Call for Social Entrepreneurship 2008 nominees
Ernst & Young and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship seek to recognise and reward leading South African social entrepreneurs with the South African Social Entrepreneur Award, which forms part of Ernst & Young's World Entrepreneur Awards Programme. Deadline for the nomination process for participants to enter this award is 4 April 2008.

Media becoming greater part of life in SA
South African adults are consuming more media. As measured by the latest All Media and Products Survey (AMPS), the 2007B released today, Thursday, 13 March, most media types have shown significant growth over the previous AMPS, released in September 2007 (AMPS 2007A).

BWA Businesswoman of the Year nominations open
The Businesswomen's Association (BWA) is inviting members of the public to submit nominations for the annual Nedbank-sponsored Businesswoman of the Year Awards. Nominations for the 2008 event, which celebrates the achievements of the country's businesswomen, are open until Friday, 30 May 2008. Last year's Entrepreneurial winner was Renee Silverstone, CEO of The Jupiter Drawing Room.

AMPS 2007B synopsis on Bizcommunity later today
A synopsis of the results of the South African Advertising Research Foundation AMPS 2007B will be available on Bizcommunity.com this afternoon, Thursday, 13 March 2008.

Live blogging from Tom Peters live in SA
Louise Marsland, editor of Bizcommunity.com, is blogging live from today's Global Leaders event featuring leadership/management guru Tom Peters, in Midrand, Johannesburg. Read her first post here and look out for more later [Update: see posts two and three].

Political, business heavyweights to steer Brand SA to 2010
“2010 offers Brand South Africa exciting new possibilities to truly put the country on the world map,” said Cheryl Carolus, CEO of Peotona Group Holdings recenly. Carolus was speaking at the announcement of the new trustees of the International Marketing Council of South Africa, which is entrusted with boosting Brand South Africa and making its slogan – Alive with Possibility – become a living reality.

Staying because we ain't chicken
“Come on... enough with the long faces! We're here, we're staying, we love this place and there's still lots of good around!” That's the word from the latest Nando's ‘The Future is Bright' campaign, due to launch today, Friday, 14 March 2008.


Is the generalist agency dead?
[Jason Ray] The debate around generalist versus specialist ad agency has been raging for some time now. So, is it better to be a specialist? Or a generalist?


Clio juries for Television/Cinema/Digital and Design categories released
NEW YORK: The complete international juries for the 2008 Television/Cinema/Digital and Design categories for the 49th annual Clio Awards were announced yesterday, Thursday, 13 March 2008. The design jury is chaired by Garth Walker of Durban-based Orange Juice Design.

TJDR's Ross Chowles to judge Clios
NEW YORK: Ross Chowles, executive creative director of The Jupiter Drawing Room Cape Town, will be one of the 2008 judges for the Print/Poster/Billboard/Innovative Media/Integrated Campaigns category of the 49th annual Clio Awards, it was announced earlier this week.

Start prepping your Loeries entries!
The Loerie Awards 2008 opens for entries next week. Agencies from across Africa, the Middle-East and surrounding island states will have two months to put together their submissions.

FoxP2 master the art of tea - FoxP2
Hot on the heels of its Freshpak tea televison commercial, FoxP2 has created a print campaign for Freshpak variants Rooibos, Chamomile and Green Tea.


Creative chameleons! - Globecreative Advertising and Design
Globecreative Advertising and Design in Hope Street, Cape Town, has termed the phrase “Chameleon Effect” as a way of defining its capability when positioning brands within the complicated SA market.


Another addition to dynamic and growing Globecreative team - Globecreative Advertising and Design
Globecreative Advertising and Design recently appointed account executive Danine Naidoo to the team.


FoxP2 ensure access to Velocity pool party - FoxP2
The last few weeks have seen Newcomer Agency Of The Year, FoxP2, complete a number of television ads with South Africa's top directors at Velocity Productions.


