Vaultz and Unwrap to host Influencer Awards

Online lifestyle publication Vaultz.connect and Namibian news and entertainment site unWrap.online are collaborating on their inaugural Influencer Awards, and are calling on members of the public to nominate their favourite content creators.

According to the team, this event will celebrate the influencers who have significantly impacted the influencer marketing landscape and have contributed to the vibrant growth of the industry in Namibia.

“Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an everyday individual whose creation has captured the internet’s attention,” says awards lead Jeoffrey Mukubi.

The date of the event and the venue are yet to be announced, though content consumers are encouraged to already start considering who they might nominate, he adds.

According to financial magazine Forbes, influencer marketing has taken over the world and is the new avenue for professional development.

In a sense, it is the digital version of word of mouth advertising, and it has people leveraging their vast networks to become key players in the field.

In Namibia, we have seen a greater reliance on social media brands by large conglomerates in recent years, and the space is slowly becoming saturated with creators vying for screen time and engagement. It seems consumers are starting to trust the recommendations of the popular people they see online and only time will tell if their impact is big enough for their individual brands.

To qualify for the influencer award categories, which are yet to be announced, one must fill out an application form for someone else or themselves online. Content creators should have a minimum of 4 500 followers on their social media page and must have been paid to promote products.

“Our judges are looking for the content that stands out the most. It could be clever, or creative, or well shot, or unique or just damn brilliant. They’ll be looking at its engagement and shares, but it doesn’t need to be the most widely shared, or the most engaged with, as all entrants have a different follower base,” says Mukubi.

A panel of judges will then make the final decision on who makes the cut and then winners will be awarded an assortment of prizes over a brunch.

Vaultz.connect is a premium men’s lifestyle magazine dedicated to telling captivating stories of personalities, while unWrap.online is a leading online magazine providing the latest entertainment and lifestyle news in Namibia.

Together, the two hope to celebrate the achievements of Namibian-based creators and those who have built and maintained digital platforms that speak to people.

For more information email [email protected].

• Anne Hambuda is a writer, social commentator and poet. Follow her online or email her [email protected] for more.