Make digital part of your campaigns
[Louise Marsland] South Africa is expected to become one of the cheapest places for internet connectivity in the future, with broadband speed hopefully in place by 2010, “so don't bet against the internet, make it a part of your campaigns”, Google country manager in South Africa, Stafford Masie said last week.

Top Jupiter exec to head up Absa Marketing
Mohale Ralebitso, executive chairman of The Jupiter Drawing Room (Johannesburg), has been appointed as group executive: group marketing for agency client Absa Bank, effective 1 October 2008, it was announced this morning, Monday 22 September. Mkhari will resume his previous role as non-executive chairman of the agency with immediate effect.

You can't manage what you can't measure
[Dr Dunja Kartte] “I know half of my advertising money is wasted. The problem is I don't know which half!” This quotation from Unilever founder William Hesketh Lever, although from 1923, is still relevant to marketers today, who complain about the lack of instruments to measure their marketing spend. This becomes even more apparent when the economy looks bleak and cost-cutting is on every company's agenda in a bid to stay competitive.


Marketing the unseen
[Claus Jakobsen] Consumers respond best to what they can see. We buy a watch because it symbolises what we believe is our place in society: a fashionista or an elegant businessperson. Cars and clothes are highly visible statements of our individuality and we also often use them to make a statement about how far we've come in life. But what about invisible assets?


The Business Centre - four years and counting... - The Business Centre
As part of The Business Centre's fourth year of business, it is running a series of specials for September and October 2008, offering businesses the opportunity to join one of its Centres at a birthday special discount.

Plenty of room for 2010, tourism bodies insist
Both South African Tourism and the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) stated emphatically yesterday, Thursday, 18 September 2008, that there is no question at all that South Africa has more than enough accommodation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This was in response to statements made by FIFA president Joseph S Blatter on the SABC2 programme Morning Live yesterday, in which he said there was insufficient accommodation in SA for 2010 fans.

2010 ticketing rand-dollar exchange set at R7
[Michael Appel] The price of category four tickets for the 2010 FIFA World Cup has been set at US$20 (R140) with the rand-dollar exchange rates being frozen at R7, announced 2010 Local Organising Committee Chairman Dr Irvin Khoza, earlier this week.

SA more than ready for 2010 - Blatter
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] FIFA president Joseph S Blatter wrapped up his South African trip by visiting Coca-Cola Park (formerly Ellis Park Stadium) in Johannesburg yesterday, Wednesday 17 September 2008, and coolly proclaiming afterwards that the country was more than ready to organise the 2010 FIFA World Cup.


Unveiling of official 2010 mascot next week
The official mascot of the 2010 FIFA World Cup will make its first public appearance next week Monday, 22 September 2008, and FIFA and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) are inviting media representatives to be the first to get an exclusive look at the mascot at a pre-launch press conference.

A prestigious Pendoring for Joe Public
Joe Public South Africa not only won three golden Pendorings at the 14th annual Pendoring advertising competition that took place on Friday, 19 September 2008, at Vodaworld in Midrand, Gauteng, it also walked away with the sought-after Prestige Award, the highest Pendoring honour. Francois de Villiers, executive creative director of Draftfcb (Cape Town), took home the Legend Award, given away for the second time only.


New D&AD deputy president revealed
Paul Brazier, executive creative director at AMV BBDO, has been elected as the new deputy president, D&AD announced this morning, Thursday, 18 September 2008. Brazier, who will work closely with new president Garrick Hamm this year, takes over as D&AD president in September 2009.


ADC announces Annual Awards jury chairs, new awards
NEW YORK: The Art Directors Club (ADC) earlier this week announced the lineup of industry leaders who will serve as jury chairs to head the five categories of the ADC's 88th Annual Awards programme for 2009, as well as the ADC Black Cube, ADC Bronze Cube and cumulative awards. ADC, a not-for-profit organisation for integrated media, is a global creative collective with membership in advertising, design and visual communications.