Life's good with Mindshare
Global brand LG Electronics has appointed MindShare to manage its entire media planning and buying activities in South Africa, it was announced yesterday, Monday, 10 March 2008. Said Maria Phillips, CEO of MindShare South Africa, “There is no doubt that the LG Electronics brand is one of the most dynamic and exciting brands in the world. We are delighted to be working with such a high status organisation and team and are proud to have LGE on our client list.”

Ogilvy SA partners with Coley Porter Bell
One of London's leading branding and design agencies, Coley Porter Bell (CBP), has just been launched into the South African market by Ogilvy South Africa. CBP specialises in brand strategy, brand identity, packaging, innovation, point of decision, online branding and naming.


Zim companies re-brand for Africa
[Dumisani Ndlela] Zimbabwean companies' rebranding reflects a desire to become freer of the shackles of an economy in crisis.

Former Lowe Bull Joburg MD for Yellowwood
Yellowwood Future Architects yesterday, Monday, 11 March 2008, announced the appointment of Ivan Moroke, previously the MD of Lowe Bull Joburg, as its new group MD.


HKLM celebrates five years of creative difference - HKLM
Strategic brand group HKLM this month celebrates five years of being different, standing out and challenging industry norms.


thirtyfour on the money with their pitch to Thuoslots - 34
In a recent three-way pitch against Bester Burke and Grey Matter, activation agency thirtyfour scooped up the Thuoslots business, signing a three-year deal with this rapidly growing blue-chip client.


3D Deco – Stretch Activators launch new product – permanent space transformations - 3D Deco
3D Deco provides customised décor for a complete spatial enhancement of the office environment by incorporating 3D brand-focused solutions for an immersive branding experience.

Ster-Kinekor Junction for eastern Johannesburg
Ster-Kinekor's latest state-of-the-art Junction multiplex opens tomorrow, Thursday, 13 March 2008, this time in Kempton Park's Festival Mall. And to celebrate, the doors of the eight-screen complex are being thrown open to the public for a day of free movie-going.

Appletiser set to follow Sex and the City with CineMARK - CineMARK
Beverage manufacturer Appletiser is set to advertise with CineMARK, the cinema advertising sales company responsible for the advertising sales of 64.6% of South African cinema complexes and 66.6% of South African cinema audiences, on reels preceding the Sex and the City movie releasing on 6 June 2008.

Be enthralled by Japanese films
The Japanese Film Festival will take place at Cinema Nouveau screened by Jameson 14 – 16 March 2008 at Pretoria's Brooklyn Mall, before moving on to Johannesburg's Rosebank Mall 21 – 27 March. The festival will this year showcase some of the best films to come out of Japan, with six award-winning films having been specially selected for the South African audience. Films include Tokyo Story, Fancy Dance, Glass Rabbit, Hotel Hibiscus, Taro the Dragon Boy and Twilight Samurai. For details of the free screening times, go to www.sterkinekor.com.

Creative Licence designs super new packaging for Super Fruit - Creative Licence
Supermarket shelves of fruit juice concentrates are almost buckling under the weight of all of the different brands, making differentiating a brand in this market all the more difficult. As a result, The Ceres Beverage Company, manufacturer of Super Fruit, chose 2007 to redesign the Super Fruit packaging to make it more instantly visible and recognisable to shoppers.


Getting a head start on design news
PIJNACKER, THE NETHERLANDS: www.graphicstart.com is a newly launched one-stop shop of graphic art news for designers, creative professionals, publishers and printers. Taking advantage of Web 2.0 culture and social environments, it provides news, blogs, views and reviews from more than 400 outlets within the industry.

World's publishers face off against Google
[Matthew Buckland] Online publishers and newspapers appear to be heading for a face-off with search engine behemoth. Last week, the powerful World Association of Newspapers (WAN) issued a rather terse statement, calling on Google "to respect the rights of content creators" and embrace a new access protocol for search engines visiting websites, known as ACAP.


