Election debate
Oh dear, just when you thought it was PC to ignore or ridicule all printed party propaganda, Patricia de Lille and the Independant Democrats go and produce an ad and poster campaign that is not only beautifully art directed but displays some seriously stylish fonts and relevant graphics as well [although I would have given the lady herself just a tad more retouching]. 24 Mar 2004
New Election Signage Design
Do we really need to look at the bad political print campaigns out on our streets? 22 Mar 2004
And the worst advertising campaign goes to...
There are some damn good adverts out there, hence Awards galore, But some campaigns really miss the mark. 21 Mar 2004
Comparative Advertising - is it okay in election ads?
In a recent radio spot the DA openly tell people not to vote ID, because it's a waste of a vote. Surely election advertising is subject to the same rules and regulations as the rest? Imagine Volkswagen saying don't buy Toyota because it's a waste of money! (or vice versa) 18 Mar 2004
Are the Sasol ads getting worse?
First it was the so called intelligent milk bottle, and now an intelligent plate. Both good ideas certainly, but a plate can't count calories because it would have no idea how the food placed on it was cooked in the first place. Boiled potatoes and fried potatoes will have completely different amounts of calories even if they weigh the same. 18 Mar 2004
Is the exclamation mark the most hated thing in advertising?
Is it possible that because of the sheer amount of ads yelling at them, that people will or have already stopped listening? 16 Mar 2004
Polka radio ad
There has been wide spread debate surrounding the lack of creativity and new ideas within our borders, I don’t for one second doubt the fact that we harbour some of the most creative and innovative individuals who produce work of such high quality and outstanding creativity. However once in a while there comes along an ad campaign that makes me seriously concerned... 15 Mar 2004
The Shame of Fools
Whoever did the “Quad Squad” campaign; you deserve to be in a wheelchair. Who in their right mind takes a project like National Disabled Day and turns it into something resembling a lucky packet competition? 10 Mar 2004
Has 5fm chosen the right target group?
Recent changes in the 5fm radio station has caused major changes in the pattens of demographic groups - is their positioning correct? 7 Mar 2004
Patronising Holcim Ad
A real squirming-with-shame ad in which the sum total of a young man's ambition seems to be laying bricks with Holcim cement. 4 Mar 2004
Sasol Milk Bottles
Highly watchable and entertaining ad but does it sell fictitious milk bottles or does it build the brand? 3 Mar 2004
Does one need a PR company to get press releases published?
If the product is innovative and exciting enough, surely newspapers and magazines will be easily convinced to write about it? 1 Mar 2004
Oscar Blunder...Who's to blame?
So, watching the four-hour long Oscar last night was great. It all ended in a glorious Charlize winning, and also Peter Jackson winning best director, making it a first for a Fantasy Film. 1 Mar 2004
Specialists
Advertising is a creative field yet students are still taught to follow one specialised discipline (copywriting, art directing, etc). Can creative people not be creative across a variety of disciplines? 23 Feb 2004
Tobacco Advertising or Not??
Well, Zuma took it away....a few jobs, and a few smaller agencies have seen the effect on the smaller guy, due to the ejection of Tobacco Advertising revenue. Did you feel it? 19 Feb 2004
The Problem with ''Embedded'' Journalists
"The last time he was a 'committed' Journalist, but now a 'high-flying' Public Relations executive". Are these areas the same? 11 Feb 2004
Judging a mag by its cover (and its ads)
The editor of Fairlady, Ann Donald, says that they will no longer be accepting ads for miracle weight-loss products. 9 Feb 2004
The Tastic ad with the Daschund
Can the ASA really take complaints about this one seriously? 2 Feb 2004
SABC's 3Bee Loyalty Campaign
I was already getting irritated with the distracting banners SABC3 continually run across the screen when programming is running late, and now we also have some little character bouncing around ... 2 Feb 2004
Fast foods and obesity
Fast food consumption went up in the nineties in line with the increase in obesity and diabetes. 1 Feb 2004
Job offers and rejections
What if a company advertises for a position, you apply, they show great interest, but then suddenly they stop and go quiet? Is this not poor professional conduct? 28 Jan 2004
Healthcare Advertising - you should be paying attention
As a highly-specialised form of advertising, why does healthcare advertising and the important role it plays in educating and influencing remain the poor cousin of mainstream advertising? 20 Jan 2004
IEC not in touch with SA roots
Is local not lekker for IEC after ten years of democracy? There is an IEC re-registor advert running on radio which encourages people to vote. The peculiar thing is the voice is that of American R&B singer. 16 Jan 2004
Open markets in SA
Are you happy with this monopoly system driving the country's economy, or do we need open markets? We should vote for politicians who will give competition a run in this country. 15 Jan 2004
Bank on South Africa
FNB have a new campaign promoting South Africa with reasons to bank on our country. 13 Jan 2004
Do these 'feel-good' ads really inspire goodwill?
The latest Shell ad lauds Shell's Public Affairs manager for his involvement in developmental and educational projects in Southern Africa. 8 Jan 2004
TV slots and dodgy advertising
What must be arguably THE WORST ad on TV at the moment!! There is an ad that I have seen a few times now on the telly. It is for some funny sweet manufacturer and involves two minutes or so of a kid dressed up as a ringmaster droning on about various examples of sweets. 4 Jan 2004
The new Cell-C campaign
Am I the only one out there who thinks that NO-ONE talks like they do in these ads? Not even the age group projected in the campaign knows what's going on! 16 Dec 2003
Xmas parties - Drinking & driving
I have been in the industry for quite a while and the amount of drinking at industry functions, followed by inebriated people driving home, has never ceased to amaze me. Media owners, clients, agencies etc. invite their guests to come have a good time with them (which more often than not means having loads to drink), but don't seem to care how these valued guests get home. 1 Dec 2003
