[2013 trends] Africa's dynamic markets

[Obaika Consulting Team] The year 2013 for most brands, especially the ones coping with saturated markets in developed countries, will be a decisive one. Incorporating Africa into their corporate brand strategy, if they haven't done so, will be the better part of valour, so to speak. 31 Jan 2013 13:20

[2013 trends] Out-of-the-box branding

[HKLM Exco Team] No, the concepts of "tribalism", "gamification" and "engagement" aren't a promo for the latest computer game, but are in fact the trends that will characterise the way companies and consumers interact in 2013. The branding industry is constantly developing and. while the following trends are evolutions rather than dynamic, short-term changes, we believe there are 10 areas that will define the brandscape over the next year. 31 Jan 2013 12:33

Marketing lessons from the Arab Spring

[Eugene Yiga] 2011 was the year of the protester. But instead of discussing the bored trustafarians who 'occupied' the world lest they be denied something for the first time in their lives, I'd like to focus on the Arab Spring. How did it happen? And what can we as marketers learn? 13 Apr 2012 09:39

SA, Africa's most valuable nation brand

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] South Africa has emerged as the most valuable nation brand on the African continent in 2011, scoring a value of US$149.7 billion, distantly followed by Egypt (US$79.2 billion) and Nigeria (US$56 billion) in third place, while MTN is voted Africa's most valuable corporate brand, according to a UK-based Brand Finance study's findings released today, Wednesday 25 May 2011, in Johannesburg by the Brand Leadership Academy. 25 May 2011 13:45

Jones Lang LaSalle buys SA firm, sets to expand into Africa

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] New York Stock Exchange-listed Jones Lang LaSalle, which has operations in Egypt and Morocco, last week announced the acquisition of South Africa's corporate property service providers Bradford McCormack & Associates (BMA), which becomes Jones Lang LaSalle South Africa - a move that is said to open the doors to a wide expansion in Africa. 4 Apr 2011 09:01

Do corporate CEOs understand the importance of SEO?

[Shaune Jordaan] The problem that we face in South African commerce right now is that very few top CEOs know what SEO, or what SEM marketing entails. Some might say, "well that's because it's not important, and how can it result in sales?" Hmmm, this attitude would make you look foolish in front of a company (competitor) that has grasped the potential which Google, Yahoo and other search engines present. 1 Mar 2011 11:24

Google Instant is great news for SEO

[Shaune Jordaan] Google Instant search is annoying for some, and useful to others. One fact does remain - it runs on the same search engine and the search results are exactly the same. The difference it brings is in how the user reacts to the results they see. 22 Feb 2011 12:12

[2011 trends] It's a Wild. Wired. Wellthy. World!

[Gisele Wertheim Aymes] The recent global recession has changed our world forever. In a new digital age, characterised by oversupply and too many product types in almost every market, the challenge for companies will be to locate and capture pools of high-profit demand and be able to move with speed and flexibility to take advantage of them. Here are 11 trends for 2011. 18 Jan 2011 14:17

[2011 trends] A year of hard work for brands

[Janice Spark] If 2010 could be summed up as soccer, vuvuzelas and national pride, 2011 will be all about the hard work of restoring the economy to sustainable growth, paying attention to environmental concerns and mastering the technologies that are changing the world. Here are a few trends to watch in 2011. 17 Jan 2011 15:27

[2011 trends] SEO more challenging in 2011

[Yoray Narainpersad] 2010 has come and gone and what a year it was. 2011 is upon us now, and I think it is time I prognosticate the digital marketing trends for this year. Here are my top 11 predictions. 11 Jan 2011 11:51

Storytelling, social networking, destination marketing: selling tourism online

[Tara Turkington] Who is Jabulani the Octopus? When did it last snow on Table Mountain? What does a kudu sound like when it is dying? Why should we care about Australopithecus sediba? What happens when a whale jumps on your boat? And what in the world does any of this have to do with online destination marketing? 25 Oct 2010 12:40

The mass media without the masses

[Thabani Khumalo] Monday, 3 May 2010, marks the annual commemoration of World Press Freedom Day - a day when all global citizens should remember, celebrate and protect the crucial role that free media plays within democracy and development. 30 Apr 2010 12:23

Facebook investigates SA market - from a distance

[Herman Manson] If you look closely, you will notice a pair of eyes and a nose peeking over the wall at the South African market. It belongs to Facebook, which recently signed with Habari Media to represent it locally. Trevor Johnson, head of strategy and planning, Facebook EMEA, says this is in line with the group's strategy for emerging markets, whereby it signs with knowledgeable local partners rather than investing directly into a country. 9 Apr 2010 13:02

The head, heart and hand of branding

[Thabani Khumalo] The brand new world created by globalisation, informed citizenry and consumer's demand for brand experience presents a challenge for global brands to balance their aggressive marketing campaigns with social responsibility. 15 Oct 2009 11:45