Roadshow for Gauteng ISPA members
Members of the management committee of the Internet Service Providers' Association of SA (ISPA) have been briefing Gauteng Internet service providers (ISPs) on recent developments within the industry during a March 2008 roadshow.

ACAP responds to Google
Questioned on its position on Automated Content Access Protocol (ACAP) at the MediaGuardian.co.uk Changing Media Summit, yesterday, Wednesday, 12 March 2008, Google spokesman Rob Jonas said that “the general view within the company is that the robots.txt provides everything most publishers need to do.” The ACAP response is that “publishers know what they need, and they need ACAP”.

Is Google becoming an agency?
[Jan Boshoff] Earlier this week, Google finalised its acquisition deal of DoubleClick, a company that offers an awesome range of online marketing products to advertisers, publishers and agencies. One immediate question comes to mind: What does it mean for all other agencies and Adwords advertisers?


Online sales continue to boom
If January and February 2008 is anything to go by, the online retail industry is set to experience significant growth in the forthcoming months of 2008.

Interactive maps for website integration
AfriGIS, a location-based services company, has made its dynamic, interactive maps freely available to companies and individuals for integration into html websites in return for revenue sharing.

Launch of online travel summit
Travelwires, in association with FutureBlue, will be holding the first Online Travel Summit in Cape Town, 8 April 2008. The summit is aimed at all players in the travel sector and will include sessions on search engine optimisation (SEO), PPC, email marketing and online brand building from leading experts.

Stormers website nominated for SA Blog Awards 2008 - Clickthinking Online
The Vodacom Stormers stand to win again! The hugely successful Iamastormer.com has been selected as a finalist in the South African Blog Awards 2008. Currently the blog has over 4300 faithful fans, with the numbers increasing daily.

Triggered communications a powerful tool for CRM and electronic marketing - Striata
Lifecycle-based triggered communications in the form of personalised messages automatically sent to individuals on a special date or event are an important component in achieving effective customer relationship management (CRM).

Indigo Cosmetics appoints Ripe to redevelop web presence - Ripe Design
Ripe has recently been appointed by Indigo Cosmetics, manufacturers and distributor of Lenthéric, Yardley, Coty and Rimmel in South Africa, to manage strategy, concept, design and development of the company's online requirements.

Blog awards judges announced
Without any fanfare, the celebrity non-blogging and international blogger judge panels for the 2008 South African Blog Awards were made public yesterday, Wednesday, 12 March 2008, to the relief and acclaim of South African bloggers. The celebrity non-blogging judges are: Laurence Mitchell, commissioner of the Cape Film Commission; Andrew Boraine, executive chairman of the Cape Town Partnership; Dave Murrey of Clickthinking; Mike Pearson of FoxP2, Porky Hefer of Animal Farm; and John Maytham of 567 CapeTalk. The international blogger judges are: Josh Spear of Joshspear.com; Marcus Fairs of Dezeen.com; Andrew Zolli, curator of Pop!Tech; Dan of Innocent drinks; Brendan T Lynch of nvohk; and, a real coup, Marshall Kirkpatrick of ReadWriteWeb.

So near, yet so far for SA at Caples
South Africa's creatives need to explore and experiment more with mixed interactive platforms in their strategies and execution of campaigns, says Joe Public's BTL creative director Xolisa Dyeshana, a recent judge at the John Caples International Awards in New York.

Seeking direct marketing solutions in the US
The South African direct marketing landscape faces many difficulties not present in the broader global environment. Seeking solutions, Vikesh Roopchand, Primedia@Home's GM of Business Development, recently attended the Direct Marketing Association's conference and exhibition in Chicago, US.

Big changes ahead for education, training system
[Alan Hammond] While many government departments are wary of launching new initiatives with a year left of the current government, the education and labour ministries have four bills between them that are making their way through Parliament.

