Last week in this industry felt like a revolving door of hirings, firings, losses and resignations of some of the key people in our industry. Yvonne Johnston leaving the International Marketing Council (IMC) is a massive blow and she will be hugely missed by those in the industry who have seen her raise South Africa's brand profile internationally. There was some good news with John Farquhar celebrating his 80th birthday and 60 years in this industry - what a phenomenal achievement and I certainly hope that if he does retire at some stage, it will be to write his memoirs on this industry - should be a bestseller! Our condolences to our Cape Town colleagues in the industry on the death of the 'judge', veteran journalist Ronnie Morris, in his sleep. And of course, we get to David Bullard, who was fired by the Sunday Times last week for his latest column, described as 'racist'. That's quite a tag to hang on a professional, when we all know that the relationship between the Sunday Times and Bullard had broken down irrevocably some time ago. They were just waiting for their chance to strike it seems. And I find it quite ironic that the editors of the Sunday Times should fire him after publication and by phone. That's quite insulting to a columnist who has given more than a decade to helping raise the profile of a global brand and a handy abdication of their own responsibilities in publication in the first place. Columnists are supposed to be controversial, satirical and even offensive at times. It was his brief. Hanging him out to dry like they did in that manner is despicable. For both sides of the story, have a look at Chris Moerdyk's column today: https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/15/23692.html.
Have a good week. Louise Marsland, editor: editor@bizcommunity.com. All marketing news to: marketingnews@bizcommunity.com. Responses to this column welcome on our blog: http://blog.bizcommunity.com.