Nokia, Bizcommunity partner for journalism on-the-go
Nokia and Bizcommunity.com today, Monday, 4 August 2008, announced the signing of a partnership to enable mobile journalism on the popular website. Bizcommunity.com, South Africa's leading online community for the advertising, marketing and media industry, will have its editorial team equipped with Nokia N82 devices to assist in day-to-day news gathering and multimedia reporting on-the-go.


Unifying sales and marketing still a challenge for many companies, reports CMO Council - CMO Council
A new global study by the Chief Marketing Officer Council shows that many companies worldwide still lag in their ability to integrate and align sales goals with marketing activities, thus reducing the overall business performance of their organisations.


10th PAMRO Meeting and 2008 All Africa Media Research Conference

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The 10th Pan African Media Research Organisation (PAMRO) Meeting and 2008 All Africa Media Research Conference will take place 17 - 19 August 2008 at the Protea Hotel in Oakwood Park, Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria. PAMRO aims to make Africa the leader in the world in providing a research database for the growing number of global media owners, marketers and agencies. For more info, go to www.pamro.org.

Initiative to train over 2000 wine fundis for 2010
Wines of South Africa (WOSA), the not-for-profit organisation that promotes South African wines worldwide, is initiating a novel job-creation campaign to train 2010 wine waiters ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.


2010: SA as much to gain as Germany
[Michael Appel] Facing the highest unemployment rate since World War II, having crashed out of the Euro 2004 championship, Germany had hit a low point in 2004. That was until the thrill of hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup transformed the nation once divided by the infamous Berlin Wall.

PR's role in positioning Africa ahead of 2010
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] Public relations practitioners (PRPs) can use the opportunity that 2010 has to offer to position the African continent by, among others, promoting the continent vibrantly and progressively, winning markets, changing minds and opening hearts, Kenya's Peter Mutie, of the Association of Public Relations of Africa (APRA), told delegates yesterday, Wednesday, 30 July 2008, during the 2010 National Communication Partnership Conference (NCPC) held at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg.

Let's not be distracted by 2010 rumours - Themba Maseko
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] As the 2010 fever grips the African continent and South Africa forges ahead with preparations, it seems Afro-pessimists - western media in particular - have also increased their campaign to fuel subjective reports about SA not being ready for 2010. But, speaking at the 2010 National Partnership Communication Conference (NCPC) in Johannesburg today, Wednesday, 30 July 2008, Government spokesperson Themba James Maseko called on all Africans not to be distracted by these rumours and be united and work together to host a successful 2010 soccer event.

Role of the media for 2010
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] The hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup by South Africa has created dangerous expectations among its people, some of whom are treating it as the second coming of Jesus Christ, City Press editor Khatu Mamaila told delegates attending the 2010 National Communication Partnership Conference (NCPC) currently taking place in Johannesburg. “It is the duty of the media to make sure that people get away from that kind of thinking.”

2010 National Communication Partnership Conference kicks off
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] The third edition of the 2010 National Communication Partnership Conference (NCPC) has kicked off at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg today, Tuesday, 29 July 2008, with Essop Pahad, the minister in the presidency, calling on the South African media to be armed with a critical capacity and an independence of the mind to question western media's erroneous reports on the country's readiness to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Nelson Mandela Bay, Southern Africa Direct team up for 2010 marketing
Taking advantage of the reach of the UK's Sky Digital channel, Nelson Mandela Bay, representing Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch, is positioning itself as the South African destination of choice for British visitors to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Free-to-air television channel Southern Africa Direct is working with Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism, the destination marketing organisation for the area, by building and flighting programming which presents their region to potential tourists to attract interest ahead of the soccer tournament. The channel has a tailor-made package that allows for the sharing of costs between the various entities and advertisers that fall within the footprint of that tourism area.

Neotel unveils new TV ad
[Tshepiso Seopa] In July 2007, South Africa's second fixed-line operator Neotel partnered with TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris as its communications partner to assist in positioning it as the preferred provider of leading-edge telecoms services in South Africa. At a media briefing on Friday, 1 August 2008, the first 60-second animated Neotel TV ad was unveiled by TBWA client service director Deon van Druten.

Creative Circle results for June 2008
The Creative Circle results for June 2008 are out and according to chairman John Davenport, “being so close to the Loeries, it was a funny month with some categories much weaker than others. Congrats to Fox P2 for doing well in the tough radio category.”