Integrated campaign for Paralympics
Online and mobile marketing agency Shake Interactive and The Jupiter Drawing Room Johannesburg recently worked with Sasol to boost the fuel company's sponsorship of the South African Paralympic and national rugby teams via an integrated digital campaign. Sasol had set the duo the challenge of maximising its sponsorship by extending brand exposure from the sports field and TV coverage to other media. [video]

Atten-hut! Party season around the corner
Diarise 30 October 2008 now, soldiers, do you read me? This year's AMASA party is themed Special Ops will take place at Pococks in Northriding with fabulous Mean Mr Mustard at the helm, and military clad girls and guys to welcome you into the awesome party barracks.


Creative Circle scraps current points system
The Creative Circle executive committee has decided unanimously to do away with the existing creative points system, but not an official creative circle agency table, Rob McLennan, chairman of the Creative Circle, clarified to members in an email yesterday, Monday, 15 September 2008.

"Well at least no one got hurt, sort of." - Wicked Pixels
Stunts are dangerous. Getting a car to ramp 35 metres for a commercial is not recommended. Having the driver get in and out the car while in the air is just plain crazy. For Wicked Pixels, it was just another day at the office, but how did it do it?


Promise wins Blockbusters Home Entertainment - Promise
Promise was recently awarded the Blockbusters account. Blockbusters is a national chain of home entertainment and DVD hire stores, with 91 stores in the stable.


Artifact Advertising. A powerful global force in the advertising industry. It's a fact. - Artifact Advertising
Artifact Advertising has recently expanded into the US and now offers its clients all the benefits of globality.

'Extraordinary' campaign for Bioplus from Draftfcb - Draftfcb (South Africa)
Draftfcb Johannesburg's 'Extraordinary Question' campaign for Bioplus reportedly worked exceptionally well to satisfy two of the client's key objectives - to boost sales and drive consumers to www.bioplus.co.za so that the user database could be expanded and validated.


Activate takes on new heights - Activate Communication
Integrated brand agency Activate was recently appointed to work with Coca-Cola South Africa in launching the new trademark brand Coca-Cola (Coke) Zero. This global campaign is Coca-Cola's biggest global product launch in 20 years, giving consumers the pleasure of a real Coke taste, but with zero sugar.


Mystery of Stonehenge solved - Draftfcb (South Africa)
For years people have pondered the origin of the megalithic ruin known as Stonehenge, which stands on Salisbury Plain just west of the town of Amesbury in Wiltshire, England. Draftfcb Durban may have the answer...


Panado turns a new page with new 15" TVCs - Draftfcb (South Africa)
Panado is showcasing the variants within the brand's range with a series of three short and pithy new television commercials.


D&AD Annual now live online
LONDON: The D&AD Annual launched last night, Thursday, 18 September 2008, and, for the first time ever, the Annual is now totally online at www.dandad.org/annual08. For the next month, anyone can browse the online annual to see the best work in the world for free. The online annual is only available to D&AD members from the end of the month. The site was created by KentLyons and inspired by the design of the book itself, by Neville Brody and Research Studios.

Inaugural One Show Entertainment finalists announced
US: The first-ever finalists for the inaugural One Show Entertainment Awards, which honours creativity in branded entertainment that goes beyond typical product placement and recognises this rapidly-growing segment in advertising, were announced yesterday, Monday, 15 September 2008. Finalists will compete for Gold, Silver and Bronze Pencils, awarded to the best in branded entertainment by an all-star lineup of judges and celebrity presenters at the Paley Center in Beverly Hills, California, on 7 October. This is the first time in 33 years that any One Show event has taken place outside of New York City.

Top global brands' valuation down by US$67 billion
LONDON & NEW YORK: Independent brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance yesterday, Thursday, 18 September 2008, revealed the impact of recession on the 100 leading global and US brands - between January and September, the brand value of these top brands has decreased by 4.2%, a drop of US$67 billion.

New look for Animal Planet
Celebrating 10 years of broadcasting in international markets, global entertainment brand Animal Planet announced earlier this week that it will launch a new look in October 2008 in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. The fresh brand identity will be revealed in Johannesburg on 1 October.


KWV celebrates 90-year heritage
[ActivRetail] This year, KWV celebrates 90 years of existence. To commemorate this momentous occasion KWV is hosting a series of celebratory events throughout the country. Recently, the first two were held in Port Elizabeth and Durban. Members of the trade, media, consumers and friends were invited to be a part of this historical celebration.


