Gaining control over your brand
[Louise Marsland] The consumer research industry has been turned on its head in the past decade, having to apply research to new mediums which were not there 10 years ago, and in an environment where marketers have lost a measure of control over their brands to consumers.


Africa in my soul
[Dr Graeme Codrington] “Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seatbelts and ensure your tray tables are up and your armrests down. We are on our final approach for OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg.” The announcement from the air steward never fails to get my heart beating just a bit faster. The red-brown soil, peeking through the forest-like greentop competes with the sparkling blue swimming pools that dot the landscape of Joburg as I look out of the window of the landing plane. Africa is in my soul.

Bean counters give way to bean makers
[Dr Roger Sinclair] David Bullard was unjustly fired for using this injunction, but I'll do it anyway. Imagine a world in which the financial director defers to his marketing colleague. Even more strange, imagine a world where the marketing director is on the board and sits next to the financial director at the board meeting.

Spotlight on youth market this May
The month of May casts the spotlight on South African youth's brand preferences. Two awards events will celebrate who is getting it right and see the release of the results from two extensive studies: Sunday Times Generation Next (brand preference) and the Khuza Awards (advertising and communications).

Can communication really make a difference to road safety?
[Chris Moerdyk] Once again the end of a long holiday weekend has brought with it a litany of tragedy on our roads. And I wonder about how much of South Africa's appalling road safety record can be attributed to outdated communications and motivational methods. Maybe its time for some road safety marketing paradigms to be shifted to get the death rate down.

Ministers to review global marketing of South Africa
The ministers responsible for the international marketing of destination South Africa, Essop Pahad and Marthinus van Schalkwyk, recently announced their agreement to look at a comprehensive and effective way to market South Africa domestically and abroad.

IMC launches multifaceted campaign to build SA Brand Champions - Kaelo Worldwide Media
The ‘South Africa - Alive will Possibility' campaign continues to evolve as the International Marketing Council (IMC) launches a multifaceted campaign aimed at building South African Brand Champions, produced by Kaelo Worldwide Media. The campaign uses mass media as a powerful tool to educate, stimulate debate and inspire, extended by direct training and engagement in organisations in order to have a powerful influence on behaviour.

Lifestyle SA Festival - Celebrating Black, is all grown up - Lifestyle SA Festival
It's all systems go for the much anticipated debut of the Johannesburg leg of the Lifestyle SA Festival - Celebrating Black at Gallagher Estate, Midrand, 17 - 18 May 2008. The festival recently scooped an exclusive media partnership with national newspaper giant City Press.


Marketing help for lawyers and accountants - Chris Moerdyk
With the relaxation of promotional restraints and an increase in competition among legal and accounting firms, two specialist marketers have collaborated to provide marketing strategy and implementation for professions such as legal and accounting as well as the medical and construction industries.

Creative Circle results for March 2008
The results of the judging of the March 2008 Creative Circle entries are out, and according to chairperson Rob McLennan, it was “[a]n expected month in most categories, but a rare, killer month for television. Yay.”

One Show: Gold for JWT, Silver for Jupiter
NEW YORK: The One Show and One Show Design winners were announced last night, Thursday, 8 May 2008, in New York, and JWT Cape Town scooped a Gold Pencil for its poster campaign for Jabula Hair and Braids, with The Jupiter Drawing Room Cape Town taking Silver in television for Musica.

Tim Byrne new Grey Africa CEO
Tim Byrne is the new CEO of Grey Group Africa, Dr Bongani Khumalo, chairman of Grey Group Africa, and Carolyn Carter, president and CEO Grey Europe, Middle East & Africa, announced this week. Byrne steps into the shoes of Ann Nurock, who was appointed president and CEO of Grey Canada earlier this year.


Do advertisers know what women want?
[Tshepiso Seopa] Do advertisers ever wonder if their advertising messages, especially those targeted at women, explain their brand the very same way that their brand is portrayed when wanting to reach women? On the first day of The Women's Show, held at Sandton Convention Centre 25 - 27 April 2008, Bizcommunity.com hosted a forum and the topic which was discussed was: do advertisers know what women want?

Musica's eye-catching street pole ads - The Jupiter Drawing Room
Musica and The Jupiter Drawing Room (Cape Town) have embarked on a venture to create memorable street pole advertising that provokes and entertains while creating awareness for Musica's TV series box sets.


