| No Comment |  With the raucous cry of the Vuvuzela still ringing in our ears and victory so fresh, it's no wonder most people are walking around today with these inane smiles on their faces. What a night Saturday was, one felt such pride this weekend seeing the majority of people dressed in green on Friday and Saturday, in fact right through to Sunday, flags flying high on cars and outside homes. It was a taste of things to come in 2010 and it would be great to see more marketers and advertising agencies getting in there with creative brand executions. I was somewhat disappointed at the lack of creativity in general advertising in capitalising on the fact that we were in the final and the ultimate win. We had some interesting activations such as the Steers green burger buns and Douglasdale Dairy's green 2lt bottles, but I expected a lot more. Apart from going green from Friday to today in a show of support for the Bokke, Bizcommunity.com also took the opportunity to relaunch our voting polls. Our first question, non-industry specific, but relevant given the excitement around the Rugby World Cup final, was: SA will win the world cup with a margin of, 1point to above 30 points…?. The majority voted for a 10 point winning margin for the Boks which was very close (30%); followed by 21% who thought we would win by 15 points; and 14.5% who thought it would be even closer, with a winning margin of 5 points. There was of course no room for doubt in the question as to whether we would win or not! The final score was: 15 Bokke - 6 England. (Just had to mention it again!)
Have a green-flavoured week. Louise Marsland, editor@bizcommunity.com. Marketing news: marketingnews@bizcommunity.com. Responses to this column welcomed on our blog.
| | | Headlines | 'Black Wednesday' honoured by media
New insight into future ‘township' markets
What does the black consumer want?
World Cup of TV for Joburg
South Africa mourns Lucky Dube
Online publishing conference marks 10 year anniversary
Industry collaboration key to success of mobile marketing
New look for FCB SA
Social networking growth to plateau in five years
People are your partners in communication
Does size still matter?
Bok burger with those fries?
Caxton, MPASA and the Media24 circulation affair
Police refute Sunday Times warrants
2007 SAB Enviro winners announced
How productive is SA?
SAARF calls for web-based AMPS proposals
Increase direct mail response rate by 30%
Bizcommunity adds ‘afropolitan' insight to its content
Start worrying about the digital revolution
The social marketing dilemma
Makeover for Business Report
Magazine publishing petty ping pong continues
An editor goes to jail? Does anyone care?
Social media tracking Times arrests
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Marketing | | What does the black consumer want?
 [Shiru Githiomi] As MD of Human Element Inc - Creators of The Lifestyle SA Festival, Celebrating Black!, I can appreciate first hand that operating in the business arena today requires one to rewrite the rule that says one should never mix business with pleasure. While a significant amount of market intelligence is gathered round the boardroom table, attending product launches, networking events, brand activations, and even learning to play golf, ensures that one doesn't miss what's written on the marketing arena wall.
Biz goes green for the Bokke!
 Readers may have noticed that Bizcommunity.com dropped our trademark red for Springbok green today to show our support for the Bokke on Saturday. We weren't the only ones, as South Africans around the country heeded the patriotic call and went green for the day. We have visuals… and sound!
South Africa mourns Lucky Dube
[Tshepiso Seopa] In less than a week, two prominent South African entertainers have been killed in Johannesburg - first Patrick ‘Kid' Mokoena, the Soul City actor who played the part of Thulasizwe, was shot dead in a bar in Jeppe in the early hours of Sunday morning. And now Reggae star Lucky Dube aged 43, has lost his life in a botched hijacking in Rosettenville, last night, Thursday 18 October.
Drivers for future growth
As marketers we all need to anticipate changes – those which impact directly on our business, as well as those which affect business indirectly. This year's annual UCT Unilever Institute members' meetings, taking place in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town next week, focus on “Drivers for future growth”
People are your partners in communication
[Faris Yakob] The idiom of marketing betrays some of the implicit assumptions that it is founded on. We have been at war with our customers. They are a target that we plan campaigns around, bursting media over them or employing guerrilla tactics. It's a war we simply can't win.
Bok burger with those fries?
 South Africans are currently experiencing green and gold fever while they wait in the hope of ambushing England and winning the 2007 Rugby World Cup on Saturday. In an effort to show their passion for rugby they will be wearing bok jerseys, waving flags out of their car windows and… consuming green goods if marketers have their way!
How productive is SA?
South Africa's latest productivity statistics were released earlier this week in Midrand, Johannesburg, along with the launch of a new corporate identity for the organisation. The National Productivity Institute has changed its name to Productivity SA.
Bizcommunity adds ‘afropolitan' insight to its content
 Shiru Githiomi, MD of Human Element Inc, and one of the three originators of ‘The Lifestyle SA Festival – Celebrating Black' will be writing a regular column for Bizcommunity.com on the so-called ‘Black Diamond' market to aid marketers in engaging with the savvy, market-aware ‘afropolitan consumer'.
Velocity honours the Springboks - Velocity Films
 Velocity honours the Springboks' achievements thus far with the Sasol commercial directed by Keith Rose – tomorrow “You have the power of a nation behind you”.
Milu empowers from within to achieve AA BEE Status - Milu
Milu, a leading marketing support, logistics and call centre specialist, has been awarded a AA BEE rating by the independent economic empowerment rating agency, Empowerdex. With 53.53% black ownership of which 36.15% is black woman ownership, Milu has achieved a AA Level 3 Contributor status in the Qualifying Small Business sector.
Searching for a digital media supplier on the web can be frustrating... - Digital Supplier
It can take all morning to search for suppliers on the web because you often have to sift through pages of irrelevant links. When you finally contact people from your short list you may wait for a week or two before the quotes come in.