Leading non-traditional agency launches sports activation division - 34
Specialist brand activation agency, thirtyfour has announced the launch of a new satellite division, 34 Sport, this month. Grant Hillary, previously manager of Brand Activation at South African Breweries (SAB) has been appointed MD.


The business leader's secrets - unleashing growth through brands - Kemistry
A tongue-in-cheek guide to the business of managing brand-based growth.

Design Indaba calls for film fest shorts
For the past five years, the Design Indaba Expo has showcased the best South African short films, music videos and animations. Deadline for submissions for the 2009 film festival is 31 October 2008.

Gold Reef City thrilled viewers with CineMARK - CineMARK
By carefully selecting which movies the commercial for Gold Reef City Theme Park's Tower of Terror thrill-ride should follow, Cinemark was able to target a very particular and age-defined market who would be interested in riding the Tower of Terror.

Gospel choir goes big screen
From 10 October 2008, Ster-Kinekor Theatres house will present the first-ever digital screenings of two-time Grammy Award-winning group, the Soweto Gospel Choir, performing from the Nelson Mandela Theatre in Johannesburg. These digital screenings will be projected at limited Ster-Kinekor Junction sites: Carlton Center in Johannesburg; Sterland in Pretoria; Irene Mall in Irene; Cedar Square in Fourways; Maponya Mall in Soweto; Savannah Mall in Polokwane; The Wheel in Durban; Parow in Cape Town; Vincent Park in East London; The Bridge in Port Elizabeth; and Mimosa in Bloemfontein.

Join space-bound house flies for 3D-animated fun
Fly Me to the Moon, the first computer-animated movie created exclusively for the 3D format, will launch on Friday, 19 September 2008, at the five Ster-Kinekor Theatres with 3D screens nationwide (The Zone @ Rosebank and Sandton City in Johannesburg, Brooklyn in Pretoria, Cavendish in Cape Town, and Gateway in Durban). This fun family movie follows the misadventures of three young flies who stow away aboard the historic Apollo 11 spaceship headed for the moon in 1969. Voices include astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who voices his own character; Tim Curry of Rocky Horror fame; Christopher Lloyd, the nutty inventor in Back to the Future; and ‘desperate housewife' Nicollette Sheridan.

CNN appoints first VP, International Digital Services
Nick Wrenn, CNN International's managing editor for Europe, Middle East & Africa, has been appointed to the new position of VP, CNN International Digital Services, CNN Worldwide announced yesterday, Thursday, 18 September 2008. As the leading executive over all of CNN's digital assets outside of the US, Wrenn will oversee the editorial direction of the services, as well as working with colleagues across CNN.com's domestic operation and in Turner International, to manage the growth of the business through the development of new products and services.


ISPA names and shames spammers
The Internet Service Providers' Association of South Africa (ISPA) yesterday, Wednesday, 17 September 2008, released its first 'Hall of Shame' report at iWeek 2008. Naming some of the country's top spammers, the 'Hall of Shame' forms part of ISPA's broader strategy to fight the growing deluge of spam across its members' networks.

SA minisoap selected for Mipcom
Seduction 101, the cross-platform minisoap from DStv's channel GO, has been nominated as a finalist at the MIPCOM Cross-Media Screenings, it was announced yesterday, Monday, 15 September 2008. It will be showcased at the world's largest television market on 15 October 2008.

rAge 2008 is set to be nothing short of hot... hot... hot... - rAge
If you feel like an adrenalin-fuelled weekend full of fun, intrigue, adventure and skop, skiet en donner, then next month's rAge is without doubt the place to be! This year, visitors can look forward to new game and product launches, competitions, prize giveaways, and amazing show specials.

Callit-IT appoints Amandla Mbana as Support Centre Consultant - Callit-IT
Callit-IT has appointed Amandla Mbana as to the position of support centre consultant.

Callit-IT board appointment - Callit-IT
Callit-IT, the delegate logistics specialists, has announced the appointment of Absie Pantshwa as business director.


Firewater teams with Jake White for his online debut - Firewater Group
World Cup-winning Springbok coach Jake White launched his official blog and YouTube Channel recently and Firewater Interactive was part of the team involved.

