Should marketers choose between Facebook or Google?
[Gino Cosme] With Mark Zuckerberg's latest announcement, Facebook is going head to head with Google in exchange for a slice of the online advertising market. This move poses the question, should Google be concerned, and of more relevance to marketers, is the one ad system more superior than the other?

Fresh new look for iconic Pick n Pay brand
[Louise Marsland] One of South Africa's oldest and best loved brands, Pick n Pay, this morning, Monday, 12 November 2007, announced a total brand transformation – from new logo and colours, to in-store signage, uniforms, new brand lines, new media and advertising – in a dramatic visual feast of new signage and brand elements at its head office in Cape Town. In fact, the entire new brand essence has been driven by its customers, as is evidenced in the new brand line: ‘Inspired by You'.


Power to the marketer
[Larry Shiller] Look around your offices. Where is your senior level marketer right now? What are they doing? Or, rather, what are you allowing them to do? With marketers increasingly having to prove their value and justify their contribution to the organisation's bottom line, you as a business owner or CE need to realise that their ability to perform depends directly on you and how you've empowered them.


eMarketing over Breakfast - An executive short course in conquering the online game - Quirk eMarketing
Last month in London, Quirk eMarketing hosted the first of the 18 lectures set to make up its international “eMarketing over Breakfast” course.

Advertising isn't just about awareness - Chris Moerdyk
One of the biggest dangers in marketing today is that far too much emphasis is being placed on "awareness". Even worse, awareness is seen by many advertisers to be the one and only yardstick in determining the success of failure of marketing communications.

TGCSA launches 2010 accommodation campaign
With the 2010 FIFA World Cup less than 1000 days away and FIFA wanting to ensure that South Africa has enough accessible accommodation available for visiting international fans for each soccer event, the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) has launched a national campaign to prepare accommodation establishments across the country to receive the estimated half a million foreign visitors.

Media Co-ordination scoops Re/Max
Re/Max of Southern Africa has awarded its media account to Media Co-ordination, an agency in the international Carat network, it was announced earlier this week. The account was previously handled by Media Shop in Cape Town.

Three South Africans to judge D&AD 2008
Mike Schalit of Net#work BBDO, Graham Warsop of The Jupiter Drawing Room and Jenny Glover of Grey Worldwide SA are members of the Poster Advertising, Press Advertising and Radio Advertising juries respectively for the 2008 D&AD Awards, D&AD announced yesterday, Wednesday, 7 November 2007.

DDB (SA) to orbit Jupiter
The Jupiter Drawing Room (South Africa) & Partners, brand owners of Africa's largest group of independent advertising agencies, yesterday Wednesday, 7 November 2007, announced the acquisition of the rights in South Africa to DDB, one of the world's largest multinational agency brands. For the last 10 years, the DDB brand in SA has been aligned with Framptons, an agency owned by SA entrepreneur Mike Frampton.


Registration for inaugural Dubai ad festival opens
Delegate registration is now open for the first Dubai International Advertising Festival. Presented by Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival together with its regional partner Motivate Publishing, the festival is held with the support of Dubai Media City and in association with the UAE Chapter of the International Advertising Association.

Do you know exactly what you do in advertising?
[Johan Prins] It's becoming increasingly difficult to answer the question, “What do you do for a living?” Answering, “I work in advertising,” invariably leads to conversations about someone's favourite ad, and if I say, “I work in media,” people want to know what I report on, why we have it in for the ANC or how do I feel about the investigation (which, according to the investigators, doesn't exist) of the editor of the Sunday Times.


Further D&AD 2008 juries announced
LONDON: The 2008 D&AD Direct, Integrated, Digital Installations and Broadcast Innovations juries, as well as Online Advertising, Websites and Viral, were announced late last week.

APEX deadline extended
The Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA) has extended the deadline for entries to the 2008 Advertising Performance Excellence (APEX) awards, to 6 December 2007, while announcing that – for the first time – the competition is open to entries from continental Africa.