Boss of the Year 2007 winner
For the second consecutive year, a woman walked away with the prestigious Boss of the Year trophy as
Imperial Car Rental CEO Dawn Jones was voted this year's top boss, beating five other top finalists for the key spot: Susan Jordaan, CEO, Coronation Hospital; Neels Roodt, project manager, Komati Power Station Project, Eskom Enterprises; Iqbal Survé, executive chairman, Sekunjalo; Dirk Uys, CEO, Van Schaik Group; Mardia van der Walt-Korsten, CEO, T-Systems. Organised by Dictum Publishers Pty Ltd, the award celebrates its 18th anniversary this year and aims to identify, recognise and reward bosses throughout South Africa for their attention to the needs of their workforce and their impressive leadership skills. The Transnet Foundation is the patron and main sponsor of the Award.
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Advertising | | New insight into future ‘township' markets
 [Louise Marsland] The integration and segregation of the formal vs the informal economy is the subject of a key ethnographic study which used a narrative approach, called ‘Township Stories', commissioned by McCann Worldgroup SA. The aim was to provide a point of reference for brands when communicating with this diverse group of South Africans which usually tend to be lumped together as the homogeneous ‘mass market' by marketers.
New look for FCB SA
 Draftfcb is the new name of FCB South Africa, SA's largest and longest-established advertising agency, which has a new look as well as new offices in Sandton. The move is to meet their global parent's new brand positioning to meet evolving client needs.
OpenAd Golden Drum idea winners
PORTOROZ, SLOVENIA: Graffitti BBDO Romania earlier this week walked off with the Big Idea Award at the OpenAd Golden Drum festival, which aims to bring the best creatives worldwide a chance to compete head to head without any restrictions dictated by a brief. Triumphing in the TV category was Friends Advertising Romania, and the Web Design Award was taken home by the Czech agency Wundermann.
Creative Circle results for August 2007
The Creative Circle results for August 2007 are finally out but when chairperson Fran Luckin was asked to provide comments on the standard of work entered for that month, she wondered if a minute's silence wouldn't be more appropriate. “The phrase ‘overall the standard was pretty low', is an understatement, although there were a couple of highlights in newspaper and TV," she said.
Start worrying about the digital revolution
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] The South African advertising industry faces tremendous pressures from the digital revolution, changing consumer behaviour and shareholders' obsession to make quick ‘bucks', delegates heard at Tony Koenderman's quarterly ‘Brainstorm' seminar in Johannesburg last week.
Countdown to Sake24 Financial Ad of the Year
One of the few newspaper competitions to run without a sponsor, Sake24's Financial Advertisement of the Year competition has garnered 10 entries, with the overall winner to be crowned on Wednesday, 7 November 2007.
Saatchi Africa Network MD appointed
Grant Meldrum, MD of Saatchi & Saatchi Johannesburg, has been appointed MD of the company's Africa Network in addition to his existing position, it was announced yesterday, 15 October 2007.
Red Cherry goes green - Red Cherry Advertising
Red Cherry Advertising are pleased to announce the acquisition of the EnviroServ account. As SA's biggest waste management company and leaders in sustainable waste management technology, EnviroServ is clearly committed to environmental issues.
Young DTP operator for advertising agency experimentation - Brainstorm Projects
 It has been but a mere two months since Dee Tee Pete was unleashed on the world at Bizcommunity.com and already he seems set to take over the world. The support that the cartoon strip has been receiving has been, and remains, phenomenal, with agencies, design houses and independent artists scrambling to be the next to decide the fate of Dee Tee Pete.
Get smashing and win... - Black Khaki
 In the spirit of Halloween and all things chilling and creepy Black Khaki has launched their new competition game Attack of the Killer Pumpkins. The tailor-made Advergaming solutions developed by Black Khaki Digital put the fun back into branding while getting a strong advertising message across to a specific target audience.
Globecreative service delivery model effective globally - Globecreative Advertising and Design
 During a visit to the UK last month, Cape Town-based Globecreative Advertising and Design established a number of new working relationships with some of the biggest clients and ad agencies in London.
What's the point of CSI? - Globecreative Advertising and Design
 In the last few months, Globecreative Advertising has been involved in several CSI ad campaigns and related design projects. Among these were Media24's campaigns focusing on the eradication of illiteracy and PDI career development in SA due to its relevance in the industry.
The Bigger Picture now has sole representation rights to Reuters images in SA - The Bigger Picture
 Reuters, one of the world's largest international multimedia news agencies, has signed an agreement with The Bigger Picture to distribute images and graphics to publishers as well as advertising communication professionals in South Africa.
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| | Branding | | | Idea Engineers will grow your brand, reputation & business. | |  |
| | | Nashua Insure branding account awarded
MGM Brand Construction & Advertising recently secured the Nashua Mobile contract to assist with the launch of the company's new car and home contents insurance solution, Nashua Insure. According to MGM's MD, Deon Kruger, MGM will be intricately involved in developing the product positioning and entire brand communication strategy, which will encompass both above- and below-the-line elements.
Brands & Branding 2007 launch success - something is cooking in our kitchen - Affinity Brands & Branding
 Almost 300 of South Africa's leading brand owners, marketers and communications professionals gathered at Taboo in Sandton last night for the successful launch of the 13th edition of the Encyclopaedia of Brands & Branding in South Africa.
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Cinema | | A cinematic journey through Latin America
The annual Latin American and Caribbean Film Festival has returned with a selection of award-winning films from nine countries. From Argentina to Venezuela, this year's festival – now its fourth year – depicts a diverse and fascinating range of stories, experiences and landscapes across the region. Currently showing at Brooklyn Cinema Nouveau screened by Jameson (Pretoria) until 18 October 2007, the festival moves to Rosebank, Johannesburg, between 19 – 25 October, with daily screenings at 5.30pm and 8.15pm.
