Happy birthday, Tata!
Commuters in Rosebank, Cape Town, are being greeted with a huge colourful banner stretched across the front of 24-on-Main as the tenants Bizcommunity.com, Capefilm , Asylum, Popcorn, Orijin and the other tenants pay tribute to Madiba on his 90th birthday.


Wishing Madiba happy birthday in oh-so-many ways
[Simone Puterman] Tomorrow, Friday, 18 July 2008, is the 90th birthday of former South African president Nelson Mandela and Bizcommunity.com explores the many initiatives marking our beloved Madiba's special day, including our own tribute page which we invite our readers to add to.


Clinton, Jack the Ripper and PowerPoint
[Sid Peimer] What might have been if Dr Martin Luther King Jr. had faced his audience in the hot summer of 1963, not with the words, “I have a dream,” but instead, “I have a … PowerPoint presentation”? Or Winston Churchill read, “We shall fight them on the beaches, and the rest of the areas on this slide.”? The world would probably be a very different place.


Local artists release ‘Not in our Lifetime'
[Edwin Tshivhidzo] The song by local artists ‘Not in our Lifetime' has been released and will soon be played on radio stations around the country. The song was composed during the violent attacks on people from other countries and aims to discourage intolerance in South Africa.

Pitch Secrets are out again: revamped for 2008
Sid Peimer's Pitch Secrets workshop has returned. Whereas in previous years the session was made up of a 20-minute workshop, the entire hour is now jam-packed with information, examples, anecdotes, truths and tips on ‘what wins a pitch'. And what does not. There are only two shows - one each in Cape Town and Johannesburg, so to book your seat now, go to www.stratplanning.com.

Green Point Stadium introduces 2010 lecture series
Andrew Fanton, project director of the Green Point Stadium 2010 project, kicks off the 2010 Lecture Series at the Green Point Stadium Visitor Centre this evening, Thursday, 17 July 2008, 5.30pm for 6pm.

Continental Tyre imports new marketing manager
2010 FIFA World Cup sponsor Continental has appointed Gareth Passmore marketing manager of Continental Tyre South Africa, effective beginning of July 2008. Passmore has been stationed at Continental AG's Germany head office for the past 14 years, recently as head of sales and marketing of the Middle East, Near East and North Africa region.

Lighthouse agency status for Saatchi & Saatchi SA
Saatchi & Saatchi South Africa has received Lighthouse Agency status within the group's global agency network comprising 153 international offices. This positions Saatchi & Saatchi SA in the same league as only eight other Saatchi & Saatchi units, including London, Dubai, Paris and Frankfurt among others, and will see the local operation play a pivotal leadership role within its European, African and Middle Eastern network.

Mike Abel quitting Ogilvy for Oz
Mike Abel, Ogilvy South Africa COO, will be leaving the South African full-service communications network group at the end of September 2008 to move to Sydney, Australia, it was announced late on Friday afternoon, 18 July 2008. “We are very sad that Mike is moving as he has been the fabric of our company for a very long time,” said Nunu Ntshingila, CEO of Ogilvy SA.

So who's judging Pendoring this year?
Heading up the team of Pendoring judges this year is Leon Jacobs, executive head of Saatchi & Saatchi in Hongkong and this advertising group's regional creative head for Pampers in Asia. Apart from being the chairman of the judging panel, he is also this year's foreign judge.

Building brand equity through increasing emotional connection
Following many intimate discussions and research conducted around the world, women have informed the Always brand team that they see periods as a natural part of life that CAN have an upbeat side. Based on these intriguing insights, Always has been inspired to develop a campaign with Leo Burnett that encourages women to see the brighter side of periods.


Two new directors for The MediaShop
Chris Botha and Donald Liphoko have been appointed directors of The MediaShop in recognition of the contributions they are able to add to the deliberations of the board of directors, it was announced yesterday, Monday, 14 July 2008.

