[2013 trends] Targeted direct marketing to come into its own

[Warren Moss] The year ahead is unlikely to see any fantastical new developments in direct marketing; in fact, it's more likely to be characterised by the maturing of existing technologies and a return to more traditional practices. 22 Jan 2013 10:16

[2013 trends] The year of the snake

[Oresti Patricios] Context is king, but knowing what's around the next corner takes a little more than 20/20 vision. To find out what trends, innovations or environmental changes could affect your brand's future in 2013, here's some foresight. 22 Jan 2013 09:55

[2013 trends] Changes #trending, opportunities knocking in education sector

[Josh Adler] I'm quite new to education, but completely immersed and have much to say. I thought I'd focus my crystal ball on a broad range of education industry issues, and wanted to avoid at all costs penning another "Have you heard about Khan Academy?" piece, (But now that that's done)... 18 Jan 2013 10:58

Promise Brand Specialists

Promise closes off 2012 with five new clients

[Issued by Promise Brand Specialists] Promise closed off 2012 with five new account wins. The agency will be delivering through-the-line and Digital solutions to clients within the financial, retail and food services categories. 18 Jan 2013 09:54

[2013 trends] Growing power, vulnerability of the corporate brand

[Mike Freedman] How are P&G and Unilever differentiated? Does the Coca-Cola Company want to be known for obesity or health? Will supermarket brands be strengthened or weakened by their supply chains? The perfect storm of social media, continuing social unrest, concerns over the economy and environment will batter brands that are not resilient and adaptive, while shaking established ad agencies to their foundations. 17 Jan 2013 14:04

[2013 trends] South Africa's marketing research industry in 2013 and beyond

[Craig Kolb] It seems we are at a point where technology advances so quickly, it is almost unsettling. Of course, it is a matter of perception but, for what it is worth, my subjective experience over the past five years has been one where a disturbingly high number of 'impossibles' have suddenly become 'possible'. 17 Jan 2013 13:28

[2013 trends] Everything's so serious - time we loosened up a little!

[Karen Ashwin] In reviewing the past few years from an events perspective, I'm tempted to ask: "Where did all the fun go?" As both the South African and the international events industries have grown, developed, matured and become increasingly competitive - all within the context of the global economic crisis - I might be forgiven for thinking that the game plan has changed. 16 Jan 2013 10:40

[2013 trends] Cheaper, better, faster

[Gillian Rightford] The biggest change in South Africa will be the continued growth of mobile and online, and how this affects everything we do - all of our buying habits, from deodorant to cars, and how, when and where we do it. 16 Jan 2013 10:25

[2013 trends] Social media marketing and the youth

[Bradley Maseko] The following is a breakdown of social media marketing trends for 2013.This year I take a look at both external (the youth market) and internal (business marketing efforts) trends that I predict will play a crucial role in further cementing the role of social media marketing in the overall marketing strategies for most brands and businesses seeking to effectively engage the youth market through social media platforms. 15 Jan 2013 01:02

10th Tabbie Awards open for nominations

CLEVELAND, US: The 2013 Tabbies Call for Entries is now available at the TABPI website, allowing all b2b editors, publishers and art directors the opportunity to have their best work judged by their peers. The Tabbies, the editorial and design awards program run by Trade, Association and Business Publications International (TABPI), is again partnering with the US's American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), New Zealand's Magazine Publishers Association (MPA), South Africa's SAFREA, Australia's Society of Editors NSW and the Magazine Publishers Association of South Africa (MPASA). 10 Jan 2013 09:23

Bizcommunity.com

2012 Most Popular lists for Bizcommunity Marketing & Media Africa

[Issued by Bizcommunity.com] Here they are, Bizcommunity.com Marketing & Media Africa's 2012 lists of most popular articles and those that drew the most comment as well as our most read contributors. 7 Jan 2013 10:19

Midas Awards 2012 Winners: King James Cape Town wins Grand Midas for Santam Insurance

NEW YORK, US: The Midas Awards, for the World's Best Financial Advertising, announced the award winners for the 2012 competition. This year's Midas Grand Jury awarded one Grand Midas, 26 Gold Ingots, 46 Silver Ingots, and 63 Finalists. The 2012 Midas Awards competition received entries from 28 countries and is reputed to be the only international competition that recognises excellence in financial services communications on a global scale. 21 Dec 2012 08:23

iROKING partners with Eskimi, launches new site

iROKING, the online distributor of African music and movies, has announced that is has joined forces with mobile social network, Eskimi, to bring African artists directly to users' mobiles. 20 Dec 2012 10:26

MTN re-launches MTN Play portal

MTN has launched its revamped content portal, MTN Play (www.mtnplay.com), in line with its commitment to enhance users' experience and its delivery of digital products and services. 19 Dec 2012 10:37