Stephanie Moss on top five incentive destinations - Stephanie Moss Solutions
International travel remains one of the top incentive rewards, worldwide, but where in the world are South African companies taking their top performers to, to reward them for their efforts? According to local events, conferences and incentive solutions specialist Stephanie Moss, MD of Stephanie Moss Solutions, the top five incentive travel destinations for her South African clients are Bali, Phuket, Mauritius, Rio and Livigno.


Bright lights ahead for TPSA stars - TPSA
“It's good to be positive – our industry is growing,” said lifetime achievement winner and MD of Gearhouse, Ofer Lapid, at the Technical Production Services Association's (TPSA) 2007/2008 awards. The event, held on the 10th March 2008 in Kyalami, aims to honour the shining stars in the industry and allow for a platform where technical professionals can interact and network with their peers.


A few good men – and women - Amara Productions
Ask any successful business person the most important factor for success, and generally they are unanimous in their answer: the people with the best people win! As a result, organisations in the know give getting the right staff at least as much respect as getting new business.

Volcano assists Sony in launching new camera range - Volcano Advertising
Volcano's advertising and PR divisions have assisted Sony in successfully launching four new α (Alpha) Digital-SLR cameras at The Castle in Kyalami to the key media and dealers.


A decade on the light side of life - Coca-Cola dome
The Coca-Cola dome epitomises all that is fun in life – from the riveting once-off performance by Diana Ross at the official opening ten years ago, to performances by Ronan Keating, Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Elton John and Celine Dion. As a matter of fact, more than half a million visitors a year cannot be wrong.

Gearing up for the Rand Show
In a week's time, all roads will be heading to the Rand Easter Show, as has become a norm over the past 113 years. More than 600 exhibitors are preparing themselves to display and sell their products at one of South Africa's biggest consumer exhibition, running 21 March – 6 April 2008 at Nasrec, Johannesburg.

Taking gold at Tyrexpo Africa
The 3D Group was recently awarded first place in the Best Stand Design category at Tyrexpo Africa for its stand for CFP Tyres, based on innovative design and precision stand construction. Previous wins for 3D have included stands at exhibitions such as Markex and AutoAfrica, as well as many awards from Exsa on an annual basis.

Gaming expo sets dates
The sixth annual technology and gaming expo, rAge 2008, will take place in Johannesburg, 3 – 5 October 2008, at the Coca-Cola dome in Northgate, Johannesburg. It is positioned to take advantage of pre-Christmas sales and marketing campaigns; for example, Microsoft used rAge as the venue for the South African launch of the Xbox 360 in 2006, and The Core Group chose the expo for the Nintendo Wii's first public appearance in SA in 2007.

Media24 launches Woman360
Media24 Women's Magazines division has rebranded to Woman360, it was announced this morning, Monday, 17 March 2008.

Don't black faces sell magazines?
[Rose Setshoge] The Times last week reported that a Nigerian model, Oluchi Onweagba, accused the local editions of Glamour and GQ of refusing to have her on the covers of the publications because she is black. If this claim is true – that indeed race is an issue – perhaps Conde Nast Independent Magazines need to find out how many black average issue readers (AIR) it has.


Name change for Afrikaans travel mag
Afrikaans travel magazine Wegbreek is change its name to Mooiloop, with effect from the June 2008 issue, it was announced earlier this week, to address the confusion resulting from the several similar-sounding magazines in the marketplace and to carve a unique identity for the title

True Love magazine launches interactive brand and product exhibition - woman360
True Love magazine is pioneering an interactive exhibition uniting advertisers, brands and products that represent all lifestyle stages of the modern black True Love reader. Over 30 South African products, from fashion to food, beauty to babies, will be displayed in an interactive environment at the True Love All A Woman Needs Day at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, on Saturday, 15 March 2008.