Margate, Maputo or Matjiesfontein?
With the dust barely having settled after this year's Loerie Awards, rumours are already flying about which town will host the 2009 event.

ASA increases competitor complaints fees
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) of South Africa has increased its filing fees as of today, 1 August 2008, stating that complaints about competitive advertising have increased significantly, as has the cost of administering these complaints, which escalates with rising commodity prices.

FADA Gallery showcases the art of Humanism
A retrospective of work by Gerry Human, Ogilvy South Africa's chief creative officer, is currently up on exhibition at the FADA Gallery, University of Johannesburg, until 13 August 2008. Humanism - the art of selling exhibition comprises work from his student portfolio in 1983 through to current advertising for major brands.

Senior appointments at Draftfcb Johannesburg
Hot on the heels of the appointment of four new executive creative directors at Draftfcb Johannesburg, Jerry Mpufane is joining John Dixon as joint MD of the Johannesburg agency and Neil Lister becomes GM of its experiential and promotions capability, Draftfcb Impact.


Draftfcb South Africa Group claims second overall spot in Loeries tally - Draftfcb (South Africa)
A strong creative performance by Draftfcb Johannesburg and Joe Public in Margate has Draftfcb South Africa ranked second - as a group - on the points table for The Loerie Awards 2008.

Doritos campaign on Facebook shows why it's the coolest brand! - Mortimer Harvey
Doritos, one of the Simba's leading brands in the corn market category, launched a new ‘spirit of mexico' flavored party crisp, Doritos Taco on Facebook two months ago, registering more than a thousand hits on its first day from young fans ready to party.

AMASA and IBIS Media present a telling ad spend overview - AMASA
Join us on Tuesday, 12 August 2008, where AMASA (the Advertising Media Association of South Africa) explores our current ad spend landscape with industry expert Mike Leahy, media manager for IBIS Media Data Services.

Draftfcb Johannesburg creatives win international ‘Ad of the Month' award - Draftfcb (South Africa)
Draftfcb Johannesburg creatives Lawrence Katz and Olivia Tesson have won an international ad of the month award - the Professional YoungGun of the Month, for June 2008 - for their Ultraoptec Extinct campaign.


FoxP2 finish fourth on overall Loeries winners' list - FoxP2
FoxP2 left Margate over the moon and under the weather in the early hours of Monday morning, 28 July 2008, with the joint highest number of golds won and in fourth position in the overall Loeries ranking, with 2250 points - just a hundred points short of creative powerhouse Net#work and ahead of agency giant Jupiter.


Joe Public brings home 12 Loeries - Joe Public
Advertising agency Joe Public has great reason to celebrate. Over the past 12 months, the agency has worked hard to meet strategic and creative goals, culminating in 12 Loerie Awards and as a result of the newly implemented Creative Circle Creativity Points system, Joe Public has received an overall fifth place ranking at the 2008 Loerie Awards in Margate.

SABC 2 celebrates Nelson Mandela's life with animation - Masters & Savant
In celebration of the 90th birthday of our nation's beloved hero, SABC 2 chose to honour the life and sacrifice Nelson Mandela gave to the people of South Africa through an animated journey of his life.


AMASA Cape Town workshop cancelled
The AMASA Channel Planning workshop for AMASA Cape Town has been cancelled due to the unfavourable economic climate. Says Kim Alberts, chairperson of AMASA Cape Town, “AMASA remains dedicated to serving the media industry and we therefore apologise to any delegates who may have already booked a place... We endeavour to bring back the workshop next year with all our key speakers and an exciting new AMASA Workshop.” The AMASA Johannesburg workshop, however, is still taking place 21 - 24 August 2008. For more information, contact Lyn Jones on +27 (0)11 348 1886 or email jonesl@ccirsa.com.

New offices for Page Three Media
Strategic media planning specialist agency Page Three Media has moved into its new offices at Unit 405, The Studio's, Old Castle Breweries, 6 Beach Road, Woodstock, Cape Town, coinciding with the celebration of its first birthday. “The past year has truly been fantastic for us and we have exceeded our forecast expectations. Our client billings are currently at R230 million, which has been accomplished within the past year alone and include media planning for a mix of direct clients and leading creative agencies in Cape Town. Moving into our new contemporary-designed offices at the Old Breweries building is the next milestone for our company!” says Ilan Lazarus of Page Three Media.

