Don't know how to structure a speech?

[Douglas Kruger] Ever sat staring at a computer screen, agonising over how to structure that crucial presentation? The future of humanity depends upon it, and so far, you have a blinking cursor... ...And a note to pick up some chicken spice. 17 Feb 2012 10:23

Google vs gut: how to screen clients

[Jo Duxbury] Whether you're a big agency, or a small one, or a freelancer, chances are that when a new client starts nosing around, contemplating working with you, they'll do some background checking. After all, they're going to be giving you money and they need to know you'll be able to deliver what they order. 17 Feb 2012 10:39

EXCLUSIVE: Lowe drops Bull, Peter Badenhorst joins as ECD

[Herman Manson: @marklives] Lowe Bull is rebranding as Lowe and Partners South Africa after the international parent company acquired a majority share in the local agency. Its two offices become Lowe Johannesburg and Lowe Cape Town. 20 Feb 2012 09:24

What social media's leaderless revolutions have to gain from old-fashioned branding

[Maja Rode] I've recently had the pleasure of attending a few talks by social media commentator Walter Pike. He often draws on the example of the nameless, faceless protestor that Time magazine named as its 'Person of the Year' in 2011 to illustrate the power of social media in generating mass movements that affect real political change virtually overnight. 21 Feb 2012 11:06

The fine art of telling 'national importance' from damp squib

[Stephen Grootes: @StephenGrootes] Good communication is priceless. When something is communicated badly, there is a cost to be borne. On Friday our currency bore that cost. It dropped 2% simply because of one announcement, that turned out to be about a shiny new design for our currency. A good idea communicated badly is as good as dead. 13 Feb 2012 09:51

Mentoring the next generation - a challenge to the SA creative industry

[Brianna Graves] There is no doubt that South Africa's advertising industry is already present on the world stage. The Rainbow Nation is home to the world's most-awarded campaign (TBWA's Trillion Dollar Zimbabwean Campaign), a D&AD Black Pencil and many Cannes accolades. 10 Feb 2012 12:26

Deutsche Bank Urban Age Award offers Cape Town opportunities

The fifth international Deutsche Bank Urban Age Award, worth R750 000, has opened for entries from projects based in the Cape Town metropolitan area that meet the criterion of benefiting urban communities and local residents by improving their urban environments. Entries close at 4pm on 24 February 2012 and the award will be presented on 19 April, in Cape Town. 2 Dec 2011 11:42

[2012 trends] Bob, where's my flying car?

[Matt Ross] Well, much like the '50s 'World of Tomorrow' projections of flying cars, jetpacks and teleportation that we all guffaw, laugh and point at... I'll risk joining their esteemed ranks of ludicrousness by jumping in the mire of guesstimation. 31 Jan 2012 11:36

Classic romance movies for men on Valentine's Day

In keeping with the spirit of Valentine's Day, kalahari.com and its ad agency JWT Cape Town have created a new movie genre for the online retailer's DVD section: Classic Romance Movies for Men - and, to advertise this, JWT helped re-edit the trailers of some of the featured movies to make them look like tear-jerking romance films... [video] 14 Feb 2012 12:53

Joe Public United has global ambitions

[Herman Manson: @marklives] When Gareth Leck and Pepe Marais (@PepeMarais) first launched Joe Public with its 'take-away' advertising model (clients picked from a menu of services, each with its own price) they wanted it to change the face of advertising. While the agency evolved away from its original model, it's one that is still talked about today internationally. 16 Feb 2012 10:31

Independent Newspapers KZN

New editor for 160-year-old The Mercury

Philani Mgwaba has been appointed Editor of the KwaZulu-Natal morning daily, The Mercury. He moves over from editing the Sunday Tribune. 17 Feb 2012 11:04

Bester Burke

Hoity Toity's Messages of Love on Valentine's Day

This Valentine's Day Hoity Toity by Lenthéric and their ad agency, Bester Burke, ran a radio campaign inspired 100% by true emotions from the hearts of ladies who wear Hoity Toity. Consumers sent in their Valentine's Day messages and these were recorded by Lola, the brand's trademark sexy, sassy French man-eater, and flighted on 5FM on Valentine's Day. 17 Feb 2012 11:36

Advertising in the vernacular: global speak vs local is lekker?

[Monique Leech] The easy answer would perhaps be yes: when consumers watch, read or listen to a commercial, they want the communication to be in their home language. The answer is not all that simple, however, and there is no magic formula... 5 Jun 2009 07:16