An “out of this world” campaign
PARIS: The consumer experience of a brand transcends mere advertising. With this in mind, JWT Paris recently launched a two-phase integrated multimedia campaign to accompany the launch of the new Kit Kat, a Nestlé product for the past 35 years – with a chance to win a trip into outer space.

Jupiter to reign over Brand SA
The Jupiter Drawing Room (Jhb) has launched 2008 with a bang by winning the account for the Brand South Africa campaign of the International Marketing Council (IMC) of South Africa in a five-way pitch.

Beyond Diamond dissing
[Sizakele Marutlulle] First as a consumer, then as a black consumer, I have been apprised recently of growing commentary, seemingly the dominant discourse at liberal dinner parties, descriptive of a new sense of ‘patriotism'; a ‘nationhood' that is supposedly arising, informing and informed by imagery currently presented through the mass media and which is ostensibly descriptive of a discernable new trend amongst our populace.


Reducing environmental impact, improving energy efficiency
GENEVA: A new International Standard from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) will help designers of audio-video and information technology equipment – such as laptops, mobile phones and TVs – to make the best decisions on energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact at the start of the design and development process.

Hypersonic advertising is pitched
[Derek Abdinor] Special loudspeakers can direct an audio message to one person in a crowd, leading to marketing opportunities that have been used to some success in the US. The scenario: you walk down a street and into a sound beam, hearing an advertising pitch that is audible only to those within the beam (a few square metres or as small as two square metres). If it's an ad for Kauai and there is one around the next corner, well... you get the picture.

Safari Your Child Big School Survival Drive - Egg Marketing & Communications
[Charlotte Bradley] The first day of ‘Big School' can be a daunting experience. However, this year Grade One learners and their parents received a warm welcome, thanks to the Safari and Your Child Big School Survival Drive.


Marketing Association website now live
The new website for the Marketing Association of South Africa is now live at www.marketingsa.co.za. For more information, email info@marketingsa.co.za.

First official FIFA store to showcase 2010
The 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa will be showcased to international buyers visiting the world's first official FIFA store, opened earlier this month at Singapore's Changi airport.

Dentsu buys stake in Match Hospitality
ZURICH: Dentsu announced last week that it will acquire a stake in Match Hospitaliy, the exclusive worldwide rights holder for the FIFA Hospitality Programme through 2014, from its parent company Byrom Holdings. Dentsu is one of the leading advertising and communications groups in the world and allegedly the market leader in Asia, with historical ties to FIFA and the FIFA World Cup.

Rising to the challenge of rolling blackouts for 2010
[Dr Nikolaus Eberl] South Africa should look to the example of the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico for solutions to power outages for the 2010 World Cup. With more than 20 000 media representatives expected to hit SA shores in 2010, uninterrupted power supply before, during and after the month-long tournament is of paramount importance.

Ad-funded free photocopying for varsity students
The Copycat Network, a newly founded student advertising company, last week announced plans to offer South African university students a free photocopying service on their campuses, made possible by selling advertising space on the back of the photocopies (or rather photocopies-to-be). The initiative is based on a Japanese idea.

Call to enter Cannes Lions 2008
LONDON: Entrant companies can now submit work to compete at the 55th Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival in all categories – Film, Press, Outdoor, Direct, Media, Cyber, Radio, Promo, Titanium, Integrated and the new Design Lions category. An important change this year is the expansion of the Film section to include categories for films created for transmission on screens other than TV and cinema.

Titanium, Integrated Lions jury president announced
LONDON: Mark Tutssel, chief creative officer of Leo Burnett Worldwide, will chair this year's Titanium and Integrated jury, at the 55th Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. Tutssel is one of the most awarded creative directors in the industry and, as the creative leader of Leo Burnett Worldwide, he oversees the work of 94 global offices in 84 countries.


Adspend predictions for 2008
International media agency Universal McCann recently released its annual adspend predictions for 2008, penned by SVP and director of forecasting Robert Coen, one of the most closely watched adspend forecasters according to Nazeer Suliman, GM for Universal McCann South Africa.

