Marketers Association of Zimbabwe on Friday 26 May, 2023 unveiled the 2023 top 200 brands at a Breakfast Meeting, which marks the second phase of the Superbrand research process that seeks to identify top perfoming brands on the market.

The unveiling of the Top 200 brands was held under the theme ‘Anchoring brands on ESG’ at a Breakfast meeting attended by over 100 marketers, brand managers and senior executives at Monomotapa Hotel.

The unveiling of the top 200 brands, is an annual event which culminates to the Superbrand Awards held at the end of the year.

In her welcome remarks at the Breakfast meeting, MAZ president, Lillian Mbayiwa highlighted the importance of the Superbrand Awards.

“Ladies and gentleman, the Superbrand Awards are critical to every brand custodian, brand manager, or marketing or public relations practitioner. They give insights on your brand’s performance and customer feedback.

“The Superbrand Awards are a very key indicator of your brand’s standing in the market. After the Awards are conducted, a detailed report is published with information that is increasingly being used by practitioners to gain insights on their brand performance, as well all benchmark their performance by gauging how they are performing each year,” said Mbayiwa.

Mbayiwa highlighted that MAZ has ensured the consistency and credibility of the research process to ensure that the Superbrand results are credible.

“Through the inclusion of auditors, adjudicators and independent researchers, MAZ strives to ensure that the results are consumer determined, with no influence from members,” she said.

Mbayiwa acknowledged the support of sponsors, partners, adjudicators, research partner, auditors and all brands that partake in the Superbrand Awards.

In her remarks, Superbrand Chairperson, Carol White highlighted the notable growth of the money transfer sector in the country.

“The market of local and international money transfer (“remittances”) keeps growing considerably and it has been an advantage to the money transfer sector, and we are delighted to have new brands competing in the Superbrand this year,” she said.

White said the Superbrand research process is very thorough and it is ongoing after the unveiling of the Top 200 brands.

“I would like to emphasize that from the very beginning, the consumer is very much a determinant factor in the Superbrand research. It is the consumer who continues to be the backbone of the Superbrand process. 

This year the MAZ Research department in conjunction with Expert Research Insights will again conduct a rigorous research process,” she said.

White encouraged brand to continue re-inventing themselves to be the best brands despite the challenges in the economy.

“We urge all brands to continue reinventing themselves, increasing the customer experiences and satisfying their customers. Make it a motto to provide quality service and products to your customers,” she said.

MAZ Head Operations and Marketing , Enia Zimunya unveiled the 2023 Superbrand partners namely ,the research partner, Expert Research Insights , auditors, Grant Thornton, media partners , 3ktv , Daily News , Financial Gazette , Zimpapers , Alliance Media, ZTN , ZiFm Stereo, Zim Independent.

She also thanked the 2023 Superbrand Business Breakfast main sponsors, Econet Wireless, Nyaradzo Group, Pure Drop and ZB Financial Holdings.

She paid tribute to the giveaway sponsors for the continued support.

After the unveiling ceremony, the 200 brands are taken back to the consumers for market research.

After the consumer research the results are then presented to the adjudication committee for their final verification and endorsement. The adjudication panel will also make further analysis, taking into account brand achievements during the particular year.

The final results are then presented at the Annual Superbrand Awards ceremony, which is the most prestigious event of the year. Top 20 Business to Business (B2B), Business to Consumer (B2C) brands and Sectoral leading brands are given awards.

After the Awards, a report is published profiling top brands.

Birthed in 2010, the awards celebrate brands that break new ground and go beyond excellence in service delivery and brands that are always on the mind of the consumer.

Over the years, the Superbrand Awards have become a premiere business event that brings together over 400 business executives among them brand custodians and marketers as well as chief executive officers.

Econet Wireless was adjudged as Zimbabwe’s Superbrand for the year 2022.