Pendoring - last fews days to enter
There are only three-and-a-half days left to submit entries for the 14th annual Pendoring advertising competition and project. The Pendoring entry deadline is Friday 1 August at 5pm. A cash prize of R6000 is up for grabs in each category and the overall student winner walks away with a study bursary to the value of R10 000. The Prestige Prize winner wins an overseas trip to the value of R25 000. Come on, enter today. Who knows, maybe you will get paid for speaking Afrikaans! And don't forget that you can enter work in any of the 11 official languages in the special category Genuine South African. Go to www.pendoring.co.za to enter.

Spectre of product placement regulations
[Chris Moerdyk] There are distinct mutterings from the TV industry in the US about regulating branded television by forcing channels to identify product placement. It seems the process of bringing some sort of regulation to branded television was started by screen writers who clearly are becoming more and more irritated at their producers insisting on them including products or lines of dialogue paid for by advertisers.

Celtel Uganda changes brand name to Zain
[Walter Wafula] Zain last week officially became the new brand name of pan-Africa telecommunication company Celtel International, as its parent company, Zain Group, seeks to fortify its African market and give it a global face. Zain is an Arabic word for beautiful, good and wonderful.

Brands are our frenemies
[Patrick Carmody] Brand-bashing used to be seen as anti-capitalist and was therefore largely ignored by big business. This polarised view can now evolve as economic prosperity lives comfortably with less brand hype in an Internet-enabled world.


HKLM Johannesburg: a whole lot of heart - HKLM
HKLM Johannesburg will be hosting Orange Day on 1 August 2008, when the entire agency will be setting up camp at Cotlands in Turfontein to revamp this renowned children's sanctuary and host a party to celebrate its 72nd birthday.

Provantage Media celebrates five years - Provantage Media
Provantage Media is celebrating its fifth dynamic year of brand activation, transit media and experiential marketing in South Africa.

Nestlé Milo goes big with CineMARK - CineMARK
Nestlé Milo, making use of CineMARK's cinema advertising package, recently took advantage of the release of The Incredible Hulk to kickstart its advertising campaign, ensuring extensive exposure to a captive target audience.

Another SABS Stamp of Approval for Conexus - Conexus
After a thorough assessment by the SABS, outsourced call centre company Conexus, once again, received its quality certification, ISO 9001:2000.

Magazine, retailer partner to nourish local design
The Green Designers competition launching this month is an initiative from House and Leisure and Woolworths to showcase home product design from students at various tertiary design institutions around the country. The competition will run in the next seven issues, with designs from three semi-finalists showcased each month.


Coke launches commemorative Olympic "fan can"
[ActivRetail] In celebration of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, which start in the Chinese capital on 8 August 2008, Coca-Cola has launched a limited edition “fan can” for avid collectors of Coca-Cola memorabilia, as well as Olympic Games fans.


Manufacturing and design partnerships for customer value - Nampak Products Ltd
Methods of reducing the gap between packaging manufacturers and designers is being discussed by Nampak and the South African design industry.

Win two bursaries to study design at The Open Window on Beeld.com - The Open Window
The Open Window launched a comic and cartoon competition in collaboration with the weekly youth supplement of the Beeld newspaper, JIP, on Friday 25 July. The competition, named JIP Komix, will mainly run on Beeld's website at www.beeld.com.


Test drive the new QuarkXPress
DENVER, COLORADO: Quark announced the availability yesterday, Thursday, 31 July 2008, of a free 60-day, fully-functional download of QuarkXPress 8, the latest version of the page-layout and design software. In addition to a new user interface that allows designers and creative professionals to work faster with fewer clicks, QuarkXPress is said to offer users more typographic control, built-in Flash and Web authouring tools, and a single global file format that supports advanced eastern and western typography for more than 30 languages. For a complete list of what's new in QuarkXPress 8, go to http://8.quark.com/en/.

Web 3.0 is only partly about semantics
[Vincent Maher] There is nothing more frustrating than a gaggle of geeks sitting in your boardroom talking about simple concepts in an unnecessarily obfuscatory manner because their revenues are tied to your inability to understand what they're saying or the bills you're paying.


Gone phishing: protecting yourself and your business
[Justin Stanford] In today's digital age, where the bulk of personal and business communication is conducted via electronic means, protecting your identity and ensuring the highest standards of security are crucial.