Masters & Savant Cape Town expands its business operation - Masters & Savant
On the one year anniversary in Cape Town, due to an overwhelming group demand, Masters & Savant Worldwide Cape Town has expanded its business operation for the third time.

Masters & Savant Worldwide and their clients celebrate 12 Loerie nominations - Masters & Savant
Masters & Savant Worldwide holds the record for the most nominated animation studio at this year's Loerie Awards - 12 nominations. The company has been nominated for seven direct awards, and for a further four indirectly through partner advertising agencies.

Code-breaking, culture-busting in a marketing-driven world
[Dr Inka Crosswaite] Our socio-cultural environments are the breeding ground for how we make meaning out of the world, and marketers who don't take note of how different markets are ‘coded' risk damaging their brands with unsympathetic or inappropriate messages and symbolism.


Zendome - spotlighting famous brands: freshly, distinctly, irresistibly - Zendome
Zendome has become one of the most attractive and popular activation platforms for a host of famous brands at events throughout the world. Now represented in South Africa and African countries south of the equator, Zendome offers state-of-the art event space and a striking single-day or multi-day event solution to brand managers and brand activators.

Indie Durban film for Durban International Film Festival
Premiering at this year's Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) is new local film Three Cigarettes, which has been produced independently, without the support of a film school or financial backers. The film's creative team has just locked the edit and is finishing the last touches on the film in time for the first official premiere at the Kwa-Suka Theatre on 24 July 2008.

Using technology to improve your customer focus
[Roger Strain] Quick, think of something you wish you could do to manage your relationships with your customers better. Offer them more self-service options? Remind them tactfully and cheaply when bills are due? Get more useful feedback about their experience of your product or service? Make sure whoever deals with them always has access to all the relevant information and is properly empowered to deal with whatever issue comes up?


Securing test data in line with international legislation
MigrationWare, the local partner of the UK-based Micro Focus, recently began selling Micro Focus Data Express, a suite of tools used to create a robust and secure test environment for production data. According to João de Oliveira, MigrationWare sales director, Data Express will not only help local companies to fall in line with international legislation, but also with legislation which is scheduled to be introduced locally.

Cape Town company wins global web award
Cape Town web strategy agency Clickthinking recently took the top spot in the international Web Analytics Championships 2008, beating numerous global companies. Hosted by the US-based Web Analytics Association (WAA), a global custodian of the online marketing and analytics profession, the competition is aimed at web analysts reviewing site and traffic data while extracting value from web data.

Vega wins SA leg of Google challenge
Not only did a team from brand communications school Vega recently take the top spot in the South African leg of the Google Online Marketing Challenge, it also finished in the top 50 teams within Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The competition is one of the biggest global university competitions, with around 1650 different teams participating across 47 different countries this year.

Canderel launches YouTube channel
With video online advertising experiencing a global growth of over 300%, interactive brand Canderel is exploring the expanding medium of online videos with the launch of its own channel on YouTube earlier this week.


Advancing Web 2.0 for Traditional Media - Classic Events
This one-day conference is the ideal opportunity for publishers and broadcasters looking to develop and fast-track their web strategy. The day offers four case studies and insights from the leaders in this field and will explore current best practices for monetising your site and different revenue models.


Learning lessons from innovative small companies - quickOnline
[Francois Botha] Well-run smaller companies are often agile and responsive, in short, communication innovators. And, more so when compared to the giant corporate dinosaurs at the top of the financial food chain.


Learning to lead any Internet project to maximum success - Britefire
Next week, 22 - 23 July 2008, Britefire's Web Project Management course will take place in Fourways, Johannesburg, run by award-winning international emarketing project leader Karen Parkin.

Workforce energy - releasing potential through coaching - Knowledge Resources
Research indicates that a massive 70% of the working population are neither engaged nor committed. To put this in other terms, if this were the Springbok rugby team, then only about three of the squad are ready to get out onto the field and play their hearts out.

Toyota Tsusho Centre of Excellence - A global development solution provider - Toyota Tsusho Centre of Excellence (COE)
Toyota Tsusho Africa (a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho Corporation, originally founded as a trading and supply-chain specialist of the Toyota Group) has recently launched a new organisational development business unit.

