The good news: Telkom has increased its sponsorship of media conference Highway Africa, filling the vacuum caused by the SABC's financial woes. The bad news: the national broadcaster is shutting down five of its international news bureaux and scaling down on others. The downright scary: the Films and Publications Amendment Act 3 of 2009 has been signed into law, a strike against press freedom. In the meantime, South Africa continues to gear up for 2010, with various destination marketing organisations using Tourism Month this September, with its theme of "Celebrating Diversity", to promote their regions to the expected influx of domestic and foreign tourists next year. Thanks to Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency, last week I participated in a media and trade tour of the hidden gems of the Highveld Heritage route, which culminated in the launch of the Highveld Visitor Centre, a dream come true for larger-than-life mover and shaker Athol Stark. It's truly inspiring to see the results of private-public sector partnership passion and collaboration, especially in a community with such diverse cultures and challenges such as Ermelo. And to hear that accommodation reservations agency Heads On Beds (www.headsonbeds.co.za) is ploughing back 60% of its profits into tourism development for the area is even more inspiring. The whole of the world-class Highveld information and visitors services centre, which includes a luxurious conference facility upstairs, and all its marketing efforts have been funded by this initiative. What an example has been set for the rest of South Africa! Ke nako Simone Puterman PS In this week's Ornico Ad Showcase, we feature TV ads for Captain Morgan, Richelieu, Nike, Brothers for Life and Department of Health, and radio ads for Isuzu, Absa, Incredible Connection, Montecasino and Bid or Buy.
Please send all marketing and media news to marketingnews@bizcommunity.com and opinion pieces to contributors@bizcommunity.co. Responses to this column welcomed in our online editor's column archive or on our editorial blog: http://blog.bizcommunity.com.