A green champion of environmental issues
The Property Magazine has for the first time in its four-year history ditched its traditionally red masthead for a green one. “While the red masthead is an integral part of the brand identity for The Property Magazine, we felt strongly that as the green issues facing South Africa are so important, we needed to shock our readers into really taking these issues seriously,” says Tony Vaughan, publisher of the title and MD of its parent company Media Nova. “Don't worry; we're red again from next month.”

Beijing Olympics 2008: winning press freedom
What press freedom conditions can journalists and sports writers expect when they go to China to cover the 2008 Summer Olympics? An international conference designed to answer their questions, and to examine the methods that China uses to control the press, will be held in Paris next month, 18 –19 April 2008.

Modise's LOC days numbered?
[Simone Puterman] NEWSWATCH: Industry sources have told the Mail & Guardian that Tim Modise's stint on the 2010 LOC is coming to an end soon, whether it be by his resigning or being fired.

Call for SA participants for TABPI/ASBPE webinar
TABPI is working with the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) to sponsor some future webinars. As a test case, interested South African B2B professionals are invited to take part in the upcoming webinar, “Taking Your Webcasts to the Next Level”, on Friday, 21 March 2008.

Talking about racism in the newsroom
[Tshepiso Seopa] The racially motivated incidences making headlines recently lead to the South African Human Rights Commission meeting with the Johannesburg Press Club yesterday, Tuesday, 11 March 2008, to discuss the progress made and challenges faced by South Africa.

Avusa launches new media innovation lab
[Simone Puterman] NEWSWATCH: Avusa has launched a new commercial application unity, the iLab, to create online, offline and mobile innovation within the Avusa group, revealed Justin Hartman, iLab digital innovation manager, in his blog this morning, Wednesday, 12 March 2008.

A tribute to Isabel Jones
[Chris Moerdyk] Isabel Jones was a person of immense passion. For consumer justice, for her family and for culinary creativity.

ANC resurrects newspaper plans
[Simone Puterman] NEWSWATCH: The ANC is proposing once again to launch its own commercial newspaper, as well as relaunch its Mayibuye and Umrabulo publications, writes IOL.

Consumer crusader Isabel Jones dies
Veteran consumer journalist and foodie Isabel Jones died in hospital this morning, Tuesday, 11 March 2008. She was admitted to the ICU at the weekend suffering from breathing problems and her condition deteriorated. She underwent open heart surgery in December 2007.

Evo Media appoints new staff - Evo Media
Evo Media has recently appointed eight new staff members to complement the existing team.

Improving service through personalised welcome packs
Nashua Mobile launched a new welcome pack concept yesterday, 13 March 2008, designed to provide new and upgraded customers with information 100% relevant their contracts. The design of each welcome pack is closely aligned with the marketing strategy and corporate identity of Nashua Mobile's cellular network partners.

More shopping malls go Bluetooth with Stan Katz
JSE-listed property loan stock company Growthpoint has recently signed a contract with MobiBlitz, cofounded by radio veteran Stan Katz, to install interactive Bluetooth hotspots (Mobizones) in all of their shopping malls, totalling some 72 nationally. Twenty of these have now been completed, with another 10 to follow shortly.

Sasko Flour integrates mobile into marketing mix - Multimedia Solutions
Sasko Flour has begun using mobile marketing as part of marketing strategy to build direct relationships with its customers. Mo-B and Multimedia Solutions has provided Sasko Flour with a number of mobile solutions, integrating them with TV and store promotions to expand the company's reach into the market.

Newpaper printing elite announced
DARMSTADT, GERMANY: IFRA, NAA and PANPA announced the world's 50 best newspaper printers which have been awarded membership in the International Newspaper Color Quality Club 2008 – 2010 yesterday, Thursday, 13 March 2008.

Extending newspaper strengths to the web
PARIS: Newspapers everywhere share some universal characteristics: strong brands, customer loyalty, and high levels of market reach. How to extend these attributes into digital media will be the subject of a major presentation at the 61st World Newspaper Congress, to be held in Göteborg, Sweden, 1 – 4 June 2008.