PRIMEDIA@HOME drives feet to Silverstar Casino - PRIMEDIA@HOME
The success and recognition PRIMEDIA@HOME has earned for its campaign creativity when distributing un-addressed advertising and promotional material directly to homes, combined with its 60% share of the SA door-to-door market, made it the obvious choice for Silverstar Casino to increase its foot traffic.

Konitek Training & Development joins ROCCI/BATSA SMME Development Project - Konitek Training & Development cc
Konitek Training and Development has embarked on and joined hands with the Roodepoort Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ROCCI) with an SMME Development Project that was initiated by British American Tobacco to assist in the development of SMMEs within the greater Roodepoort region.

Toyota Tsusho Centre of Excellence - A global development solution provider - Toyota Tsusho Centre of Excellence (COE)
What makes one business more successful than the other? The ability to harness information and utilise it better, faster and more effectively than the competition.

CLA appoints Business Relationship Manager Steven Murray - Collyer Lessick & Associates
Collyer Lessick & Associates has recently appointed Steven Murray as business relationship manager. His core focus will be the retention and maintenance of existing key accounts and the development and growth of new business opportunities.


Grind brews coffee and branding into the perfect blend - Grind Mobile Coffee
As one of the world's most popular drinks, second only to water, coffee is a lot of things to a lot of people. It's a wake-up call, a pick-me-up, the perfect end to a great meal. And now, thanks to Grind, it's also an interactive branding experience.

Lighting the way with Techrig - Techrig Lighting
The past couple of months have seen In Living Colour keep its supplier Techrig busy with a number of events.


Blend Eventlife relaunches in style - Blend Eventlife
Only two years after its inception, guru bar and staffing company Blend Eventlife launched its new portfolio of services and state-of-the-art designer bars at its head office in Cape Town last week.


Illuminating Microsoft TechEd and Partner Summit 2008 - Techrig Lighting
One client, two gigs and exciting challenges - this is what faced Techrig when approached by AV Unlimited to assist with the supply of equipment and the lighting of the opening party for Microsoft TechEd and the closing Microsoft Partner Summit Gala dinner.


Collyer Lessick hosts Nedbank prestige clients at Durban July - Collyer Lessick & Associates
Collyer Lessick and Associates (CLA) added a touch of its own style and grace when it hosted a select group of Nedbank's prestige clients to a sophisticated day at the races.

World Productivity Congress comes to SA for first time
Productivity SA will host Africa's first-ever World Productivity Congress at Sun City next week, 22 - 24 September 2008, including over 600 delegates from South Africa and around the globe. The speaker list for this 15th biennial congress will include productivity experts and international intellectual capital from 42 countries, including Britain, France, the US, Canada and Sweden. The Productivity Awards will also be held and presented in Sun City. For more information, go to www.congress15.co.za.

Thuso Design & Exhibitions forges ahead breaking new ground - Thuso Exhibitions
Thuso Exhibitions, a 100% BEE company, has made great strides in growing its business to a commendable level. Thuso has recently been busy with global assignments as far afield as Angola, where it completed a large assignment, Belgium, and most recently, in Mozambique.

New editor for Food & Home Entertaining
Naomi Larkin is the new editor of Food & Home Entertaining, Caxton Magazines announced earlier this week. Larkin has over 18 years' media experience both in South Africa and overseas, including magazines, newspapers and wire service.


Magazine pagination in the blink of an eye
Blinkplan is a newly launched program from two South African media professionals that is intended to make drawing up a magazine flatplan - usually a source of hair-ripping frustration to whoever is tasked with doing it - easier and faster.


In-flight magazine changes direction
In order to reflect its growing numbers of business and leisure travellers, low cost airline Mango announced yesterday, Tuesday, 16 September 2008, that it is relaunching its in flight magazine, Juice, as a fresh new lifestyle publication


CLASSICFEEL expands even further - DeskLink Media
After successfully expanding early this year to become a consumer magazine with a nationwide reach, CLASSICFEEL magazine has taken Durban by storm.