Celebrate Women's Day in Newtown
Presented by the Newtown Management District with the support of the Johannesburg Development Agency, the Newtown Celebrates Women's Day weekend festival will take place at venues located in the Newtown Cultural Precinct, 6 - 10 August 2008. Here, visitors will be able to enjoy a feast of live music, dance, theatre, film, photography, street performance, storytelling, poetry, workshops, crafts, family activities and late-night parties galore - all with a feminine flavour.

South African Tattoo to wow the crowds
The South African Tattoo - presented by Jacaranda 94.2, and featuring over 500 local and international performers - is set to thrill audiences at Montecasino in Johannesburg, 11 - 14 September 2008. The South African Tattoo blends the traditional spectacle of massed pipe bands with an African flavour and spectacular acts from as far afield as Switzerland.


Yet another thrilling incentive for Kolok SA - Stephanie Moss Solutions
A group of thrill seekers from all over South Africa were treated to Formula 1 Monaco style Go Karting, sand boarding off hot dunes and tranquil dolphin and whale cruising earlier this month in Swakopmund, Namibia.


Loudfire launches Cotton Club ‘mobile restaurant' - Loudfire
Loudfire, a revolutionary parties and events company pioneering ‘mobile restauranting' in South Africa, recently launched its swish Cotton Club Restaurant.


Loudfire launches Alpine ‘mobile restaurant' - Loudfire
Loudfire, a parties and events company pioneering ‘mobile restauranting' in South Africa, recently launched its state-of-the-art, luxurious Alpine Restaurant.


Design that performs: Launch Factory Experiential unveils Samsung's Series range of LCD TVs - Launch Factory
BMW Hyde Park Auto in Johannesburg was recently transformed into a multi-sensory playground for the launch of Samsung's new Series of LCD TVs.


Thirst Bar Services wins another award - Thirst Bar Services
Thirst bar tenders are renowned for their abilities behind the bars and the numerous awards they have won both locally and internationally.

Tru Touch successfully facilitates Schering-Plough Roadshow - Tru Touch Events
Tru Touch Events were awarded the tender to produce and implement the Schering-Plough Pharmacy Assistant Roadshow in April this year. The project consisted of five dinner and presentation evenings in different provinces around the country, with the emphasis being on nasal congestion.

Markex 2008 - 3D Deco
3D Deco's exhibition stand at Sandton Convention Centre foyer for Markex 2008 was by far the most stunning display of design, creativity and originality the eventing industry has ever seen!


Africa's Big 7 strategic to sustainable development - Oasys Innovations
Africa's Big 7 is the only expo of its kind in Africa. It is a major clearing house where fresh and processed foods are on exhibit for export. The exhibition, which takes place at Gallagher Estates, is a platform from where speciality foods and beverages are marketed to Africa's importers, wholesalers and retailers, and where manufacturing processes and packaging technologies are traded internationally.

Water- and wind-sports on show at NBS - Biz Events
Add any combination of the elements of wind, sails and boards, then just add water and you'll arrive at the same result every time - an experience that is 100% pure adrenalin.


Oasys provides platform for Securex 2008 - Oasys Innovations
Securex 2008 is the largest and most comprehensive show of its kind in South Africa. It is the only show exclusively dedicated to the very latest developments in security, safety, fire and protection, attracting both local and international industry leaders to the Sandton Convention Centre. The current, global security environment has had a marked impact on interest in this show, which had 200 exhibitors and attracted nearly 5700 visitors.

Great catches coming up at NBS! - Biz Events
Bass fishing, fly fishing, shore fishing, offshore fishing - South Africans are flocking to the waterways in their droves to try their hand at this ancient pastime. Some do it for the fun of it, others for the competition, but all do it for the love of it, and nowhere will this be more evident than at the National Boat Show AND Dive Expo 2008 (NBS).