City Press and the BMF involved with socio-economic transformation - City Press
Last month, the Black Management Forum (BMF), Johannesburg branch, hosted its second Annual Leadership Lecture in association with City Press at Gallagher Estate, Johannesburg. The objective of the lecture was to engage business and political leaders on their views of South Africa's management and its impact on organisational effectiveness and innovation and leadership competence in a global context.


Beeld collaborates with Die Nutsman's Riaan Venter - Beeld
For a period of six weeks, popular Afrikaans daily newspaper Beeld is offering its readers an opportunity to win a kitchen makeover to the value of R100 000. Popular ‘Mr Fix-It' personality Riaan Venter of Die Nutsman fame is endorsing the competition.


Correction: Grocott's to take government to court
Bizcommunity.com apologises for incorrectly attributing “Grocott's is a launching pad to throw missiles against the leadership of the municipality and the ANC” to former Grocott's editor Jonathan Ancer in yesterday's newsletter, when it was in fact Patrick Ntshiba, a Makana councillor, that Ancer was quoting in his Thought Leader blogpost.

Adrian Hewlett new OPA chair
Habari Media chief Adrian Hewlett has been elected as the new chairman of the Online Publishers Association (OPA) for 2008/9, it was announced on Friday, 14 March 2008.


Moneyweb, ITWeb partner for online events, recruitment
Moneyweb.co.za announced a five-year joint venture agreement with ITWeb yesterday, Monday 10 March 2008, to launch and operate a number of new web-based services. The two initiatives are targeted at Moneyweb's growing audience and are powered by ITWeb's business model, technology and service delivery methodology.

Outdoor ad in Durban goes big
Advertising and design agency Whalley & Associates is responsible for a massive 20x9 metre installation applied to the curving glass frontage of Marriott's head office in Durban. The installation is allegedly a first for the city.


Talking shooters in the washroom – again
Douglas Green Bellingham (DGB) is once again laying claim to the majority of the TLC Nightlife washrooms for most of 2008. The contract renewal will make use of TLC's indoor billboards, Talking Frames and newly launched Mirror Media for popular brands Tang Apple Sours and Jagermeister.


Fly Banner Fly - Expandasign International
Did you know that the teardrop shaped Flying Banner was developed and patented right here in South Africa by Expand a Sign and that these are now used to brand indoor and outdoor events worldwide?


POP Outdoor now scrolling at Loch Logan Waterfront - POP Outdoor
POP Outdoor now has a presence at the newly revamped Loch Logan Waterfront in Bloemfontein.


Making media measurable - ComutaNet
[Pieter Groenewald] The days of dipstick research are numbered as media owners are facing increasing pressure from marketers to show results for every ad rand spent. Pieter Groenewald MD of ComutaNet looks at media measurability and some of the measures ComutaNet is taking to integrate this essential ingredient into ComutaNet client campaigns.


Amarula captures the spirit of Africa with outdoor - Clear Channel
To create effective outdoor advertising is an art. To capture the spirit of Africa with quintessential accuracy on a wrap is pure genius. The Amarula Cream creative, part of the Clear Channel Outdoor Pinnacle Collection, has won the Clear Channel Outdoor Creative of the Month award for January/February 2008.


ComutaNet Cape Town relocates - ComutaNet
The ComutaNet team in Cape Town has recently relocated to premises that enable it to offer better service to its clients and partners. Says Gavin Ritchie, GM of sales and marketing, “Our priority is to our clients and stakeholders and [we] believe that the new premise is conveniently situated.”

Making a mark on Baltimore

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Old Mutual recently became a highly visible part of the Baltimore skyline when a 27.4 x 3.4 metre Old Mutual insignia was hoisted atop its office in Fleet Street. This after receiving the formal thumbs-up from local officials. Last year Old Mutual launched its first multimedia advertising campaign in the US with a view to building awareness of the brand amongst consumers in the American in the retail market.