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| | Design | |  |
| | | Early bird registration for Design Indaba
The Design Indaba Expo's growth looks set to continue for the 2008 edition, with Interactive Africa reporting that 75% of the expo is already sold out and 35% of the exhibitors are first timers. The organisers are also encouraging early bird registration for the Design Indaba Conference, as the conference – which has a capacity of 1500 delegates – has been sold out two years in a row.
Great Stock! offers brand-new OJO Image collection - Great Stock!
 OJO Images is an all-new image collection, but brings together seasoned and proven talents, including a group of award-winning photographers with a clear desire to be the ultimate in royalty free imagery.
ITN Source serves up new, creative HD video content - ITN Source
ITN Source continues to expand its moving image collections with four new representation deals, giving the broadcast and creative production industries access to more unique footage.
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Digital | | ICASA draft regulations on 112 emergency centres
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has published draft regulations on access to 112 Emergency Centres. In September 2007, the Minister of Communications issued policy directions in which ICASA was directed to prescribe a list of emergency numbers to which the public would have continued access, even during a period of disconnection.
Social networking growth to plateau in five years
LONDON: Virtual communities and online social networking sites are providing a new, powerful and extremely popular medium for human connection. In a new report, independent market analyst Datamonitor expects global active memberships in social networking sites to reach 230 million at the end of 2007.
The social marketing dilemma
[Roelof Vermeulen] We all want it, a share in that big piece of cake that sites such as Facebook and Myspace obtained in such a short time. Radio stations are discussing them, employers are banning them and the Internet consumers love them. But what is the big deal all about and just how can business benefit from these growing social networks and using their strategies?
Mac OS X Leopard at Digicape - Digicape Apple Centre
Mac OS X Leopard, packed with more than 300 new features, is now available to pre-order at digicape.co.za at special prices for single users and families.
Stonewall+ and Chevrolet play nice - Stonewall+
Digital marketing agency, Stonewall+ recently launched a new General Motors website for the Chevrolet Captiva SUV that is themed in line with the brand campaign of “Play Nice”, whereby couples challenge each other for the use of the car, and use the traditional game of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Asia domain names
Earlier this month the new domain name is .asia became available for trademark proprietors to register. Like the .eu domain name, the .asia domain name is designed to serve the Asian Pacific region. There is a limited sunrise period to register names that correspond with your Asian trade mark registrations (eg trademark.asia) or trade names before these domain names become available to the general public.
Playing by the numbers
Three weeks after wireless broadband provider iBurst reached the 50 000 subscriber milestone, its total nationwide complement of base stations stands at 200. “We switched on our 200th base station a full three months ahead of schedule which is pretty impressive if you consider that site approvals can take over a year,” says Thami Mtshali, iBurst CEO. The latest iBurst base station is located in Randburg.
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Direct Marketing | | Sponsorship support for Assegais
Some of the industry's biggest names have already come onboard to align their philosophy and vision in support of this year's DMA Assegai Awards. The South African Post Office was first to step on board as the key presenting sponsor, followed by a host of well-known South African brands, including MTN and Absa.
Increase direct mail response rate by 30%
 [Konni Hoferichter] "Dear Homeowner" direct mails are generally annoying to recipients, and invariably the first letters to be turfed. This fact means financial loss and wastage to companies using this form of marketing. For this reason, many efforts are being made to improve the effectiveness of direct mail marketing.
Creating a platform for dialogue - Provantage Media
Direct marketing through brand activation has gained a great deal of traction in the eyes of marketers, as well as the ever evolving South African consumer in recent years. With the abundance of one-way communication, through the cluttered mediums of television, radio and print media, brands require effective ways to extend and cement their share-of-mind, as well as a share-of-pocket with consumers.
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| | Education and Training | | | Create a Better World | |  |
| | | Is the profit motive dead? - SoulCircle
Is the final bastion of business as we know it, the profit motive, about to implode? In his new book, Value through Values, Economics communicator and author, Jerry Schuitema examines the rapidly changing business environment, and examines a values-driven business model, and what it means for business leadership, labour, consumers and the country.
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Eventing | | First 46664 international artists announced
The first international artists who have confirmed their involvement in the fifth International 46664 World AIDS Day concert were revealed yesterday, Monday, 15 October 2007. With six weeks to go before the concert at Johannesburg's Ellis Park Stadium on 1 December, Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox, Ludacris, Corinne Bailey Rae, Goo Goo Dolls, Razorlight, and Jamelia have already pledged their support to perform for Nelson Mandela. A further announcement of international and South African artists will be made when the former South African president announces the final lineup at a press conference on 29 October.
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Magazines | | Baby mag reaches 100th issue milestone
 Alchemy Publishing this week released the 100th issue of its Baba & Kleuter magazine. Commenting on this milestone, editor Helen Schöer says that she feels very proud of the success of the title: “Baba & Kleuter has already been around for eight years, and continues to grow from strength to strength.”
Jet Club Magazine readership soars above three million mark - The Publishing Partnership
 Retail brand Jet is once again laying claim to South Africa's most widely read publication, the Jet Club magazine. The 2007 AMPS (All Media & Products Study) figures released this week show an impressive 212000 new readers for Jet Club, taking the total readership over the three million mark to 3074 million readers, over one million readers more than its closest competitor.
Launch of ‘The Olivers' – South Africa's very own BEE Oscars - Top Companies Publishing
The search is on for South Africa's most empowered businesses, recognising and celebrating Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) in companies across the country. Now in its seventh year, the Oliver Empowerment Business Awards is inviting empowered organisations in all sectors to submit their credentials for this glittering awards ceremony, set to attract industry titans and aspiring businessmen alike.
What you need to know about financing an SME - Succeed
Entrepreneurs are faced with a variety of constraints when looking to finance an SME. They do not know what is needed to meet the criteria or even what banks are looking for when considering financing an SME start-up business. Due to lack of collateral and credit records, many South African SMEs struggle to access funding.