New partnership - Oasys Innovations
Momentum McCann, a member of the McCann Worldgroup, has ventured into a working partnership with Oasys Innovations, an exhibitions and events infrastructure supplier for some of its clients, notably in the fields of information technology and transportation.

Another sports mag for sports-mad SA
Business Day is launching a new monthly sport magazine on 8 August 2008 to coincide with the opening of the Beijing Olympics and to extend Business Day's offering to all its readers. Business Day Sport Monthly will be edited by Sports Journalist of the Year and rugby writer Mark Keohane.


New transport publication for South Africa - Delivery Magazine
From Mobility Media (a joint venture with the publishers of Delivery, South Africa's biggest circulating magazine reaching the public sector) comes a new public-sector title...

Legit Clothing's Dare magazine joins forces with sister Jet Club to target youth market - The Publishing Partnership
Youth fashion retailer Legit has teamed up with sister company Jet Stores to target the lucrative youth fashion market.


Four business ideas for students and graduates - Succeed
An unstable economy means that companies are downsizing and are not recruiting many new employees. If you have drive, persistence and the thought of a nine-to-five job bores you, your own business might be your ticket to success.


2008 Beijing Olympics preview

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Olympic fever is high and the August 2008 issue of Sports Illustrated magazine includes the 2008 Beijing Preview, an 18-page special section including everything from Olympic facts, stats, venues, records and a day-to-day “What to watch” guide to background happenings of next month's Beijing Summer Games. Editor of Sports Illustrated Steve Smith remarks, “There's something about the games that elevates it above other sports. It's the one sport event that showcases and accentuates all the qualities that make us human - physical talent, determination, cunning, unbridled joy, dark despair, and plain old bad-assness… they'll all be on display in Beijing. It's riveting stuff.”

Plagiarism accusations
NEWSWATCH: Siphokazi Sowazi, chief executive of Mafube Publishing, owners of Enterprise magazine, has been accused of plagiarising various of her editorial columns, and the Press Council of South Africa has ruled in favour of The Weekender reporting that controversial author Ronald Suresh Roberts is also guilty of plagiarism, writes the Sunday Times.

NEPAD urges media to highlight Africa's positive developments
The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) has urged the media to highlight Africa's positive developments and achievements objectively.


Lorenzo Natali entry deadline extended
[Walter Wafula] Journalists who wished to participate in the Lorenzo Natali Prize but had not made it in time now have a few more weeks to participate. The opportunity follows the extension of the deadline for submission of entries, to 31 July 2008 from 30 June this year.


Latest Mpofu suspension not lifted
NEWSWATCH: SABC group CEO Dali Mpofu has failed to have his third suspension overturned by the Johannesburg High Court, according to various media reports. Judgement was handed out yesterday, Monday, 14 July 2008, in the first of a three-part application. The saga will continue next month on 5 August.

Media at odds with MMP over abortion
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] The Media Monitoring Project (MMP) has called on the South African media to refrain from presenting a biased, prejudicial and unfair reporting around the issue of legal abortion as set out in the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) Act of 1996.

Intranews expands monitoring bouquet - Intranews
Intranews Media Management has expanded its monitoring bouquet to include 24-hour news channel, ENews, as well as SABC International and Al Jazeera.

Impilo Matters - Group Media
Impilo Matters introduces an entirely new way to communicate with people seeking information towards their health and better living, as it redefines what people have been exposed to in the past and sadly still in the present time.

Global mobile marketing code of conduct released
The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) yesterday, Tuesday, 15 July 2008, released its Global Code of Conduct, designed to provide guidelines that all mobile marketers should consider and build their mobile marketing initiatives around.

Clickatell preferred by mobile social networking communities - around the world - Clickatell
Clickatell, global mobile messaging leader, has announced that mig33, Bluepulse , MXit and Rummble have selected Clickatell's award-winning SMS gateway to increase customer acquisition, improve the effectiveness of social communities, and increase the overall “stickiness” of mobile communities.

