Nine trends for 2009 for a world in flux
[Dion Chang] Just in case you've not heard it enough already, 2009 will be all about collaboration, social networks and the rise of the individual, not to mention location-based services, sustainability, changing value systems and spirituality.


Participate in CMO Council surveys
The CMO Council has launched two surveys seeking global perspectives in its 2009 Marketing Outlook Survey and the Giving Customer Voice More Volume audit and is inviting participation.

Big challenges facing marketers in 2009
[Chris Moerdyk] Never before, in the history of South Africa, have its marketers faced quite so many daunting challenges and those that will come through the economic downturn successfully will be those who understand that calculated risk is an integral and necessary part of business today.

Nine trends to anticipate in 2009
[Rose Setshoge] The previous year was both thrilling and challenging for many marketers, due to various breakthroughs. Some were brave enough to try some new strategies, simultaneously learning about the alterations happening within the marketplace, while others remained in their comfort zones without taking any risks. Here are some developments to anticipate in the year 2009.


New Year's resolutions of a marketing entrepreneur
[Jo Duxbury] While industry experts are writing thoughtful articles on their predictions for 2009, my crystal ball is more decorative than functional. Considering the surprises the world threw at us in 2008, I'm substituting predictions with resolutions to help my businesses - and me - thrive this year.


Instant reward, absolute transparency...
[Gordon Patterson] Rather than life getting simpler, it's really becoming more complicated and people seem to be getting older younger and then younger older! Looking back, it's simple to see why trend predictions are often off track or, worse, grossly misleading.


Don't ignore this marketing must for 2009 - Chris Moerdyk
As more and more consumers take to complaining about products and services online and in social network forums, ignoring this phenomenon is simply no longer an option for any business.

Sounding good for 2010
[Khanyi Magubane] Soccer lovers at the FIFA 2010 World Cup matches will experience a stadium sound sensation, thanks to new state-of-the-art audio systems. Prosound, the company commissioned with integrating the sound systems at the venues for the matches, says even the loudest vuvuzelas won't be a match to the clarity of the sound to be produced at the stadiums.

Zakumi goes to Portugal
The official mascot of the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be revealed for the first time in Portugal today, Wednesday, 14 January 2009. The event, which is being hosted by the South African Embassy, will explore South Africa's readiness to host the world cup and the country as a tourism destination of choice.

Andrew Gillett new Lowe Bull CT MD
Andrew Gillett has returned to the world of advertising as MD of Lowe Bull Cape Town, the agency he worked for nine and a half years ago before making a foray into publishing.


Tham Khai Meng to chair Dubai Lynx 2009
Tham Khai Meng, who has recently been appointed as Ogilvy & Mather's Worldwide creative director, and chairman of its Worldwide Creative Council, will be the Dubai Lynx 2009 jury president for the TV/Cinema, Outdoor, Print and Radio juries, as well as the Integrated jury.

Ogilvy CT sparkles with American Swiss
Ogilvy Cape Town is set to rock this year after winning the American Swiss advertising account, one of the leading jewellery retailers in South Africa and a division of the Foschini Retail Group, it was announced this morning, Friday, 16 January 2009. This win follows the agency being awarded the SA Rugby account late last year.

ROI and accountability - major themes for 2009
[Francesco Mariola] “Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted. The trouble is, I don't know which half.” So said Lord Leverhulme. This statement no longer holds true, but as we head into 2009, we need to look at the lack of return on investment (ROI), accountability and the way forward.


The Hardy Boys take on Smirnoff
After a five-way pitch against some of the biggest agencies in South Africa, Durban-based The Hardy Boys has been appointed as the agency of choice for Smirnoff, it was announced yesterday, Wednesday, 14 January 2009. The Hardy Boys will be responsible for all the below-the-line activation, amplification and brand building for the Smirnoff trademark.

2009 Roger Garlick Awards judges announced
A panel of leading industry experts have been selected to tackle the task of judging the 2009 Roger Garlick Award, which closes for entries on 13 February 2009. The award is run by the Advertising Media Association of South Africa (AMASA) and sponsored by Oracle Airtime Sales.

Reg Lascaris: ‘It's going to be a topsy-turvy year'
[Reg Lascaris] While it's going to be a topsy-turvy year, one thing will not change, and that is the age-old advice to young entrants to marketing and advertising eager to do ground-breaking work and forever change the industry landscape... creativity is king.


iLogic, Trigger Media merge to form full service agency - Kwantam
Digital agency iLogic has announced its merger with Trigger Media to form the Kwantam Group.

