It seems the issue of media ownership is one that won't go away. Proponents of diversity in media ownership maintain that without it, media ownership will continue to fail to drive diversity in content. On a sadder note, will Femina fold? So far Media24 management maintains no decision has been taken, while insiders (and some outsiders) seem to reckon it's only a matter of time. The question of course is this: are Femina's woes symptomatic of a wore widespread malaise? Are other South African magazines in trouble, and is Femina just the first (this year)? OK, enough of that, now for some good news! What a refreshing departure from what is too often the norm... Instead of threatening Yuppiechef with legal action, hanging, drawing and quartering, life behind bars, and all the rest of it - which is too often what big business does in this country when it comes to certain issues - Woolworths responded in kind to Yuppiechef holding its Lovebird to ransom. It responded with humour, and a bigger than "demanded" donation for Yuppiechef's pet charity, Soil for Life. Both companies have come up smelling of roses but the biggest winner of all, however, is Soil for Life. The grand total in donations pledged by Yuppiechef and its fans, by 56 minutes to midnight last night, Valentine's Day, Sunday, 14 February 2010, was R100 000. Now isn't that nice? Everyone a winner - and not a lawyer's nasty letter in sight. Nine days and counting until Design Indaba! Simone Puterman & Rod Baker PS In this week's Ornico Ad Showcase, we feature TV ads for FNB, Neotel, White Star, Enterprise and VW Polo, and radio ads for Dial Direct, Exclusive Books, Nestlé Aero, Abtronics and Tracker.
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.