Game ends in a smashing win - Black Khaki
Black Khaki recently announced the winners of its competition game, Attack of the killer pumpkins. Michael do Carmo from Osirion System Technologies achieved the highest score and is the winner of the Nintendo Wii gaming console. JP Erasmus from C & R Umnombo won the new 8GB iPod nano in the lucky draw.


Your health is your right - Lowe Bull
Lowe Bull Cape Town has brought the human side of medicine to life in its latest campaign for pharmaceutical company, Cipla Medpro. The campaign, which consists of both television and radio commercials, aims to highlight Cipla's commitment to developing and providing South Africans with high quality, affordable medication.


The future of advertising and media solutions - Media Cube
Media Cube continuously strives to be on the cutting edge of innovative media solutions to get the message and brand across to clients in a powerful and unique way. It specialises in 3D lenticular signage, ultra slim lightboxes, merged image scrollers and paper-thin electroluminescent phosphor technology.

More bang for your ad buck - Wiredloop Media
A medium intent on simplifying the benefits of technology, Wiredloop Media combines dynamic and static content for effective one-on-one communication to the previously under-serviced market of prepaid cellphone and prepaid electricity users.


New copywriter enters the Mortimer Harvey space - Mortimer Harvey
Xoli Ntusi has just joined Mortimer Harvey in the copy department. He will be working on various accounts.

CMA seeks to boost identity through new logo
[Walter Wafula] Uganda's Capital Markets Authority recently unveiled a new logo with intentions to demonstrate its new corporate identity – adapted to identify with the needs of investors in the capital markets.


HKLM Exchange wins Sake24 Advertising Award - HKLM
HKLM Exchange was recently named the overall winner in the Visual Layout category in this year's Sake24's Financial Advertising Awards for the Steinhoff International year-end results announcement. Steinhoff was also placed second in the Content category of the awards.

Innovation is alive and well and living in loyalty programs
Innovation is alive and well among coalition loyalty programs around the world. Despite their advancing age, coalitions are continuing to innovate to keep their programmess fresh and relevant to their target members. This is one of the findings of Independent Coalitions Around the World 2007, published recently by Razor's Edge Business Intelligence, a specialist loyalty research company based in Johannesburg.

Customer loyalty: invest in it, but don't over-invest
[Dave McMillan, Carolyn Costley and Michele Akoorie] The starting point for loyalty is satisfaction. Yet customer satisfaction in itself does not lead to a loyal relationship, and investing in improvements beyond industry benchmarks of satisfaction will not necessarily increase loyalty.

Buy your Lotto tickets online again
eBucks members will once again be able to use their eBucks to buy Lotto subscriptions for the National Lottery from 14 November 2007. eBucks CEO Lezanne Human explains that Lotto subscriptions have always been hugely popular with eBucks members: “eBucks was the first and until recently was the only legal online supplier of Lotto tickets. Since first introducing Lotto subscriptions to the eBucks shop in 2003, our members have spent approximately eB130 million (which is worth R13 million) on Lotto subscriptions.”

3D medical images from Great Stock! - Great Stock!
Great Stock's new MedicalRF collection of Royalty Free images uses cutting-edge technology to get you superb images that would be impossible to achieve using conventional photography.

Facebook unveils targeted ad system
[Gino Cosme] Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg earlier this week announced the launch of Facebook Ads, an advertising system that lets businesses connect with their target audience, roll out viral social ads, and track social activity on the site.

The golden keys of e-commerce
[Naseem Javed] It only takes a minute to establish if one is holding that magical key or just toying with a rusty screwdriver. Today, in order to have a commanding presence with universal access on e-commerce, domain names must act like very special golden keys as, without them, the entire exercise of Internet-centric commerce becomes almost useless.

Building your own email list is worth the effort - Acceleration
Companies that want to maximise their returns from email marketing should, in most cases, build up their own email databases rather than buy lists of email addresses from third-party vendors. That's according to Richard Mullins, director at Acceleration.

Free share charting software
Moneyweb last week launched Moneyweb Explorer, a comprehensive technical analysis programme available free to users. It can be downloaded from www.moneyweb.co.za and when used while connected to the Internet, links directly to the wealth of detailed information on the Moneyweb database. Comments Moneyweb CEO Alec Hogg, “We've worked on this project with PrimeCharts for some months. It will pave the way for South African investors to join international trends where fundamental information and charting are available free of charge through the Internet.” The business model is based on charging users R140 a month for the daily price updates for their data.