Zoom is zero rated - Zoom Advertising
Zoom Advertising - Ogilvy's expert retail advertising and ‘brands at retail' agency - is the first agency to become carbon neutral in South Africa.

Urban legend ‘Vernon Koekemoer' debuts in first TVC - Draftfcb (South Africa)
Vernon Koekemoer, named ‘flavour of the month' for May by trend-spotting company, Flux Trends, has made his television commercial debut in a new ad in the Lucky & George campaign developed by full-service agency, Draftfcb Johannesburg, for its client, Vodacom.


RedCube Agency creates awareness for free Mother's Day Concert, hosted by NPO - the Tomorrow Trust - RedCube Agency
Mother's Day is a time to celebrate women, and in particular mothers who dedicate their lives to cherishing, guiding and nurturing their children. In order to honour this significant day, the Tomorrow Trust, in conjunction with the Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton City, will be hosting a free Mother's Day Concert on Sunday, 11 May 2008, from 3pm to celebrate the legacy of mothers.


Lowe Bull Group top shortlisted agency at Clios - Lowe Bull
The Lowe Bull Group has secured seven finalists in the 2008 Clio Awards, making it one of the two most successful local entrants into these prestigious awards. The only other agency to secure as many finalists is DDB Johannesburg.

Getty Images Space Snaps Challenge scores huge discounts - Gallo Images
South African designers have found the Getty Images Space Snaps Challenge and are heading to be the highest scorers in outer space while also saving 25% on their royalty-free purchases.


Have the tabloids killed the quality press? - AMASA
This Wednesday, 7 May 2008, the Advertising Media Association of South Africa (AMASA) hosts two captivating newspaper personalities, Peter Bruce of Avusa and Themba Khumalo, editor of the Daily Sun.

New dean for Cannes Lions Roger Hatchuel Academy
LONDON: Rick Boyko, director and professor of VCU Brandcenter and former co-president chief creative officer of Ogilvy & Mather North America, is taking over the Roger Hatchuel Academy deanship from Michael Conrad. Founded in 2003, the academy provides a complimentary course week to a selection of 35 advertising students from around the world. While attending the week-long festival, the students are taught by both the dean of the academy and by tutor Clive Challis, head of the advertising course at Central Saint Martins in London, who provides daily training sessions and guides the students through their schedule. They also have a series of tutorials held by leading advertising figures.

The big, bad brand of Bollywood
[Naseem Javed] There is really nothing wrong with the brand "Bollywood", except that the Indian film industry has become far more powerful and far-reaching than anything else like this in any other country of the world, and even larger than Hollywood.

Talking trademarks in Africa
[Darren Olivier] Recent developments mean that trademark owners should make plans both to develop their brands' presence and to protect their rights in (and from) Africa.

Bringing Sun International branding to life
Positioning a South African icon such as Sun International comes with a challenge. How do you singularly represent this multi-faceted organisation, the benchmark for Southern African hospitality and gaming entertainment? How do you align iconic hotels, resorts and casinos under a mother brand and yet keep their individual nature.


Why Santana's the right man for SA's soccer brand
[Dr Nikolaus Eberl] When SAFA announced Joel Natalino Santana, the current head coach of Brazilian club Flamengo, to take over from Carlos Alberto Parreira, the local media was unanimous in questioning Santana's credentials and discarding his track record.


Workshops and part-time courses at Vega Cape Town - Vega School
Experience crayon bright fun with Vega through the creative and strategic workshops on offer.

Celebrating African film and culture
Now in its third year, Africa on Screen continues to grow and in 2008 will have screenings at five different venues in Johannesburg and Cape Town, including free screenings at Museum Africa.

Screening career guidance for the youth
Nu Metro and Standard Bank have joined up with communications company Orbes Media to develop and screen an informative and entertaining movie outlining careers, education, training, life skills, loans and bursaries in South Africa, for learners in grades 9 - 12.

Charlize rocks South African screens in new Sun International ad - Giant Films
Filmmakers, a few astounded members of the public, and the occasional rogue journalist managed to catch a glimpse of Academy Award winner Charlize Theron in action on home ground, during the filming of the new campaign for Sun International.

