[2013 trends] The year ahead for experiential marketing

[Mike Silver] First of all, mazeltov on surviving the Mayan apocalypse - it was touch-and-go for a second there. Now that we have staved off global obliteration and picked up a coastal tan (and a few kilos in the process), it's that time of the year where agencies are asked to haul out the old crystal ball and provide pearls of thumb-sucking wisdom. 29 Jan 2013 11:18

[2013 trends] Africa finding its own solutions using mobile tech

[Dr KF Lai] There are several key trends that will present themselves in 2013. Increasingly, we will see more and more innovative solutions to issues facing emerging countries being developed in-country and, while cost of smartphones is still hindering wide-scale usage of these handsets, the tide is turning as cheaper units enter the market. Marketers, too, are seeing their roles and responsibilities expand. 25 Jan 2013 10:57

[2013 trends] Predictions for the retail sector

[Gareth Pearson] A transformation is in motion amongst shoppers and retailers country-wide. Consumers are becoming more discerning and demanding, and retailers and manufacturers are under pressure to innovate, offer quality and savings - all in one eco-friendly package! Here are some interesting trends for the retail sector that I've identified for 2013. 23 Jan 2013 12:48

Bizcommunity.com

How to contribute to Bizcommunity, from op-ed pieces to news

[Issued by Bizcommunity.com] Bizcommunity.com has now expanded its operations into 16 new sectors and will soon venture into another 17, providing a whole new range of target audiences for advertisers. The most critical aspect of this is the quality of content and this is a formal invitation to you to become a recognised contributor on Bizcommunity. 3 Oct 2011 14:57

E-learning trends: what to expect in 2013

[Kirsty Chadwick] E-learning is expected to be worth US$107 billion globally by 2015. Experts predict that digital learning is going to be increasingly mobile in 2013, which will open it up to a wide audience in South Africa where 2.4 million people have access to the internet via their cellphones alone. 11 Jan 2013 06:13

2013 at a glance: Five crucial consumer trends business leaders should know

[*David Mattin and Saint-Francis Tohlang] LONDON, UK / JOHANNESBURG, SA: Turbulent times were predicted on the back end of 2012. The ANC Mangaung conference precipitated very little stormy seas other than an anti-climactic conclusion. The Mayan apocalypse materialised into nothing but an ordinary day. In fact with so many forecasts for change and a chasm of chaos, one may tend to be a bit sceptical with further predictions of change. 8 Jan 2013 07:55

[2013 trends] South Africa's marketing research industry in 2013 and beyond

[Craig Kolb] Predicting the future is a hazardous business, ever more so as we move along Kurzweil's exponential curve of technological advancement - and it seems we are at a point where technology advances so quickly, it is almost unsettling. 17 Jan 2013 13:28

[2013 trends] Africa's dynamic markets

[Obaika Consulting Team] The year 2013 for most brands, especially the ones coping with saturated markets in developed countries, will be a decisive one. Incorporating Africa into their corporate brand strategy, if they haven't done so, will be the better part of valour, so to speak. 31 Jan 2013 13:20

Bizcommunity.com

[2013 trends] Pdf of 2013 Biz Trends Report now available

[Issued by Bizcommunity.com] Finally, what you've all been waiting for! Bizcommunity.com's 2013 Biz Trends Report is now available for downloading in pdf format - and this year we've improved the quality for a better tablet experience! 13 Feb 2013 14:33

[2013 trends] Out-of-the-box branding

[HKLM Exco Team] No, the concepts of "tribalism", "gamification" and "engagement" aren't a promo for the latest computer game, but are in fact the trends that will characterise the way companies and consumers interact in 2013. 31 Jan 2013 12:33

[2012 trends] Media industry encountering unprecedented challenges

[Angela Quintal] The fragmentation of the media and the mind-boggling range of sources of information available to readers, from Wikipedia to Google and the social networks, have conspired to cause publishers of print media to re-evaluate their roles, much as the horse-drawn carriage industry was forced to with the arrival of the internal combustion engine. 27 Jan 2012 14:28

[2013 trends] SA's youth trend-o-meter

[HDI Youth Marketeers Team] Young South Africa is savvier than ever before. If you are looking for a smart and discerning prosumer, this group of kids, teens and young adults will give you more kicks than you've ever bargained for. They know just what they are looking for from any brand, and this makes them that much more satisfying to please. Here are a few trends to look out for in 2013. 31 Jan 2013 11:30

[2013 trends] Internal communication: high value, low cost

[Daniel Munslow] 2012 was a challenging year for most businesses. Not just from a financial perspective, but from an employee engagement perspective. It makes sense that the two are linked - it is more difficult to create and sustain solid engagement when times are tough, and it is the role of internal communication to maintain that connection. 16 Jan 2013 10:59