Solution-focused print - Artifact Advertising
Artifact Print, a division of Artifact Advertising and part of the Artifact Group, is a production facility offering an all-inclusive print and production service and solution-focused, output-driven department which takes away the hassle of printing and delivers the right product, on time, every time, at the right price, without the hassle.

Media Lions jury president announced

click to enlarge

LONDON: Nick Brien, president and CEO of IPG's Mediabrands, will be the 2009 Cannes Lions Media jury president, it was announced earlier this week. Commented Philip Thomas, festival CEO, “Nick is not only passionate about the media business, he is passionate about how creativity can transform communications. We've worked closely with Nick and other industry leaders to adapt and develop the Media Lions in 2009 so that they continue to reflect the changing media landscape and remain the global standard for outstanding media thinking.”


Correct ADC Annual Awards entry deadline
We incorrectly stated yesterday that the deadline for professional entries for the Art Directors Club (ADC) 88th Annual Awards is 16 June 2009; the correct deadline was originally this Friday, 16 January 2009, but for all those who have been panicking, never fear - it has been extended by one week to Friday 23 January. Enter online now at www.adcawards.org/work.

ADC entry deadline looms
NEW YORK: Entry deadline for the 88th Annual Awards of the Art Directors Club is Friday, 16 January 2009, for professionals and 30 January for students. It's your chance to win a Gold Cube in Advertising, Design, Interactive, Photography, Illustration and even unpublished work in Playground. There are also breakout categories, ADC Hybrid and ADC Design Sphere, and a sponsored award from Corbis. Enter online at www.adcawards.org/work.

Combining desire with virtue - key branding trend for 2009
[Mathew Weiss] Type the word ‘environment' into Google and you get 376 million results. Going green is hot right now, and there are plenty of Hollywood celebrities who will testify to this. Where celebrities go, the adoring public usually follow and brand owners are waking up to the fact that being green is not only fashionable, but can be a powerful brand differentiator, too, when product attributes are quickly copied by competitors.


Exceptional results par for the course as thirtyfour, Global Trader Putt for a Million - 34
In yet another very successful brand activation campaign for Global Trader, thirtyfour yet again lived up to its promise of delivering measurable results in a below-the-line environment. Global Trader's Putt for a Million campaign saw 14 lucky South Africans given the opportunity to sink a 60-foot putt for R1 000 000.

Cinema advertising a positive choice in 2009
[Karen Bailey] The old adage, “cinema is known to boom amid the gloom”, has never been more true and South Africa is no exception. The advent of new and engaging cinema innovations will ensure the medium continues to provide advertisers with opportunities to cost effectively reach their target market in a focused, uncluttered environment.

CRM goes mobile
Earlier this week, Maximizer announced that its mobile CRM solution is now available for the HTC Google G1 smartphone. The touch-screen Google G1, which debuted in late Q3 2008 with T-Mobile, is powered by Google's open source platform and operating system, Android. By accessing Maximizer Mobile CRM through a wireless web browser, sales and service professionals may now view and update customer, sales and service information in real-time, directly from the smartphone to the corporate CRM system.

Paddling for pink at the Dusi
Men's Health Look 2008 winner Brendan Currin is a final year medical student and is passionate about saving lives; a passion that lead him to contact CANSA to help raise funds for breast cancer while competing in the 2009 Hansa Powerade Dusi Canoe Marathon.

Young Designers simulcast bookings open
The Design Indaba Young Designers Simulcast is intended to bring the wit and wisdom of the best of the best to young designers and students under 25 at a discounted rate. This live broadcast, from the main plenary session to a second auditorium, means that those youngsters who cannot afford to attend the main Design Indaba Conference will still have access to speakers.

FusionDesign goes back-to-school with Buccaneers - FusionDesign
One of FusionDesign's longstanding clients, Buccaneers, has renewed its commitment to the brand design agency and launched the 2008/9 “Stepping Stones to Growth” campaign through all leading retail outlets and schools around the country.


Stock Options research and rights clearances delivers the goods for Nigerian bank - Great Stock!
Stock Options recently demonstrated its comprehensive stock footage services and expertise when it came to providing fully cleared footage and music track for a TV campaign for PHB bank - a leading Nigerian bank.


