Cannes Lions 2012 entries open

CANNES, FRANCE: The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is now accepting entries across all 15 categories for its 2012 awards - Film, Press, Outdoor, Direct, Media, Cyber, Radio, Promo & Activation, Titanium & Integrated, Design, PR, Film Craft, Creative Effectiveness, Mobile and Branded Content & Entertainment. 30 Jan 2012 10:16

[2012 trends] Thoughts to challenge SA's communications industry

[Marcus Sorour] With social media and connectivity transforming communications, clients are asking for dedicated, proactive and tech-savvy teams who can provide content and counsel which talks beyond 'the product' and positions them as industry leaders. Lower marketing budgets and higher client expectations means agencies need to continually develop and deliver more to address the challenges faced by the communications industry in 2012. 27 Jan 2012 14:16

[2012 trends] Getting found in 2012

[Lana Hindmarch] In 2012, businesses will take a more aggressive approach to transforming their marketing efforts and reducing their cost per lead, by focusing more on permission-based, inbound marketing programmes that allow customers to find them. 27 Jan 2012 13:01

Huawei appoints communications manager

Huawei, the global information and communications technology (ICT) solution provider has appointed Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa's president-elect, Tshepo Matseba as senior corporate communication manager. 27 Jan 2012 12:27

[2012 trends] The year of the phoenix

[Joanna Oosthuizen] Twenty Twelve, year of the dragon, a leap year and the year the world as we know it is meant to end. I believe it will, not in a dooms-day fill-my-bunker-with-canned-food kind of way but in a thinking, progressive, collaborative and connective way. It's a phoenix year, where great ideas and people will rise from the economic ashes and drive informed action. 26 Jan 2012 12:37

2012 Tabbie Awards open for nominations

CLEVELAND, US: The 2012 Tabbies call for entries is now available at the TABPI website, allowing all B2B magazine editors, publishers and art directors the opportunity to have their best work judged by their peers. Tabbies' partners include South Africa's SAFREA, and MPASA. [video] 26 Jan 2012 11:40

[2012 trends] Influencers take to the web and run the streets

[Mongezi Mtati] 2011 saw the rise of more social media influencers and thought leaders; more conversations influenced how brands are perceived; and the fad of a Facebook page became more questioned than ever before. Or did that apply only in conferences and meetings I went to? Here are my predictions for 2012. 26 Jan 2012 11:38

[2012 trends] Who you are shouts too loud!

[Ingrid von Stein] 2012 started with an announcement that, for the first time, digital music sales topped physical CD sales. Therein is the undeniable fact and confirmed trend for 2012 in communications: digital is officially the leading arm of the communications platform. 26 Jan 2012 11:08

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

MMA reviews minister of communication's speech

Following the media briefing held by the minister of communications Dina Pule on 24 January 2012, Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) commented that though there was much to be pleased about in the minister's plans, there is one area of concern. 25 Jan 2012 09:34

[2012 trends] Sustainability and beyond

[Mike Freedman] Trends arise from major shifts in global thinking. Otherwise they tend to be fads and blind alleys. And so to only look at trends is like trying to map the ocean by studying the waves. We need to dive deep, to the currents underneath, the reefs and the ocean floor. And so it is a time of fundamental change and it is happening at bewildering speed. 24 Jan 2012 15:46

[2012 trends] My hem, your hem, mayhem!

[Terry Levin] Looking for trends to follow in 2012? Why not just invent one and then get as many people as possible to subscribe to it via as many media and devious means as you can dream up to get it trending? Voila, instant trend! Call it Like-ness... or the year of rampant individualism. 24 Jan 2012 15:15