FM launches The Little Black Book
The FM's quintessential business, social and political directory, The Little Black Book, is due to be launched on the 24 October 2007. In its seventh year of publication, The Little Black Book represents a collection of South African black professional men and women who epitomize exemplary leadership. The highlight of the launch will be the crowning of Dr Nthato Motlana, community leader and leading businessman, as 2007 Lifetime Achiever Award winner.
Magazine publishing petty ping pong continues
After the Caxton statement yesterday, slamming the Magazine Publishers Association of SA for unnamed sins against publishing, but getting their point across that they are far from happy with the way the MPASA has handled the sorry saga of the Media24 circulation fraud, the MPASA hit back today, Friday 19 October, reconfirming that the majority of its board members had voted to retain Patricia Scholtemeyer, beleaguered Media24 magazines GM, as chair of the MPASA. MPASA deputy chair, Julia Raphaely said: “The MPASA board stands by its decision.”
So who's the sexiest guy in SA?
The January 2008 issue of Cosmopolitan includes a free Sexiest SA Men Calendar featuring Cosmo's picks for the 12 sexiest guys in South Africa. The main sponsors are 1st For Women Insurance and the House of Lenthéric. Any reader who votes for her favourite of the 12 SA hotties stands the chance to win some great prizes – plus, if she is a Gauteng resident, two tickets to the Sexiest SA Men Calendar launch party in January 2008. The sexiest men are: Aidan Bennetts, Lungelo, Oscar Pistorius, Ryan Botha, Paulo Fernandes, Jacques Terr'blanche, Ntando, Ryk Neethling, Janez Vermeiren, Stephen Friedman, Maurice Paige and Max Mmethi.
10th Swimwear edition now available
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Sports Illustrated's iconic Swimwear edition, brought to you by Nashua, and to mark the occasion it features the sun-kissed bodies of South Africa's most beautiful models in the summer's hottest bikinis. Photographers Settimio Benedusi, Warwick Saint and Wahb Mabkhout captured the models on location at Pangkor Laut off the coast of Malaysia. The cover model is Dominique Piek.
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| | Media | | | Recruitment - Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations, Media Sales | |  |
| | | 'Black Wednesday' honoured by media
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] Thirty years after the infamous Black Wednesday, 19 October 1977, which saw the apartheid regime ban The World and Weekend World newspapers and Pro Veritate (a Christian publication), alongside 19 black organisations and detain scores of critics, the SABC and SANEF jointly organised the third Media and Society Conference to remember the sad event and debate the way forward on media freedom.
SA is 43rd in World Press Freedom Index
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] South Africa has been ranked 43rd in the Worldwide Press Freedom Index published this week by Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), performing slightly better than the so-called world's top guardian of freedoms and rights, the United States, which is ranked a distant 48th.
Amendment bill is unconstitutional – SANEF
Earlier this week, a five-person delegation of the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) made representations about the unconstitutional aspects of the Films and Publications Amendment Bill before the Select Committee on Social Services of the National Council of Provinces, which is considering the bill following its approval by the National Assembly. In addition, the SANEF delegation outlined other aspects of the bill which it says attacks press freedom.
Media faces new threat in Swaziland
The Swazi media faces a new threat following a call by Parliament for government to pilot the contentious Media Council Bill within eight weeks.
Caxton, MPASA and the Media24 circulation affair
Caxton magazines, in a statement yesterday, Wednesday, 17 October 2007, believe that the Magazine Publishers Association of SA (MPASA) response to the whole Media24 circulation matter “was, and remains, reprehensible, and has tarnished the good name of the magazine industry and the ABC”.
Police refute Sunday Times warrants
[Simone Puterman] NEWSWATCH: Western Cape police commissioner Mzwandile Petros yesterday, Tuesday, 16 October 2007, called a press conference in which he denied that there were any pending warrants for the arrest of Sunday Times editor Mondli Makhanya and head of investigations Jocelyn Maker in connection with the alleged theft of health minister Manto Tshabala-Msimang's medical records, reports The Times [see Zoopy videos on our blog]. Meanwhile, the Nelson Mandela Foundation has released a statement supporting press freedom in South Africa, according to Business Day, which also reports on the latest objections in Parliament yesterday by media organisations concerning the controversial Films and Publications Amendment Bill .
2007 SAB Enviro winners announced
Green and brown issues took centre stage at the SAB Environmentalist of the Year and Environmental Journalists of the Year Awards, which were held at the SAB World of Beer in Newtown, Johannesburg, last week. Journalist winners were Karl Ammann in the broadcast category and Elise Tempelhoff of Beeld in the print and Internet category.
Changes for financial journalism award
The leading financial and personal finance journalists of South African can now compete directly with one another in the same category, following changes made to the Citadel Words on Money Journalism award, announced yesterday, Monday, 15 October 2007.
Monitoring South Africa once again takes the lead by launching a Daily Analysis Product - Monitoring South Africa
MSA will be launching its new Daily Analysis Product on 1 November 2007. The product will provide a daily view of a company's media heartbeat, making it easier to determine the impact of media coverage on a company's reputation immediately.
An editor goes to jail? Does anyone care?
NEWSWATCH: While journalists froth with outrage in the mainstream media and on social media channels over the impending Sunday Times arrests, there is a worrying noticeable lack of general public support. Many people seem to see this as a clear-cut case of theft of someone's medical records and feel the media should be prosecuted for that. It is concerning that the public do not see the bigger picture of media harassment, the public interest debate or how extraordinarily heavy-handed the State is being on the editors involved. One of the most balanced reports on the whole saga is from journalism professor Anton Harber, himself a veteran of state harassment of the media under apartheid: An editor goes to jail? Does anyone care?