So, you want to be an art director...
Brainstorming, conceptualising, creating real-life adverts: something you can picture for yourself? George Rautenbach, creative director of Switch Through-the-Line advertising, helps you decide…


Promo Lions jury president announced
LONDON: Armin Jochum, chief creative officer of BBDO Stuttgart and Berlin, Germany, will be this year's Promo Lions jury president at the 55th Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. Introduced in 2006, Promo Lions award the freshest ideas that create an immediate activation taking into account creativity, strategy, execution and results.


Creative Circle results for December 2007
The Creative Circle results for December 2007 are out, and according to chairperson Julian Watt, “there was a healthy amount of work across all the media types and within that bulk quite a few really strong pieces to contend for the ad of the year prize. And hopefully put some international points on the South African board.”

This year's AdReview Awards holds surprises
After an outstanding year of achievement for South African advertising, numerous agencies are in contention for the AdReview Agency of the Year accolade, to be presented on 24 April 2008. “A rising tide floats all ships,” says awards convenor Tony Koenderman. “We've come to the end of a boom period for advertising, and just to do well won't be enough to win the award. You'll have to be an outstanding performer.”

‘Blackmail advertising' on the increase
[Chris Moerdyk] Blackmail advertising is on the increase as the economic downturn begins to bite, with reputable mass media offering free editorial as added value to the placing of paid advertising.

Mortimer Harvey announces new people and well-deserved new advancements - Mortimer Harvey
New faces and new titles emerge once again at Mortimer Harvey.

New addition to the Mortimer Harvey team - Mortimer Harvey
Savannah Williams is a vibrant new addition to the Mortimer Harvey team.


Depth ''reloaded'' – Depth's new 2008 website - Depth VFX
Depth has just launched its new 2008 website – filled with lots of creative and technical information and content.

Depth has power! - Depth VFX
In today's very unsure and unstable environment, which is affecting all of us, it's good to know you can rely on some things. Like Depth's visual effects and animation services not being interfered with, despite Eskom's continual efforts!

A hit in the dark
Nando's latest radio campaign takes a light-hearted look at the latest and most contentious South African subject, load shedding. “[W]e decided to give South Africans exactly what they want at this moment in time... POWER!” explains Nando's marketing director Paul Appleton. “Our new campaign for Nando's does away with stereotyped prize offerings like luxury 4x4s and 7 bedroomed homes in Camps Bay,” says Black River FC creative director Ahmed Tilly. “We have taken this opportunity to illustrate how the Nando's brand personality connects with South Africans and how it can zone into what people really want to feel, need to hear and want to have. The prize on offer is an emergency electricity kit – what men and women REALLY want!” [Listen to the ad here (610KB)]

Interbrand starts year with a bang
It has been a strong start to 2008 for the Interbrand Group. After a comprehensive process, globally, Interbrand has been selected as the new global brand partner of Wrigley, the confectionary giant. Locally, Interbrand has been part of the global relaunch of Xerox, as well as various large account gains in the past year.

Talent upswing at The Brand Union - The Brand Union
Brand consultancy The Brand Union has recently bolstered its talent pool with a number of new appointments in client service and the creative arm.

Display Mania launches 0861DISPLAY - Display Mania
Display Mania's 0861 DISPLAY national contact number is now live and it is also running a promo on its snap frames, pull/roll up banners and gazebos during February 2008.


Castle Lager offers fans a winning chance to back Bafana - 34
Brand activation agency Thirtyfour has developed activation campaign Soccer Millions to assist SAB in optimising the company's Castle Lager sponsorship of Bafana Bafana until 2011 and beyond.


Study shows South Africans trust Cadbury more than Absa, Standard Bank and FNB - Affinity Brands & Branding
Did you know that when it comes to trust, Cadbury sits head and shoulders above Absa, Standard Bank, FNB and Nedbank? And that South Africans place more trust in Tastic, Ace and Koo than in Old Mutual and Discovery Health? These are just some of the surprises to emerge from the Brand Trust Index, which was developed by Affinity Publishing in conjunction with Markinor for the 2007 Encyclopaedia of Brands & Branding.

