SABMiller to construct US$80m brewery in Uganda

[Janice Roberts] Brewing giant SABMiller plc will invest US$80m in a new brewery at its Ugandan subsidiary, Nile Breweries (NBL), doubling the company's design capacity to 3.6m hectolitres by 2013. Read more >>

Ten most beautiful objects in South Africa selected

The shortlist of the 10 most beautiful objects in South Africa over the past year has been selected by line-up of design journalists and cultural commentators for Design Indaba's 2012 Most Beautiful Object in South Africa (MBOISA) award. Read more >>

Home recycling project in Tshwane hopes to expand

The 'Re:spond' recycling service, launched in October 2011 in the east of Pretoria, is currently distributing 30 000 recycling bags weekly to households. It is hoping to increase this successful service to more suburbs in Tshwane. Read more >>

Mugg & Bean gas explosion probe on-going: CEO

[Zeenat Moorad] The investigation into the cause of the explosion at Mugg & Bean in the Festival Mall Shopping Centre in Kempton Park was on-going, Kevin Hedderwick, CEO of Famous Brands said on Wednesday, 8 February. Read more >>

UK seeks to return beef products to SA shelves

[Annaleigh Vallie] A UK trade mission is hoping to convince South Africans to once again serve up British beef on their plates, after a 15-year ban on its products was lifted at the end of last year. Read more >>

Manufacturing increases could aid South Africa

According to George Marais, information analyst at Coface South Africa, worldwide manufacturing continues to perform well, recently posting strong quarterly gains in major economies, despite fears of another recessionary dip. Read more >>

Brand advocacy needs brand idols

Brand advocacy is crucial in marketing, according to Kate Cloete and Renay Lotz, co-founders of brand bakery, who encourage local marketers to find and cultivate brand idols, who will utilise 'fast moving consumer experience' (FMCE) to promote brands. Read more >>

"Marketing's common sense - anyone can do it." Well, maybe not.

[Sharon Keith] When you see the finished object - the advertising campaign, the packaging, the new flavour, the shiny social media campaign, it's tempting to think that these things are relatively simple and straightforward to plan and execute. But those of us "in the know" know. It's a long hard slog. Read more >>

Get mall specials, updates via free smartphone app

A new free smartphone app allows users to view specials, as they enter a shopping mall. The app, developed and launched by South African company DialMedia, runs silently in the background without causing inconvenience or negatively affecting the battery performance. Read more >>

New set of trainees enter Absa Insurance and Financial Advisers Academy

Absa recently announced the second intake of trainee advisers for 2012 to its Absa Insurance and Financial Advisers Academy. In its third year, the academy is welcoming 30 more new recruits for the February 2012 intake. During the year, the new recruits will get an opportunity to learn and grow skills as competent financial advisers. Read more >>

Greenwash risk for ethical finance companies

[Mintel Oxygen Reports] LONDON, UK: Acting on their social, environmental and ethical concerns has become second nature for the majority of Brits, but new research from Mintel finds when it comes to finance, cynicism prevails and most consumers feel green and ethical claims in finance are nothing but spin. Indeed, today, nearly two thirds (60%) of Brits believe green and ethical "talk" by finance companies is a PR stunt. Read more >>

Digital Media Europe to focus on transforming media businesses

PARIS, FRANCE / DARMSTADT, GERMANY: The 2012 Digital Media Europe conference is dedicated to "Thinking Outside the Box", starting with the conference venue and programme itself. Read more >>

comScore releases 2012 US Digital Future in Focus report

RESTON, US: comScore, Inc, a leader in measuring the digital world, has released the 2012 US Digital Future in Focus report. This annual report examines how the prevailing trends in social media, search, online video, digital advertising, mobile and e-commerce are defining the current marketplace and what these trends mean for the year ahead. Read more >>

Zuma details massive infrastructure spend

South Africa will spend billions of rands over the coming years on new infrastructure, with the government to focus on building rail, road, and economic links in five regions in the country and building new universities and refurbishing hospitals, President Jacob Zuma said in his State of the Nation Address last night. Read more >>

Roshene Singh named an Internationalist

South African Tourism's chief marketing officer, Roshene Singh, is now an Internationalist - and has joined very exclusive group that shows outstanding thinking in global brand communications. Read more >>

SASCOC congratulates Pistorius

South Africa's Olympic governing body president, Gideon Sam, has congratulated 'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius for scooping the 2012 Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award. Read more >>

Up The Creek, a different kind of festival

[Jana van Heerden] Every music festival has its little something that makes it unique. Up The Creek's USP is that it is awesome; it's like being on holiday. Only you can (legally) drink heavily alcohol-infused slushies on the beach and the entertainment is a real live act and not some obscure R'n'B act blaring from a cellphone speaker 10 metres away. Read more >>