Social media tracking Times arrests
NEWSWATCH: The Times has set up a dedicated channel on micro-blogging aggregator Jaiku at http://jaiku.com/channel/mondli (mobile: http://m.jaiku.com/channel/mondli), for tracking blog posts, comments and media articles concerning the imminent arrest of Sunday Times editor Mondli Makhanya and head of investigations Jocelyn Maker in connection with the medical records of health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang. For other social media activations, go to the Bizcommunity blog post, [Sunday Times] Social media for press freedom.
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| | Mobile | |  |
| | | Industry collaboration key to success of mobile marketing
The future of the mobile marketing industry will be shaped when brands can see how mobile can be used successfully within marketing and advertising campaigns, thereby investing in mobile marketing more. This was a key point at the Mobile Marketing Association's (MMA) international Mobile Marketing Forum in Barcelona, Spain, last week.
SA mobisode makes MIPCOM shortlist
Ochre Media's ‘mobisoap' Drawn was one of 12 shortlisted entries out of 288 other international made-for mobile and/or Internet productions, submitted from 38 countries, at last week's international television market MIPCOM, held in Cannes, France.
Mobile phone companies face sanctions over service shortfalls
[Emily Nyarko] MTN and OneTouch mobile telephone have been given up to 30 days to put their operations in order so as not to attract sanctions from the National Communications Authority (NCA) of Ghana.
Nigeria prepares for 3G services
[Jonah Iboma] Third Generation (3G) mobile services could become operational in Nigeria in the next few weeks after the four GSM operators reported that tests for the release of the services had been successful.
MXit speaks everybody's language - MXit
MXit, the mobile instant messaging solution that offers users a simple and inexpensive way to stay in touch with one another, has further broken down the barriers to effective communication by launching the solution in three more of South Africa's official languages.
Fuel Group launches South African mobile advertising network - Fuel Ad Network
Online marketing company Fuel Group recently launched Fuel Mobile, a mobile advertising network which is currently delivering over 100 million mobile ad impressions a month.
Voicemail-to-text launches in Africa
Last week Vodacom launched what is reportedly the first voicemail-to-text service in Africa. The service, which will be marketed to Vodacom customers as Voicemail2SMS, was created by UK company SpinVox in 2003 and first launched to consumers in 2004. Customers will be able to view English language voicemails as text messages, see who called, and with one simple click, choose to call or text back directly. SpinVox works with any Vodacom SMS-enabled mobile handset and requires no software download.
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Newspapers | | Makeover for Business Report
Independent Newspapers' financial daily Business Report has not only been redesigned to make it "an easier, more accessible and exciting read" but it has beefed up its coverage of business, economic and financial news. The revamp went live today, Tuesday, 16 October 2007.
Sunday Sun answers to the needs of advertisers and readers - Sunday Sun
On 7 October Sun Careers, the brand new recruitment section of Sunday Sun was launched last week. The initiative is partly in response to reader requests for a recruitment section but also to offer advertisers the opportunity to reach the middle-level backbone of industry in South Africa through the brand Sunday Sun.
Fever online puts the community first – again! - Sky Blue Media
Launching at the South Coast Fever's 10th birthday celebration recently, Fever online was developed specifically to encourage interaction with its various communities and encourage community journalism.
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| | | Online publishing conference marks 10 year anniversary
It was 10 years ago that local pioneering websites like the Mail & Guardian and Ananzi were joined by iafrica.com, the MWeb portals and the tricky business of publishing online was launched in South Africa. While great strides have been made, the industry faces many challenges, including how to get advertisers to spend more online.
Internet offers “massive opportunity” to reach millions - Clickmaven
Millions of well-heeled South African consumers are going online to work, shop and play, but businesses are still slow to exploit the massive opportunity the internet offers to win new customers, says Ferdie Bester, MD of online marketing specialists ClickMaven.
Justmoney.co.za kickstarts sales of personal finance products online - Habari Media
A new website designed to help people save money on their bank accounts, credit cards and mortgages, aims to change the way banks and financial services providers use the Internet to sell personal finance products.
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| | Out Of Home | |  |
| | | New innovative player enters outdoor market - Meso Outdoor
As a young company entering this challenging industry we have succeeded in securing 14 approvals from the local authorities in Centurion, Pretoria East, the N4 Witbank Highway, Randburg and Braamfontein.
The Linear Banner Wall - Right Stuff
 Right Stuff has diversified the Linear Stand range to include the Linear Banner Wall, the latest in banner wall products. As with the Linear Stand, the Linear Banner Wall doubles as a banner display, as well as a brochure/product holder.
Bold bus branding
Motorists, commuters and pedestrians can expect close-up views of the new-look SK Fino branded buses as they drive around town promoting chic accessories. Italian goods manufacturer SK Fino, a four-consecutive-year ComutaNet client, recently extended its advertising contract for another year. Part of the campaign includes re-branding buses with bold designs that bring the fashion flair of SK Fino leather goods to South African consumers.
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Production | | Partnership to uplift African music industry
MTV Networks Africa and Shell earlier this week announced that they are partnering in Africa for the first time in a campaign designed to boost Africa's contemporary music industry. Starting October 2007, MTV base and Shell will rollout a series of five music video workshops or master classes under the title of MTV Making the Video with Shell.
SA production house shoots webisode for US agency
Leo Burnett Chicago recently briefed Sub urban to develop a webisode or documentary series for release on the web. As one of the first products of Sub urban's New Media division, the webisode is intended to play a vital role in demonstrating advertising with a conscience and the value of social responsibility.