Call for short tourist films
The South African Embassy in Warsaw Poland is planning to participate for the third time in the International Tourism Film Festival in Plock, Poland, and is calling for short tourist films that may be presented at the festival in May 2008.

SA feature film selected for Berlin festival
South African feature film Jerusalema has been selected for the Panorama section of the Berlin International Film Festival. The festival, which runs 7 – 17 February 2008, will be the setting for the world premiere of the film.

eBucks reports a stellar festive season - eBucks
Customer loyaly programme Bucks is reporting an exceptional festive season with members spending R62 million worth of eBucks in the last quarter of 2007, 34% more than the previous festive season. Both the eBucks card and the eBucks shop showed strong growth.

Garth Walker to chair Clio Design jury
NEW YORK: Garth Walker, founder/creative director of Durban-based Orange Juice Design, was announced today, Friday, 1 February 2008, as the executive chair of the Design jury for the 49th annual Clio Awards. Also announced was the extension of the entry deadline until next Friday, 8 February.

European logo competition goes global
Designers, agencies, studios and students from all over the world are invited to enter Wolda, the Worldwide Logo Design Annual. Replacing the successful European Logo Design Annual (Eulda), Wolda is a graphic design awards scheme that rewards the best logos and trademarks designed throughout the world.

So, you want to be a designer…
Deciding what to do after you leave school is never easy. The career you choose to follow could be the start of an incredible life – where your dreams literally do come true. But how do you know you're making the right decision? How can you be sure what you want to study is the right thing for you? Gaby De Abreu, creative director: the Switch Group, shares his thoughts with would-be designers…


Opulent's director of Motion Media talks shop - Opulent Consulting
Opulent's director of Motion Media, Vincent Smith, is not a man of many words, but when he does choose to speak, those who know him make sure to listen, as they already know that you're always bound to learn something.

Building websites easily
Cape Town-based tech startup ThisArmy recently launched its flagship web application, aptly called Tank. Described by 35 year old founder Alan Alston as "an easy blend between pages, posts and photos", at the heart of it is a content-management system for building websites.

New categories for SA Blog Awards 2008
The fourth Annual South African Blog Awards kicks off on Monday, 11 February 2008, when nominations for blogs in various categories will be opened and accepted from the public. Apart from further categories being introduced this year, there has also been an overhaul of the rules, after the controversy of 2007.

SA universities take on Google marketing challenge
Professors across South Africa are partnering with Google to introduce students to the world of online advertising and hundreds of South African marketing students are ready for the challenge. “Online advertising is now an essential business requirement, yet, businesses tell us there are not enough people in the workforce with online advertising experience,” says Lee Hunter, product marketing manager, Google EMEA.

Nox Rentals goes wireless with RedButton - RedButton
Nox Rentals, which specialises in luxury apartment and villa rentals, has partnered with RedButton to roll out Wi-Fi hotspots at its locations in Camps Bay and Clifton. This adds the convenience of prepaid wireless broadband to Nox Rentals' service repertoire.

The changing landscape of direct marketing
Direct mail has been around since the invention of the typewriter in 1867. A hundred and forty years later, the landscape of direct marketing has significantly changed. “Technology has greatly affected the way we communicate, and this is particularly true with respect to the way marketers communicate with their customers,” says Michael Gullan, MD of Guerrilla Marketing.


Multiplatform functionality for DMA opt out register
The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) of South Africa recently launched multiplatform functionality for its opt out register via SMS, Internet and a call centre that allows consumers to remove their details from mailing lists used by the association's members to promote goods and services.

Adding millions to the bottom line
International roaming is a crucial service required by international travellers worldwide, yet remains exceptionally expensive, regardless of service provider or country. This was until Vodacom launched Vodafone Passport, a service that allows South African Vodacom clients to make international calls at local call rates. Entrusted to handle the launch was through-the-line agency Action Ambro's.

