Two-Five-Four Cares is an NGO operating in Kenya.
Two-Five-Four Cares is the Social Impact Arm of Renown 360 Degree Agency: 254 Entertainment.
254 Entertainment has managed brands across East Africa since 2009. These commercial activities have spanned across Event Management, Experiential Marketing, Audio-Visual Production, Creative Design, Corporate Branding, Digital PR, and Talent Management all with the core underline of Providing Entertainment-Based Solutions To Corporate Business.
During its 12-year journey, the 254 Entertainment Team, led by its CEO and Founder, Davidson Ngibuini (DNG) has progressively serviced different product categories that include, but are not limited to:
Telecom (Zain, Airtel, Liquid Telecom, Equitel, WIOCC)
Mobile-Based Applications (Uber, mVisa, mKey and Eazzy Pay)
Banking (Equity Bank, KCB - Agency Contract & Standard Chartered - Agency Contract)
Alcohol Beverage (Redds Vodka Lemon, Miller Genuine Draft, Castle Lite, Zappa, Campari, Old Smuggler, Skyy Vodka, Glen Grant, Aperol Spritz, Wild Turkey, etc.)
Courier Services (DHL Kenya & DHL Uganda)
Personal Care (Oriflame East Africa, Unilever Uganda - Vaseline, Pepsodent, Axe & Geisha)
Household (Unilever Uganda - Sunlight & Omo)
F&B (KFC, Unilever Uganda - Royco, Fab Energy - Tanzania, Nescafe - Agency Contract & Coca-Cola Digital - Agency Contract)
Confectionery (Wrigleys - Agency Contract)
Pharmaceuticals (GSK)
E-Commerce (Rupu)
Media (Radio Africa & Media Stream - 1FM)
Oil & Gas (Gulf Energy)
NGO (UNDP, WHO, Amref, YIKE & PeaceNET)
Government (Ministry Of Youth, Public Service & Gender, Meru County Government & Makueni County Government)
Naturally, as the team interacted deeper with Corporate Strategy and Policy, which ideally inform and influence Marketing and Communication Decisions and Brand Roll-outs, they began to identify various gaps in the market.
As the economic and political factors began to change shape, the 254 Entertainment Team glared at the need to do more within the community and within their macro-environment. During the course of their operations across East Africa, the team interacted with youth from different parts of the world and came to learn that they all face the same challenges: Poverty, Unemployment, Lack Of Inclusion In Policy Making, Economic Inequality, Lack Of Access To Health Facilities, A Polluted Environment, Poor Living Conditions among other striking and dampening realities.
Thus, in response to this, the 254 Entertainment CEO, Davidson Ngibuini (DNG) began conceptualizing ways that he could be of assistance and ways he could bring about the change he wanted to see. He knew that he didn’t have the funds to dish out to the youth he met. However, from a background in Ministry, he knew how easy it was to change someone’s life by spending time with them and sharing his experiences. This perspective became the backbone of what 254 Cares stands for today.
The Creative Process of Concept Development kicked off with introspective soul searching, market research and iteration. The journey began to take shape when Davidson successfully registered Trade Marks for his Social Impact ideas in 2013. Thereafter, he began figuring out how to roll out ideas that would have the same effective impact, clout, hype and results that he had brought about for his Corporate Clients in the Event Management, Experiential Marketing, Audio-Visual Production, and Digital Space; with the same flair and appeal as was his Undisputed Brand ID in the Entertainment and Media Industry.
He began piecing his thoughts, dreams, ideas, and concepts together, and married them with his God-given purpose and calling which has always been: The Youth and Service To Humanity. Within time, this began to manifest.
In 2017, Davidson Ngibuini (DNG) and the 254 Entertainment Team launched their first initiative: Hustle Yako - an exciting way to empower, impact and change the youth by changing their perspectives and attitudes towards career, entrepreneurship and business and the increasing scarcity of jobs. This youth campaign remains to date, a celebration of the youth who have decided to avoid the trappings of unemployment by starting their own hustles. It epitomizes the ‘Hustler Spirit’ of resilience and determination, against all odds, deciding not to give up and surrender to life’s blows, but to get up, grind, identify opportunities around you, develop your skills, grow and create jobs for others in the same breathe.
Hustle Yako aims to inspire Kenyan youth into action by moving into their spaces, appreciating & celebrating their hustles as well as granting them opportunities to grow & develop via advocacy, mentor-ship, skills training, empowerment and development.
In 2019, Davidson Ngibuini (DNG) and the 254 Entertainment Team launched their second initiative: Punguza - a Youth Sensitization Campaign and Advocacy Program focused on Responsible Sexual Behaviour. Punguza Initiative exists to provide an engagement platform for Kenyan Youth to be able to talk about s*x without being judged, criticized or humiliated.
The Team came up with an exciting way to empower, impact and change the youth by changing their perspectives and attitudes towards responsible s*xual behaviour as they celebrate the youth who have decided to avoid the trappings and dangers posed by irresponsible s*xual behaviour.
Herein, they encourage the youth to reduce their engagement in risky s*xual contact via a systematic and step-by-step lifestyle change approach. Unlike many interventions that have failed before, the Punguza Initiative is practical and relatable because it pegs on the lifestyle, habits and intellect of the Kenyan Youth. It is disruptive, real, and thought-provoking!
Embracing safe s*xual practices is possible, but for it to effectively work, it has to be packaged in a way that is real, honest, open, raw and non-judgmental.
In September 2019, after years of slow, bureaucratic processes, 254 Entertainment was finally awarded a Certificate Of Registration for its NGO: Two-Five-Four Cares, under which all these amazing Social Impact Initiatives will now be housed.
It is an exciting time for us as we can now operate independently as a Non-Profit, and continue growing these amazing initiatives that have been changing lives among Kenyan Youth.
As we cross over into the new year, and as we settle into our new home, we are certain that we are headed in the right direction. We are proud to be playing an integral role towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To this effect we are a UN Global Compact Signatory.
Moreover, we believe that with the proper mechanism, and the proper youth-oriented marketing and promotion, we will definitely succeed in igniting the spark around these youth campaigns, scale and cover more ground as we pursue our goal to create awareness and hype that will be beneficial in empowering the youth to make positive behaviour change.
Copyright Statement: Two-Five-Four Cares is the Social Impact Arm of Renown 360 Degree Agency - 254 Entertainment.
It is a Unique and Disruptive Legacy Program founded by DNG, East Africa's Number 1 Hypeman!