Rocketseed SA acquires Latitude
The South African subsidiary of Rocketseed, a global market leader in new media marketing category intelligent business email, yesterday, Thursday, 31 July 2008, announced the acquisition of Latitude, effective 1 August 2008. Latitude was granted the rights to develop and market the small business version of Rocketseed in southern Africa under its brand during the fourth quarter of 2006.

Conference on successful online strategies
The first Successful Online Strategies Conference, to be held on 5 September 2008 in Johannesburg, aims to create a high-value conference at which delegates will learn from and engage with prominent local and global speakers.

Callit-IT: smooth-flowing delegate logistics - Callit-IT
It's been a busy year for Callit-IT. Hard at work assisting its client, Collyer Lessick & Associates, Callit-IT have managed two of Microsoft's large events this year, namely the annual SITO Summit, held at the exclusive Arabella Western Cape Hotel and Spa for 120 guests, and the Microsoft Services Off Site Experience 2008 at Mount Grace for 120 people.

SEO: are you considering it as a marketing tool? - longtail
When website owners consider ways to market their sites on the web, the most common search marketing methods they choose are often banner- or pay-per-click advertising. These methods allow advertisers to calculate the return on investment within a number of days after going live with their campaign.

Redline's impressive new website pays homage to investment in training - Draftfcb (South Africa)
Investing in training and then giving your trainees the opportunity to show off their new skills will do more than just make your employees feel good about the company, more than just win the company ‘people' awards, and more than just flesh out its BEE credentials.

Shake Interactive acquires share of Mybeat Interactive - Shake Interactive
Shake Interactive, the Cape Town-based digital marketing agency, has announced that it has acquired equity in Mybeat Interactive, the Johannesburg-based mobile marketing agency. Shake acquired the 40% stake from HBD Venture Capital, Mark Shuttleworth's venture capital firm.

Shake Interactive SA spreads spirit of Father's Day with The Macallan Single Malt Scotch Whisky - Shake Interactive
Shake Interactive SA, the Cape Town-based digital and mobile marketing agency, recently ran an online campaign in North America for The Macallan Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Intranet for University of Pretoria's Gordon Institute of Business Science goes live - FLUX
FLUX WebEasy.NET, a powerful new generation content management system (CMS), has been unveiled for internet and intranet application. The recently launched Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) intranet showcases the software's application for intranet use.

CIO conference to unleash tools for successful IT - Top Companies Publishing
The CIO Challenge, powered by Deloitte and hosted by Topco Media, to be held at The Campus, The Forum, Bryanston on 10th and 11th September, is a conference targeting individuals involved in the IT industry.

Teen title, mobile chat service partner
seventeen magazine recently joined forces with South Africa's top mobile chat service MXit and in just over a month, the title's contact on MXit had grown to 41 442 subscribers. The content offering includes messages from 17 HQ, branded skins, wallpapers, daily horoscopes, love advice, gossip, beauty tips and loads of competitions. “As the highest trafficked youth site in the country, moving into the mobile space was a natural and necessary progression for seventeen digital. Teens have an insatiable desire to stay connected not only with their friends, but with their favourite brands too. We want our readers to know that wherever they are, we are too and that they can call on us any time for advice, entertainment or when they simply want to interact with the brand outside of what the monthly magazine has to offer,” commented Lisa Moretti, group digital editor.

MTN 2009 scholarships for Rhodes' Media Leadership Institute
The Sol Plaatje Institute for Media Leadership (SPI) at Rhodes University's School of Journalism and Media Studies is inviting applications for four scholarships from South African students who wish to register for the SPI's Postgraduate Diploma in Media Management (PDMM) in 2009.

What can the Positive Workplace do for your organisation? - Knowledge Resources
It is well known that people have an inherent need to be part of something - to belong. The positive organisation fulfils this need, celebrates life, and at the same time helps to build a more creative and positive culture.


Customer Service Communications Training - Janine Lazarus Media Consultancy
Today's technology allows your business to handle more customer service than ever before, but if your team falls short on efficient communications skills, the only thing your organisation will derive from all this technology is a questionable ability to serve your customers. What this means is that you not only lose customers - you lose profits.

Telecom providers must embrace plain language - Simplified
South African telecom service providers and operators should look at embracing plain language in their functional documents - including pre-sales, post-sales and contracts - as a means both of improving their relationships with their subscribers, and building their brands.