IMM Graduate School of Marketing provides recruitment service to graduates and business - IMM Graduate School of Marketing
The IMM Graduate School of Marketing is regularly approached by various organisations that need to fill marketing positions in order to drive their business processes. To meet these recruitment requests, the IMM GSM provides recruitment services at both its Johannesburg and Durban offices to assist companies in filling these positions.

Student loans from FNB will assist IMM GSM students - IMM Graduate School of Marketing
To ensure that a quality tertiary education in marketing is accessible to all who want to achieve their career aspirations, the IMM Graduate School of Marketing (IMM GSM) has entered into an agreement with First National Bank (FNB), whereby FNB will provide student loans to IMM students.

Operatic magicians set to enchant
The Soweto Opera Quadro will be hitting the road to take its Brothers in Song show to Johannesburg, Cape Town and London audiences in March and April 2008.


Solid 2008 forecast for meetings industry
According to FutureWatch 2008, a definitive market trends study for the global meetings and events planning industry, meeting professionals expect healthy attendance and budget increases in the coming year.

Provantage Events doing their bit to promote trade relations - Provantage Media
As part of the Irish prime minister's recent trade mission to South Africa, Provantage Events hosted and executed a luncheon for 320 guests, which included the prime minster's Irish delegation, captains of industry and top SA businessmen and women.

Events company creates dream party on Gautrain building site - Stephanie Moss Solutions
To celebrate a successful 2007 and the progress being made on the Gautrain construction, DURA Soletanche Bachy chose specialist events company Stephanie Moss Solutions to stage a party on site at one of the Gautrain building sites in Sandton, Johannesburg.


Africa's Top Occupational Health and Safety Conference 2008 - Top Companies Publishing
Do you want to lower costs by implementing sustainable strategies to improve productivity and cut safety risks? If your answer is yes to any of these questions then you must attend Africa's Top Occupational Health and Safety Conference taking place at The Forum | The Campus in Bryanston, Johannesburg.


Something regular, international and local for fundraiser
This year, the Tuks Rag Farm Festival on 8 February 2008 will feature its first-ever international act, OK Go, as part of its annual charity fundraising event by the University of Pretoria, which is celebrating 100 years. South African locals who will open the stage for OK Go are the Parlotones, Car Crash Burn, Fuzigish, Fokofpolisiekar, Chris Chameleon, DJ Oskido and L'vovo Derrango. The festival is organised by Tuks Rag and OppiKoppi Productions in association with Vodacom and Smirnoff Spin.

Motoring mag celebrates 30 years
[Tshepiso Seopa] Wiel magazine will be celebrating 30 years in April 2008 with a special anniversary issue. It is expected that all former editors of the magazine will contribute to the issue by looking back at the highlights of the last three decades and reflecting on their memories with the title.

Growing loyalty, winning new customers
Custom publications help a business grow a loyal customer base and win over new customers, according to Stephen Hulbert, co-ordinator of the popular Wild Card programme. Hulbert made these statements when asked about the recent increases in sales of the Wild Card, the loyalty card for national parks and nature reserves in South Africa.

Official guide to the 'ultimate human race'

click to enlarge

Runner's World has produced the official 32-page Comrades Marathon guide 2008. Comments Runner's World editor Mike Finch, “If it's a Comrades medal you're after this year, then this is a ‘must read'. It's got everything to get you in good shape and keep you inspired.” The guide is included with the February issue of Runner's World, on newsstands now.

Nzimande threatens City Press
[Tshepiso Seopa & Simone Puterman] NEWSWATCH: Media24's City Press has been accused of becoming a lobby group within the ANC structures and covering news in a provocatively, factionalist, divisive and highly subjective manner by the general secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP) and a member of the ANC National Executive Committee, Blade Nzimznde.

ANC, SABC: divorce on the cards?
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] Observers and independent analysts have reacted cautiously to the ANC's warning to the SABC that it should cease its role of party's propaganda machine and opt for a neutral approach. The Sunday Independent reported yesterday, Sunday, 3 February 2008, that CEO Dali Mpofu was summoned to the party's headquarters and told that the public broadcaster should stop pushing the party line and operate professionally.