New publication on Latin American digital radio, TV
The Association for Progressive Communications recently released a new issue paper focused on the Latin American reality. Digitalisation of media is an approaching reality for Latin American countries and this technologic paradigm shift promises more democratic and diverse access to radio and TV frequencies. However, there is also a great risk of reproducing the same inequalities and power relations that exist in the “analogue” world and thus of media being in the hands of a few. “Digital television and radio: democratisation or greater concentration?” by Gustavo Gómez Germano illustrates the political and regulatory implications of an apparently technical and thus neutral phenomenon. It also suggests advocacy priorities to create a more informed and active civil society.

Primaplus spears Inkosi Award
The Inkosi Award, the most coveted of the DMA Assegai Awards, went to Primaplus for the MWeb Voice Box entry earlier this week. Andrew Ambrogioni of Action Ambro's was crowned DM Marketer of the Year, Computer Facilities named Organisation of the Year and Michelle Perrow of Lesoba Difference was inducted into the DMA Hall of Fame.

Hard-hitting reality - Tollreach Mindblast
Tollreach's Back to Reality promotion is a perfect way to inform consumers about how cost-effective products are and how consumers will benefit from them in 2008. While the consumers are driving back home from holiday, you can target them by distributing information at the Toll Plazas on the way.

Bring meaning into the workplace - SoulCircle
There's a crisis in meaning in the workplace according to best-selling author Jerry Schuitema, who says the clues to re-establishing meaning lies in understanding that as humans we are here to serve. Schuitema is the author of Value through Values, a bold new book that questions our very understanding of business.

World Environmental Day at Foskor - The Learning Theatre
World Environmental Day takes palce 5 June each year and this year FOSKOR in Richardsbay (Kwazulu-Natal) prepared for a whole day of celebration. The highlight of the agenda was The Learning Theatre Organisation's industrial theatre production, entitled ‘Superman Goes Nowhere'.

Launch Factory announces its expansion into Africa - Launch Factory
Spero Patricios MD of Launch Factory, a leading South African experiential agency, has recently returned from Kenya where an Africa CONNECT Network has been established.

Stormchild truly does stand up to the wrath of nature - Loudfire
On the evening of Tuesday 3, July 2007, the skies over London darkened and then all hell broke loose. Ice fell from the sky, windows exploded, sky lofts shattered, roofs collapsed and gutters were torn from buildings. Amidst the storm LiquidCanvas stretch tents set up in Parsons Green, London, all of a sudden took on more than 1.5 tons of ice. These are the incredible tents made by Tentra South Africa called its StormChild range.

Your Baby Show awarded EXSA's Exhibition of the Year 2007 - Your Baby Show
Your Baby Show is the Exhibition of the Year 2007 in the category ‘Consumer 6 000m² - 12 000 m²'! Your Baby Show Durban and Your Baby Show Johannesburg were two of the three finalists in this category at the Exhibition Association of South Africa (EXSA) awards held last week at the Sandton Convention Centre, and Exposure Marketing and Communication was awarded the title for its exceptional Your Baby Show exhibition held in Durban at the ICC in August this year.


Baba Indaba posts a 102% growth - Baba Indaba
2007 has been a phenomenal year in the baby and parenting industry. SABC Education Baba Indaba has reported a 102% growth on 2006, attributed to the launch of the Durban Baba Indaba, the second year in Cape Town and the third year in Johannesburg respectively.


Oasys shows heart - Oasys Innovations
In a recent show of social responsibility, Oasys Innovations sponsored the infrastructure and furniture for the annual Breast Cancer Association conference, which was held at the Sandton Convention centre.

Digital home to showcase digital life
The Digital Home will take centre stage at next year's DigitalLife Expo, 18 – 20 April 2008, at the Sandton Convention Centre, and is reported to be the first home of its kind to be created for a South African show. It will be a physical realisation of the potential of broadband connectivity, coupled with a variety of next generation digital products and integrated in the home environment. The 285m² fully-equipped walk-through home will feature wireless broadband connectivity spanning the kitchen, living room, library/study, and children's and main bedrooms. The Digital Home will also showcase interiors by interior decorator and designer Lynne Blumberg. One show visitor will win its products and technologies, valued at a price tag of R250 000.