Creatives win with Great Stock! - Great Stock!
Great Stock! recently launched a game to promote its renowned Corbis Images collection and has just released the names of the winners of the grand prizes.

Jupiter's Midas touch
The Jupiter Drawing Room (Johannesburg) recently won the coveted Grand Midas Trophy - the only one awarded in the world - at the recent International Midas Awards for financial services advertising, held in New York every year.


How the digital landscape will shape marketing in 2009
[Stafford Masie] A new year is here and stretching before us are 12 months of great possibility and opportunity. No-one could have predicted the innovation and evolution that we saw around the Internet during 2008. Likewise, making predictions for 2009 is nearly impossible. So instead of trying to make precise predictions about our incredibly dynamic industry, I've listed my top nine trends to watch during the coming year.


Become an online movie star
Fancy featuring in a Savanna commercial? Simply visit www.savanna.co.za, upload your photograph, sit back and enjoy all the fan-mail rushing in.

Sea change for SA Internet in 2009
[Arthur Goldstuck] Thanks to the pressure of preparation for 2010 and the Seacom undersea cable, the South African Internet and digital marketing, advertising and media industries should undergo a sea change this year.


eMarketing in 2009: exciting times, surprises predicted
[Rob Stokes] In such turbulent times, who would dare make a prediction on what the future holds? Interestingly, I find a great deal of similarities between the world today and the world we faced in 2001 with the dotcom bubble burst.


New media predictions from SA gurus - Cambrient
The second episode of Cambrient's new podcast The Digital Edge is now available.


Digital marketing gets a voice - Cambrient
Digital marketing services company Cambrient, earlier this week launched The Digital Edge,a digital marketing podcast programme for South Africa.


Launch of digital marketing podcast
Sponsored and produced by digital marketing services company Cambrient, in association with Marketingweb, The Digital Edge (www.thedigitaledge.co.za) is a new podcast covering digital marketing and is intended to be an ongoing weekly programme for the marketing industry. For a list of some of the best international podcasts on social media, go to
Best Podcasts on Social Media.

PRIMEDIA@HOME meets Government's communication needs - PRIMEDIA@HOME
While traditional advertising remains a given in today's economic climate, direct marketing, accompanied by skilled experiential activations and face-to-consumer sampling, is a critical element of all advertising campaigns.

2009 SAARF LSM workshops in Joburg
The SAARF Universal Living Standards Measure workshops for Johannesburg will commence in February 2009, with content to cover history/development of LSM, early LSM, 1993/1995/2000 LSM and new SAARF Universal LSM. All attendees will receive a SAARF Segmentation CD free of charge. The duration will be approximately two hours and delegates are requested to bring a calculator with them for a ‘do it yourself' exercise to determine their own SU-LSM group. Cost per delegate is R395 (VAT inclusive). Go to www.saarf.co.za to register.

New D&AD education chair appointed
LONDON: Greg Quinton, Black Pencil-winning creative director at The Partners, has been named the new education chairman for D&AD. In the coming months, Quinton wants to motivate graduates and agencies to think long term in a recession. “Of course recession is on everyone's minds, particularly the minds of students about to graduate,” says Quinton. “This isn't a time to be afraid, though - it's a time to do your best work and get noticed... As for those of us lucky enough to have jobs now - no matter what the current situation with recruitment, we need to keep meeting students and new graduates, crit portfolios, and see what new talent is out there. New creativity is always incredibly valuable. The grey clouds of recession will not last forever and we'll all need new talent when the sun shines again, sometime in the future.”

Elections will add impetus to events industry in 2009
[Brian Kennedy] The exhibitions and events industry is leading from the front in the communications mix as a multibillion rand industry and this trend will further accelerate in 2009.


Coca-cola dome appoints exclusive caterer
The Coca-Cola dome has appointed Delmont Caldow Caterers as its exclusive five-star banqueting caterers.


2009 budget cuts a challenge for event managers
[Karen Ashwin] The current decline in the global economic system is now filtering through to all industry sectors, including marketing and event management. Marketing budgets have been cut back substantially for 2009 and though the number of events will not decrease, the budget spend per event will lessen. This will be a challenge for all event managers and an opportunity for the most skilled to demonstrate their enhanced creativity.