Nation Media Group scribes scoop awards
[Walter Wafula] Five journalists attached to the Nation Media Group, East Africa's media giant, recently bagged an award each to beat several others at the first David Astor Journalism Awards in London.

Get ready for International Media Forum 2008
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] The second edition of the International Media Forum South Africa (IMFSA) will be held at the Campus in Bryanston, Johannesburg, 21 – 22 May 2008. IMFSA, a gathering of some of the world's top editors teaming up with African media managers and communicators, will seek to debate, among others, various issues and challenges affecting the environment media.


MDDA funding at board's discretion – Pahad
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] As Dr Essop Pahad, minister in the presidency, unveiled the new board of the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) to the press today, Thursday 31 January 2008, in Johannesburg, he informed them that the decision as to whom they fund and how much they give lies solely with the board, uninfluenced by Government or anyone else.

TABPI launches B2B editors' chapter for SA
CLEVELAND, US: International business-to-business media organisation TABPI is funding the creation of a new B2B media professionals group in South Africa, which will serve as the organisation's first chapter outside of the US. TABPI South Africa will operate independently out of a base in Johannesburg and is being set up by joint co-ordinators, our very own Louise Marsland of Bizcommunity.com and Natalia Thomson of Now Media.


Africa's editors call on Kibaki, Odinga, to end mayhem – or stand down
In an open letter to President Mwai Kibaki, Raila Odinga and the AU chairperson of commission Professor Alpha Oumar Konaré and chairperson of the AU, President John Kufuor, The African Editors' Forum has called upon Kenya's leaders to step aside if they cannot bring the violence to an end.

Journos need special skills to report on kids
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] Children are special and need protection. Journalists face significant challenges reporting on children – a daunting task that needs time, skills and ethical considerations, Media Monitoring Project (MMP) executive director William Bird told delegates who attended the workshop on reporting on the Children's Act, held late last week at Wits University in Johannesburg.

Growth for mobile operator
African mobile operator Vodacom Group is reporting a growth in revenue and total group customers across its networks operating in South Africa, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho and Mozambique.

Ghana 2008 Mobile Football Trivia game ignites fans - Starfish Mobile
Starfish Mobile Ghana has teamed up with Tigo Ghana, an international mobile network operator to launch the latest Mobile Football Trivia Game which runs concurrently with the Cup of Nations Tournament. The trivia game was initiated to ignite African football fans to support their favourite teams and to expand their knowledge of the beautiful game.

Enterprises worldwide rely on Clickatell for mission-critical mobile messaging - Clickatell
Clickatell, provider of global mobile messaging solutions, continues to see sustained rapid adoption of its popular mobile messaging applications and services to enterprises worldwide. With ever-increasing cellphone use, mobile device ubiquity and cost effectiveness of text messaging services, enterprises worldwide are increasingly implementing mobile messaging strategies for essential communications as a key differentiator to serving their customers.

Mobile ticketing unlocks a host of opportunity - Multimedia Solutions
From logistics to security, mobile ticketing addresses a host of needs. There is a huge increase in the interest in mobile ticketing globally as large sporting events look to adopt mobile technology to aid them in managing large groups of people at the events, says Eddie Groenewald, CEO of Multimedia Solutions.

Record entries for international newspaper competition
DARMSTADT, GERMANY: The evaluation of the record number of entries for an international newspaper competition to find the best reproduction and printing quality is in full swing. The competition is organised by IFRA, the Newspaper Association of America (NAA) and Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers Association (PANPA).

Africa's blogging revolutionaries
The world's poorest continent is, not surprisingly, also its least wired. However, web use in Africa has exploded almost ninefold since 2000, experts say. By prying open the stranglehold that repressive regimes once held on the news, it has become, in the hands of ingenious Africans, a powerful tool for democratisation and even disaster relief.

ICANN has outgrown JPA - Thrush
[Remmy Nweke] The chairman, Peter Dengate Thrush, and board of directors of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), says the corporation has 'outgrown' the expectations of the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) on which it was founded.

