Social Media Awards 2015 launch call for nominations

Social media enthusiasts now have a chance to nominate individuals and corporate organisations for this year’s Olx Social Media Awards (Olx SOMA) following the launch of the call for nominations last week Tuesday. The launch for the call for nominations took place at a colourful cocktail event that coincided with the Social Media Day and was attended by top social media gurus and celebrities in Nairobi. The Olx SOMA, now in its third year, is a platform for celebrating the contribution of social media in the social, economic and political spheres of lives. The Awards recognise and rewards individuals and organizations that have contributed to the growth of social media.   The Olx SOMA 2015 theme is Social Media and Economic Empowerment and the Awards ceremony will be held in September.   The nominations for the various categories can be entered at http://www.soma.or.ke/ by August 1st, 2015.   The nomination categories have been consolidated and new ones introduced to make the annual Awards more relevant and to reflect the tremendous growth in the social media scene.   The new categories include Biz Yangu, which recognizes Below the Pyramid (BoP) businessmen and women who have made good use of social media for economic empowerment and Most Influential Student Leader, which honours a student who has used the platforms effectively for leadership.   Other categories are Social Network Award, Large Corporation, National and County Government, Traditional Media, Learning Institution, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and Best of the Best.   Once the nominations are in, a panel of judges composed of distinguished ladies and gentlemen who have made illustrious contributions to the development of social media in the country will select the ones to undergo the voting process.   Speaking during the launch of the call for nominations, Digital Communications Director in the Office of the President, Mr. Dennis Itumbi, announced the Government will install WiFi in several countries to enhance public access to digital communication.   Mr Itumbi said internet access points or "hot spots" will be created in more counties to connect people to online services and enhance economic empowerment. "There's a need for people to stay connected these days and the Government wants to offer that enhanced service to the people,” he said.   Olx SOMA director, Mr. Martin Muli, lauded efforts by social media players in enhancing economic development noting that if well funded, social media departments in public and private institutions can help alleviate unemployment, especially among the youth.

“Never has there been a time when the social media has been more powerful nor the expectations of its contribution to economic development been higher. In recognizing this, the Olx SOMA 2015 puts out a call to the Online community to nominate individuals and corporate organisations who have made invaluable contributions to economic empowerment through the various social media platforms,” said Mr. Muli.

Olx Country Manager, Mr. Peter Ndiangui, said the Awards will highlight the critical role social media can play in economic development.                                                                                                                “The Olx SOMA 2015 is all about the contribution of social media to economic empowerment and we are looking for social media players who have influenced economic growth,” said Mr. Ndiangui.

Check out the gallery of the event