Energizer ad directed by Anton Visser of Velocity is Creative Circle Ad of the Month - Velocity Films
Anton Visser of Velocity Films directed the humorous spot for Energizer rechargeable lights which has won Creative Circle Ad of the Month.


Evo(lves) naturally for Feelgood Health - Evo Media
EVO Media, a new media agency based in Cape Town, has announced the completion of a DVD production for natural remedy producer Feelgood Health.

V-Lab looking for more talent - V-Lab
V-Lab is looking to employ more talent in a number of positions, some permanent and some on contract.

Saatchi & Saatchi account for Marcus Brewster
Saatchi & Saatchi has appointed Marcus Brewster Publicity (MBP) as its PR agency of record, it was announced on Friday, 14 March 2008. MBP will be responsible for reputation management of the Saatchi brand, as well as servicing the media liaison requirements of the advertising agency's Cape Town and Johannesburg offices.

PR agency goes Web 2.0 with expanded tech offering
Strategic communications consultancy GGi Communications' new specialist technology division GGI Tech provides three types of niche PR service offerings to technology companies: High Tech PR, Communications 2.0 and Publicity 101.

An Eclipse for Meier & McEwen
PR agency Meier & McEwen announced yesterday, Tuesday, 11 March 2008, that it had been renamed to Eclipse Public Relations. Apart from rebranding and adding a string of new account gains to its existing portfolio, it has also launched a specialist Entertainment Division, to be headed up by Egoli star Hannes van Wyk.

Credibility: start building it sooner than later
[Trish Riley] The controversy surrounding Mandoza's recent car accident has been further fuelled by the subsequent announcement that the singer has appointed a PR company to handle all dealings with the media. While this move comes as no real surprise to the industry, personalities and companies would do well to adopt a PR strategy and thereby build credibility sooner rather than later.


Sabela Loss Control appoints PURE Communications - PURE Communications
Sabela Loss Control, a Johannesburg-based security company, has appointed PURE Communications as its PR agency of record. PURE will kick off with building a new website, then embark on an aggressive PR campaign to build Sabela into a thought leader in the industry.

Niger government suspends RFI
The High Council for Communication (CSC) has suspended local FM retransmission of the French public radio station Radio France Internationale (RFI) for three months for "discrediting" Niger's institutions by holding a day of solidarity with its imprisoned correspondent, Moussa Kaka, on 10 March 2008.

Just-Ice for Radio 2000
[Tshepiso Seopa] Koloi ya JustIce ha e duma ya tsamaya. The Ice God Just-Ice Ramohlola will be leaving Kaya FM at the end of the month, heading straight to Auckland Park to join SABC' Radio 2000.

DJ lineup to be revealed at birthday bash
At Ligwalagwala FM's 26th birthday bash – on Saturday, 5 April 2008, at the Lowveld Show Grounds in Mpumalanga – not only will the new April lineup be revealed but also the revamped logo and brand positioning.

First Yebo Gogo, now Yebo Radio
[Tshepiso Seopa] The recently launched Yebo Radio is for now a retail station broadcasting to 290 Vodacom outlets and distributors, but soon Vodacom subscribers with data-capable handsets will be able to listen to live streaming from anywhere in the world. Bizcommunity.com recently paid a visit to Vodaworld in Midrand to find out more about Vodacom's latest concept.

Phat Joe back on the airwaves
[Tshepiso Seopa] The controversial Majota Khambule, otherwise known as Phat Joe, is officially back on the airwaves – this time around on Kaya FM's newly lengthened 5am – 9am breakfast show. The Breakfast with Phat Joe was strategically launched yesterday, Monday, 10 March 2008, with him allegedly ‘being late' on his first day at work, only arriving at 8am still in his pyjamas.


Jacaranda 94.2's bright idea generates electrifying response - Jacaranda 94.2
Armed with a proactive energy solution, modelled on Eskom and the government's 10% energy-saving plan, Jacaranda 94.2 has implemented a new energy-saving initiative, providing another innovative means of branding as part of the country's vital power rationing drive.