Wine title turns 15

click to enlarge

Readers will recognise Wine's 15 anniversary birthday issue by the festive cake, strawberries and sparkling wine on the cover, the foiled logo and metallic finish. And coupled with advertising in the 130-page SA Winelands Map Book - the magazine's added-value gift to all readers - the issue's ad income is up by 175 % - a record for the magazine. "We are thrilled at how well advertisers and the industry has supported the birthday issue," says publisher Heino Gehle. The birthday issue goes on sale today, Monday, 22 September 2008.

CPJ to honour Ugandan journalist
[Walter Wafula] Andrew Mwenda, a founder and managing editor of The Independent magazine in Uganda, will be one of the five courageous journalists who will be honoured with awards by the Committee to Protect Journalists in November 2008.

Call for radical redefinition of public service broadcasting
EUROPE: Francisco Pinto Balsemão, chairman of the European Publishers Council (EPC) and chairman and CEO of Impresa in Portugal, yesterday, Thursday, 18 September 2008, called for public service broadcasters (PSBs) to be redefined and radically changed in line with the realities of modern broadcasting and convergent communications in the context of the European Commission's current review of state aid rules for PSBs.

Eastern African media institutions collaborate for journalistic freedoms
The Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA), in collaboration with the American Centre for International Labour Solidarity and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), organised a regional conference on "Challenges and Obstacles of Practicing Journalism in Eastern Africa" in Djibouti last month.

NFVF mourns John Matshikiza
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) yesterday, Tuesday, 16 September 2008, expressed its shock over the untimely passing of John Matshikiza, the multi-talented columnist, actor, director and producer who died earlier this week from a heart attack. “The passing of John is a loss to the performing arts in South Africa and is going to leave a huge void in the whole of the arts community,” it said in a press statement.

Death of John Matshikiza
NEWSWATCH: John Matshikiza, newspaper columnist, actor, director and producer, last night died after suffering a heart attack while dining at a restaurant in Melville, Johannesburg, reports The Times Online.

Monitoring SA helps mental health fly - Cape Town International Kite Festival - Monitoring South Africa
Monitoring SA (MSA) is taking flight once again with Cape Mental Health, having committed to handling all media monitoring for the non-profit organisation's hugely popular Cape Town International Kite Festival in October 2008.

Village Voice and Village Mobile get a hot response at SA varsities - Student Village
Student newspaper Village Voice will hit South African campuses again in October 2008.


Latest ABC notice
The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) has released its latest notice concerning newspaper and magazine memberships (approved, terminated, suspended) and clear check audits. Download the ABC Notice No 7 2008 here.

Call to enter second Sony Ericsson Content Awards
Submissions for the second annual Sony Ericsson Content Awards, designed to honour outstanding achievements in mobile content development, are now open to all mobile developers who have created content, applications or services for Sony Ericsson mobile phones.

MTN launches MTN AnyTime
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] Africa's biggest cellphone service provider, Mobile Telephone Networks (MTN), has launched MTN Anytime, a new and radical pricing package, which will reportedly represent simplicity, flexibility and choice and kick off the ‘communication revolution'. The launch took place yesterday afternoon, Thursday, 18 September 2008, at the MTN Innovation Centre in Fairland, Johannesburg.

Mobile Marketing Forum lineup announced
NEW YORK, LONDON, UK, SINGAPORE & SAO PAULO: The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) confirmed yesterday, Thursday, 18 September 2008, that topic highlights for its Mobile Marketing Forum (MMF) in October will include cross media integration, social community campaigns, leveraging mobile for brand awareness, loyalty and direct response, mobile analytics and integration, business models, the mobile internet, mobile usage, and the iPhone's impact on mobile adoption.

Exactmobile/NORM royalty dispute continues
WASPA announced last week that it has reached an agreement with SARRAL whereby WASPA members who sign individually, will be granted mechanical rights for digital music sales, at a rate of 5% of the retail sales price. Exactmobile is the first WASPA member to sign with SARRAL.

Universities and schools worldwide rely on Clickatell for instant text messages - Clickatell
Mobile messaging provider, Clickatell, has announced the success of text messaging as a viable, primary communications channel for universities and schools worldwide to enhance professor-to-student, teacher-to-parent and educational institution-to-community contact.

