The challenge: AKADEMIYA2063, a pan-African agricultural research organisation, was seeking support in reaching critical audiences such as policymakers, entrepreneurs, and development partners with their in-depth research. This includes their convening of the Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System (ReSAKSS) and hosting of the Malabo-Montpellier Panel (MaMo Panel).
Our approach: To achieve these aims, Marchmont has led the strategy and media outreach around more than a dozen report launches and policy meetings since 2020. This includes:
- Developing and executing a media launch plan with the AKADEMIYA2063 team.
- Delving into the research, extracting the most compelling insights, statistics, and recommendations for media.
- Undertaking targeted media outreach for each report, engaging with journalists from top tier, regional, and specialist outlets according to the focus of each report.
- Coordinating support for in-person events such as the MaMo Panel, including media outreach and securing journalist attendance.
- Supporting the media outreach with a variety of op-eds and blogs, helping to also increase visibility for AKADEMIYA2063 spokespeople such as Dr Ousmane Badiane as experts in African agricultural transformation.
Outcomes:
- Marchmont’s outreach has secured more than 1,500 pieces of coverage over five years, ranging from global top tier to specialist and regional publications.
- This includes coverage from Voice of America, the Christian Science Monitor and CNBC Africa, as well as regional media such as African Business, Africa.com, and How We Made It in Africa. Furthermore, Marchmont secured specialist coverage in outlets such as Farmers Review Africa and SciDev.
- An array of opinion pieces authored by AKADEMIYA2063 experts were also produced and placed in a broad selection of international and specialist media. Highlights included placements in AgFunder News, FairPlanet, IPS News, Global Policy Journal and Farming First.