Heart 104.9FM on the move - Heart 104.9
Cape Town radio station Heart 104.9FM is quite literally going where no other radio station has gone before. Last week the first of a series of “Heart On The Move” outside broadcasts saw the Afternoon Drive team broadcasting live from the deck of a yacht as it cruised around Table Bay.


Radio station hands over GPS to police

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Talk Radio 702 earlier this week handed over 734 Garmin Nüvi GPS systems to the South African Police Service (SAPS) at the station's Sandton offices, following an on-air appeal to listeners by morning show host, John Robbie, two weeks ago. The appeal followed a request that was made to the station by an SAPS flying squad member. The systems will first and foremost go to flying squad members, and then to other officers across Gauteng.

Black ‘twirties' take moonlighting to the next level
A recent qualitative study by OmniVision has found that black ‘twirties', professionals in their twenties and thirties, are working around the clock to fulfill their lifestyle needs and also to feed their passion and entrepreneurial spirit.

MARFA conference a success once again
Wendy Gordon of London's innovative Acacia Avenue turned the recent two-day Marketing & Research for Africa (MARFA) conference into an expansion of qualitative researchers' horizons as participants labelled the workshop conference “awesome”, “valuable”, and “insightful”.

More South Africans make use of financial products
[FinMark Trust] Not only is the number of South Africans who make use of financial products growing, but the rate at which they are taking up these products is also increasing. The biggest winner in the product stakes has been the funeral sector, and particularly informal burial societies, which was the product to watch in 2007. This series of documents, courtesy of FinScope South Africa 2007, provides the key findings of the financial products sectors in South Africa.

Franchising a hot topic in entrepreneurial circles this week
Almost 500 franchised systems currently operate in South Africa. They produce 12.5% of GDP and 87% of them represent local brands. Surprisingly, a third of SA's franchises are non-foods systems, with the biggest growth areas being service-based and mobile or “man-in-a-van” concepts.

Consumers to be educated on their rights
[Bathandwa Mbola] In a bid to create awareness about consumer rights, the National Credit Regulator (NCR) has announced March as Consumer Rights Month with special focus on credit and consumer protection mechanisms.

Lactogen infant formula recalled
Nestle has recalled a batch of Lactogen infant formula that may contain higher amounts of iron, zinc and copper than declared on the label, the company said yesterday, Tuesday, 11 March 2008.

Software thieves are robbing us
[Alastair de Wet] Like ripples in a pond, the effects of software piracy are felt throughout the South African information technology (IT) distribution channel.

The incredible evolution of the Clover brand - Clover
If you were to knock on the average South African's front door, chances that you'll find a Clover product are pretty good. It comes as no surprise, since Clover has been voted the most trusted dairy brand in South Africa and is one of the few brands that have earned a place among the world's top two percent of brands for the emotional bond it has with its consumers.

Centre of Excellence to aid investment in Africa
The KPMG Africa Communications Centre of Excellence, said to be a first of its kind, aims to deliver a platform for companies looking to invest in Africa to allow them to capitalise on the growth potential within the continent, while still managing their risk with regard to regulation, competition and integration.

New channel lineup to attract broader audience
The Hallmark Channel is expanding its lineup with award-winning series, in addition to its drama-filled movies, in order to include men in the channel's target audience.

Local show nominated for Rose D'Or
Stokvel, which returns for a fifth season on SABC 2 from 30 March 2008, has recently been nominated for a Rose D'Or international TV award in the best sitcom category. It is up against shows from Australia, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Poland and the UK, whose entrants include My Family.

MultiChoice goes wild with National Geographic
MultiChoice is launching Nat Geo Wild on Wednesday, 26 March 2008. This new 24-hour channel from the National Geographic stable, available to DStv premium subscribers, is dedicated to the best in wildlife programming, the power of mother nature and the future of our planet.