SA animation for big screen
Tengers, allegedly South Africa's first animated film, will have its South African premiere as part of the Africa on Screen Film Festival at the end of May 2008. The film has already played the international festival circuit to wide critical acclaim, as well as winning the Best Animated Feature Award at the DIY Film Festival in Los Angeles last year.

Now's the time to get the most out of CRM - Maximizer
Whether it's services, goods or time that is being sold, the successful businesses outsmart their competitors and while more advertising will likely bring in more sales, there is one often neglected area that really needs to be given attention when times get tough, and that is CRM.

Inaugural Wolda judges announced
MILAN, ITALY: Wolda, the Worldwide Logo Design Annual, announced the distinguished panel of 30 independent judges that will select the winning entries for its 2008 inaugural edition yesterday, Wednesday, 7 May 2008, and South African Dave Holland, who is creative director at Brand Union Japan, is one of the Designer judges.


SA artist designs for Google
Desré Buirski, the artist best known for designing Madiba's trademark presidential shirts, represented South Africa at the launch event of the iGoogle artist themes project in New York last week. Buirski was one of 60 artists from around the world to design her own theme for iGoogle.

Podcasts bring brands to life
[Jayne Morgan] These days advertising agencies don't make ads for television; they make them so they will be passed around and spoofed on YouTube. Look at Cadbury's drumming gorilla or the Bravia ad (thanks to Mike Stopforth for alerting me to that whole palaver). It's all about creating great content and then getting people talking about it - and consequently getting people talking about you and your brand.


New study on digital magazine and newspaper editions: growth, trends, and best practices
CAMBRIDGE MA, US: The Gilbane Group announced the general release of Digital Magazine and Newspaper Editions: Growth, Trends, and Best Practices, a pioneering and comprehensive study of the growing market for digital editions of periodical publications, earlier this week.

Podcasts make you new media smart
[Jon Bishop] The new media space can be quite a daunting arena to enter, filled with big ego gladiators thinking they own the arena, ever-changing developments to keep you on your toes and a Colosseum full of new terms and abbreviations deserving of their own dictionary. So how can you get clued up quick?


Making new consumer connections
[Mike Abel] Hi there. My name is Mike and I am a rejuvenile. You can even call me an adultescent if you wish. I didn't know these terms until recently, when an old friend of mine sent me a brilliant article which she had written, on the demand for certain cupcakes in New York. In this piece she uses these terms to underpin the reason for the said demand. I stole them. The words, not the cupcakes.

Digicape offers mobile broadband for less - Digicape Apple Premium Reseller
Digicape, South Africa's largest Apple Premium Reseller, and iTalk Cellular have formed a strategic partnership to offer significantly reduced pricing on mobile broadband data bundles. The bundles are called Digibytes.


Website launches for Vodacom and Q.ba Café and Cocktail Lounge! - KREW Interactive
KREW Interactive has announced the launch of two new websites for Q.ba Café and Cocktail Lounge, and Vodacom MyRugby MyVodacom.

A recipe for effective online marketing - digiVOX
The Internet has over the years grown to become one of the most powerful mediums of communication. Becoming the new playground, it has opened itself up as a platform for advertisers and marketers alike. With this, however, it is important to create online campaigns that are well thought-out and strategic in their approach, in order to give the greatest impact.


Award-winning international ecommerce project manager to run Web Project Management courses - Britefire
Digital strategy firm Britefire is offering an intensive two-day course in web project management. The course teaches the professional principles and disciplines of project management, state-of-the-art methodologies for web development, and the leadership and communication skills essential for success.

d6 hits a six with the MTN Domestic Championship Desktop Communicator - d6media
MTN's sponsorship of the domestic limited overs championship is an attempt to boost the popularity of this form of cricket. The role of the desktop communicator is to provide cricket fans with something unique and original, as well as grow the cricket audience through delivery of informative and up-to-date news content.


Five steps to content management success - Cambrient
[Jarred Cinman] Most organisations of substance have come to understand that they need some form of content management system (CMS) to bring order to their online presence. What they may not have anticipated as they embark on this important direction is five change management steps they have to take if they are to succeed in the long term. These steps are consistent in all organisations, and will have to be dealt with.

