In the world of culinary achievements, breaking a Guinness World Record is no small feat. When renowned Nigerian chef Hilda Baci set out to beat the existing record of 72 hours 7 minutes held by Indian chef Lata Tondon, she not only shattered expectations but also captivated the world with her extraordinary talent and determination. Behind the scenes, working tirelessly to orchestrate the PR activities surrounding this exceptional event was Blanche Aigle Communications, a distinguished marketing communications consultancy specializing in public relations and digital marketing.
“Navigating the realm of breaking Guinness World Records requires a strategic and comprehensive approach,” says Nene Bejide, Principal Consultant of Blanche Aigle Communications. “Our role was to ensure that Hilda’s Cook-a-thon not only captivated audiences but also positioned it as a remarkable milestone in culinary history.”
Blanche Aigle played a pivotal role in amplifying Baci’s Cook-a-thon, leveraging their expertise and strategic approach to build anticipation, enhance visibility, and sustain the buzz before, during, and after the event. The agency’s comprehensive approach surpassed all expectations, leaving an indelible mark on the culinary world and positioning the Cook-a-thon as a global phenomenon.
“Our team at Blanche Aigle worked tirelessly to develop a robust marketing and public relations plan that encompassed various channels and platforms,” explains Obichie. “We focused on creating awareness, generating interest among the target audience and sponsor brands, and establishing Hilda Baci as a force to be reckoned with in the industry.”
To achieve these goals, Blanche Aigle orchestrated a well-crafted media tour for Hilda Baci, strategically placing her on popular television programs such as TVC Wake Up Nigeria and Rubbing Minds on Channels TV. The agency also facilitated interviews and thought leadership articles in prominent print platforms, further bolstering Baci’s reputation and forging connections with other renowned chefs in Nigeria.
Recognizing the power of influencer marketing, Blanche Aigle implemented a comprehensive influencer engagement strategy, ensuring daily visits from influencers to support and drive conversations about the Cook-a-thon. The agency harnessed the influence of social media platforms, organizing strategic Twitter space events and conversations anchored by Hilda Baci, increasing familiarity and garnering support from leading chefs in the country.
During the four-day Cook-a-thon, Blanche Aigle was fully immersed in the planning and operations, providing on-ground support for logistics, media engagement, and sponsor brand visibility. Through an integrated approach encompassing traditional and digital media, as well as influencer engagement, the agency generated non-stop awareness and facilitated real-time conversations on top-tier platforms. This resulted in the creation of compelling content, on-the-spot interviews with sponsor representatives, government officials, and stakeholders, and widespread coverage across TV, radio, print, digital, and social media channels.
In the aftermath of the Cookathon, the impact of Blanche Aigle’s efforts became evident. The brand name ‘Hilda Baci’ achieved a high and successful mileage, with 85% positive media conversation and an impressive engagement of 4,812,704,500 audiences across 13 countries.
The Cook-a-thon garnered attention from renowned international news platforms, including CNN International, BBC, Al Jazeera, ABC, and DW, solidifying its status as a global sensation. To further capitalize on the success, Blanche Aigle facilitated a post-event press conference, drawing attendance from tier 1 broadcast and online media outlets nationwide. Exclusive interviews for Hilda Baci were also arranged, allowing her to share her experience and future aspirations.
Perhaps most notably, Blanche Aigle’s efforts sparked significant opportunities and initiated conversations with potential brands interested in collaborating with Hilda Baci. Through strategic positioning and impactful PR activities, the agency helped position Baci as a corporate personality capable of attracting brand support, endorsements, and extensive opportunities for her brand, MyFoodbyHilda.
Ticking the KPI boxes
When it comes to measuring success, Blanche Aigle Communications had a clear set of key performance indicators (KPIs) for its role in orchestrating Hilda Baci’s groundbreaking Cook-a-thon. With a unified team and a strong vision, the agency set out to achieve remarkable results and ensure the event’s success.
“The KPIs for this project were carefully defined to ensure its success,” says Bejide. “First and foremost, we aimed for this project to be a resounding success. Additionally, we placed a strong emphasis on top-notch communication, a viral communication plan, and maintaining the highest quality of work projected in the media.”
Blanche Aigle understood the importance of delivering accurate and impactful messaging to counter any potential fake news. In an era where information travels at the speed of a click, this cannot be overstated. It calls for adeptness in shaping narratives, creating awareness, and building meaningful connections between brands and their intended audience. Blanche Aigle Communications understands this power and harnesses it to unlock new opportunities and elevate the visibility of its clients, and Hilda’s event wasn’t an exception.
The team’s unified efforts and the abundance of reliable sources made it challenging for false information to emerge. Through their comprehensive communication plan, they penetrated various platforms, including blogs of all sizes, ensuring that the truth prevailed and the Cook-a-thon’s narrative remained untainted.
“We ticked all the boxes in terms of our KPIs,” affirms Bejide. “People couldn’t post anything untrue about Hilda because we had a strong presence and were able to communicate effectively. We garnered genuine and positive supporters, which further reinforced the credibility of the event.”
The success of Blanche Aigle’s efforts was not only evident in the absence of fake news but also in the feedback received from brands and potential partners. Several brands that were approached for partnerships commended the agency for a job well done and expressed interest in future collaborations.
Looking ahead, Blanche Aigle Communications is eager to continue its remarkable work and undertake more outstanding projects. As an exclusive agency, their focus is on delivering value over quantity. This approach was clearly demonstrated in the immense effort and dedication put into the Hilda Baci Cook-a-Thon event.
“While our agency may not be widely known, we pride ourselves on being an exclusive agency,” explains Bejide. “We prioritize serving a select number of clients and delivering exceptional results. The commitment and dedication we demonstrated in the Cook-a-thon are a testament to our values.”
Led by the indefatigable Nene Bejide, the Founder and Principal Consultant, Blanche Aigle’s expertise and strategic approach proved instrumental in achieving the desired outcomes. With a vision to become Africa’s leading communications solutions provider, Blanche Aigle is driven by core values of Trust, Integrity, and Efficiency. The agency’s team of experts is dedicated to delivering effective campaigns and has a proven track record of success stories in reputation management, crisis communication, content creation, social media management, and influencer marketing.
“Blanche Aigle Communications goes beyond mere publicity,” emphasizes Bejide. “We believe in the transformative power of public relations in shaping narratives, creating awareness, and driving meaningful engagement.”
As the agency continues to redefine the possibilities of brand communications, it has once again proven its ability to deliver outstanding results. Blanche Aigle Communications has elevated the relevance of reputation consultancies, emphasizing the pivotal role of PR in amplifying events of Guinness World Record magnitude. Through its visionary approach, the agency has set a new global benchmark, raising the bar of excellence in event amplification and brand positioning.