When I look at my BlackBerry (BB) Smartphone, all I
see is a communication device.
Well, I do not exactly expect to see any more
than that, and frankly, I am sure millions of other BB users see just
what I do. Research in Motion (RIM), manufacturers of the BB line of Smartphones
will not be disappointed with such a report. RIM however, will and is impressed
with what a young Ghanaian in his early twenties envisaged when he saw his
BB Smartphone.
Yes, Albert Kwesi Appiah
sees a communication device when he looks at his BB Smartphone, but two
years ago, Albert did not see just that. He also saw a business opportunity. One
that would get him doing something he has come to love.
Popularly known as Kinto Rothmans and very much known to almost everyone who uses a BB in Ghana, Albert, faced the same challenge almost every new BB user faces; how to amass contacts on his BlackBerry Messenger (BBM). Kinto managed to transcend this to some extent. What he would do for his friends who got onto the BB service however, has changed his life and added so much more to the lives of others.
For his friends who were new on the BB service, Kinto would send a broadcast message to all his BBM contacts. The message would read, “Get familiar with...” then follows the person’s name and BB pin, after which he would request for a re-broadcast. The idea was to literally get familiar with the new BBM contact and get to know them. Before long, people would have 300, 700, 1,000 and even 2,000 BBM contacts as opposed to 20, 30 or 50. With that huge a contact base on BBM, sending a broadcast message to all contacts and requesting for a re-broadcast would ensure that the message is received by thousands.
“There is power in numbers, so when you
can reach a lot of people, you become powerful and that really is where the
idea came from”, said Kinto.
Although the unemployment rate in Ghana
at the moment is not known, it is pegged as at being on the high side. A
frightening dimension of unemployment in the country is the rising levels of
graduate unemployment. As at 2011, graduate unemployment in Ghana was estimated
at 44% of graduate school leavers. For a 2010 Bachelor of Arts graduate from
the University of Ghana, it is remarkable that Kinto has set up his own
company, barely three years after graduating from school. What is even more
remarkable is that right after university, Kinto got a permanent job with a
telecommunications company in Ghana, what most young university graduates in
Ghana would call, "an answered prayer". Kinto quit his job after
working there for about two years. The reason? "I wanted to nurture my own
business into a bigger company and nothing can be bigger than your own idea".
He wanted to nurture the company, GetFamiliar.
Kinto (Middle) with Tunji Ademiluyi (2nd right), Carrier Manager of RIM and three members of GetFamiliar |
Aside FridayFriends, GetFamiliar has organised
other events, some in conjunction with other event organisers, others on behalf of other organisations. The group has
also undertaken brand activation for some companies in Ghana.
“In some years to come, GetFamiliar is going to be one of the biggest companies in the country”, said Kinto.
“In some years to come, GetFamiliar is going to be one of the biggest companies in the country”, said Kinto.
GetFamiliar has not left Android users out though. For the Android market, GetFamiliar has developed an application called GetFamiliar that instantly updates its users of trendy music, videos, pictures and upcoming hot events.
The Ghanaian social media marketing group, though started on BBM has not restricted itself to using only BBM to advertise. GetFamiliar, aside having its own website (http://www.getfamiliargh.com), advertises on other social media such as Facebook (GetFamiliar GH), Twitter (@GetFamiliarGH) and Instagram (@GetFamiliarGH).
Albert Akwasi Appiah and his #Getfamiliar crew are just awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteHonestly #Getfamiliar inspires me a lot... They promise and they deliver.
I couldn't agree with you more Kwabena. Kinto, GetFamiliar = totally awesome :D
DeleteBeautiful concept,vibrant and youth attractive idea growing with the speed of light.a lot of copy cats around after the success of #GetFamiliarGH®. I see HYPENATION,TwentyPlus etc. They all lack originality. #GetFamiliarGH® stand up#salute.
ReplyDeleteGreat concept. Having copy cats really is a huge compliment. Means you are doing something worth emulating. Congrats to Kinto and the GetFamiliar team.
DeleteEeeii amanfo) kasa oo. Lmao@hypenation. True paa. Kinto all the best with #GetFamiliarGH®
ReplyDeleteYep, Kinto is one young man determined to make GetFamiliar a success (if you ask me, I'd say it already is). Big ups Kinto.
DeleteI want 2 marry U̶̲̥̅̊,Ǎ̜̣̍м̣̣̥̇̊ 31yr own a multimedia company,and Ǎ̜̣̍м̣̣̥̇̊ in luv with u
ReplyDeleteNow that's a huge compliment (totally blushing).
DeleteApart from the fact that GetFamiliar is a Trendsetter, i can only describe the group in three words; One Stop Shop.....thats what the crew is!
ReplyDeleteVery innovative too if you ask me :)
DeleteHe's family & We love him. You write so well Efua :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Joannes :)
DeleteMy BOYS!!!!!!!! Kudos to the GetFamiliar Crew.
ReplyDelete:) Big up GetFamiliar!
DeletePlease see my Blog,Just gave u an Award.
DeleteThanks Didi. Just checked it out. Those questions though. hmmmmm...
Delete