Start filming for Highveld TV campaign
94.7's Top 8@8 is calling on aspiring film makers – from amateurs to professions, high school pupils to university students – to produce a TV commercial for its weekday Top 8@8 youth show, hosted by Grant Nash and Anele Mdoda. Not only is the grand prize an Apple Mac Pro, if your advert is chosen, it will air on TV.
Multichoice Vuka! Awards - The charities who have benefitted this year - MultiChoice Vuka!
 The MultiChoice VUKA! Award winners will be announced in November as they are each year, but the campaign's enormous impact continues far beyond the announcement of the winners and will be felt throughout the next 12 months. 2006's winning commercials have had a huge benefit throughout this year for the charities they support.
Taking a 'bite' out of life - Bite Animation
 Last week saw the fifth birthday celebration of Bite Animation, held in conjunction with the release of its new website, show reel and its debut on an industry magazine cover. The party was held at Fino Bar & Restaurant in Parkhurst, where the who's who of the film and advertising industry celebrated in style with chocolate martinis and appetising sushi platters.
Condor VFX, and Waterfront Post attached to Scorpion King ''Rise of the Akkadian'' - Condor Cape Town
Condor Cape recently managed to secure their its feature film VFX contract through local production company Film Afrika, with Nina Heyns filling the shoes of line producer.
Are you game? - Masters & Savant
 Today's generation of gamers expect realism and with that has come the need for ad agencies to develop campaigns that are literally as realistic as the games themselves. Masters & Savant Worldwide was recently commissioned to do exactly that by Jupiter Drawing Room Cape Town for FIFA Street 2.
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| | Promotions | |  |
| | | Promoting to South Africans - Provantage Media
[Alicia Nyuswa] With the rise of the ‘black diamond' and emerging middle class consumer market, marketers need to take a fresh look at how they conduct in-store brand activation and promotional campaigns.
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| | | A mine of information - or not...
Communication gaps in Rio Tinto's Madagascar mining project are creating mistrust and social conflict.
Does size still matter?
[Lesley Schroeder] For years PR companies have claimed that editorial is more believable than advertising and there have been many grandiose claims of success by using astronomical publicity value and multiplier factors. Members of PRISA's consultancy chapter recently met in Randburg in a move towards developing an industry standard for media measurement.
Staff changes ensure excellent service - Quo Vadis Communications
Three changes in staff portfolios have occurred in Quo Vadis Communications that are designed to better serve the company's expanding client base.
Build-A-Bear Workshop arrives in Cape Town - Claire Gardner Consulting
Saturday, 27 October 2007, is set to be a big day for international interactive entertainment company, Build-A-Bear Workshop, as it extends its footprint nationally with its first store in the Cape at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
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| | Radio | |  |
| | | Podcasts for Cape radio stations
94.5 Kfm and 567 CapeTalk recently began introducing podcasts on their websites as part of Primedia Broadcasting's plans to ensure more interactivity with listeners and more value with advertisers, according to Primedia Broadcasting COO Ryan Till
Joburg chart show syndicated to Cape Town
Joburg's 94.7 Highveld Stereo has syndicated its music chart show, the Take 40 SA, to 94.5 Kfm in Cape Town. Mark Pilgrim now hosts the show simulcast across the two stations.
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| | Research | |  |
| | | SAARF calls for web-based AMPS proposals
The South African Advertising Research Foundation (SAARF) is calling for pre-tender proposals for web-based cross tabulation software for its All Media and Products Survey (AMPS).
SAMRA calls for paper synopses submission for the 2008 Conference - SAMRA
The Southern African Marketing Research Association (SAMRA) is calling for papers for the 2008 SAMRA Conference, which will take place from the 27th to the 28th of May 2008 at Sun International's Royal Swazi Spa in the Ezulwini Valley in Swaziland.
Millward Brown expands across Africa - Millward Brown
 Millward Brown, a global leader and recognised authority in brand, media and communications research, recently announced its expansion across Africa through a joint venture with Scangroup. Scangroup is one of the leading marketing services companies in Africa; its portfolio includes advertising, media planning and buying, consultancy, PR and experiential marketing.
A few things you didn't know about your middle class customers - Eighty20
Following Eighty20's great success with its research into South Africa's “Bottom of the pyramid”, Eighty20 will be sharing its analysis into South Africa's much-hyped middle class.
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Retail | | Retail franchise operations core to franchise mix
 Retail franchising in South Africa has achieved store and turnover growth of almost 10% since February 2006 and turnover growth of 21%. It is the second largest contributor to the local franchise mix, after the fast food and restaurant sectors.
SA brandy wins International Spirits Challenge Trophy
KWV 10 Year Old Brandy won a gold medal, the South African Brandy Category Champion and a trophy at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) in London last week.
Branding to a new rhythm - DMX
Night clubs and music concerts are no longer the only places where the youth market is rocking to the newest hits. Retail stores, restaurants and leisure spots eager to grow their footprint in the sought-after youth market now understand that music is the fastest route in.
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Sponsorship | | Opportunity to gain high level insight into sports sponsorship - Megapro Marketing
 With the subject of sports sponsorship firmly in the spotlight, it is apposite that the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) will be hosting a one-day conference in November 2007 on ‘Sports Marketing and Sponsorship Strategy' in association with Megapro Marketing.
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| | TV | |  |
| | | World Cup of TV for Joburg
Joburg has been awarded the bid to host the International Public Television (INPUT) organisation's annual showcase – the World Cup of the TV industry. The aim of mini Inputs (and indeed of the annual showcase) is to connect filmmakers and industry professionals around the world by screening and discussing the world's most innovative public television.
SA actor on CBS
South African actor Stelio Savante guest stars opposite Mark Harmon on NCIS in the November Sweeps on CBS. Savante portrays a violent, former military special forces operative now working for a security contractor in Iraq. He will once again will return to South Africa in January to star in A Million Colors, where he will protray a corporal during and after the apartheid era.
