Is race still relevant in ads?

[Bonnie Ramaila] Our creative industry seems to be standing in the present, yet living in the past. I think we have come a long way as a country to be where we are today. However, I think racial undertones and subtle nuances of racial segregation in TV adverts seems rife, and I find them more disturbing than thoughtful, especially when a TV advert shows one product communicating the same message, yet represented by two different racial groups. 19 Jun 2013 09:27

Trying too hard?

[Katlego Ledimo] I am one of those people who would like to excel in everything (well not everything) but in most things. "It's because you are an Aries," they say. Unfortunately I do not believe them because I know other exceling 'heads' that are not part of my Zodiac sign. 13 Jun 2013 06:07

Culture via language

[Sanele Mgaga] One of the most overused but still very relevant quotes by former RSA president Nelson Mandela is "if you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart." 16 Jun 2013 08:18

Big fish, small pond vs small fish, big pond

[Rolf Akermann] I am sure many in the industry will read this article and nod their heads in agreement. Many small agencies have been responsible for building huge brands in the South African market across all categories, only to see the business move to the large agencies. 14 Jun 2013 06:58

Ad spend goes down, HR investment goes up

As advertising spend is in the decline, employees are stepping into the gap as brand ambassadors for their companies, making HR investment even more important. 13 Jun 2013 07:33

MetropolitanRepublic

MetropolitanRepublic wins World Design Capital pitch

[Issued by MetropolitanRepublic] After a tight pitch against five other Cape Town-based agencies, newcomer to the Western Cape, MetropolitanRepublic, has been named the agency of record for the World Design Capital. 13 Jun 2013 11:46

Youth needs to get into entrepreneurship

A recent UN agency report reveals that global youth unemployment has risen to near its crisis peak and predicts that it will keep on rising over the next five years. 14 Jun 2013 09:33

Shock! Horror! Now we know what it's like to lose Face...

[Rod Baker] NEWSWATCH: Facebook went down briefly yesterday in some parts of the world - so now we know what life would be like without the social networking giant, reports Financial Review. Meanwhile, for those authorities that like checking everyone out, Mail & Guardian has a guide on 'how to spy on your citizens', but BlackBerry SA has assured SA users that 'you're safe with us', reports Times Live. 19 Jun 2013 08:28

The Wedding Group

The Wedding Expo Young Designers Bridal Awards finalists

[Issued by The Wedding Group] After a comprehensive judging process, the finalists of The Wedding Expo Young Designers Bridal Awards have been chosen and will showcase their gowns on the fashion ramp at The Wedding Expo on 24 August 2013 at 10am. 19 Jun 2013 09:59

Student Brands

Youth for print

[Issued by Student Brands] There is much talk around the concept of "print" as a medium being reduced, or dying out among the professionals in the marketing and publishing industry, but is this really the case? Is it really a truthful statement when it comes to the youth? Student Brands believes that this statement might not be as truthful as one might think. A survey conducted by Student Brands during June 2013 amongst hundreds of students across the country asked the question, "Which platform would you prefer to read a magazine on?" The figures are astounding. 19 Jun 2013 11:31

Parkhurst's poster pirates strike again

Street posters of big media houses are being hijacked in Johannesburg's northern suburbs to maximise profit on the back of the media's big brands. 19 Jun 2013 13:42

Off the Shelf

Call in the brand police

[Issued by Off the Shelf] The creation of engaging brand identities is a job that has always fallen to graphic designers. Brand architecture or brand implementation is the subsequent application and management of these identities across all necessary marketing and branding material and communication channels. 13 Jun 2013 08:43

Firewater Group

New light-up product - designed and manufactured in SA!

[Issued by Firewater Group] Promotional lighting company, Firewater Light, this week launched an innovative new lighting product in South Africa. Mood Ottomans are trendy pieces of light-up furniture that are designed, manufactured and branded locally. 13 Jun 2013 10:21