In the current economic climate, brand owners and marketing managers are starting to feel the pressure – cash flows are restricted and therefore marketing budgets are cut, sales are lower as consumers are feeling very uncertain and not spending their money. Brands have to find new and innovative ways to retain and attract customers. However, tough times also create opportunities, and companies should use this period to invest in their brands to ensure future success. Brands need to focus on driving value, offer quality and be reliable in order to build strong relationships with consumers. This is also a time to look for new and creative ways to grow your brand.Knowledge Resources is proud to bring you Branding 2009 - 3rd Annual Conference, an insightful and very relevant event that will give you the opportunity to hear from leading branding experts as they discuss all the issues, hot topics and opportunities around this challenging time. The conference will take place in Johannesburg on 10 – 11 June 2009. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this exciting event! Hot topics and speakers confirmed include:

• Coca-Cola case study: Owning Brand CoolZayd Abrahams, Business Unit Strategic Marketing Manager, Coca-Cola Trademark South Arica
• Nando’s case study: What makes our advertising & branding stick!Sylvester Chauke, National Marketing Manager, Nando’s
• Why and how marketers should be spending in the current economic climateDali Tembo, Head Strategist & Shirley Wakefield, Business Unit Director, Instant Grass
• Riding the rollercoaster – Innovation in a recessionAlison Tucker, Innovation Director, Added Value
• Managing your brand through tough timesAnthony Swart, CEO, The Brand Union
• Aligning brand strategy to corporate strategy for sustainable growth Tom Fraser, Group Brand Executive, Murray & Roberts
• Brand to Hand Combat™ – investigating brand spend optimisation in tough economic timesDoug de Villiers, Group Chief Executive, Interbrand Sampson Group
• Using creative ideas and digital platforms to connect and interact with your audiencePete Case, Creative Director, Gloo Digital Design
• Brand equity management – a vital part of a value-based business strategyDr Dunja Kartte, Director: Projects & Knowledge Development, BBDO Consulting
• Building brands at critical customer moments of truth to delivery brand promise, build trust and brand commitmentKay Nash, CEO, Yellowwood future Architects
• Internal branding for competitive advantageSean McCoy, Founding member & CEO, HKLM
• Trends underpinning digital brand strategyPatrick Collings, Brand Architect, Sagacite
• Township brandingGill Mkhasibe, Joint MD, The Alternative Consultancy

• Brand citizenship - a framework for brand positioning and brand promiseDerick de Jongh, Director: Centre for Responsible Leadership, University of Pretoria

SPECIAL OFFER: The first 30 delegates to register for the full conference will receive a FREE copy of the book: ‘The Brand Bubble: The looming crisis in brand value and how to avoid it’ by John Gerzema & Edward Lebar (valued at R375). This book was voted #3 Best Business Book for 2008 from Amazon’s editors and 'Best Advertising and Marketing Book for 2008' from CEO Read. BOOK NOW – only a couple of books left for this special offer!RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY!!GROUP DISCOUNT: Register 3 delegates and the 4th delegate attends free of charge!Special discount available for NGOs, SMALL BUSINESSES & ACADEMICS – contact us for more information.CONFERENCE FEES: Two-day conference: R8 250 (incl. VAT) / One-day conference: R4 180 (incl. VAT)For more information about the programme, contact Maureen du Toit:maureen@knowres.co.za or phone +27 83 226 6657To BOOK YOUR SEAT, contact Maxine Pretorius: or phone: +27 11 880 8540