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| | Galleries | | BizCommunity.com supports the Boks
 
More | Radio 2000 graces Hare Krishna Song and Dance Festival
 
More | Sheba Cat and Cesar Dog gourmet pet foods host luncheon
 
More | | More... | | |
| | Poll | | | | More... | | |
| | Cartoons | | The Creative's Stripathong: Sponsored by - CYBERZOO interactive
 | | More... | | |
| | Forums | | How will you be supporting the Boks?
How will you be supporting the Boks? Are you doing anything special for your clients? Will you be wearing green on Friday to work? How will you be celebrating on Saturday? Bizcommunity.com wants to know. Please also feel free to send in pictures to: gallery@bizcommunity.com (jpeg or gif, low resolution, less than 200KB per pic). What is your view? | Boring ads during RWC
What was up with all the boring ads during the rugby world cup semi-final on Sunday night? Do our advertisers think women don't watch the rugby? Or do they think all the men watching are too dronk for subtlety or clever advertising? Surely this is a sought after spot for any brand. Where's the creativity? What is your view? | | More... Submit a Forum | | |
| | New accounts | | | Red Cherry goes green - more info | | Chillibush fires up with new accounts - more info | | New account for Saatchi & Saatchi - more info | | Blue Planet Media sparkles as it gets Jewellex 2008 - more info | | New accounts for Taryn Fritz Public Relations and Communications - more info | | More... Submit a New account | | |
| | People on the move | | | Vanessa Pearson has been appointed executive creative director for McCann Erickson South Africa. | | New appointment for Total Exposure - more info | | New appointments at Chillibush - more info | | New appointment at Jacaranda 94.2 - more info | | Salient Advertising Cape Town welcomes Sivu Nobongoza - more info | | New appointments at Trigger - more info | | New appointments for Zanusi Brand Solutions - more info | | More... Submit a Person | | |
| | Events to diarise | Middle class - Not a black and white issue Eighty20 - Cape Town, 22 October / Johannesburg, 26 October
This presentation reflects on the significant changes that have taken place in South Africa and how they have impacted on, and will continue to impact on, consumers in the country. | | | UCT Unilever Institute annual meeting UCT Unilever Institute - Durban, 23 October / Johannesburg, 25 October / Cape Town, 26 October
The meetings will be aimed at giving members of the institute a better understanding about what the main drivers of future growth are going to be. | | | More bang for your ad buck 2B Marketing - Midrand, 24 October
This intensive half-day practical workshop will help you save thousands of rands and get you results from your print advertising expenditure. | | | Six-week filmmaking course The Excellent Film School - Cape Town, 27 October
An exciting, practical and hands-on filmmaking course teaching you how to scriptwrite, produce, direct and shoot your own film projects. | | | Entry-level web design course bundle IT Course Warehouse - Nationwide, 29 October
This course covers all of the fundamentals for web design including HTML, CSS, dynamic HTML, and specific training for design using Dreamweaver software. | | | Art and design student exhibition University of Johannesburg - Johannesburg, 30 October
The Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA) at the University of Johannesburg will be hosting two student exhibitions, each showing work from different disciplines. | | | Beginners course for screenwriters The Writing Studio - Cape Town, 30 October
The workshop looks at how to explore your idea, turn it into a marketable concept, and develop it into a story that will evolve into a powerful South African film. It also looks at how to develop characters, structure, writing dialogue, and how to sell yourself as a writer. | | | E-marketing magic 2B Business Solutions cc - Centurion, 31 October
A refreshingly practical overview of how to profit from using electronic marketing for both off-line and online businesses - from a South African perspective. | | | PHP and MySQL IT Course Warehouse - Nationwide, 31 October
This series teaches learners to create dynamic websites enabling them to apply their knowledge to the creation of dynamic web applications such as content management, user registration, and e-commerce. | | | Professional selling skills - RX AchieveGlobal SA - Cape Town, 31 October
Professional selling skills RX offers a proven, powerful model for face-to-face selling that equips your salespeople with the skills to develop lasting, mutually beneficial relationships
with physicians and their staff. | | |
| | Upcoming events | Presentations that build brands Vega The Brand Communications School - Johannesburg ,Sandton, 22 October QuarkXPress 7 upgrade course Concept Interactive - Cape Town, 22 October Adobe Illustrator CS3 Concept Interactive - Cape Town, 22 October Adobe Illustrator CS3 upgrade course Concept Interactive - Cape Town, 22 October CorelDraw Concept Interactive - Cape Town, 22 October Apple Final Cut Pro® essential skills Friends of Design - Academy of Digital Arts - Cape Town, 22 October Entry-level web development Working Webs Consulting - Johannesburg, 22 October Entry-level web development course Working Webs Consulting - Johannesburg, 22 October Magazine journalism course SA Writers College - Countrywide, 22 October Maak geld uit vryskutjoernalistiek SA Writers' College - Countrywide - Online, 22 October | More... Submit an event | | |
| | Jobs offered | Specialising in Media Sales, Advertising
and Marketing placements |  |
| Field Manager - Boksburg
Manage fieldworkers to ensure timely delivery of quality work. Training and motivating fieldworkers to obtain maximum, quality and cost effective output. Must have own transport and strong people management skills. read more
| Field Manager - Vereeniging/Vanderbijlpark
Manage fieldworkers to ensure timely delivery of quality work. Training and motivating fieldworkers to obtain maximum, quality and cost effective output. Must have own transport and strong people management skills. read more
| Editor - Cape Town
Zebra Press, a black-and-white imprint of Struik Publishers, is looking for an editor to oversee individual book projects from manuscript stage to publication. read more
| Designer - Cape Town
Zebra Press and Oshun Books, imprints of Struik Publishers, are looking for a designer to design covers and page layouts. read more
| Editor - Cape Town
Oshun Books, the women’s imprint of Struik Publishers, is looking for an editor to oversee individual book projects from manuscript stage to publication. read more