Cell C Career Choice Expo exposes learners to diverse career opportunities - Cell C
This year, Cell C's second annual Career Choice Expo promises boy and girl learners from rural communities a variety of career opportunities presented by companies from a vast range of industries, while affording them the opportunity to interact with various career experts.

The “Big Picture” of the newspaper world
DARMSTADT, GERMANY: More than 320 exhibitors will show the expected 10 000 newspaper experts from 80 countries the “Big Picture” on more than 13 200 m^² stand space at IFRA Expo 2008 in Amsterdam.

Press ombudsman rules on M&G versus Bosasa
The Press Council announced on its website last week that the Press Ombudsman's Panel has dismissed most of the complaints brought by Bosasa Operations, SeaArk Africa and Gavin Watson against the Mail & Guardian for an article headlined "Big stink over R9bn prawn farm", published on 22 February 2008. The complainants argued that the article was inaccurate and defamatory. The panel ruled that there was one breach of the Press Code by the newspaper in that it did not give the company an opportunity to respond to one of the allegations in the story.

No cure for spam or the common cold?
[Dr James Blake] Three decades have passed since Gary Thuerk sent the first unsolicited email to around 400 Arpanet users, inviting them to see Digital Equipment Corporation's new System-20 computer. Thirty years on, the Digital Equipment Corporation has ceased to exist, Arpanet has morphed into the Internet, and spam has grown in volume.


The Business Centre - rebirth of an icon - The Business Centre
Serviced office, virtual office, any office... As more and more people access the Internet and search for relevant information, the more crucial it is to keep your company's website fully up to date, and easy to find online. This was the view of The Business Centre, building up to the launch of its new information-focused website.

Stonewall+ expands with launch of online media company - Stonewall+ Media
The digital marketing agency Stonewall+ recently launched a stand-alone online media agency in the form of Stonewall+ Media - the digital media agency.

The Business Centre - goes online and gets found - JD Internet Consulting
As more and more websites go live on a daily basis, the more challenging it becomes to find exactly what you are looking for. JD Internet Consulting was selected as the preferred company to help relaunch The Business Centre's new-look website.

Bizwave.co.za - Growing and developing South African entrepreneurship - Bizwave
According to Bizwave, its website is growing in leaps and bounds as more and more South Africans are joining the site to develop their business ideas, collaborate with like-minded individuals and get exposure to interesting and exciting business opportunities.

Taxi TV fleet reaches milestone
“Having launched the first in-taxi TV channel in Africa in 2007, we are pleased to announce that our 1000th screen has gone into one of the many Quantum taxis we use for this product offering,” said Jacques du Preez, MD at Provantage Media, yesterday, Monday, 15 September 2008.


Primedia Face 2 Face protégé shines at Small Business Awards - Primedia Face 2 Face
Primedia Face 2 Face's Lebo Malepa has had a good year! Earlier on in 2008 he was given the opportunity to be part of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants' Black Entrepreneur Initiative (BEI) and this past week, after being nominated in the Radio 702 Small Business Awards, he came second out of 30 finalists selected.


Comutanet and Thokoman Peanut Butter spread the fun - ComutaNet
To raise awareness and educate South African commuters about Thokoman's smooth and crunchy peanut butter, the company enlisted ComutaNet's branded taxi services to relay an advertising campaign throughout Gauteng and Thohoyandou (Limpopo) for a period of six months.

SA production house shoots Zain, Mitsubishi ads
Jeremy Goodall and feelgoodfilms have been at the helm of the re-branding of Celtel to the Middle Eastern and African service provider, Zain and have journeyed through South Africa to Mozambique to produce a playful yet daring Mitsubishi ad.


Become a video star with the MAMAs
Budding music video creators and music fans across Africa are being given an opportunity to shine at the first ever MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain (MAMAs), with the My Video Award contest. In an award category dedicated to the ‘MeTV' digital generation, MTV's My Video Award salutes music videos created for and by MTV viewers.


Scandal's new title sequence gets the gossip flowing - Masters & Savant
One of South Africa's best loved daytime dramas, Scandal, has gone under a facelift to present a new title sequence that reflects the show's intrigue and volatility.


Don't try this at home - Refinery Visual Effects - The Refinery
“Don't try this at home,” was the advice from Refinery's Flame artists, Iwan Zwarts after he and cohort, Jean du Plessis, wrapped up a mammoth post-production job for Samsung.


