Superbrands SA gears up for Volume Two

Armed with strict selection criteria, it is the Council's responsibility, acting on behalf of the world's largest independent arbiter of branding, to grade South Africa's top brands and identify those that qualify to be profiled in Superbrands Volume Two.

350 representatives of such brands gathered on Thursday night at Emperors Palace where they were recognised for their contribution to creating 82 of South Africa's Superbrands. Upon arrival, the elegantly attired guests were served champagne and swept into a room containing branded stands and banners of many of the Superbrands featured in Volume One, creating the perfect networking opportunity.

The main event, held in the Theatre of Marcellus, provided a mix of entertainment, interspersed with awards presentations to each of the brands. The MCs, broadcaster Jeremy Maggs and brand expert Andy Rice, provided insights into the local brandscape and facilitated a lively auction of a signed SA cricket shirt, which raised over R16 000 for Cotlands.

The evening culminated in the unveiling of Superbrands SA Volume One, the only book of its kind dedicated exclusively to showcasing many of the country's leading brands. The book, which is set to become a leading source of information on brands, contains full colour features telling the complete story of South Africa's Superbrands for 2005.

Each profile traces the foundation and development of the brand under the headings The Market, Achievements, History, The Product, Recent Developments, Promotion and Brand Values. There is also a Things You Didn't Know section which highlights interesting facts about the brand and its unique achievements.

Members of the independent SA Superbrands Council 2005, including industry experts such as Chris Moerdyk and Santie Botha, have each written a unique piece for the book offering valuable insights into what they believe makes a "Superbrand". And with a foreword entitled The True Value of Branding written by brand guru Jeremy Sampson, Superbrands South Africa Volume One is an incredible resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the art of branding.

"The success of the first South African Superbrands project is a reflection of the rising importance of branding in this vibrant and growing economy", says Simon Goddard, Superbrands SA project director and associate publisher. "We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those, and in particular the brands, who contributed to making Volume One the great success that it is."

For more information or to reserve a copy of Superbrands South Africa Volume One, please contact Simon Goddard on 021 794 2240 or by email at . More information can be found at www.superbrands.org/southafrica