2008 Female Nation Survey launched - 24.com
Women24.com – part of the 24.com network – has launched its 2008 Female Nation Survey, the country's most comprehensive online survey of South African women. Running until the end of March, the anonymous online questionnaire will reveal women's perspectives on everything from affirmative action to faking orgasms.

Financial giants turn to internet lead generation to win new clients - ClickMaven
The internet can generate valuable sales leads and contribute to the growth of your business, whether you're an insurance company or a guest house owner, says Ferdie Bester, MD of online marketing specialists ClickMaven.

Largest affiliate network in Africa challenges uncompetitive internet marketing companies - Forge
OfferForge, reportedly the first and largest African affiliate network, has announced that it will continue its policy of not requiring advertiser exclusivity for affiliate or lead generation programs in the OfferForge Affiliate Marketplace.

OOH exposure goes airside
Cape Town Routes Unlimited is one of the first to advertise on Primedia Outdoor's newly erected pillar lightboxes on the airside at Cape Town International Airport. "Airside is generally out of bounds to any non-aeronautical application and Primedia Outdoor is thrilled to obtain this exclusive ACSA approval," says Mark Mac Donnell, Primedia Outdoor's sales and marketing executive.


South Africans take to Facebook in a big way! - Popimedia
South Africans have so taken to the Facebook phenomenon that Popimedia has accordingly launched a subsidiary company – Popimedia Innovations – to cater to this market.


Saving power on illuminated billboards with Adwraps - Adwraps
Outdoor media specialist company Adwraps is wanting to do its bit in helping South Africa and the electricity crisis at hand.

POP Outdoor billboards to introduce anti-crime initiative - POP Outdoor
POP Outdoor will soon be placing a call to the authorities with its “Beautiful Country... Let's Fix Crime” message on its billboards. Although this is an internal campaign, POP Outdoor will gladly accommodate a high profile sponsor which also wants to speak up and fight against crime.

Chinongwa by Lucy Michot - STE Publishers
Johannesburg-based STE Publishers have just published Chinongwa by first-time author Lucy Michot. This riveting novel is a sensitive and human account of shifting communities in rural Zimbabwe.

Revised film, TV production incentive welcomed
South African film producer Anant Singh has welcomed the revised film and television production incentive announced by the dti yesterday, Tuesday, 29 January 2008, saying that it “will continue to boost production activities in our country”.

Adrian de Sa Garces of Velocity has Ad of the Year Finalist for 5fm campaign - Velocity Films
The latest campaign for 5FM radio, directed by commercials director Adrian De Sa Garces of Velocity Films for agency Net#work BBDO, has been selected by the Creative Circle as an Ad of the Year Finalist. The campaign is all about the effect 5FM has on the world around you and amplifies listeners' everyday experiences, stimulating the senses and infusing energy.


Creative Vision launches cost-effective pre-viz - Creative Vision
Storyboards can communicate, but pre-visualisation creates. Pre-visualisation is normally the domain of big budget feature films, but it can now also be used for storyboards, sophisticated client presentations and research. A good quality pre-viz will cost about the same amount as creating a storyboard and making it into an animatic.

Creative Vision's 3D-animated commercial for Draftfcb wins CC ad of the month - Creative Vision
Animation director Brenton Green brings to life the vision of the Draftfcb creative team, Rob McLennan, Mike Wilson and Byron Liatos, for client Mag-Lite.

Sound Media's potent mix - Sound Media
Nightclubs countrywide were transformed into a sea of purple hysteria by Sound Media, following the arrival of F&Martinengo's Potency/12pm Volume 2 tour recently.


It's a VIP Playground for Playboys and Playgirls - Sound Media
Following the success of their 2006 tour, Aspen Pharmaceuticals once again entrusted Sound Media with the 2007 leg of the ever-popular Playboy/Playgirl tour. Bigger and even better than previous years, the 2007 tour covered beaches and nightclubs in towns across the country.