Khwezi Magwaza new seventeen editor
Khwezi Magwaza has been appointed editor seventeen magazine, effective since Monday 5 November 2007, publishers 8 Ink Media, announced yesterday, Thursday 8 November. Previous editor Justine Stafford has been promoted to editorial director of 8 Ink's Youth Division.


A ‘devastated' Scholtemeyer speaks out
[Louise Marsland] While the somewhat muted celebrations of the magazine publishing industry's annual PICA magazine and journalism awards went on last night, Wednesday, 7 November 2007, Media24 CEO Patricia Scholtemeyer addressed her peers for the first time publically on the scandal that resulted in 12 Media24 publications being fingered for circulation irregularities. She said she was still devastated: “This happened in my own company. The buck stops with me. But I'm more concerned with what it has done to the magazine industry overall.”

Facebook phenomenon nets award for local writer
[Kate Turner] Local writer Caminey Kuropatwa recently snared a new annual journalist award for her astute social commentary on social networking site, Facebook.

Survival tips for editors in today's B2B world
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] Today's B2B world is full of daunting challenges mostly due to technological advances, Paul J Heney, president of the global business-to-business publishers association, TABPI, said. “Editors have become more and more platform agnostic and multimedia content directors,” Heney said, speaking yesterday, Wednesday, 7 November 2007, at the last day of the MPASA Business of Magazines Annual Conference held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Sumien Brink doubles up on Editor of the Year
At the 38th annual Magazine Publishers Association of South Africa (MPASA) PICA Awards for magazine and publishing excellence last night, Wednesday, 7 November 2007, Sumien Brink of New Media Publishing walked off with Editor of the Year for both Custom Publishing and Consumer Publishing, the former for Woolworths Taste and the latter for Visi. Willemien von Solms of Agri Connect ‘s The Dairy Mail took Editor of the Year for Business-to-Business Publishing.


Youth mag gets bigger
Mshana magazine has been upsized to an A4 format and is now printed on a glossy paper, with a super-gloss UV-varnish cover. The title was launched earlier this year by Media24.

Fears, cheers and reality of magazine publishing
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] Media saturation, audience fragmentation, media convergence and media consolidation are the four basic trends that are currently impacting on the magazine industry, Donald D Kummerfeld, president and CEO of the International Federation of Periodical Press, told delegates attending the two-day ‘Business of Magazines Annual Conference MPASA 2007' at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg yesterday, Tuesday, 6 November 2007. [VIDEOS]

The man behind all that gadget news and stuff
[Chris Moerdyk] With the launch by Johncom this month of the South African edition of one of the world's most popular gadget, gear and technology magazines, Bizcommunity.com thought it would be a good idea to talk to the editor, Toby Shapshak.

Golf title launches Mid Amateur Trophy
The inaugural Golf Digest Mid Amateur Trophy, presented by KWV and Lexus, will be played at four top courses around South Africa that have previously hosted the SA Open. “With so many younger players now competing in tournaments and league fixtures around the country, mid-amateur golf has become very popular in SA for players who still want to remain competitive,” explains Golf Digest assistant editor Barry Havenga.

Jet gets its club members to go online - The Publishing Partnership
Hot on the heels of great AMPS results earlier this month for its club magazine, Jet's website traffic has also grown dramatically during 2007, reaching 116 000 hits during September, up from 56 000 hits a month at the start of the year.


The spirit of the game... in print - The Publishing Partnership
The Cape Town-based Publishing Partnership has added another title to its stable, securing the rights to publish the Kurland International Polo magazine for the Kurland International Polo Test between South Africa and Argentina in Plettenberg Bay on 29 December 29 2007.