Norwegian mobile marketing company opens in SA
Johannesburg is the fourth office for Norwegian mobile marketing company Vidamo, after Denmark and Spain launched successfully two years ago. Co-founded in Oslo by three Norwegians and Adam Holtrop, a South African born in Cape Town, the company focuses on enterprise mobility and CRM. “We're interested in introducing the revenue potential of mobile services to enterprise in South Africa, as well [in] discuss[ing] new levels of integration across communication channels. These days all customer contact is marketing; brands should see their CRM activities as a cross-sales platform,” says Holtrop, whose clients currently include companies such as Carlsberg, PepsiCo and Colgate Palmolive. For more information, go to www.vidamo.co.za.

WAN releases third ad for global newspaper campaign
PARIS: The “Get the Facts About Newspapers” campaign from the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) earlier this week released its third advertisement for use by publications around the world to help counter the negative myths and misinformation about the industry. The advertisement is part of a global initiative organised by WAN.


Newspaper for Mpumalanga youth
[Tshepiso Seopa] In less than six weeks, youth in the Mpumalanga province will have a monthly business and lifestyle newspaper aimed at helping them to plan, start and advance their businesses. Mpuma Youth Biz (Mpumalanga Youth Business) will be on the shelves as of 1 September 2008.

Moneyweb launches lifestyle section
Online business news source Moneyweb has launched a lifestyle section on its flagship website. MONEYWEBlife, which went live on Friday, 18 July 2008, is led by former broadcast journalist and award-winning brand marketer Mandy de Waal.

Recruitment, dating sites the most engaging in SA
LONDON: The most engaging South African websites and sectors, as measured by average time per session, are recruitment and dating sites, according to Nielsen Online, a service of The Nielsen Company.

The cyber-highway to Dubai
[Naseem Javed] Right now, the global business community at large is very curious to discover the charm of Dubai, and what it is about its business community that works so well. The outside world wants to know who these people are, how they run their projects, and what they do exactly that is so grand and magical.


e-Commerce development wages war against rising fuel costs - Forge
Rising fuel costs are forcing business owners to rethink old sales and marketing techniques such as door-to-door sales. Likewise, customers too are looking for ways to keep car travel down to a minimum and are looking for alternative ways to meet their shopping and business needs.

Arrive Alive launches new website

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The revamped Arrive Alive Road Safety website (www.arrivealive.co.za) recently went live. “For the past five years the old site has achieved much by way of creating awareness of road safety and interaction with the public - but so much has changed in the world of the internet and social media that we were in need of a better vehicle for our efforts to create awareness,” says Johan Jonck of Arrive Alive.

Searching for the perfect connection

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The objective of iBurst's new radio, outdoor, print and online advertising campaign is to drive home the point that the wireless broadband provider has a high-speed mobile solution suited to everyone, and that you can "find your perfect connection" at iBurst. The campaign broke on 25 June 2008 and was conceptualised and executed by MGM Communications.

Exell Technology celebrates second birthday - Exell Technologies
[Nicola Popplewell] With the rise and fall of many companies within their first year, it is refreshing and inspiring to find an IT company that has weathered not only its first year, but made it successfully through to its second birthday mark.

Workflow on the Net - Exell Technologies
Exell Technologies is one company that does not supply its own solutions, but works with proven solutions and experts from around the world, offering consulting and support solutions that are tailor-made for your business.

SAE launches industry sessions for animators, audiophiles
Global creative media provider SAE Institute is hosting a series of industry sessions for those interested in the fields of animation and audio engineering. Whether you're an animation aficionado, a dynamic bedroom DJ or an amateur enthusiast, the SAE Industry Sessions should provide creative food for thought and an educational debate around contemporary issues in both these fields.

Mama Dance! places more SA music in TV ads and TV shows - Mama Dance! Music Solutions
Last year it placed a great selection of South African music in beer and motor Vehicle TV ads but this year started off more sporty with Mama Dance! Music Solutions supplying all the music for nine Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike Race TV programmes that were broadcast worldwide.

