Archos Brand Makes Triumphant Entry to Nigeria

Archos Soicete Anonymes Plc, a French multi-national electronics company, has launched its brand presence in Nigeria, promising phone lovers new experiences in smartphone, tablet and connected gadgets usage.

Archos was established in 1988 by Henri Crohas and the company's slogan has been updated from "Think Smaller" to "On The Go" and the current "Entertainment your way".

It has developed a variety of products, including digital audio players, portable video players (PVP), digital video recorders, a personal digital assistant, netbooks, more recently tablet computers using Google Android and Microsoft Windows (tablet PCs).

Speaking at the Brand’s launch in Nigeria held in Lagos on Friday, Mr. Fredrick Balay, managing director of Archos, said Archos has been successful in different markets is operates like Europe and it is the fastest growing original equipment manufacturer in the world.

Balay said, although, Archos delayed its entrance to Nigeria, but it was strategic as it had wanted to ensure the necessary procedure including right products and services, are packaged to fit the environment.

He said, Archos is in Nigeria to replicate its achievements in Europe as one of the biggest phone brands that takes passion in meeting everybody’s telecoms and device needs.

“Archos is the pioneer in the Android operating system space with the first ever Android Tablets, has now combined its technical know-how with its creativity to provide a complete range of innovative smartphones and Tablets.

“The brand has repeatedly revolutionized the market for consumer electronics since 1988. Archos has a strategic technical close relationships with operating system partner (Google certified), all Archos’ Android smartphone have a complete access to Google Play store and Windows Storetm. Today, Archos offers its own line of Android, Tablets and Smartphones, as well as a full line of OEM devices.

“Archos has also developed a branch of Connected Devices with Smart Home Eco-System. Archos’s Smart home solution is focused around an Android tablet as a centre of the eco-system.

He said that a miniaturized smart home connected objects use Bluetooth Smart Technology to communicate with the tablet, which then sends the relevant information to your mobile device via the dedicated Archos smart home application.

On his part, Ademola Olukotun, country manager, Archos, reiterated that after years of successful consolidation of its presence in Europe, Archos is now launching its brand in several countries in Africa and Middle East and Africa.

Olukotun identified Nigeria as a continuation of the Company’s Africa expansion project and coming into the country has given them an exciting challenge.

He said they are poised and determined to present to Nigeria Archos Tablets, smartphones and connected objects, at affordable prices, yet with world class quality and aesthetics.

The Country Manager, who has worked with Visafone, Airtel, Etisalat and Solo Phones in the past, recognized that Nigeria is adjudged the best economy in Africa which simply means that it is a very viable economy with open ended emerging opportunities especially in the area of telecommunications.

“A mix of qualitative and expanding infrastructure as well as tremendous growth makes Nigeria very appealing and cornerstone to our strategy. Most of all we believe we have the right set of products to carve out a niche in the Nigeria market.

“Archos has come to the Nigerian market, humble and passionate about its produce and we intend to replicate the recipe that have made us successful in Europe, leverage on our years of innovation and expertise on Google platform to launch product offering a good feature sold at an affordable price and with undeniable quality and sense of design.

“We are also a multi-category brand offering disruptive product equations in tablet, phone and connected markets. Archos never believed in one size fits all solutions even if we try to stay as agonistic as possible,” he said.

Olukotun said that Archos arrived the market with a brand offering on phone and tablets covering entry and high-end products, adding that they have entered into partnership with Airtel and Etisalat to give its devices users’ exceptional data usage.

Also, Archos has signed agreement with a known brand and experienced phone repairs to give the users additional after sells experience.

“From a product portfolio standpoint, we intend to listen to the Nigerian market and adapt our offering to feature sets, footprints, colours, and designs requested by Nigerians,” the Country Manager noted.

He said they also intend to develop the brand with local efforts, first, Archos is partnering with Redington, a local distribution company with proven records of success, in launching new customer electronic brands.

“Second, Archos will provide local customer service to guarantee the highest level of quality. Lastly, Archos has hired a local team to manage local duty to day-to-day operations and promote the brand”.

He said that the Company is in the Country to stay and to be part of the system in the development of the economy.