| Digital Designer - Fourways
Studio looking for a digital designer with a unique blend of traditional design and AV presentation design skills. Experience with motion graphics/animation and video editing. read more
| PR Department Head - Parastatal Business - Jhb - Northern Suburbs
Senior candidate with proven management experience in parastatal business required to join PR agency and run and manage a department as if it were your own business. read more
| Middle-weight/Junior Graphic Designer - Fourways
Graphic designer wanted to join our versatile design studio. Strong concept, creativity and software experience essential. Copywriting and flash skills a bonus. read more
| Sales Executive - Cape Town
Naseba, the leading business information company listed on the Paris Stock Exchange, is recruiting international sales executives. read more
| DTP Operator/Finished Artist - Cape Town
Excellent opportunity for a DTP operator at a dynamic design agency situated in Cape Town. Ankher CC is, amongst others, working for clients like Indigo Cosmetics, KWV and Rustenberg Wines. read more
| Client Service Co-ordinator - Johannesburg
Do you have an outgoing personality to match your exceptional organisation skills? read more
| Layout Artist - Cape Town
LayerCake's client, a contract publication, is looking for a layout artist for a year's contract. read more
| Sub-editor - Cape Town
LayerCake is looking for a sub-editor for a food/lifestyle publication based in CBD. read more
| Senior Sales Person - Johannesburg
Billboard sales specialist. Senior sales person required. read more
| Mobile Media Consultant - Johannesburg
Yebo! Vodacom, South Africa’s leading cellular network is on the lookout for talented, energetic and dedicated people to weave the Vodacom magic. This may be you! read more
| Marketing Research Internships 2008 - Johannesburg - Cresta
Opportunities for BCom marketing graduates focusing on research into financial services. Could lead to permanent position within SA's leading marketing research company. Numeracy and written skills will be tested. read more
| Marketing Manager - Cape Town
LayerCake is looking for a marketing manager for a financial services investment company based in Cape Town. read more
| Account Manager - Bryanston
Scharrer Advertising (Pty) Ltd is looking for an account manager with three years experience in an ad agency with a recognised qualification in advertising, marketing or communications. read more
| Online Editors - Midrand and Umhlanga
Kagiso Media is recruiting online editors to be based at Jacaranda FM (Midrand) and at East Coast Radio (Umhlanga/Durban). Job of the week! read more
| Afrikaans Events Co-ordinator - Johannesburg
Assist marketing manager with creating awareness and visibility of the station through planning and execution of station events. Fluent Afrikaans, own car, minimum two years events experience, marketing/PR qualification. BEE. read more
| Direct Sales Account Executive - Govt Portfolio - Durban
Experienced media sales executive required with strong government contacts to focus on radio airtime sales within the Kwazulu Natal region focusing on the government portfolio. Own transport essential. read more
| TV Agency Sales AE - Sport Portfolio - Johannesburg
Sport television sales of classic airtime and sponsorships to ad agencies. Media sales experience on sport portfolio, established agency client base, and own transport secures. Passion for sport and television. read more
| Database Marketing Campaign Production Manager - Cape Town
LayerCake is looking for an experienced direct and telemarketing campaign manager for an exciting cutting-edge direct marketing company in Cape Town dealing with leading financial institutions. read more
| Operations Manager - Sandton
Operations manager needed for a growing design and production company. read more
| Graphic/Web Designer - Medium - Northern Suburbs
We have a great position available for a graphic/web designer with excellent Dreamweaver/HTML knowledge and incredibly strong design skills. read more
| Sales Manager - Rivonia
The sales manager will be responsible for the achievement of monthly and annual sales targets for Conexus. Included in the responsibilities is target-setting, sales planning, product planning etc. read more
| Deputy Picture Editor - Heat Magazine - Sandton
Heat, South Africa’s premier celebrity news and entertainment magazine is looking for an experienced picture researcher to join its team in Sandton as deputy picture editor. read more
| Chief Sub-editor - Heat Magazine - Sandton
Heat, SA’s premier celebrity news and entertainment magazine is looking for a chief sub to join its team in Sandton. read more
| Motion Graphics Designer - Cape Town
We are currently looking for a motion graphics designer. Projects range from on-screen marketing promotions to channel strategy and branding for a wide range of commercial clients. read more
| Website Marketing Specialist - Johannesburg
Choose Accenture and enjoy an innovative, challenging and interesting environment. A global opportunity exists for someone who will ensure that our career sites are among the best and remain competitive. read more
| DTP Art Director - Retail - Cape Town
Had enough? We, one of Cape Town's most established agencies, have a spot for you. The views are great, the people are nice and the coffee is good. read more
| Graphic Designer - Cape Town
Wesgro is the official investment and trade promotion agency of the Western Cape. This vacancy is on offer to dynamic individuals with skills and competencies required to perform in this environment. read more
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| | Noticeboards | | Jacaranda 94.2 and 1st for Women blow the whistle against women and child abuse
[Other] For the second year in a row, the Jacaranda 94.2 initiative in conjunction with 1st for Women Insurance Brokers aims to blow the whistle against women and child abuse. | | More... Submit a Noticeboard | | |
| | Quotes | | | "Whatever you are, be a good one." - Abraham Lincoln | | "Win as if you were used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change." - Ralph Waldo Emerson | | "A tough day at the office is even tougher when your office contains spectator seating." - Nik Posa | | "Photograph: a picture painted by the sun without instruction in art." - Ambrose Bierce | | "Every library should try to be complete on something, if it were only the history of pinheads." - Oliver Wendell Holmes | | More... Submit a Quote | | |
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