Audio Arts Africa in training for 2010 FIFA World Cup - Audio Arts Africa
The team at Audio Arts Africa has been training relentlessly for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In working towards its goal of being fighting fit for the international invasion, it sent striker Hans Baumgarten to the NAB Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada USA, to brush up on his skills.

Les Sharpe back in SA - Picture Tree
In a joint effort between Picture Tree and their recently opened branch, Picture Tree Australia, Les Sharpe was invited back to SA for two jaw-dropping spots for FNB by Draftfcb.


Bruno Bossi shoots explosive new Yardley commercial - Giant Films
Giant's Bruno Bossi recently completed the new Yardley commercial for the launch of English Blazer ‘Black'.


Make your images talk
Reallusion has released CrazyTalk 5, which adds hands-on movie animation interactivity with the power to puppet facial expressions and animation in real-time - ie, it makes any photo or image talk. It is ideal for turning photos into life-like digital puppet performance for films, web videos, podcasts, blogs, machinima and classroom projects. CrazyTalk 5 is distributed by Phoenix Software in South Africa and CrazyTalk 5 Standard is now available from retail stores countrywide, including Incredible Connection, Electronic Wise and Kalahari.net at a recommended retail price of R499.99.

Habari Direct invests in affinity partnerships at the Spa Africa Expo - Habari Media
Habari Direct, the tactical marketing and promotion specialists, and innovators of the successful lifestyle reward campaigns for blue chip brands such as Appletiser and Dove, has amplified its drive to source and maintain premium partners. It recently exhibited at the SPA Africa Expo in Sandton, where it succeeded in significantly expanding its network of premium spa partners.

5FM undergoes changes, launches WAP
Times are a-changing at 5FM, what with the launch of its WAP portal on Friday, 18 July 2008 - coinciding with birthday celebrations of former president Nelson Mandela - and its marketing manager Aisha Mohamed moving on to MTV Networks Africa next month.

Listen to the radio, buy it via mobile
[Tshepiso Seopa] Listeners of 94.7 Highveld Stereo can now purchase the music they hear on the airwaves through a partnership with eXactmobile called 94.7 Music Shop. The partnership is part of Primedia Broadcasting's digital strategy to take advantage of new interactive media platforms.

Government suspends independent radio station's broadcasts
Reporters Without Borders has condemned the government's decision on 8 July to suspend independent Radio Despertar's broadcasts for 180 days on the grounds that their current range, 400km, is much more than the 50km stipulated in its licence. The suspension comes just one month before an election campaign is due to begin on 5 August.

Mark Pilgrim in hospital after heart attack
94.7 Highveld Stereo and 94.5 Kfm presenter Mark Pilgrim was admitted to hospital following a sudden heart attack yesterday, Tuesday, 15 July 2008. In a statement released by 94.7, station manager Ravi Naidoo said, “Mark is being treated for an obstructed coronary artery and will be in hospital for the rest of the week.”


Springbok Radio ‘back on air'
[Tshepiso Seopa] South Africa's first commercial radio station, Springbok Radio, is back on air by popular demand. The Springbok Radio Preservation Society of South Africa, a non-profit organisation based in Johannesburg, resurrected the old radio station by launching a fully fledged Internet radio service earlier this month.


First leg of the Vodacom MPower FM Jock Search sets the mark - United Stations
Last weekend the Highveld Mall in Witbank was buzzing with wannabe jocks all hoping to make their mark at the Vodacom MPower FM Jock search. Over 50 hopefuls auditioned, setting a high standard for the next two rounds.

United Station's new home - United Stations
It's official! United Stations has a new home. The team has moved from Parktown where they started their business nine years ago into their very own building.

MPowerFM Vodacom Mpumalanga Jock Search 2008 - United Stations
MPowerFM have partnered with Vodacom Mpumalanga in a regional search to discover new talent for Mpumalanga's own commercial radio station. The winner of The MPowerFM Vodacom Mpumalanga Jock Search will win a contract with MPowerFM and kick off their career as a presenter on the exciting new Radio station.