“Extreme” storage for online, digital media businesses
HP last week released its StorageWorks 9100 Extreme Data Storage System (ExDS9100), described as a highly scalable storage system designed to simplify the management of multiple petabytes of data at an affordable cost, making it ideal for online and digital media businesses. “Many companies are struggling with file-based growth - not only how to cope with the sheer growth, but also how to leverage their digital and static media to create additional revenue by delivering online services,” said Mark Peters, an analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group. “...Customers are looking for systems that combine scalability with simplified management, ease of use, and all-in-one application support. Put very simply, new business models require usability as much as storability.”

Digital design, trends blog launched
Digital design agency Amorphous recently launched a blog designed as a one-stop information station for all digital design and advertising professionals. Initially used as an internal info-sharing blog for some time before it went public, http://ilearn.amorphous.net highlights trends, design and technology and is a point of reference for people interested in new media marketing and anyone interested in 'all things internetty'. “We're a digital agency so it's important that we stay at the forefront of the latest online developments,' says Amorphous CEO Grant Shippey. 'Every member of the Amorphous team contributes to the blog; it's a collaborative effort to ensure we keep reading, keep learning and share our collective knowledge.”

OPA invite to free Nielsen Online session
The Online Publishers Association (OPA) invites agencies to join it for a free Nielsen Online info session at 12 noon on Tuesday, 6 May 2008, at the campus | the forum in Bryanston Johannesburg and 12 noon on Thursday 8 May at MWeb in Cape Town. Nielsen Online provides interesting data on top publishers and sites in South Africa, as well as visitor demographics. For more information on this event and on becoming an associate member, contact Theresa Vitale on +27 (0)11 454 3534, or email tvitale@opa.org.za.

Marketing to today's teenagers - same, same but different - Expo Promotions
With all the focus on the teenage market and their brand preferences this month, some brands will have cracked it, some have no idea how to start and some are just too scared to try.

LiquidChefs at the SAMAs - LiquidChefs
Every year the South African Music Awards provide South African artists with a platform to showcase local talent and this year was no different!


You don't have to be rich to invest in property but you have to invest in property to become rich! - Treoc
Each and every South African with a constant and reliable income stream can become a full time property investor if they follow the TREOC way of investment.

Tourism expo goes green
African Travel Show Indaba this year is introducing "green" practices that will encompass everything from water-saving to waste-sorting stations at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Durban, where the event takes place on 10 - 13 May 2008.

rAge: Gaming like never before - rAge
Interactive gaming and technology expo rAge, which will take place in Johannesburg 3 - 5 October 2008 at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate, is back for the sixth year in a row.

Euphoria at Baba Indaba Durban - a great kickoff for 2008! - Baba Indaba
SABC Education Baba Indaba Durban ended on a high note at the end of a long weekend. Neither the rain, rugby or extra public holidays, could keep the 21 537 Baba Indaba visitors away. The increased percentage of pregnant women indicated that Baba Indaba is clearly a platform used to purchase and make informed decisions regarding parenting.


IDG... goes... BBBEE - IDG
In light of a magnificent upswing in the 2008 financial year, as well as the acquisition of several new accounts to the portfolio, IDG has taken steps to comply with the BBBEE (Broad Based Economic Empowerment) act issued by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Stand design company wins again
The 3D Group recently was awarded Gold for its stand for BP and Bronze for GWM (Great Wall Motors) at the Durban Motor Show recently. Both stands were based on the high quality modular Octanorm system. Earlier this year, the 3D Group was awarded first place in the Best Stand Design category at Tyrexpo Africa for its stand for CFP Tyres. Previous wins have included stands at exhibitions such as Markex and AutoAfrica, as well as many awards from EXSA on an annual basis.

Stuart Lowe new RS&P MD
Ramsay, Son & Parker announced the appointment of Stuart Lowe as MD Friday afternoon, 9 May 2008. He is to succeed Harold Eedes, who retires at the end of June 2008 after almost 40 years with the company.


It's official. South Africa's fastest growing websites are powered by Preditor! - Prefix Technologies
According to Nielsen Online, the fastest growing websites in South Africa belong to Preditor's client Creamer Media. Further, all three are powered by Preditor, the enterprise CMS framework for the publishing industry from Prefix Technologies.

SA's No.1 award-winning magazine - Entrepreneur Magazine
Entrepreneur, the number one selling business magazine in South Africa by issue at the newsstand, is also the country's top award-winning publication. This follows the recent Admag awards, where it was awarded gold in the business magazine category, following on from a host of other industry awards garnered.


