Media innovation for Africa in 2017 - 30 Jan 2017[Louise Marsland] While the news coming from parts of the world is rather depressing this past week, it's nice to be able to post stories like ‘Ten media innovations in Africa in 2017', from Dashboard's Peter Searll, which looks at the speed at which the media landscape on the continent is changing and the proliferation of smartphone penetration, rise in media consumption, new choices and formats, including the emergence of better research tools. Central to this is the roll out of 4G across Africa. In research from Balancing Act, they outline ‘The new data normal for Africa'. Then there is the fact that despite a global economic downturn, Africa is expected to show modest growth in 2017/18. read more What is news? - 23 Jan 2017[Louise Marsland] It has never been more important that in this age of unfettered information flows and unrestrained social media, to maintain a healthy scepticism when confronted with news that evokes a strong emotion. In this era of fake news, it is not only up to the media to filter the facts from the nonsense and offer up stories to inform and entertain us; but it is also up to every individual to take the time to evaluate the source of content, including pictures, before sharing or reacting. What makes it extremely difficult to spot fake news is that often the URLs or social media handles are very similar to the original source - often mainstream, well-known media sources. read more Economic prospects for Africa in 2017 - 16 Jan 2017[Louise Marsland] As January is Trends Month, we are highlighting our #BizTrends2017 articles daily and will do so for the entire month. For all the top trends for 2017 across the media and marketing industry, go to Bizcommunity.com's main BizTrends section. Given the disruptive year that 2016 was, it's no wonder we have several additional articles talking about the economic prognosis for Africa in 2017. read more Launch of BizTrends2017 - 9 Jan 2017[Louise Marsland] A very Happy New Year to all our readers, on this, our first working Monday of 2017. read more The most read stories on Africa - 12 Dec 2016[Louise Marsland] As we march on to the end of the year, Bizcommunity.com has compiled its annual lists of the top most read stories of the year, as well as the top contributors and top advertisers, in the #BestofBiz. An interesting aside: most of the most read stories on our Africa Media & Marketing portal are the positive business stories on Africa - from awards to business opportunities. Despite local and global economic and political challenges, initiatives like Africa Trade Week and a renewed focus on agriculture; renewable energy; and concrete proposals to implement the Continental Free Trade Area, spell positive outcomes for the continent. In fact, 'Africa must do what it is good at', according to development economist Ha-Joon Chang. read more Lessons from brands doing it right - 5 Dec 2016[Louise Marsland] This week we've carried a couple of stories with lessons from brands getting it right in various sectors, from innovation to corporate social responsibility. In 'How to build a culture of innovation', Katherine Madley from Alexander Forbes explains how to create an innovation culture from within to "improve" business. read more Looking ahead to the future - 28 Nov 2016[Louise Marsland] It's that time of the year when predictions for business in the next year and industry trends start filtering in to newsdesks and you know the end of the year is near! The fact is that the world is in a state of constant digital evolution, making business today very fluid. One of the most sought after skills in any career today is flexibility, in the context of being able to adapt to change and take chaos in one's stride as almost every industry is "disrupted" by disruptive technologies. This "on-demand economy" of ours presents unique challenges for business and individuals because we are expected to be "always on" and brands need to be immediately responsive to consumer demands. read more Finding the hopeful news - 21 Nov 2016[Louise Marsland] If one looks beyond the bad news emanating from Africa and elsewhere on the globe, you can always find that which will uplift your spirits. This is a continent of incredible innovation, hopeful initiatives and entrepreneurs. read more Research under the spotlight - 14 Nov 2016[Louise Marsland] One thing that will be hotly debated after this year and the subject, no doubt, of numerous case studies and future research papers, will be how research got it so wrong in two major global events this year: Brexit and the US Presidential election. Or how in both cases, social media pollsters got it right when all the other pollsters got it wrong. read more Towards Agenda 2030 - 7 Nov 2016[Louise Marsland] A global action plan for data is in the spotlight this week with the news that the inaugural United Nations Data Forum will be held in Africa, specifically Cape Town, in January next year. The objective is to improve the use of data and stats to achieve a transformational vision of a better future for all people on this planet, as set out in Agenda 2030. It is hoped the event will inspire innovation and dissect all the tools available for tracking and analysing data, including data journalism, for sustainable development, and create data ecosystems with all stakeholders. An integrated approach is needed to meet Africa's development goals as the Millennium Development Goals transition to Agenda 2030 and NEPAD transitions to Agenda 2063. read more The human element - 31 Oct 2016[Louise Marsland] Has social media fundamentally changed language and the way we communicate? JP Kloppers, the CEO of BrandsEye says in his article on social media and data, that we actually changed how language works in using the limits of tweets and status updates, plus emoticons to convey feelings. However, given the complexity, cultural nuance of language and even acronyms, Kloppers says we still need people to decode the trends and patterns in what is being conveyed online, as algorithms and machines will not pick up the subtleties to provide accurate social data to make informed business decisions. This week Deloittes reported back on a session with business execs on how to extract value from mega business trend and disruptor, the internet of things (IoT). read more Innovative new tech from Africa - 24 Oct 2016[Louise Marsland] One of the most innovative new technologies to come out of Africa is the growth of 'pay-as-you-go' solar electricity services - often supported and available through mobile networks. It is a vital service that is being rolled out across key African nations such as Ghana and Uganda, with plans for roll out in DRC, South Sudan and Burundi by 2018. Using renewable, clean energy and rolling it out through available services such as wireless, mobile networks, is the only way to go in the future with all such services - in particular bringing electricity to all, including underresourced rural areas in Africa. Strategy is always a strong news focus, and this week we have published articles on digital strategy, PR, apps, creative strategy and the internet of things. In other news, Africa's editors gather in Pretoria today to meet with outgoing African Union chair, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, to discuss how to "deepen" Africa's narrative and deliver on Agenda 2063. read more African journalists honoured - 17 Oct 2016[Louise Marsland] CNN and Multichoice honoured Africa's top journalists last week at the CNN Multichoice African Journalist 2016 awards. There were a record number of entries this year: 1,637 from 38 countries in Africa. read more Numbers are positive for Africa investment - 10 Oct 2016[Louise Marsland] Economists globally have been talking up Africa from an investment perspective, despite the drought, decline in oil revenues and despite global economic recession elsewhere. This week a report from the United Nations said there is an evident "bounce back" in investment. The investment story continues, especially in the hotel sector, where there seems to be a race on between the global hotel groups to open new hotels on the continent, including in Africa's tallest building - the Hilton in Nairobi, Kenya; and Marriott is also opening three new properties in Cape Town. read more Digitising Africa’s economies - 3 Oct 2016[Louise Marsland] Congratulations to DDB Middle East & Africa for being crowned Network of the Year at the African Cristal Festival advertising awards, held last week and congrats to all the winners. To attract the attention of consumers these days, brands have to create experiences that consumers can share, says Ogilvy's chief creative officer, Pete Case. These include experiences where the consumer is entertained or informed without overt branding. read more |