Call Centre Training - Janine Lazarus Media Consultancy
In any efficient organisation, often the voice on the other end of the phone is the client's first and most important point of contact. The call centre agent thus becomes the all-important voice of the organisation.

Events - building relationships, not just collecting cards
[Karen Ashwin] It used to be that you went to events to collect leads. Nowadays it's not about leads and exchanging as many business cards as possible; it is rather about relationship building and experiential marketing, whereby a consumer is immersed directly in a brand experience.


CLA involvement in South African Tourism Indaba 2008 - Collyer Lessick & Associates
Collyer Lessick & Associates (CLA) was selected as the events agency tasked with the execution of four main events during the South African Tourism Indaba in Durban this year. Ogilvy and Mather's ‘Brand Activation' recruited CLA to conceptualise and execute the Opening Ceremony, Global Media Face Off, Hosted Buyers Networking Evening and the Welcome Awards.

Oasys supports Siemens on in-house innovations project - Oasys Innovations
Oasys Innovations recently supported Siemens Enterprise Communications in a project to establish a new Innovation Centre at the company's head office in Midrand, Johannesburg.

Publisher for motor show's official programme announced
Cars in Action magazine will publish the official programme for the Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS) . Sister title Bakkie & Truck Action will likewise double as the official programme for JIMS' Commercial Vehicle aspect.

Mpumalanga tourism title contract awarded
An empowerment consortium led by grassroots publisher HomeGrown Magazines has been awarded a three-year exclusive licence to publish Mpumalanga's official tourism magazine. HomeGrown JV will publish the Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency (MTPA)'s Sunrise magazine and affiliated products launching with a Spring 2008 edition and running until July 2011 - covering the crucial period over the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

New PICA categories bump up B2B , customer sectors - Magazine Publishers Association of SA (MPASA)
This year, the PICA Awards boast 42 categories - seven more than in 2007. This year, a Cover category has been added to the Business-to-Business and Customer sectors and each of the B2B and Customer streams now has an Annuals, Directories, Product Guides and Special Editions category, as well as a Supplements category.

Win BlackBerry smartphones with heat magazine's brand-new website - UCM
Over the past six months editorial staff at heat have devoted time and energy to creating a constantly updated website at heat.co.za, where all the latest-breaking celebrity news could be accommodated immediately.

Décor mag invites votes for fave SA buildings
Visi magazine, in conjunction with the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA), is commissioning the fourth nation-wide survey of the best architectural designs in the country and inviting South Africans to vote for their favourite building. The survey kicks off following the recent announcement that South Africa has won the bid to host the World Congress of the International Union of Architects in 2014 and also asks respondents if South Africa has found an architectural expression that is unique enough to be termed ‘South African'. Results will be tabled at the end of August 2008 and released to coincide with International Architecture Day on 6 October. Go to www.visi.co.za or www.saia.org.za to vote.

Another journ award for Shape
Shape advisory board dietitian Jane Badham recently won the South African Association for Food Science and Technology annual Meritorious Award for Food Science Journalism. Her story, entitled Fat Attack, published in the November 2007 issue of Shape, beat entries from TV, radio and print. The award is intended to recognise those journalists who adopt a responsible approach and whose reports are objective and scientifically correct, and consequently whose work contributes to sound consumer knowledge and an understanding of controversial or complex food issues.

Activists still calling for Qwelane's head
NEWSWATCH: While the Sunday Sun has apologised for Jon Qwelane's recent column concerning gay marriage after the press ombudsman found it in contravention of the press code last week, reports News24.com, a group of 17 gay rights organisations - whose spokesperson is PR man Mixael de Kock - are still calling for Media24 to axe the journalist, according to The Times Online.

Two South Africans for 2008/9 Carter Center Journalism Fellows
Eddie Botha, Daily Dispatch investigations editor and Sunday Times reporter Subashni Naidoo are the two South Africans are among ten recipients of the 11th annual Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, named last week by the Mental Health Programme of The Carter Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.

Call to enter SAB's green journo awards
Entries for the 20th SAB Environmental Journalists of the Year Awards close on 1 September 2008. Over the past 19 years, these awards have been established as one of the most prestigious awards for journalists covering crucial developments in the environmental arena.

