspired by Pele’s last words in a speech before a final career game which drew 75,000 fans in New York. He left masses with these three words: “Love, Love, Love.” The culture of football unites a world audience with one thing they share in common, and this campaign makes this phrase “Love = Football” very fitting. With the World Cup just ended, this video seems a suitable nod or a hat tip to the games.
(Song: Going On by Gnarls Barkley)

Syrup are the same studio that were commissioned by PUMA to film, Of The Same Earth. The short features painter/artist Kehinde Wiley who created limited edition sneakers and African themed clothing for PUMA. Drawing from african print & sculpture for inspiration, the short chronicles his process. It also featured star footballers, John Mensah (Ghana), Emmanuel Eboué (Ivory Coast) and Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon) all wearing the PUMA Unity Kit designed to be won by all 12 African teams that PUMA sponsors.

New York studio Shilo create a broadcast / telly  spot  for the lauded broadway musical FELA. The fluorescent lights which illuminate the talent at the beginning of the spot beckon a warm surprise and invite the audience into this nightclub feel full of energy and dance, giving this spot the trailer sensation feel that you have when seeking a thrilling upcoming movie. I love that they’ve captured the great essence of the play and its vibrant energy which is quite unique.

Speaking of Fela Kuti, Tony Allen a music composer / song writer who perhaps is the greatest drummer known,  played for Fela Kuti for a decade in the 1970′s both as a drummer and musical director. It’s believed when he left Fela’s band it took 4 percussionists to replace him. Currently, Tony Allen & his band are touring the US during the month of June in very few select cities. Please check him out. He has over 30 albums he has produced, over half of those with Fela Kuti.

UPDATE:

For those of you music enthusiasts. Antibalas (a Brooklyn based afrobeat band) who play the music for the musical are incredible. See more or catch them on tour.

In anticipation of the World Cup, Puma in partnership with Kehinde Wiley have developed a sports brand that culminates Africa’s love of football. Kehinde is one of the most iconic sports designer and is known for bring strong African and African American influences into his work. The Puma and Kehinde Wiley collaboration was recently featured in an exhibition in Paris at the Space Topograpy of Art. Take a look at this wide scale campaign and visit their interactive site.

Mkuki Bgoya is a Tanzanian designer and owner of Kina Klothing. Kina Klothing is an exciting East African apparel brand that is internationally recognized. We recommend that you grab as many of these awesome tees as possible. Mkuki has a background in Design and Branding, a graduate of Texas A&M University. He has won several design awards and recently launched his own branding and design company Spearhead. A member of our community, Mkuki brings simplicity and style to African digital art.

Source: Bizcommunity
Author: Issa Sikiti da Silvia.

Despite its seemingly endless problems – diseases, crime, war, coup d’états, dictatorship and corruption – Africa has nevertheless become a destination choice for potential investors who seek to capitalise on its phenomenal growth and annual higher returns to expand their wings and grow their brands. But the continent is not for the faint-hearted!
Those who are willing to embark on an investment adventure and grow their brands in Africa in a sustainable manner must do their homework properly, warned Nomahlubi Simamane, CEO and founder of Zanusi Brand Solutions.

We found this interesting article Why Branding Africa Is the Design Goal. The article discusses the branding and identity strategies of African brand companies showcasing the talents of  the one of the first branding strategy design firm in Kenya, ATOM.

How long has the design profession existed in Kenya?
Design has been around since 1967. It started with the creation of Kenyatta University, which was hived off the University of Nairobi (UON) to become a constituent college for training teachers. At that point, Design and Fine Art were created as Bachelor of Arts courses. Fine Art went to Kenyatta and Design remained at UON.

How large is the Kenyan design community?
The total design community could be estimated at about 3,000. UON has produced about 900 design graduates with another 300 coming from more recent universities such as Moi University and Maseno University (specializing in interior design). The remaining numbers have been produced by diploma colleges such as Nairobi Polytechnic and BIFA. The main design professions are graphic (the majority), interior, fashion and web.

What are typical design assignments?
Most design assignments are related to identity and communication briefs. This demand is serviced by specialized graphic design firms like Mojo (www.mojo.co.ke). brand strategy firms like ATOM (www.atom.co.ke) and Interbrand East Africa (www.interbrand.com) also offer design as an integral part of their strategic brand work. All advertising agencies, e.g. Scanad (www.scanad.com), Ogilvy (www.ogilvy.com), AY&R (yrafrica.com/yrsite_kenya), also offer design as a package with their advertising and marketing communication service.