Frieze Film's Tanchel shoots Aero - Frieze Films
Frieze Films director, Steve Tanchel's, latest offering is a beauty spot for Aero. He shot the commercial on 35mm to use anamorphic lenses necessary to create the look: image quality that is rich and classic.


Smart production works creatively for Daihatsu and Generous Pictures - Generous Pictures
Production house Generous Pictures recently completed a television commercial for Daihatsu's Sirion.


Final call for all BUDS - The Refinery
The Refinery's Budding, Underexposed Directors Showcase initiative is upon us for 2008. It is a platform where long and short film directors get the chance to show off their talent.


Commercials Director Greg Gray ranked Top 10 worldwide - Velocity Films
Greg Gray of Velocity Films has been ranked in the Top 10 directors worldwide in this week's Bestads rankings.


Velocity ranked Top 20 in worldwide rankings - Velocity Films
Velocity is ranked in this week's Top 20 production company rankings for Bestads.


BFTV's Amazing shows - BFTV
Bragge Film and Television has just completed production on the 13-part five-minute reality show, “The OMO Amazing Challenge” and is well into production of the second season of "The Sunlight Khanya eKhaya Show". Both shows are the brainchildren of agency Minanawe and BFTV for client Unilever.


Creative Vision rocks the senses with Isuzu Gigamax launch - Creative Vision
On the strength of the four Isuzu commercials produced late last year, Momentum McCann commissioned Creative Vision yet again fora five-minute film combining live-action and animation.

The five most common problems first-time writers share - The Write Co.
[Amanda Patterson] I have run my course, Writers Write for five years now. I have learned so much from teaching novelists to dream their books into life. I have watched people struggle as they decide whether or not they need to attend a writing course. After many rejections and lots of reflection, they join.


Good perception management can keep your brand airborne - Crisis Communications Consultancy
Connecting with consumers and being able to hold their attention long enough to create and strengthen a relationship with a brand is a very time-consuming exercise. Companies who do not continuously listen to the needs and opinions of their brand's specific target market will end up damaging the perceptions of their brand.

Sentient Communications lends a hand to Sibongile and Home from Home - Sentient Communications
Sentient Communications recently signed Home from Home as a pro bono account. The non-profit organisation assists in establishing and facilitating community-based foster homes.

Bullard joins Radio Today
BREAKING NEWS: Controversial former Sunday Times columnist David Bullard has joined 1485 Radio Today, a not-for-profit, wholly owned business empowerment, job creation and skills development initiative of JAFTA, Drive Alive, NOAH, CHOC and The Salvation Army, it was announced yesterday evening, Wednesday, 17 September 2008. He will be hosting a feature called Media Today on Mondays, 11.30am to 12 noon. [audio]

Graham Willcock new RadMark MD
Radio media sales house RadMark has appointed Graham Willcock as its new MD, it announced this morning, Wednesday, 17 September 2008. Radmark represents five of South Africa's leading regional radio stations.


Help Heart 104.9FM choose its rising star - Heart 104.9
This past weekend, 104.9FM unearthed some of Cape Town's most incredible talent in its auditions for the station's next Radio Star. Five finalists were selected by a board of judges and now the station relies on its listeners and the general public to determine who is going to be their future entertainment correspondent.

The Heroes of Comedy - saving the world one laugh at a time - Heart 104.9
Seven comedy superstars will be joining forces with the Absa Heartwarming Campaign to raise funds to uplift 17 disadvantaged schools in and around the Cape Metropole, with the biggest comedy festival show to date on 20 September 2008 at the Grand Arena, Grand West Casino, Cape Town.

AMPS 2008A: mixed fortunes for SA's media industry
SAARF's latest All Media and Products Survey - AMPS 2008A - is hot off the presses and SAARF CEO Dr Paul Haupt has summarised how each medium has fared. “In a sentence, only print and online have attracted more media consumers than they did in the previous release,” he reports.

UCT Unilever Institute and TNS Research Surveys launch Black Diamond 2008 - UCT Unilever Institute of Strategic Marketing
Since the UCT Unilever Institute and TNS Research Surveys first carried out their groundbreaking research on South Africa's burgeoning black middle class in 2005, much has happened that has affected the economic landscape.