Max du Preez receives Nat Nakasa Award
Apart from awarding the 2008 Nat Nakasa Award for courageous journalism to veteran journalist Max du Preez, the South African National Editor's Forum (SANEF), at its recent annual AGM in Johannesburg, restated its firm opposition to any attempt by the government to control the media, such as the ANC's proposed statutory media tribunal.

We are all wire-service journalists today
[Louise Marsland] KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: Have you heard the one about the sports journalist who called the newsroom of his newspaper to tell them the ballgame was cancelled due to an earthquake and since nothing much was happening, he was pushing off for a beer? That was the '80s, when things like mobile phones weren't around as media tools and citizens weren't also journalists. But a story was still a story and the pressure to deliver daily news is greater than ever - across all media disciplines.

Media21 Global Journalism Network offers global media workshop
Experienced journalists are invited to apply for Media21 Global Journalism Network's global issues media workshop, which will focus on the challenges of migration in the 21st century from 24 November to 7 December 2008.

IMFSA warns of con man
The International Media Forum of South Africa (IMFSA) yesterday, Wednesday, 30 July 2008, issued a general alert that a David Olkers of DO Media or David Olkers Media has been claiming to be a publisher of a review of IMFSA in conjunction with BDFM Group publications and Cape Media Corporation publications, in particular Business Day, Financial Mail, Leadership and Black Business Quarterly.

2008 Vodacom Women in The Media winners
Talk Radio 702 station manager Phaladi Gwangwa was the overall winner of this year's Vodacom Women in The Media Awards, Redi Direko was presented with the Vodacom Rising Star Award and veteran journalist and well-known social columnist Gwen Gill received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The awards took place yesterday, Tuesday, 29 July 2008, in Johannesburg.

Will the HRC case against Qwelane fail?
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] NEWSWATCH: A leading gay activist has expressed doubt concerning the South African Human Rights Commission (HRC)'s competency to deal properly with Jon Qwelane after the controversial columnist wrote an article in the Sunday Sun recently linking homosexuality to bestiality. The article drew fire and anger from the gay community, which lodged a deluge of complaints to the HRC and the press ombudsman Joe Thloloe against Qwelane for what they called ‘breach of the Constitution'.

Take aim for celebrity and fame
Oscar-nominated film director Mike Figgis and Sony Ericsson are inviting anyone who wants to showcase their life to submit a storyboard consisting of five mobile phone snapshots in a competition which celebrates the launch of the Sony Ericsson C902 Cyber-shot.


European research shows mobility key to SME success
New research conducted in Europe by Ipsos MORI and Research In Motion (RIM), the developer and manufacturer of the BlackBerry smartphones and wireless solutions, demonstrates a strong link between mobile technology and business success in the world of the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME).

mo-B launches Fan Touch - Multimedia Solutions
Mobile entertainment and marketing company, mo-B, has launched a celebrity mobile website (mobisite) allowing fans to keep up with the latest news from local celebrities.

Win all the way with Sondag - Sondag
On 10 August 2008, Sondag, the latest Sunday newspaper of Media24, will launch a readers' competition where readers can win R90 000 in cash prizes.


Rapport launches lééf in Gauteng - Rapport
On 3 August 2008, lééf in Gauteng replaces Gauteng-Rapport - the supplement in South Africa's biggest Afrikaans Sunday paper, Rapport.

Bizwave.co.za - where ideas become business plans - Bizwave
A group of senior business people in Gauteng decided to give back to the community and funded the development of Bizwave, an idea and business development Internet platform to allow South Africans to collaborate with each other in order to conceive and create new business at a rate not achievable before.

JD Internet Consulting announces the successful launch of Westech's new corporate website - JD Internet Consulting
Westech is an information technology solutions company which was started in 1995. Its aim is to offer a more superior level of IT support to the SME market nationally by being systems dependent and by using quality hardware and software that can be relied on.

JD Internet Consulting announces arrival of new Nimue website - JD Internet Consulting
The Nimue website has a completely new look and is intended to be much easier to use, full of new information designed with the salon owner end-users in mind.

The Emmys come to Cape Town - Condor Cape Town
Penguin Films, the Cape Film Commission and Waterfront Studios hosted the semi-final round of judging for the Asia/Africa/Middle East region for the 2008 International Emmy Awards. The judging, for the Arts Programming and Telenovela categories, took place on 1 and 2 August in Cape Town.

Condor Cape Town is the post powerhouse behind nine major Loeries awards - Condor Cape Town
Condor Cape Town proudly salutes its award-winning clients on bringing home no less than nine Loeries, including the Grand Prix.