Exciting new online men's magazine on the way - SA Men
Why is it only women that have a decent variety of websites to browse through when they need information about health, sex issues, the latest make-up and fashion trends or where to find the perfect answer on how to land that stud-muffin they've always dreamed about? Part of the answer may be that women care about other women, so they create these websites to inform and educate each other. Don't men deserve the same?

SANEF concerned over SABC developments
The South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) expressed its concerns on Friday, 9 May 2008, about the “bizarre” situation that has been happening at the SABC last week, saying that “[t]he top level disciplinary issues and staff departures are likely to have a highly disruptive effect on the conduct of the broadcaster's operations”.

FXI disappointed with Ginwala Enquiry ruling
The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) has expressed its disappointed with the refusal earlier this week by Dr Frene Ginwala, chairperson of the enquiry into the suspension of Vusi Pikoli, head of the NDPP, to entertain representations by e.tv's counsel K Hofmeyr that the broadcaster be allowed to make representations before she closes any session of the hearing.

SABC board, management united to restore stability
The board and the group exco of the SABC met yesterday, Thursday, 8 May 2008, to deal with issues that have been “bedeviling” the organisation. According to a media statement released this morning, Friday 9 May, certain issues were addressed that management had earlier raised in a memo to the board.

SABC News Agency launched
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] The launch of the SABC News Agency yesterday, Thursday, 8 May 2008, at the Michelangelo in Johannesburg will see, among others, the public broadcaster collaborate with community broadcasting stations to deliver content to communities which it cannot reach. In addition, the agency will sell archives in the form of tapes and CD to filmmakers and researchers, international news stations and other potential clients.

Malawian media institutions dominate NAMISA Awards
[Gregory Gondwe] Malawi's two media institutions have dominated this year's National Media Institute of Southern Africa (NAMISA) awards which are held annually during commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day.

CNN anchor to moderate Indaba Global Media Face-Off
CNN anchor and news reporter Fionnuala Sweeney will moderate the Global Media Face-Off (GMFO) at Indaba 2008, themed “2010 - Readiness on all fronts.” The GMFO, taking place on Sunday 11 May from 11am, is one of South African Tourism's flagship annual media events and presents an opportunity for the organisation to engage with local and international media on issues affecting tourism in South Africa.

SABC crisis: a blessing in disguise?
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] With CEO Dali Mpofu and director of news Snuki Zikalala suspended, newly-appointed acting CEO Gabriel Mampone has been tasked to lead the cleaning up of the SABC backyard, amid reports that Amrit Manga, the head of TV news and current affairs, has been appointed to lead the news department for now. However, many observers believe that the public broadcaster can take advantage of its current crisis to repair its severely dented image.

Bullard speaks candidly on local podcast
Sacked Sunday Times columnist and controversial writer David Bullard appears as a special guest on this week's episode of ZA Tech Show - a weekly South African technology podcast. In the show, Bullard speaks candidly about his exit from the Sunday Times and presents his side of the story, while motivating his apology which was recently printed in Business Day.

Earthquake at SABC as Dali, Snuki suspended
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] The suspension yesterday afternoon, Tuesday, 6 May 2008, of SABC head of news and current affairs Snuki Zikalala by CEO Dali Mpofu and late last night of Mpofu himself by the SABC board has opened a can of worms containing allegations of back-stabbing, ‘spying', hidden agendas, political factionalism, power struggles, incompetence and has perhaps pushed the corporation to its lowest level of its 71-year history. “A major earthquake strong enough to blow this tall building is shaking the company and we are all diving for cover,” an SABC top source told Bizcommunity.com.

Free press, access to info vital for development - UN
NEW YORK: Top United Nations officials have stressed the role of a secure and independent media, and access to information in empowering individuals and advancing development. This marked annual World Press Freedom Day which was celebrated over the weekend.

Media's critical role in fighting HIV/Aids
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] Various speakers and panellists, including Nelson Mandela's wife Graca Machel, who addressed delegates at the 2008 International Public Television (Input) Conference in Johannesburg, have launched a persuasive call to the media worldwide to play a critical role in combating HIV/Aids, which continues to wipe entire communities. “It is clear that with the digital developments the media can help spread a powerful message out there to make a difference,” Dali Mpofu, SABC CEO and chairperson of Global Media Aids Initiative (GMAI), said.