An orange coastline - Sound Media
If you thought beaches were strictly for tanning and surfing, you may have been surprised to see the coastline swamped in a sea of orange inflatables recently. Sound Media, commissioned by Tiger Brands, transformed popular beaches into an Oros wonderland for kids this festive season.


Pimp my campus - Sound Media
2007 saw the pimping of university campuses across the country, with KFC, Sound Media and 5fm's Elana Afrika prompting university students to engage in various crazy, fun and engaging activities.


And the Oscar winner is...
Running since 25 January until 22 February 2008 , two days before the Oscars are announced in Hollywood, Ster-Kinekor's Oscar Movie Millionaire promotion in association with SABC2 and SABC3 capitalises on the interest in the Oscars. “[It] is an attendance driver aimed to attract people into cinemas when the interest in movies is at one of its highest points in the year. It is also a fun way for our audiences to engage with the Oscars,” says Ster-Kinekor marketing executive Michelle Roodt.

Deadline for PRISA PRISM awards this Friday
“The PR industry is not sitting on its hands anymore.” So says PRCC chair Bridget von Holdt, comparing the significant number of PRISM entries received to that of previous years. The deadline for the individual award entries is this Friday, 1 February 2008, and von Holdt expects that the final tally may be as much as 30% increase in entries.

Deadline for IABC International 2008 Gold Quill Awards looms
You can still make the 5 February 2008 early bird deadline for this year's international Gold Quill Awards. These awards recognise excellence in the corporate communication industry each year, with entrants competing against the best of the best internationally and prize winners announced at the IABC International conference taking place in June this year.

Livewired Communications Cape Town appointed by Isimilo Investments' for marketing campaign - Livewired Communications
Livewired Communications Cape Town, a branch of a well-established, full service PR and marketing agency, has recently been appointed for the marketing and branding campaign of Isimilo Investments.


Claire Gardner is Alerting the Media! - Alerting the Media
On Friday 1 February 2008, Claire Gardner Consulting celebrates its third birthday with the launch of a new name and two new divisions.


Three Ring Circus renews its contract with Grapevine - Grapevine Communications
Youth marketing company, Three Ring Circus, has committed to a second consecutive year with Grapevine Communications.

Livewired Communications snaps up a sweet deal - Livewired Communications
Public relations agency Livewired Communications has been chosen to head up PR for Canderel. From January 2008 Livewired will be handling all of Canderel's PR requirements.

702, Joburg mayor to dialogue with residents
Talk Radio 702, together with the City of Johannesburg, will be dedicating a weekly one-hour feature to highlight the progress of the city's governance and give residents a platform to raise concerns about issues that affect their everyday lives.

What load shedding has meant for radio
[Omar Essack] In every crisis there is opportunity for those with a pioneering spirit. The obvious beneficiaries in our current spate of blackouts have been those who sell generators, batteries, battery operated devices and those in the business of selling gas and gas appliances. Here's another: radio stations.

Showcasing what's new in the research industry
Following the submission of an unprecedented 34 papers, 20 have been selected for presentation at the 2008 Southern African Marketing Research Association (SAMRA) Conference, each reflecting the conference's aim of showcasing new topics and trends in the research industry.

OmniVision gets SA's Top End Families to say “Cheese!” - OmniVision
OmniVision, a qualitative marketing research firm based in Cape Town, will be taking a good look at South Africa's flourishing families; from their shifting family values and financial priorities to what's on the dinner-table and in kids' lunchboxes.


Unemployment and job security - Ipsos Markinor
Gallup International's Voice of the People End of the Year Survey found that one in four working world citizens (24%) think there is a chance they may become unemployed.

The world in 2008: a fear of the future and a lack of faith in leaders - Ipsos Markinor
The latest findings of a global survey carried out for the World Economic Forum show a lack of faith that the next generation will live in a safer world.

South Africans remain confident as 2010 draws near - African Response
As a nation, 73% of South Africans are confident that we will be ready to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, according to market research company African Response.