Keith Rose of Velocity wins Grand Prix for Allan Gray 'Beautiful' - Velocity Films
This year's Loeries judges awarded the TV Grand Prix to the craftsmanship and masterful storytelling of Allan Gray 'Beautiful'. The commercial was conceptualised by agency King James and directed by Keith Rose of Velocity.


Seen beside the Velocity poolside - Velocity Films
The Velocity party by the pool at Margate last weekend for the 30th annual Loeries was its usual rockin' self. Sweat.x got those feet tapping and all those folks going down brown, whilet the girls in tight lycra introduced everyone to Jose and the boys in gold shorts and painted toenails shook their well-formed booties.


Frieze Films features at The Loeries - Frieze Films
Frieze Films directors Tony Baggott and Steve Tanchel projects picked up Loerie awards this past weekend: Baggott notched up two Bronzes, one each for Audi and KFC 'Love Notes'; while Tanchel won a Bronze for Soweto Rugby Club. His MTN 'Snapshots' commercial, which he directed for Metropolitan Republic, picked up a Gold editing craft.


Picture Tree Projects creates A Beautiful Morning - Picture Tree
Picture Tree Projects has recently completed a music video for The Black Hotels single, “Beautiful Mornings”.


The Loerie Awards: Advertising people get plastered - juju
This year's Loeries weekend was the biggest yet and there are already many impressive behind-the-scenes statistics. For example, there were more drunk people covered in juju stickers on Saturday night than at any previous point in the history of alcohol, juju stickers and Margate.

New multimedia production resource
Film producer Peter Gird has teamed up with creative entrepreneur Jason Xenopoulos (also the founder of new media agency, Mass Hysteria ) to launch the “next generation” production company, 2.0, in order to meet the needs of a rapidly changing media industry and become a one-of-a-kind production partner to both advertising agencies and clients. Says Gird, “By combining knowledge of both the advertising and entertainment industries and supporting it with competencies in traditional as well as new media, 2.0 is designed to offer agencies and clients a full-spectrum production solution capable of delivering on all their content needs - from traditional TV commercials to innovative new forms of branded entertainment, from television shows and feature films to viral videos and interactive games.”

Samplex goes ‘beeg' with Big Korn Bites - Samplex
Beeg, very Big Korn Bites banners, branded Gobo lighting, stamps as the patrons enter the venue looking for a Friday night party, coasters and table standees, dispensing units on the bar between dancing girls, and DJ announcements promoting the brand throughout the night is all part of a good day's work for the team at Samplex.

Yet another Write Co. student's name will soon appear in print! - The Write Co.
Lizet Engelbrecht has recently received the good news that her Afrikaans romance novel, entitled Sewe dae, has been snatched up by NB Publisher's popular Melodie imprint. The book is set to hit the shelves later this year.


Strategic PR can spur SME growth - Predictive Communications
[Frank Heydenrych] There is a strange idea among many marketing organisations that marketing and PR are separate. This when PR is and should always be viewed as a subset of marketing. In fact, for many SMEs PR can represent the pinnacle of their marketing efforts.

Just-Ice takes over breakfast at Radio 2000
Previously the host of the Source, 1pm - 4pm weekdays, Just-Ice will now be driving Radio 2000's breakfast show, 6am - 10am, as of today, Friday, 1 August 2000. The afternoon drive time will be taken over by Makhosi Khoza, who joins the SABC from Igagazi FM.

Getting your career mapped out - Viv Gordon Placements
Some jobseekers tend to change jobs without thinking long term. Once the going gets tough and job opportunities less, it's normally a question of last in, first out. Those who have weathered the storms, met the challenges of a chosen career and gained experience of each step on the way, will find themselves more confident and with better bargaining power than job-hoppers.

Will South Africa be ready in time for 2010? - African Response
According to market research company African Response, 67% of South Africans feel confident that our country will be ready in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

World Cup update - loadshedding, interest rates and inflation reduces optimism - TNS Research Surveys
In mid-February 2008, marketing and social insights company TNS Research Surveys asked a sample of 2000 metropolitan adults (aged 18 years and older) to give their views on some key issues around the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Market Sentiment Index drop wipes out gains of the last five years - TNS Research Surveys
TNS Research Surveys has released their Market Sentiment Index (MSI) results for metropolitan adults for June 2008. The Index dropped another 18 points (its second consecutive drop of this magnitude) from 127 in the first quarter of 2008 to 109 in June 2008 to reach its lowest point since October 2002. The index stood at 140 in June 2007.