GM foods must be labelled
The Department of Trade and Industry has finally handed down a ruling for mandatory labelling of genetically modified foods.

‘Amaizing' sandwich packaging ditches plastic, becomes tray
In another milestone in its Good business journey, Woolworths is switching from plastic to cardboard packaging for its ‘to go' range of sandwiches. The cardboard used in the new pack is certified as coming from a sustainable and well-managed forest, and while the transparent window may look like it's made from plastic, it's actually made from maize, another renewable resource.


Premium apple ale joins FAB market
Following the global trend of premiumisation in beer, the South African Breweries (SAB) announced earlier this week the introduction of a new premium apple ale in the flavoured alcoholic beverages (FAB) sector. Blakes & Doyle Premium Dry Apple Ale will hit the shelves on 1 October 2008.


Joburg market expands northwards
With a growing market base and innovative changes being implemented, the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market (JFPM) is fast transforming itself into a market leader, both locally and globally.

Hertz and AA Public Affairs - Good corporate citizens - Hertz Rent a Car
Nowadays, Corporate Social Responsibility is considered an integral part of any business. In line with this, Hertz and AA Public Affairs have partnered to provide an exclusive service to the 2200 villagers of Van Reenen village located between Harrismith and Ladysmith.

The power of positive thinking in sales
[John Boe] In aviation, the word "attitude" is a term that refers to the angle that the plane meets the wind, if the wings are level with the horizon and whether the aircraft is climbing or descending. The pilot who fails to take responsibility for the attitude of his or her aircraft is in serious trouble. And likewise, any leader who fails to control his or her thoughts and take responsibility for their attitude runs a similar risk.


OUTsurance celebrates R500 million in cash OUTbonus payments - OUTsurance
OUTsurance recently achieved a landmark total of R500 million in cumulative cash OUTbonus payments to its insurance clients.

National Geographic scoops Battle of Kruger
The world-famous South African ‘Battle of Kruger' amateur video, that has enjoyed more online views than any other video on the citizen journalism site, YouTube, is now the focus of a documentary by National Geographic that was screened on Nat Geo Wild in the UK yesterday, Sunday, 21 September 2008.

Businesses must pay TV licences - SABC
The SABC is challenging South African businesses to show their commitment to good corporate governance by renewing their business TV licences before the end of September 2008.


The ‘dead' 30-second spot comes to life
[Chris Moerdyk] While some research shows that the traditional 30-second TV commercial is in its death throes worldwide, it will not only come to life for just one day in the US next year, but will cock a snoot at cynics with a record rate of almost R1 million a second being put up in advance by at least a dozen big brands.

Online video offers new marketing opportunities for African tourism - Southern Africa Direct
The growing trend of viewing video on the web offers significant opportunities for southern Africa to market itself as an international tourism destination on the Internet. "Tourists are increasingly looking for multimedia-rich information on travel destinations when planning their holidays online," said Pierre van der Hoven, CEO of Southern Africa Direct, at the recent E-Tourism Africa conference held in Johannesburg.


Zuma-Mbeki saga to get the 3rd Degree
3rd Degree will unpack the issues surrounding the Zuma-Mbeki saga, from ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema's mouthings off to the recent High Court ruling that found the prosecution of the ANC president invalid, next week Tuesday, 23 September 2008, at 8pm.

e.tv media sponsor for 2008 Soweto Festival
On Wednesday 24 September 2008, on Heritage Day, an improved and bigger 2008 Soweto Festival kicks off, with e.tv as media partner. e.tv will commence with a live broadcast 6am - 8am with its morning show, Sunrise. In addition, eNews Channel anchors will be at an eNews Channel stand sharing information with attendees regarding the TV industry. At 11.15am on the same day, journalists Iman Rappetti and Jeremy Maggs will discuss the TV industry, the media in general and about various careers in TV. Throughout the festival, there will be an autocue and camera for people to try their hand at presenting and a large screen playing the footage of them. The festival will take place for the first time at the University of Johannesburg Soweto campus on Old Potch Road and runs until Sunday 28 September.