2008 SAMRA Conference attracts early delegate and exhibitor interest - SAMRA
Bookings for the 2008 SAMRA Conference, which is set to take place on 27 and 28 of May 2008 at the Royal Swazi Sun and Spa in the Ezulwini Valley in Swaziland, are coming in fast.


2008: the year ahead - Ipsos Markinor
Gallup International' s Voice of the People End of the Year Survey found a third of the more than 50 000 people interviewed across the world are optimistic about the year to come (33%), while a quarter (26%) are pessimistic and 32% forecast no major changes.

Medical Research Council pioneers field research techniques using mobiles - Clyral
The MRC selected Mobile Researcher, a locally developed research platform, for a large-scale baseline study conducted in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal. Equipped with standard cellphones, fieldworkers were able to capture and upload responses from within the mobile application, eliminating the need for paper and subsequent data capture.

R350 million expansion plan for Eastgate
Liberty Life Properties recently announced a R350 million expansion programme at Johannesburg's Eastgate shopping centre. New restaurant and retail space will introduce a lifestyle component to the shopping experience and add 12 000m² to the gross lettable area, taking the total area to 121 000 m².


NCR hits errant credit providers
The practice of retaining borrowers' bankcards will no longer be tolerated in the credit industry.

Lights to go out at PnP
Leading by example, one of South Africa's biggest food retailers has decided to cut its power consumption by 20%. Not only that, it is selling energy-efficient light bulbs at cost to consumers – to help you save!

Generator suppliers run out of stock
[Luyanda Makapela] As intermittent power outages continue nationwide, generator suppliers are running out of stock and many do not expect new stock for weeks.

Pointeq Teqnologies offers specialised and individualised software - Pointeq Teqnologies
Pointeq Teqnologies supplies and integrates total information technology with the focus on point-of-sale solutions in the small and medium -sized retail markets. It prides itself in its Windward software product line and the 20 different market segments it supplies to.

90 years young and still loving it - Hertz Rent a Car
For a global brand to reach 90 years of successful operation these days is a mighty feat, even more so in the volatile car rental market, which often sees companies crashing to anonymity. Great news then for Hertz Rent a Car, which is celebrating its 90th year of operation in 2008.

New sponsor for career roadshow
The Rocking Future Roadshow has kicked off the New Year with Standard Bank as its new sponsor. The purpose of the show is to assist matric students in their future career decision-making process.

Twenty seven years of rugby sponsorship
Tellumat Defence, the defence technology division in the Tellumat Group, has recently extended its sponsorship of the South African Air Force Rugby Week for the 27th consecutive year.

Gamers battle it out online
iBurst is the sponsor of the inaugural and individually-ranked iGame Domination Call of Duty 4 Tournament, running 1 – 28 February 2008. iGame is iBurst's online gaming offering launched after the wireless broadband provider partnered with gaming studio Nanogames. “iBurst has invested a great deal of time and resources in its online gaming servers in order to optimise South Africa's poor international latency and provide better performances and reliability during tournaments,” says Thami Mtshali, CEO of iBurst. For more information, go to http://igame.iburst.co.za.

SABC ponders way forward
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] After losing its arbitration soccer case against the Premier Soccer League (PSL), the embattled South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is licking its wounds and pondering its next move. However, the Auckland Park-based organisation said the judgement constitutes a huge defeat for the soccer-mad nation.

ICASA has no jurisdiction – Free2view
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] Great Media technical director Malcolm Ramsay has told Bizcommunity.com that the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) will not stop Free2view from broadcasting in SA as the regulator's authority and ‘ policing' only apply to SA. [Vote in our poll]

Cooking up more magic for a second season
Cooking Magic, the SABC3 cooking show produced by Urban Brew Studios, is now in its second season, targeted at the young and old.

Even more winners with Red Cherry - Red Cherry Television
Red Cherry is proud to have been able to put smiles on two people's faces during December 2007.

SABC loses case against PSL
NEWSWATCH: The SABC's complaints last year against the Premier Soccer League have been dismissed with costs by arbitrator Chris Loxton, according to News24.com.