Capetonians Get It too
Capetonian readers and advertisers are getting it with the recent launch of two new Caxton Get It community magazines in the area. Get It Newlands, Claremont and Contstantia has set up a print order of 15 000, while Get It Plattekloof, Welgemoed and Durbanville will see 20 000 copies distributed to various recreation nodes including coffee shops, shopping centres and restaurants in that area. Full colour, glossy and free, these magazines feature only local content for their specific communities.

Live blogging from MPASA conference
Bizcommunity.com editor Louise Marsland will be blogging live over the next two days from Magazine Publishers Association of South Africa (MPASA) "The Business of Magazines" conference, taking place 6 – 7 November 2007 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, so click through regularly to http://blog.bizcommunity.com for updates.

Mvela after M&G?
[Simone Puterman] NEWSWATCH: Tokyo Sexwale's Mvelaphanda Group is allegedly after a 30% stake in the Mail & Guardian, writes Sunday Times Business Times. Meanwhile, the SABC reported yesterday, Sunday, 11 November2007, that President Thabo Mbeki has denied that Government is behind the Koni Media offer to buy Johncom, according to News24, but “said that there was nothing wrong with public servants owning shares in a public company”, according to Business Day.

Tribunal go-ahead for media merger
[Simone Puterman] NEWSWATCH: The ‘unconditional' approval of the sale of the 38% M-Net/SuperSport stake to Naspers for R4 billion by the competition tribunal yesterday, Thursday, 8 November 2007, may result in a takeover battle for Johncom, writes Business Report. Caxton has been opposing this merger and may take the decision to the Supreme Court of Appeal, according to Business Day, and reasons for approving the merger will be given at a later stage, reports Fin24.

Profitability through customer-centric publishing strategies
GERMANY/SINGAPORE: On 2 and 3 April 2008 and for the eighth consecutive year, networking platform Publish Asia will take place at the Wynn Resorts in Macau, China. Top international industry experts and innovative thinkers will equip publishers, senior executives, CEOs, production executives and staff from more than 20 countries from Asia Pacific and the Middle East with quality ideas for expanding their business and profitability.

Reuters suspends Aussie cricket coverage
Reuters has suspended its coverage of Cricket Australia's events in Australia with immediate effect, it announced yesterday, Tuesday, 6 November 2007. “Reuters has been unable to agree on acceptable accreditation terms with Cricket Australia and is consequently unable to gain access for its journalists and photographers,” said Monique Villa, MD of Reuters Media

Johncom says no binding Koni offer
[Simone Puterman] NEWSWATCH: Johncom yesterday, Monday, 5 November 2007, stated that it had not received a binding offer from Koni Media, according to IOL. Meanwhile, writes Business Report, the second largest majority holder in Johncom, Coronation Fund Managers, said that it would consider selling off its 15% stake if the price were right – giving the Mvelaphanda Group the opportunity to increase its stake in Opco and prevent a Koni takeover, according to analysts.

Unlocking the power of being informed - Monitoring South Africa
Monitoring South Africa has introduced a new telesales department within the Sales and Marketing division. Driven by a group of passionate people, the new department will focus on delivering information to clients faster, better and at the most competitive rates in the market.

Colquhoun Sasol Springbok Journalist of the Year
Rugby World South Africa, the Cape Town-based monthly rugby magazine launched last year, received a special accolade last week when its editor, Andy Colquhoun, was named as the winner of the Sasol Springbok Journalist of the Year prize at the annual SA Rugby Awards held in Sandton, Johannesburg. He was singled out by the judging panel for the “excellent work he does in all the disciplines; from editing a fine magazine and producing arguably the best annual in the world of rugby to his factual, incisive, accomplished and fearless writing”.

Milestone for freelancer directory
Freelancentral, the online directory of freelancers in South Africa's marketing and creative industries which launched in February 2006, welcomed its 2000th member earlier this week. According to owner/manager Jo Duxbury, freelance graphic and web designers, online developers, writers, illustrators, photographers and more are reporting that their www.freelancentral.co.za listings have resulted in work from both local and international clients. One member reported this week that within four days of listing his portfolio on the site, he'd landed his first freelance contract.

