[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] Been there, done that, now let's get really smart!

[Karen Ashwin] Thanks to our preference for face-to-face interpersonal communications, meetings, events and marketing activations enjoy pride of place as fabulous marketing tools. However, we also know that great events cost. The heat is on to ensure that events deliver serious marketing and financial results - and that clients are assured of their incomparable experiential value, especially when paired with the latest trends and technology! 12 Jan 2012 12:24

[2012 trends] 12 words we'll see more in 2012

[Tiffany Markman] Wait. That's a bit of a fib. Sorry. Every year, my Biz Trends contribution is a wish list of stuff I'd like to see happen in marketing, communication or writing. I'm often right. But this year I want to be right. 11 Jan 2012 12:09

[2012 trends] Getting published in 2012

[Allison Cooper] While 2012 will bring another hard year for some brands and their consumers, there are others which will continue to perform really well. In 2012, marketers must seek out trends that not only enable a brand to engage with consumers, but also ensure that they are constantly breaking through the media's gatekeeping role to ensure newsworthy publicity opportunities. 10 Jan 2012 15:15

[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

[2012 trends] With apologies to Cindy Lauper: boys and girls just wanna have fun

[Mike Abel] It's been a trying time aboard the good ship GFC (Global Financial Crisis). But like all sailors on the sea of life, if rough becomes the new normal, the seasickness begins to ebb and we can start moving away from being "bent-double" over the side of the boat and assume steadier footing through these turbulent waters. 10 Jan 2012 13:27

Twitter launches brand pages, but is it too little too late?

[Vincent Hofmann] 25% of Twitter's current user base post their tweets using Twitter's web interface. 75% of Twitter's users make use of applications to interact with brands, friends and foe. So is Twitter's recent introduction of Twitter Brand Pages a waste of time? Not if Twitter has anything to do with it. 10 Jan 2012 11:41

10 consumer trends for 2012

Once connected, the internet is one of the last things that consumers would be willing to give up if they had to reduce their expenses. Women are driving mass-market adoption of smartphones and by 2016, users living on less than 1% of the Earth's total land area are set to generate around 60% of mobile traffic. 3 Jan 2012 10:16

Tablets leaking ad dollars to mobile from 'Net - BuzzCity CEO

[Herman Manson: @marklives] BuzzCity is a global mobile advertising network focused on emerging markets. In Africa this Singapore-based company, in which media giant Naspers owns a stake, does substantial business in South Africa (where it also has a sales office), Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana. It also sees significant growth in mobile traffic in African markets north of the Sahara. 7 Dec 2011 12:38

Time travel: what has changed - 2007 to 2011

[Natalie Solomon] It's the year 2007, the year that many say the human population embraced technology and celebrities made a habit of going to rehab. The likes of Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears and David Hasslehof made more than one "brave" decision to go and turn their lives around. While these various celebrities were gallivanting around, the world of technology began to change. 30 Nov 2011 13:56

Consumer Confidence Survey: Economy again top global concern

NEW YORK, US: Global online consumer confidence fell for the seventh consecutive quarter as confidence in 31 of 56 global markets measured declined, according to from Nielsen, a leading global provider of insights and analytics into what consumers watch and buy. 9 Nov 2011 09:36

Africa finally gets to tell its story - Africa.com founder Teresa Clarke

[Herman Manson: @marklives] Teresa Clarke, the chairman and CEO of Africa.com which she launched in 2010, visited South Africa as an international judge at the Bookmarks Awards that took place on Thursday, 9 November 2011, in Cape Town. Bizcommunity.com spoke to her about her company, Bookmarks entries, and emerging trends. 8 Nov 2011 12:11

Africa's five major trends for potential growth

[Issa Sikiti da Silva: @sikitimedia] Population growth, rapid urbanisation, adoption of new technologies, unlocking of abundant resources and the deepening of the financial sector are the five major trends that are set to drive Africa's economic growth, Simon Freemantle, Standard Bank Africa senior analyst, told a media roundtable in Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday, Thursday 6 October 2011. 7 Oct 2011 09:56

The potential of African identity in advertising

[Anton Crone] Too often, as marketers and creatives, we wait for some justification of talent, some confirmation of a sure-fire winner, and most often we look to the West - for inspiration, for a formula. All we need to do is look around us. After all, the West is already looking to Africa for inspiration. [multimedia] 6 Oct 2011 15:30