Launch of media coverage indices - Monitoring South Africa
Local companies will soon be the first in the world to benefit from an innovation that will put a scientific and objective measure to what is arguably a company's greatest asset - its reputation.

Advertising industry gets ready for Mega Media Expo - CADEK Media
The first Mega Media Expo is being presented at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, 7 - 8 May 2008. The expo is a one-stop advertising and brand shop offering advertisers and brand managers the opportunity and platform to view the latest advertising and media opportunities to promote their products and services.


Special reader discount for Media Forum extended
The organisers of the International Media Forum, running 21 - 22 May 2008, have extended its 15% discount for Bizcommunity.com readers who book before 20 May - a saving of over R1500 per ticket. International editors of top world media and some of the world's most experienced communicators and brand builders are in the powerful lineup of speakers for this important forum, including: The Economist, BBC, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Aljazeera, CNN, CNBC, Financial Times, Reuters, Hindustan Times, as well as communications experts from Virgin, Germany Land of Ideas and World Editors Forum. Click here for more information and to book now.

Demonstrating mobile revolution at computer show
MobiBlitz will be using the upcoming Computer Faire to demonstrate two different ways that technology can be used to reach users via their ever-present cellphones. The expo will take place at Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, 20 - 23 May 2008.

Loadshedding precipitates move to mobile advertising - Multimedia Solutions
The SABC's drop in its long term advertising rates is a major indication of the dent that loadshedding and other factors have made in the value offered by TV advertising. This loss of value could well see companies move away from traditional advertising into mobile advertising, given that the mobile channel is the least affected by loadshedding.

Editors optimistic about multimedia newspapers - survey
LONDON: The vast majority of newspaper editors world-wide are optimistic about the future of their newspapers, but they don't think of them as "print-only," having clearly accepted the multimedia revolution, according to a global survey released yesterday, Tuesday, 6 May 2008, that provides an insider's view of newsroom attitudes and strategies.

Sondag gives power to the people and becomes their paper - Sondag
Willem Pretorius, the editor of Sondag, is adding more value for readers, after heeding requests from the newspaper's latest readers' poll.

Sondag senior journalist launches debut album, Stokalleen - Sondag
Marlise Scheepers, a senior Sondag journalist since the newspaper's launch in April 2007, recently released her debut album, Stokalleen.


Afrikaans advertising - Are marketers missing the point? - Rapport
Afrikaans-speaking South Africans are an affluent proportion of our population. According to AMPS 2007B, of the 4 million whites in the country, 59% are Afrikaans and 79% of coloureds have Afrikaans as their first language. Despite these figures, marketers, media planners and buyers tend to neglect this important sector.

SA's fastest growing websites - Nielsen Online
LONDON: The fastest growing South African websites over the last year and the most popular sites today were revealed by Nielsen Online, a service of The Nielsen Company, earlier this week. Right at the top is Creamer Media, producing three of the four fastest growing sites - Engineering News, Mining Weekly and Polity.

Fireworkx unveil redesign of South African Red Cross Society's website - Fireworkx.com
Yesterday, Thursday, 8 May 2008, saw World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, focusing in South Africa on a three-month emblem campaign, seeking to grow understanding of the organisation's symbolism through its revamped website, as well as to prevent misuse of these highly recognisable emblems.


OPA membership grows, with agencies showing the lead - Online Publishers Association
The uptake from agencies who were recently invited to join the Online Publishers Association (OPA) has been very encouraging. The following leading online media and creative agencies have signed up as Associate OPA members: Acceleration, Group M, Longtail, Upstream, Catgraphics and Digivox.

Maxi campaign for mini car
Mini recently turned to Unlimited subsidiary Primall Media to create top of mind awareness for its latest Mini Clubman campaign. The result? A ‘domination' of parkade space in various shopping centres nationwide.


Provantage Media launches Tavern Media - Provantage Media
Provantage Media has announced the launch of Provantage Tavern Media, a new media platform enabling brands to reach a large segment of the young, fashionable black population through targeted brand activations in township taverns and bars. The launch of Tavern Media bolsters Provantage Media's ability to deliver focused and integrated township marketing campaigns.

