Avon, Jay Jays launch advertising campaigns

Avon, the direct seller of beauty related products, recently launched an advertising campaign to illustrate its self-employed earnings opportunity featuring a South African rags-to-riches example, while Jay Jays, the fashion retail chain, has launched its interactive virtual First Kiss campaign ahead of Valentine's Day. [video] 26 Jan 2012 10:36

[2012 trends] Convergence, content key themes for media, advertising

[Tanya Schreuder & Richard Procter] Consumers hold the upper hand in how we advertise: they are the ones who are more empowered, are demanding more and are less loyal. The challenge is to get to know your consumer! 2012 will see various trends being built upon where there is a convergence of media platforms, a need to share information in real time and a demand for cross-platform content and messaging that can simultaneously reach numerous audiences. 25 Jan 2012 14:48

[2012 trends] An amateur audience

[Stacey Rumble] In the last few years we've seen an increase in online consumer conversation as more and more South Africans gain access to the Internet, mostly via mobile. While this increase has been on the cards for some time, this year we're seeing proof of a much larger local online community. 2012 will be the year that industries better grasp how to reach us all. 25 Jan 2012 13:48

[2012 trends] Back to school for marketers on teen basics

[Cathryn Treasure] It's back to basics for marketers on teen marketing - between all the talk about millennials and the born-digital, marketers have been swept up in a wave that makes it easy to forget the fundamentals. Here are several that marketers need to keep in mind when talking with today's teens (age range 11-19), regardless of what channel you choose to use. 25 Jan 2012 12:23

[2012 trends] Generation Y Not

[Jason Levin & Jessica Oosthuizen] South Africa's young consumers are more savvy and demanding than ever before. Not surprisingly, marketers have to work harder and smarter to make their brands compelling to kids, teens and young adults. 2012 stands for pace, progress, challenge and increased 'prosumer' power. Here are 10 whats and hows, ending with some of the hottest youth brands to look out for this year. 23 Jan 2012 13:32

Analytix BI

Social networking a dominant force among young adults

Internet usage among South Africa's 18-25 year-olds significantly outweighs their adult counterparts, as a recent report by Analytix BI illustrates. The report highlights a clustering of activities around social networking that dictates the general Internet usage of this consumer segment. 23 Jan 2012 12:15

[2012 trends] The cheese has moved for brands and youth

[Banele Rewo] From a marketer's perspective, we miss the mark from the moment we fail to understand the uniqueness of the South African youth market. The cheese keeps moving while we are wielding text books and strategies from 1996, 2010 or even September 2011, which may be off the mark and off the streets by June 2012. 18 Jan 2012 13:31

[2012 trends] Anthropological trends in the digital space

[Marcela Ospina] When putting these trends together, I focused on socio-cultural changes that will transform our interaction with digital technologies, using the concepts of nature and culture to explain the role that we, and technology itself, play in closing the gap between these concepts. Here are 12 trends that describe how our relationship with the environment, politics and one another will shape the future use of digital devices and technologies. 13 Jan 2012 14:07

[2012 trends] Social media marketing and the youth

[Bradley Maseko] The following is a breakdown of 12 social media marketing trends for 2012 with regards to how businesses will target the youth market. The emphasis for businesses/brands in 2012 will be to avoid becoming subject to the "Social Media Burnout Effect". 10 Jan 2012 14:23

Juju designer is a traitor - union

[Zenoyise Madikwa] The South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union has joined the fray in condemning the Juju label designer's decision to produce the range in China. 30 Dec 2011 08:25

Juju clothing label to be made in China

Pretoria fashion designer Obakeng Ramabodu of OB Fitted's Juju clothing range will hit the market soon. The range, inspired by suspended ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema, is expected to launch in early February in Johannesburg. 30 Dec 2011 08:16

'Axing' time for ASA?

Industry bodies are withdrawing levies and the CPA is putting added pressure on the industry... and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is facing a funding crisis that could cripple its activities. Acts that are relevant to the ASA include, but are not restricted to: health, gambling,communciations, liquor, roads, and even lotteries. 28 Dec 2011 11:36

HDI Youth Marketeers

Granting small wishes fuels the festive spirit

To celebrate their 15th birthday, HDI Youth Marketeers chose to throw a celebration for those at the core of their business: the youth. HDI contacted 15 youths in four provinces to see how they could make a wish of theirs come true. The wishes came in all shapes and sizes. 15 Dec 2011 17:49

Will festive season ad campaigns ring cash registers?

[Odette van der Haar] Historically, the retail season promises a spike in advertising and naturally consumer spend is not far behind as advertisers pull out all the stops to ensure that their brand makes it onto consumers' festive season shopping lists. In the face of a continued global economic recession, however, this is no simple feat... 14 Dec 2011 11:09