Why the 99c pricing policy?
Since the demise of the 1 and 2 cent coins, why do retailers still advertise goods with 99c tagged on the end? 3 Jul 2006
Poor pay for writers
Why are PR companies getting away with offering pathetic salaries for experienced writers? 7 Jun 2006
Car ads cluttering Tuesday nights
Tuesday is my TV night, and all my friends know not to call, interrupt, phone for a moan or even pop in. (Yes, I know I'm getting old.) With the likes of 'Smallville', 'Prison Break' and '24' on, supper is made early and then the couch marathon starts. 'Smallville' is sponsored by Citroen, 'Prison Break' by Peugeot, '24' by Kia... 24 May 2006
Tap ads damaging the brand?
The new Isca tap ad campaign currently on TV shows taps "so good you won't want to do certain things in front of them" - or some other lame line. Am I alone in thinking that they are damaging the image of the brand? 16 May 2006
Help: How does one disconnect from the ad world and become normal again?
I've been in the industry for many years and feel as though it has changed me for the worse! 14 May 2006
Is there a way to evaluate web coverage?
How do we realistically attach a monetary value to editorial placed on the web? 5 May 2006
Not a PRISA member
I am a Public Relations Officer in the local government section. I need somebody to explain to me what am I missing by not being a PRISA member. 4 May 2006
DAB pilot transmissions
DAB radio has been available on a test basis in Gauteng since 1997. One analogue VHF frequency will enable seven digital channels to broadcast in the same bandwidth. Why has it not been licensed here? 26 Apr 2006
Have we become award obsessed?
Every recruitment ad demands 'award winning portie'. Every agency demands award winning ads. Are we in the business of selling our clients products or in the business of winning awards? 8 Mar 2006
Are smaller PR companies getting the short end of the stick?
The Public Relations industry as a business in South Africa is seriously facing dangerous waters. With the burgeoning of a zillion smaller PR companies, clients have picked up the scent of desperation in the air as consultancies clamour for a piece of the pie, to the extent that the industry as a whole is losing its weighting. 5 Mar 2006
Does my employer own every idea I conceptualize?
I'm employed to produce a certain TV show, but when I come up with a concept for a new show (totally different from the one I work on) why should my employer own MY concept? 2 Mar 2006
Same character over and over in ads - dangerous?
I sometimes find that in such ads, one ends up paying attention to the character and not what is being advertised. 28 Feb 2006
Corne & Twakkie - Indeed the most outrageous show
What could possibly be the entertainment value of this show? Why does every Afrikaans sitcom or series have to depict this nationality as the most backward race ever to grace the history of culture? 20 Feb 2006
Employers to be held accountable for piracy
With the ever increasing bandwidth, albeit a painfully slow progress, available in SA, music and video piracy is spiralling rapidly out of control. 13 Feb 2006
The future of magazines?
There's a new "magazine" that doesn't seem to be a magazine because it is not printed, but is on a disc (CD). Is this perhaps the future of publications? 5 Feb 2006
Barbaric Fear Factor
I'm disgusted and disappointed in Fear Factor and e.tv for actually broadcasting such a barbaric program. The poor people desperate for R250 000 are blinded by money and the contracts they signed are for cheap entertainment. 24 Jan 2006
Should audiences be warned about ''hidden'' or ''stealth'' advertising?
The Writers Guild of America, with backing from the Screen Actors Guild, has called for a code of conduct to govern the growing trend of hidden advertising in TV shows and films. 24 Jan 2006
Billboards taking over the suburbs
Are we allowing our suburbs to be overtaken by billboards and ad poles and is there a line to what should be advertised on them? 10 Jan 2006
Response rates
Concern around misconceptions by people who clearly do not know what they are talking about. 17 Nov 2005
Cinemas practising ''reduced prices ploy''
I recently went to the East Rand mall to see a movie. Upon my arrival I was told that the cinema has upgraded to "Classic" at a price of R35 or so, and no longer R12 on Tuesdays. 15 Nov 2005
What software helps marketers stay organized?
What tools are the best for bringing email, files, RSS, and other information sources together? 13 Nov 2005
No ho-ho!
The season of - "Oh hell, it's Noel" seems to come around a little faster each year, or are the retailers attempting to talk us in to Christmas specials earlier each year, in the hope that by the time that Christmas finally arrives, we will have been back for a second or third chance at the 'special offers'? 8 Nov 2005
Do you use Google to research people that you plan to employ?
One thing that I do is look up companies that I am either going to do some work for or if I am going for a job interview with them. I was just not sure if it work the other way round or do they take your CV at face value and a bit of work you have done on a CD. 7 Nov 2005
Corporate abuse of editors
A recent job ad called for 'editors' who would double up as sales consultants for all intents and purposes. 31 Oct 2005
Lack of support for local artists
I have a few pressing questions regarding support from the media for up and coming local artists that I just don't seem to have answers for. 30 Oct 2005
Smith and Pinkett hide themselves in cupboard
There have been a number of discussions centred on language and its use in the media, but for us whipcrackers even a dying hobbyhorse can do with a bit more flogging. 26 Oct 2005
The role of a press club
What role should a press club play in the media world, and what should it aim for? 10 Oct 2005
SABC TV commissioning
One production house is responsible for two sitcoms and some drama on SABC TV. Is it because there are not enough production houses to do the work or is this one particularly above the rest? 9 Oct 2005