Clear Channel Outdoor gives a hoot - Clear Channel
80 St Stithians learners and local dignitaries joined in an informative and educational morning held at the Clear Channel Bird Sanctuary just off William Nicol in Hurlingham towards the end of last week.


Rope barrier system makes a grand entrance - Right Stuff
Book your space in the queue with our all-new stylish and practical rope barrier queue management systems, the ideal solution for crowd control, queue management and point-of-purchase.


Happy second birthday, Meso Outdoor! - Meso Outdoor
It's two years since Meso Outdoor entered the out-of-home industry and what a two years it's been!

Litho proves lucrative for Truepress agency - Kemtek
Thanks to a Screen Truepress 344 direct imaging press installed by South African distributor Kemtek, a Johannesburg-based advertising agency with no previous printing experience has increased its annual turnover by 25% through expanding into lithographic production.

HIFLEX and KBA found new company, KBA Complete GmbH - Printing Questions
MIS and Web2Print vendor HIFLEX and printing press manufacturer Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA), together recently founded a mutual company, KBA Complete GmbH. The mutual company focuses on offering fully-integrated complete solutions regarding connectivity from one source.

CSI:Miami star for local jewellery catalogue
CSI:Miami female lead Eva La Rue (Natalie Boa Vista on screen) will star in premium jeweller Browns The Diamond Store's new seasonal catalogue. The actress, who arrives in South Africa on Wednesday, 14 May 2008, for the campaign shoot, is the latest installment of the jeweller's long association with celebrities that include Celine Dion, Simply Red's Mick Hucknall, JayKay of Jamiroquai and Charlize Theron.


Do I need an entertainment lawyer?
[Sean Bosse] You are a local movie producer. You receive a "contract of intent" from a foreign-based film production company wanting you to act as its South African producer for the filming of its SA segment of the movie. Agreements are submitted to you that speak of several contractually binding clauses governed by numerous foreign laws and statutes of which you have no idea and never heard of before.

Trevor Clarence creates another iconic character - Terraplane
Trevor Clarence, together with Network# BBDO, has once again brought another lovable character to life for Cell C.


Terraplane's Benjamin Magowan and Cliff Jennings: Still livin' the dream - Terraplane
Ogilvy's Carree Ferrari won the prized Roger Garlick award at the AdReview Awards recently for her creative conception and execution of the Cliff Jennings stunt for M-Net's Idols 4.


AdReview Director(s) of the Year - Egg Films
AdReview 2008 named Humanoid's Terence Neale runner up Commercial Director of the Year, followed by Slim and Brent Harris.


Enthusiastic feedback pours in for Charlize ad - Giant Films
Enthusiastic feedback is pouring in for the historic 90-second commercial for Sun International featuring Academy Award winner Charlize Theron.

There's life after listing... believe it and you'll have a client for life
[John Spira] In the same way as a wedding serves as an occasion to mark the beginning of a long-term relationship, so the listing of the shares of a company on the JSE should signal the start, not the end, of a long-term union between a PR firm and its JSE-listed clients.

Loeries calls for PR entries
The Loerie Awards is calling for submissions from public relations agencies to be recognised for excellence in brand communication. Although there is no specific PR category, PR agencies are invited to submit work in which they have executed an aspect of a brand promotion campaign in an original way.

New GM for Marcus Brewster CT
Peter Milne has been appointed as GM in the Cape Town office of Marcus Brewster Publicity (MBP), to champion new business development and special projects for the firm.


Blended search: hot news for PR
[Sally Falkow] Want more visibility for your news content? Get it online and optimise it for search. New data from Jupiter Research confirms that news gets the most clicks in blended search.

P and P Communications brings theatre to enterprises - P and P Communications
P and P Communications announces the addition of theatre to its communications bouquet of PR, events, online and advertising.

PR network's global reach strengthens
Apart from Frank Cullen of Dublin-based Cullen Communications having recently been appointed the new president of the Public Relations Global Network (PRGN), of which HWB Communications is the only member in Africa, three more agencies have been added to this worldwide network of 38 independent PR agencies: Mileage Communications of Singapore, Evident PR of the Netherlands, and Aspire Communications of India. Commented HWB director Evelyn John Holtzhausen, “We are systematically adding specialities to our range and expanding our global reach, and that is good news for our collective client base.”