Launching South Africa's first online recruitment directory - Agency Central
AgencyCentral.co.za, an online directory concentrating exclusively on the recruitment industry, launched last week. The site seeks to promote the smaller developing agency and the more specialised niche recruiter, by creating a one-stop showcase of this sector of the industry.

SA consumers still positive but confidence is waning
Results of the latest MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence for the second half of 2008 show that South African consumers remain stubbornly optimistic, despite a significant decrease over the last six months. The survey shows that Johannesburg consumers are more optimistic than those in Durban and Cape Town.

Stats SA defends current inflation figure
[Michael Appel] Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has defended itself from recent allegations that miscalculations it could have made, have led to an overestimated inflation figure.

Music is money - creating the right customer experience
In the current gloomy economic conditions, businesses have to create the unique in-store experience to attract and retain customers and most importantly - get the biggest share of the customer's shrinking wallet, says Craig Cesman, CEO of audio branding experts DMX Music Africa.

Heinz cans 'baked'
NEWSWATCH: Food giant Heinz has announced it is dropping the word 'baked' from its canned beans, the UK's Telegraph reports. The actual product will, however, remain the same but cans will now be sporting the new title 'Heinz Beanz' on the labelling.

New flavour for Niknaks
Snack brand Niknaks is launching a new flavour, Cheese and Sweet Chilli, and to celebrate is hitting the road and travelling around the country to get the nation jiving. The Niknaks Road show kicks off in the Mother City on Saturday, 26 July 2008, with a flavourful burst of fashion, hip-hop and good times.


Online bookings now open for RAC Lite
Online bookings for South Africa's first ever Retail Advertising Conference, RAC Lite, to be held at Emperor's Palace Convention Centre on 12 August 2008 and Lord Charles, Somerset West, on 14 August are now open. Dr Frederik van Zyl Slabbert, non-executive chairman of Caxton & CTP Publishers and Printers, will present the opening address at both conferences. For bookings, go to www.raclite.co.za. An early bird special of R3190.86 per delegate is currently on offer, compared to the normal rate of R3598.98 per delegate. A 10% discount is being offered to groups of 10 or more.

LG sponsors crime line
Consumer goods manufacturer LG Electronics South Africa has partnered with Primedia's Crime Line, an anti-crime campaign endorsed by the South African Police Service, to support the fight against crime in South Africa. The Crime Line road show is aimed at educating high school children that life's good without crime, with Primedia's Talk Radio 702 and 94.7 Highveld Stereo inviting high schools in Gauteng to participate in the road show campaign.

SuperSport's Olympic plans
The Olympic Games, as much about entertainment as they are about sport, begin on 8 August 2008 and SuperSport on DStv will be there to bring subscribers all the action from Beijing 2008. SuperSport's multi-channeled coverage starts with the opening ceremony from the National Stadium in Beijing at 2pm (on SuperSport 5, 6 and 7/10) through to the closing ceremony on Sunday, August 24, again at 2pm on the same three channels.

No more fighting over the remote?
MultiChoice earlier this week launched an enhanced version of Dual View, which provides a more cost effective and flexible viewing option of its pay TV offering in the home. XtraView is delivered through linking two decoders and allows the subscriber to add and link a decoder to another one as and when is required.

SABC Africa, Multichoice part ways
As of 1 August 2008, SABC Africa will no longer be available on the DStv bouquet. The SABC released a statement yesterday, Monday, 14 July 2008, stating that negotiations between Multichoice and the public broadcaster had not yielded results, hence the discontinuation of the channel on DStv.

Pasella presenter moving on
After six years, presenter Charlene Truter will take her bow on SABC2' weekly magazine show Pasella for the last time on 23 July 2008. She will be pursuing her music and singing career, as well as the Rawsonville fair trade-project. “Although the Pasella-team will greatly miss Charlene, we respect her decision and wish her only the best with her new career,” says Pasella producer Amor Engelbrecht.