Bigger Organizations Should Encourage Smaller Ones

Temitope Seun-Alaiye is Head Consultant at NeulagosBranio, a young brand identity outfit in Lagos . He shares his industry experience with Ndubuisi Eluwa in this piece.

My name is Temitope Seun-Alaiye but people generally call me ‘Alaiye’. By the special grace of God, I am presently the Head Consultant, NeulagosBranio. In my position I coordinate the entire outfit.
After my secondary school education at Comprehensive High School Ayetoro in Ogun State , I proceeded to Yaba College of Technology where I obtained a National Diploma in General Arts and later a Higher National Diploma in Graphics.
My journey into advertising started at Adwork where I did my industrial attachment after my ND. The experience then was worth it as it gave me the opportunity to do one thing I was really eager about and to learn. During that period my MD, Niyi Alonge, took note of my potential and after my attachment program I was subsequently recruited as the Art Director, in which capacity I had the opportunity of working on such great brands as Union Bank, Squadron Dark Rum, Eagle Aromatic Schnapps and NNPC among others. The values I learnt on the job form the driving force to venture into what I am doing now. I was privileged to have a working relationship with Victor Dairo of Prima Garnet who was our Creative Consultant. He impacted in me the mindset of believing in one’s ability. I was with Adwork from 2004 till 2008 when I resigned.
When I left Adwork I registered and set up NeulagosBranio and since then, we have been consulting for other agencies in the areas of creative development and brief interpretation. Our businesses in NeulagosBranio include idea generation, content development/management and providing effective graphic design solutions that meet client’s objectives. We strive to surpass these expectations. We also provide brand support services in the areas of customized corporate identity apparels (tie-clip, cuff-links and lapel pins).
Success in this business requires that your vision is fused with your client’s vision, therefore building a brand identity that speaks of not only their business, but also about their values. That way you are able to retain them.
Our challenge within the industry remains the fact that the big guns in the industry do not want to give the upcoming outfits the chance to breath. I think the bigger players in the industry feel intimidated by the younger ones because they feel the younger ones are out to outwit them. I think they should rather encourage them by working with them from time to time. Again, most prospective clients do not realise that delivering on the job is not about size but ability to position brands on higher grounds. The depth of creative jobs these upcoming firms offer is amazing. The industry generally faces the same challenges bedeviling the economy. This not withstanding however, over the years, the industry has been able to achieve some milestones in positioning indigenous brands to global brands and making them break new grounds.
Coordinating the activities of the firm does not mean that I do not relax. I relax by watching movies, playing games and sleeping. My hobbies include listening to music, reading and networking.