KickStart International

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KickStart International has lifted over a 1.5M Africans out of poverty. Over 70% of the population of Africa relies on subsistence farming growing meager crops, barely enough to survive. When a farmer purchases a MoneyMaker Irrigation Pump, he/she can grow more crops and create a profitable business. Incomes increase by 1000% and families are lifted out of poverty. Sales of pumps were well below expectations and marketing spends were not driving sales. Product displays were ineffective. In country marketing tactics were not scalable. Donor communications were outdated. cKarma worked with KickStart leaders & teams in multiple countries from 2006 to 2009 to overhaul the marketing and launch multiple initiatives.

Billboard advertising MoneyMaker irrigation pumps with a photo of two children in a field, a MoneyMake logo, and contact information, against a clear blue sky and trees.

The Work

Marketing and product sales strategy in multiple countries 

  • Launched a global campaign “Farming is my Business” and implemented in multiple countries and languages

  • Designed product demonstration and displays to increase awareness and trial 

  • Engaged media and PR to raise awareness

  • Created visuals and communications to improve donor engagement with farmers & families

Group of children and women outdoors, some standing and some sitting, with a woman in a black shirt smiling in the foreground.

The Results

Marketing campaigns and promotions generated over 600% sales increases and the highest sales recorded

  • Annual impacts accelerated rapidly 

  • New product sales accelerated

  • MoneyMaker farmers saw themselves as successful business people who make money and provide for their families

  • Improved donor communications highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit of farmers led to funding increases

Cover page of a report titled 'Global Health Innovation Insight Series: Kickstart International III: Marketing to Hard-to-Reach Consumers' showing an outdoor market scene with people and stalls.

“cKarma's work transformed MoneyMaker into a global brand that expanded awareness and increased impacts dramatically. The success in marketing raised donor confidence and accelerated our efforts towards ending poverty.”

-Martin Fisher, CEO, KickStart International