Show your heart and help needy kids - Heart 104.9
Heart 104.9FM is showing their heart and helping needy kids with the launch of their new CSI strategy - Show Your Heart. The station saw it as their responsibility to adopt the children of Cape Town as their corporate social investment strategy and for this reason will be implementing and partnering various campaigns and initiatives that will help the needy and neglected children of their community.


Multimedia focus grows East Coast Radio's share of ad spend - East Coast Radio
East Coast Radio is helping to pioneer the drive into developing new business models based on content across different technology platforms, aimed at connecting niche communities of consumers with advertisers. In line with this strategy, there could be no better partnership than that of radio and the online space and East Coast Radio's foray into the field has certainly delivered results.

Jacaranda 94.2 launches exciting new multimedia strategy - Jacaranda 94.2
The radio industry has been challenged by new media innovation, particularly social media applications in the past couple of years, propelling radio stakeholders into adaptive mode. The big question now, is whether radio is still as relevant in the 21st century and more importantly, are radio stations embracing this multimedia approach?

Award for Ligwalagwala DJ
Ligwalagwala FM's DJ Sdunkero took the overall winner of the MTN Record of the Year category at the South African Music Awards held in Sun City this past weekend. Sdunkero was nominated for his “Maputo Song” from his album Edladleni Volume 1. “The third of May 2008 will forever be a memorable day to me because I was able [to] attract the recognition that Mpumalanga province deserves,” he comments.

Social networks - a credible source for recruitment?
[Inez van Aswegen] Social networks such as MySpace and the more popular Facebook have definitely made their mark on South Africa, making this new networking phenomenon a hot topic for debate in terms of its potential connecting influence - and it's not difficult to see why. By the end of last year, the estimated number of Facebook users in South Africa was 677 880 and counting, with our country having the ninth largest number of Facebook users in the world. With such a phenomenal uptake, can and more importantly should these social networks be a viable option for business ‘exploitation'?


Viv Gordon Placements interviewing in Dubai - Viv Gordon Placements
Viv Gordon will be heading to Dubai to scout the local creative talent this June. Viv has been working in Dubai since 1996 assisting candidates to develop their careers in this beautiful capital.

Consumers warned of cheap TV deals
[Shaun Benton] Deputy Minister of Communications Roy Padayachee has asked South African consumers wishing to purchase a television set to beware of cheap deals on analogue TVs, as government begins the migration to digital broadcasting.

Bread companies to face competition body
Pioneer Foods and Foodcorp have been referred to the Competition Tribunal for their alleged role in a bread price-fixing cartel, the Competition Commission has said. The two companies could be fined 10% of their annual turnover for the 2006/7 financial year.

Diners Club International 2008 Winelist Awards open for entry
Entries for the newly revamped 2008 Diners Club International Winelist of the Year Awards are officially open and all licensed restaurants across South Africa are invited to take part.

What buyers want to hear - SALESGURU Publishing
For many salespeople, the buyer is some mystical unicorn that only the super-skilled can get in front of, and which requires them to roll out their most special set of tricks and tips. To others, the buyer is a moron that requires only a slick line of chatter to convince. Both those categories of salespeople are missing the point. Don't fall into their trap unless you're keen on eternal hardship and low-level earnings.

Adding marketing muscle to MTV Networks Africa
Pan African entertainment platform MTV Networks Africa (MTVNA) has made a number of key appointments in its marketing and commercial departments. This is in line with the network's ongoing growth and expansion plans, which recently saw further appointments within its Strategic Services, Finance and Commercial Departments.

T Bo Touch goes Live
[Tshepiso Seopa] Thabo Molefe, aka T'Bo Touch of Metroville, is the new co-host of SABC1's weekly music show Live, joining Bonang Matheba He fills in the post vacated by Andile Ncube, who recently resigned as a co-presenter of the music programme aired every Friday night.


Fun, fresh and flirtatious
It's fun, it's fresh, it's flirtatious. It's for him, it's for her, and it's for everyone. It's... The Amazing Date, a live-to-air, interactive dating game show where the viewing public become contestants playing on their phones via a new interactive technology, called “In Live”.and it's making its way to your screens from Saturday 10 May 2008 at 6.30pm only on SABC1, hosted by Trevor Noah and Pabi Moloi. The 48-minute programme, 13-episode series is commissioned by SABC1 and is a format developed and produced by Urban Brew Studios.