Big data: Man vs the machine

[Leigh Andrews] Principa CEO, Jaco Rossouw, explains how they've developed algorithms and models that have been highly accurate in predicting the results of the #RWC2015 rugby matches so far...

Simple solutions for growth: Rules for winning marketing in Africa

[Marilyn Dutlow Munga] With a population of 1,1 billion people, 65% under the age of 35, growing economies and increasing middle class spending power, Africa is every marketer's dream...

EXCLUSIVE: Verashni Pillay new M&G Editor-in-Chief

[Louise Burgers] The Mail & Guardian has appointed seasoned journalist, editor and digital strategist Verashni Pillay as its new Editor-in-Chief...

How to optimise Twitter for SEO

[Charles Mburugu] A few years back, the question was whether to go for search marketing or social media marketing. People did not understand how social data could be used for SEO purposes...

The evolution of business communication

[Daniel Munslow] The traditional role of public relations continues to evolve in a dynamic and constantly changing landscape. Today, PR is a key function of an organisation's reputation management strategy...

[Earth Focus] Walk on the wild side: thoughts around a campfire

[Roger Metcalfe] Life on our over-populated planet is undergoing such stress, that we risk increasing disconnection from the natural world on which our survival ultimately depends...

Two things they forgot to tell you about your media plan

[Chris Brewer] If you were to ask most junior media planners what "MPX" and "APX" are, they'd either look blank or suggest "radio stations perhaps?" These terms are solid, basic, research protocols...

Your speech - brilliant or boring

[Marion Scher] We've all had that moment, whether at a wedding, presentation, conference or the boss's announcement, when our heart sinks at the mention of the word 'speech'...

[TrendTalk] The Pope, The Donald and memes

[Louise Burgers] In societal terms, memes are a cultural construct for the transmission of ideas. Social media has distilled memes down to a way of slaughtering holy cows and popularising a central theme or ideas...

Fun with a glittering capital F

[Daniel Dercksen] Dragging 30 is a fabulous fresh burst of energy for theatre goers at the new Kalk Bay Theatre, where women are women, and men frock up.

The township talk: getting to know your consumers

[Leigh Andrews] With its founder going so far as to state the LSM isn't being used correctly, how do you get to know your consumers based in the townships? By holding daily, meaningful conversations with them, says Brands Laduma CEO Peter du Toit...

Marooned on Mars

[Daniel Dercksen] Extreme solitude tests human endurance in The Martian, with Matt Damon as an astronaut who becomes a spaced-out Robinson Crusoe on Mars when his crew leaves him behind for dead.

How to save your business from difficult customers

[Aki Kalliatakis] No business has the right to brazenly and publicly offend customers just because of their religion, nationality, or skin colour. There are always consequences to your business with this extreme behaviour...

The right way to deal with teenage pregnancies

[Catherine van Schoor] A recent article decried the dilemma of teenage pregnancy in South Africa. The article apportioned blame to the fact that schools don't teach the Bible...

Proper English theatre at its finest

[Daniel Dercksen] The National Theatre's raucous Restoration Comedy The Beaux' Stratagem gives cinema-goers a wonderful opportunity of experiencing the best of English theatre at Cinema Nouveau cinemas...

Traditional brand building in the modern times

[Musa Msane] Growing up in the 80s, both in the rural and later in the township environment, Unilever used to treat us to free bioskop sessions at local shops where we watched the brilliant washing performances of Omo or Surf washing powder...

'Smooothing' into the new Tropika tagline

[Leigh Andrews] "When I eat a pie I'm Gloria, when I eat a pie with Tropika I'm Glorioussss!" You either love it or hate it - whatever the case, the new Tropika ads are certainly being noticed...

Strong brands, discounted remuneration

[Johnny Johnson] In the preface of his book, 4D Branding, Thomas Gad, founder of Futurebrands.com makes the following claim: Today, brands are not the preserve of the marketing department...