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

Indaba 2011: Angola recovers from war, longs for tourism growth

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] Angolan tourism officers and tour operators working at their country's two stands at the Tourism Indaba 2011 in Durban, South Africa, welcomed warmly everyone who was looking for information about tourism in Angola. Their spirit of optimism is a clear indication that the country is longing for stability and development after a devastating 27 years of civil war. 11 May 2011 10:32

[Indaba 2011] SA looks to Africa to boost tourism revenues

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] South Africa, the continent's largest economy and ranked 32nd globally in business tourism, is aggressively marketing its African portfolio to boost tourism numbers and revenues amid a steady increase in spend and visitors coming from Africa, in particular Angola, Zimbabwe and Nigeria. 9 May 2011 12:52

[Indaba 2011] SADC countries reiterate unity, shared vision for tourism growth

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] SADC countries, home to about 280 million people, contribute a modest 2% to the global tourism market despite boasting amazing tourist destinations and having 'solid' marketing strategies in place. RETOSA, a permanent SADC body tasked to develop tourism in the region through effective marketing, met in Durban, South Africa, during the 2011 Tourism Indaba to plot the way forward in removing barriers hampering tourism growth and development in the region. 9 May 2011 11:29

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

Digital not replacing traditional marketing - Miles Young

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] The great mistake of today's business environment is to believe that digital can fulfil the role of marketing. It will not, Miles Young, global CEO of Ogilvy and Mather Worldwide, said yesterday, Tursday, 9 March 2010, in Johannesburg. 10 Mar 2010 11:09

SA investors want piece of Angolan pie

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] Angola is Africa's fastest-growing economy, with more than 10% growth over the past eight years slowing down to 6.2% in 2009 due to the global economic recession. Twenty-seven years of armed conflict had created a country of multiple challenges, but some SA companies currently operating there believe that the investment rewards far outweigh the difficulties. 19 Aug 2009 10:46

Angola dances to the Blue tune

[Pedro de Gouveia] In Africa, there are few countries in which the ubiquitous red and white colours of Coca-Cola haven't been plastered across billboards, buildings and banners to epitomise "Cocacolonisation" by the world's biggest soft drink brand. 20 Nov 2008 11:13