Brands have feelings too!

MARFA's second annual conference is being held in Cape Town on March 1 - 2 at the Alphen Hotel; and in Johannesburg on March 8 - 9 at the Sunnyside Park Hotel in Parktown, Johannesburg.

Speakers Robert Heath and Roy Langmaid both bring insights into the "EQ" of brands that will help people in the advertising industry, researchers and marketers understand more about the arcane world of the life of a brand. And instead of the standard conference fare of "five-speakers-a-day-and-questions-and drinks", the pair will have a full day each at the venues to share their insights.

Robert Heath will speak about 'Measuring the emotive power of advertising', and he will draw on his experience of the last four years, during which he has published numerous papers and articles, lectured in many different countries around the world, and been awarded prizes from both the International Journal of Adverting and the UK Market Research Society. His best-selling monograph 'The Hidden Power of Advertising' is on its fourth reprint.

Roy Langmaid, who starred at last year's MARFA conference, will examine why so many brands suffer from 'The pain of premium', where expectations are set so high that consumer disappointment is almost inevitable.

His work with customers, brands and staff over the last 10 years has left him with the impression that there is a growing gap between what companies promise people and what they are perceived to deliver - an image/reality gap.

For details on participating in this innovative conference, go to www.marfa.co.za to register.