TheCable

CMC Connect Limited, a communications group in Nigeria, has launched two political products ahead of the 2019 general election.

The services launched by Connect Intelligence and i-Octane Digital PR, two of its subsidiaries are “Political Market Research” and “Political Online Reputation Management (Political ORM)”.

The group announced the launch at an interactive session which held in its office during the week.

Speaking at the launch,  Olufunmilola Olufunso-Oke, associate group head, research & intelligence development, CMC Connect, said Political Market Research has been a fundamental tool for political campaigns in developed countries, and wouldu be useful for the upcoming elections as Nigerians are becoming more “politically aware.”

She said the service would be deployed using “perception audit, opinion polls, vulnerability test, communication research, opposition research” and other communication tools.

“Despite concerns about the governance, Nigerians are becoming increasingly politically engaged and more discerning,” she said.

“For proper development to happen through the 2019 elections, politicians and political parties need to understand the ‘Peoples’ Power’ by paying more attention to the demands of the electorate.”

Explaining the Political ORM service, Opeoluwa Duntoye, team lead at iOctane Digital PR, said it involves “analyzing, building and managing the online reputation of political aspirants using efficient digital tools.”

“With permutations for 2019 elections becoming primary in the minds of politicians, the digital media space cannot be ignored,” she said.

“The terrain carries a positive influence in shaping the conversations and choices leading to the 2019 elections,” she added.

Commenting on the products launched, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, group managing director, CMC Connect, said both services were designed to deepen democracy and engender maximum participation by all key stakeholders.

“In today’s political space, you cannot afford to underrate the potential power of data and content. Anyone who does that, does so at his or her own peril,” Badejo-Okusanya said.