Mobility solutions not priority for enterprises
LONDON: Growth in the enterprise mobility market has been slower than anticipated, a new report by independent market analyst Datamonitor reveals. Although there are many planned investments across the surveyed regions and industries, the market is beginning to saturate in some geographic regions.

2007 Mobile Marketing Association Global Award finalists announced
COLORADO & LONDON: The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) late last week announced the finalists for its Third Annual Mobile Marketing Awards which recognise leaders and innovators in the mobile marketing industry worldwide.

Mobile social networking is changing people's lives - BlackHatMedia
Social networking and its close cousin mobile dating, is getting lots of press recently. Your Internet-connected mobile phone, it turns out, is a great tool for meeting new people or staying in touch with the people you already know.

It's competition time for newspaper readers
The Sunday Times and The Citizen recently launched two competitions for their readers, who need to search for mysterious and hidden clues until the end of the month of November 200 in order to win big prizes.

New Mondi Shanduka Newspaper category
South African newspaper journalists are invited to enter the seventh annual Mondi Shanduka Newspaper Awards, which will be calling for entries towards the middle of November 2007. The prize money has been increased to R15 000 per category winner and an additional category – Popular Journalism – has been included to cater for tabloid journalists.

Mobile a serious challenge for Internet publishers
[Alan Hammond] It was bad enough for web publishing when the challenge was to persuade marketers to move money from ‘old fashioned' magazines and radio to the ‘new and trendy' Internet. Now there's something newer and trendier!

Trafficonomy rebrands to Skillpod Media - Skillpod Media
Online gaming juggernaut Trafficonomy is changing the company name and brand to Skillpod Media to coincide with the launch of the fourth generation games management system.


24.com's Netads posts more than 120 000 classified adverts - 24.com
Netads24, 24.com's online classified vertical, offers browsers more than 100 000 listings and is billed as the largest and most comprehensive classifieds website in South Africa.

New OPA members
Vodacom, SA Goodnews, Africa Media Entertainment and Thunda.com have recently joined the Online Publishers Association (OPA), teaming up with a number of prominent online publishers whose aim is to promote the growth of the online industry. “It's encouraging to see such growth in the South African online market,” says Matthew Buckland, chairman of the OPA. “Over the past year there has been an increase of more than 2 million users who have gone online and continues to grow. We are pleased to broaden the market by having these new members come on board to further cement South Africa's online publishing industry.”

Street-corner IT convenience
Online technology superstore PCMall.co.za has recently been turning the heads of commuters with a kerb-side demonstration of IT-buying convenience at intersections in numerous locations across Sandton, Johannesburg. It has ‘couched' its core message by putting an armchair, laptop and live models in a street-corner tableau of ‘the PC way to buy IT'.

Hansie movie enters final phase
After 10 weeks of filming the movie Hansie on three different continents, in cities and towns in South Africa, the UK and India, the movie shoot has been “wrapped”. With the filming leg of the movie completed, the movie now moves into the post production stage, including the editing and all the final sound mixes.

Keith Rose of Velocity Films has three finalists in the Midas Awards - Velocity Films
Keith Rose of Velocity has three finalists in the Midas Awards, which is the only advertising competition dedicated to recognising work created worldwide for the financial services communications industry. The awards form part of the New York Advertising Festival.


Frieze Films' Steve Tanchel directs for MTN - Frieze Films
Metropolitan Republic, one of the satellite agencies in the Jupiter Drawing Room group, brought on board the skills of Frieze Films' director, Steve Tanchel, for one of its latest commercials for MTN Summer.


Bioscope shoots Kia 10 Year Warranty brand ad - Bioscope Films
Director Hylton Tannenbaum recently shot a Kia commercial for agency Singh & Sons. The commercial is intended to demonstrate Kia's 10 Year Warranty offer in an amusing and unexpected way.


Creative Vision's animated 3D creature clutches another Gold - Creative Vision
The Mamtsotsi Bird, which boasts no less than 25 visual effects and a terrifying CG creature, has won its fourth Gold – this time for Best Short Film at the International SA Horrorfest.

Strengthening links in the communication chain
[Ingrid Lotze] The PR agency of the future needs to be less focused on outputs such as column inches and more on managing the communities that surround organisations.


