THE PR LESSONS FROM THE LETHUKHANYA MJAJA STORY

 Ishola Ayodele (2023)

A three-year old girl from South Africa named Lethukhanya Mjaja was sent to buy a loaf of bread. She got fascinated with muddy water that she started playing it while still holding the loaf of bread she was sent to buy. She was completely lost in her imaginative world in the muddy water that she became unaware of her uncle who is a commercial photographer.

 

Unlike most people the talented Uncle rather than shouting at her to leave the muddy water saw something unique about that moment. He took some photos of her and posted them online. The pictures went viral and became the talk of South Africa's social media space.

 

This picture caught the attention of the Bread company that produces the bread. They decided to use the picture on their billboards and delivery trucks. This increased the sales of the company massively, so they reciprocated by rewarding her in cash and kind. And also signed her as their brand ambassador.

 

From a childish carefree play in a muddy water, little Lethukhanya Mjaja became the face of one of South Africa's leading bread brands. She went from a bread buyer to a breadwinner for her family.

 

This PR success story draws parallels with the transformation of Jumoke, a breadseller turned celebrity, showcasing the power of unexpected moments and the role of effective public relations in shaping narratives.

 

Here are the PR lessons from this story:

 

1.  Seizing Unexpected Opportunities:

Professional PR practitioners should always be alert to unexpected moments or content that has the potential to go viral. Capitalizing on these opportunities can create significant brand exposure and generate positive buzz.

 

2.  Social Media Amplification:

Social media can serve as a powerful tool for amplifying stories and reaching a wide audience quickly. Creating visually engaging content that resonates with the target audience can significantly enhance message dissemination.

 

3.  Emotional Connection and Brand Association:

The bread company recognized the unique opportunity presented by Lethukhanya's viral photos and decided to capitalize on her innocent charm. By incorporating the images into their billboards and delivery trucks, they established a strong emotional connection between the brand and the audience.

 

Crafting PR campaigns that evoke genuine emotions and foster connections with the target audience can be a powerful tool for brand promotion. A study by Neurosciencemarketing shows that, “The success rate of emotional marketing campaigns is 31%.”

 

4.  Strategic Partnerships:

The bread company rewarded Lethukhanya in cash and kind, acknowledging her unintentional contribution to their success.

 

This act of appreciation created a positive narrative surrounding the brand, generating goodwill and strengthening their reputation.

 

Building strategic partnerships and fostering positive relationships with stakeholders, including accidental influencers, can lead to mutually beneficial outcomes. Recognizing and rewarding individuals who contribute to the brand's success can foster goodwill and generate positive word-of-mouth.

 

5.  Leveraging User-Generated Content:

User-generated content can add credibility and authenticity to PR efforts. Encouraging customers to share their experiences and stories can provide valuable content for campaigns and foster a sense of community around the brand.

 

 

6.  Recognizing and Rewarding Contributions:

Acknowledging the contributions of accidental influencers or individuals who contribute to a brand's success can generate goodwill and positive sentiment. Rewarding them demonstrates appreciation and can enhance the brand's reputation.

 

The brand's genuine engagement and appreciation towards Lethukhanya garnered positive media coverage and public sentiment.

 

This strengthened their reputation, as they were seen as a socially responsible and customer-centric company.

 

7.  Visual Storytelling:

In the book ‘Critical Narrative as Pedagogy’ by two researchers Ivor Goodson and Scherto Gill define visual storytelling “as a story told primarily through the use of visual media. This can be images in the mind, digital, and traditional media.”

 

Leveraging visually captivating content can capture audience attention and spark conversations. Visual assets can evoke emotions, enhancing brand recall and recognition.

 

Ever hear the saying ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’ Several studies have shown that the brain processes visuals 60,000 times faster than text. And a marketing research revealed that, ‘People are 85 percent more likely to buy a product after viewing a product video’.

 

In conclusion,

The PR journey of Lethukhanya Mjaja exemplifies the power of viral moments and effective public relations in shaping brand narratives.

 

By leveraging social media, fostering emotional connections, and recognizing the unintentional contribution of individuals, brands can transform unexpected encounters into impactful success stories.

 

PR professionals can learn from this case study by embracing authenticity, seizing opportunities, and building meaningful connections with the stakeholders.

 

Ishola Ayodele helps brands, leaders and Organizations to communicate in a way that yields the desired result.

Ishopr2015@gmail.com