2008 CWG Auction awash with debuts and white wines
A record number of white wines and first time entries from new winemakers and cellars have made the cut for the prestigious 2008 Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction. Now in its 23rd year, the auction will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on Saturday, 27 September 2008.


Indulgent new range of luxury biscuits
Bakers Biscuits has entered the luxury biscuit segment with the launch of the ‘Baked with Love' Premium range of decadent treats.


SACSC honours regional stores
The 2008 Western Cape Special Star Awards gala event took place last week at the Grand West Casino in Cape Town, showing off the best that shopping centres in the Cape have to offer. Introduced by the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) in 2006, the awards honour those retailers and service providers in each region which deliver an exceptional level of customer service and contribute to the South African shopping centre industry.


Call for interest: Marketing at-Retail study
POPAI SA is launching a roadshow on 1 September 2008 to assess the feasibility of establishing a pilot study for Marketing at-Retail (MARI) in South Africa.

Meet Wally - The Heart and Stroke Foundation SA
Less than two weeks after his 52nd birthday, a Gauteng businessman will give South African television viewers a rather unconventional gift of his own: the opportunity to learn some very important lessons from his own difficult journey of cardiovascular disease.

South Africa to view live televised open heart surgery - The Heart and Stroke Foundation SA
In a move it hopes will motivate South Africans into taking preventative action, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa has announced it will make history by televising a live broadcast of a two-hour single bypass open heart surgery on national television on Saturday, 2 August 2008.

The seven deadly muda of pitching
[Sid Peimer] In lean manufacturing lingo, Muda is a traditional Japanese term for activity that doesn't add value - is wasteful. Here are the seven muda as they relate to new business pitching.

Powerful sponsorships - Exp
Kim Skildum-Reid, who heads up Power Sponsorship and is one of the world's top corporate sponsorship consultants, trainers, speakers, and authors, will be presenting a keynote speech on Last Generation Sponsorship at the African Experiential Marketing Summit on 3 September 2008, in Johannesburg.

Experiential marketing guru Bernd H. Schmitt in SA - Exp
Founder and director of Columbia Business School's Center on Global Brand Management, Bernd H. Schmitt brings his wealth of expertise to South Africa at the 2nd African Experiential Marketing Summit in September.

New music reality show premieres on SABC2
Presenter Thabo Mdluli and head judge Lindelani Mkhize are in charge of SABC2's new music reality show I Want To Sing Gospel, which starts on Sunday, 3 August 2008, at 8pm, to find South Africa's new gospel star. Music industry executive and local gospel legend Mkhize have been holding auditions in Port Elizabeth, Durban, Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Johannesburg since May and now the top 30 singers are now on their way for 13 grueling, trying weeks in Johannesburg - where they'll have to prove to Mkhize why he should turn one of them into a superstar. According to Chrizelda de Vos, SABC2 brand manager, gospel music is one of the most popular music genres in SA.

Green TV keynote for MIPCOM 2008
PARIS: David Zaslav, president and CEO, Discovery Communications, will present the MIPCOM 2008 Green TV Keynote on Monday, 13 October 2008. Zaslav will discuss Planet Green, Discovery's global, cross-company initiative with a commitment to document, preserve and celebrate the planet, including the first-ever 24-hour eco-lifestyle television network that launched in the US in June 2008 with more than 250 hours of original programming. Planet Green's platforms include eco-lifestyle website www.TreeHugger.com and the solutions-oriented www.PlanetGreen.com. MIPCOM, the world's audiovisual content market, will be held in Cannes 13 - 17 October.

SABC to broadcast 2008 Beijing Paralymic Games
The SABC, through its platform SABC Sport, will also be broadcasting the 2008 Paralympic Games on SABC 2. The Paralympics Games will begin on Saturday, 6 September 2008, with a live broadcast of the opening ceremony 2pm - 5pm. “As the SABC, we are consciously aware of the unifying power of sports and the broadcast of the 2008 Olympics bears testament to the organisation's vision of ‘Broadcasting for Total Citizen Empowerment' through the empowerment of exposure and enjoyment of different sporting codes,” says Kaizer Kganyago, SABC spokesperson.