Annual Short Story Competition closes 30th November 2007 - The Write Co.
The Write Co's Annual Short Story Competition closes for entries at 3pm on Friday, 30 November 2007.


Access Encyclomedia's media databases online or in Excel - Encyclomedia
Encyclomedia recently added a new feature to its media database service, which lets PR practitioners access and use their media databases in flexible ways.

Changes at Ligwalagwala FM
[Tshepiso Seopa] Mpumalanga-based Ligwalagwala FM has been hard at work improving on its image and brand offering, as well as launching into Gauteng, where there has been a demand for the siSwati broadcasting station. It has also recently strengthened its team by including former SABC1 continuity presenter turned businesswoman Kedibone Mkhabela and DJ Sdukero, famous for the hit single ‘mine beng dzakiwe'.


Bongo Muffin man for Motsweding FM
Stoan Seate of Bongo Muffin will be joining the new weekend lineup for Motsweding FM, the radio station announced yesterday, Wednesday, 7 November 2007. Seate is reported to have a huge following due to his mixing of Setswana poetry into hip-hop.

Green award for John Robbie Show

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The John Robbie Show on Talk Radio 702 recently won the Chairperson's Award in the media category of the 2007 Joburg City Parks Environmental Awards for its role in positively influencing the environment of Johannesburg. The award recognises individuals and organisations that have made a substantial contribution to building a greener, more sustainable and better environment in Johannesburg. Said Luther Williamson, MD of Johannesburg City Parks, “…John Robbie is viewed as an unsung hero and a true friend of the environment who continues to challenge city authorities to strive for service excellence in building a greener, vibrant and more dynamic Johannesburg.”


Jozi FM to appear before complaints committee
The Soweto-based community radio station Jozi FM will appear before the Complaints and Compliance Committee of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) today, Thursday, 8 November 2007 with regards to its alleged non-compliance with the code of conduct for broadcasters.

Exploring new broadcast horizons
Leo Manne, who had been with Metro FM since 2001, left the radio station last week to take up the position of manager: special projects at SABC1. “In a nutshell, the job involves identifying and exploiting new revenue streams, as well as dealing with programmes, new media and eventing,” he explained. “I had been with Metro FM for six years, but it was time to explore a new career challenge. Although I've always done radio, I've also had brief exposure to television and have always had a keen interest in pursuing it further one day.” Nick Grubb, PCS programming strategist, will be acting programme manager until further notice.

The need to streamline interview processes
Arduous interview processes are off putting and often result in a company losing their most promising candidates, some of whom are expected to undergo interview processes which can last for several months, says Debbie Goodman-Bhyat, MD of Jack Hammer Executive Headhunters.

PAMRO documents Africa's varied media landscape
Recent country reports from the members of the Pan African Media Research Organisation (PAMRO) shed some light on media in Africa.

Cadac attaches Weber trademarks
The Registrar of Trademarks recently confirmed that, on behalf of Cadac, it has attached and taken into execution a number of Weber trademarks. This move is a result of Weber's failed infringement action against Cadac, failed application for leave to appeal and failure to comply with a Supreme Court instruction ordering Weber to compensate Cadac for all costs incurred during the trial.

Launching long-life organic food for babies
Woolworths is expanding its award-winning ‘really good food for babies' offering with the launch of a new range of long-life certified organic baby food products.

SA's top franchisee
The Franchise Association of Southern Africa has named Dulcé Café Waterstone the top national franchisee of 2007.

Cup of Nations adopts beer
[Emeka Enyadike] Sponsorship for Nigeria football reached new heights last week as Guinness Nigeria became the latest sponsors of the Nigerian national football team, The Super Eagles.

Egyptian tycoon plans new TV stations against radicals
Egyptian billionaire and telecoms tycoon Naguib Sawiris plans to launch new television channels to counter what he describes as increasing social and religious conservatism in the Arab Muslim country.

SA pay TV: questions and reflections
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] The granting in September this year of four new pay TV licences by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has raised questions and reflections about issues such as technical capacity, new operators' survival and success, quality of service, consumers' affordability, threat of competition, content rights and exclusivity, and many more.