Society launch in Dubai... - Collyer Lessick & Associates
“Awesome” describes the recent launch of the BA/Barclays MasterCard Middle East loyalty program held at the Raffles Hotel in Dubai. It was sheer glamour, high society and champagne lifestyles present at this event.


Exciting year ahead for business matchmaking - Outsmart Marketing
Outsmart Marketing, specialists in business matchmaking programs, have secured an impressive portfolio of local and international events and exhibitions over the past three years.

Belvedere Vodka - snow trees - Ice Art
Creating an eye-catching contrast on the clear ice is very effective with pure white snow. In some cases, the designs can be particularly intricate and it takes a steady hand and an accurate eye to generate a successful replica.


Liezel van der Westhuizen - Conference Speakers International
The world of television and entertainment has been abuzz with speculation about who would step into the shoes of Colin Moss as presenter of Idols. Well, the answer is out!


A date with luxury and glamour... - Collyer Lessick & Associates
A stunning fashion show, top-notch entertainment and the who's who of Dubai! That was ITP Style Arabia - an event on the local social calendar that was attended by diplomats, fashionistas and socialites alike.


Three exhilirating cities in one night... - Collyer Lessick & Associates
From the breathtaking beaches, large scale festivities and a melting pot of cultures in Rio... to the bustling, energetic night life of New York City... to the dynamic and exciting soul of Johannesburg's shebeens. This was the mood and feel that greeted the Microsoft staff at their annual year-end function.


Yes, we can - yes, we did! - Verri Organised
Yes! - We launched Verri Organised simultaneously with the scariest economic downturn since the great depression... and it worked! Yes... it did! ...because we are efficient, time-saving, ...and always deliver.


Thirst Bar Service's festive season - Thirst Bar Services
Thirst Bar Services was around throughout South Africa serving up cocktails at year-end functions, private parties, Christmas parties and new year's bashes, helping to make the season as festive as possible and adding a touch of class and finesse to every function.


“Great Expectations” from Techrig - Techrig Lighting
“Great Expectations” was the theme briefed to Techrig by its client Collyer Lessick in respect of a year-end corporate event it hosted on behalf of Dimension Data.


Samsung office printers reveal their true colours in style - Launch Factory
Launch Factory recently created and hosted a series of vibrantly colourful experiential events across South Africa. These events were designed to help communicate the benefits associated with Samsung's new range of office printers.

Joburg Easter Festival, Rand Show merge
The Johannesburg Expo Centre, parent of the newly created Joburg Easter Festival, has bought back the Rand Show brand from Kagiso Media, which purchased it from the centre in 2000. The deal, concluded late Friday 16 January 2009, follows a decision by Kagiso Media to wind down its wholly owned Kagiso Exhibitions & Events (KEE) subsidiary through the disposal of its assets and trading entities and will see the show incorporated into the festival.


Celebrating the indulgence of chocolate
The Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand will serve as a temple to the cocoa bean between 20 - 22 March 2009 for the annual Chocolate Festival, a platform where exhibitors can showcase, and visitors experience, every possible incarnation of chocolate.


Oasys appointed as sole supplier to the International Destination Expo 2009 - Oasys Innovations
Oasys Innovations has officially been appointed as the sole infrastructure supplier for the International Destination Expo. The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is holding its conference, “Excel in the growing South African market”, at Sun City's Superbowl, during early March 2009.

PenQuin International presents Joburg's biggest career drive - The Star Workplace Expo - PenQuin International
In mid-2008, PenQuin International, a marketing solutions company, obtained the contract to host the inaugural The Star Workplace Expo, which takes place 20-22 March 2009 at the Coca-Cola dome in northern Johannesburg. With less than three months to go, the size and number of exhibitors already exceeds that of previous career-themed exhibitions.

New expo for home improvers
26 - 29 March 2009 will see the first annual Home Improver's Show, hosted by Impact Exhibitions and Independent Newspapers Cape at the Good Hope Centre, the recently renovated and original home of Cape Town exhibitions and new venue for the Loeries. Whether you are building a new house, thinking of renovating, or just wanting to scratch your décor itch, this lifestyle show will present you with roughly 250 exhibitors to choose from. For more information, go to www.homeimprovershow.co.za.

Naomi Larkin moves on to House and Leisure
Naomi Larkin has been appointed as the new editor of House and Leisure magazine, effective February 2009, Associated Magazines announced yesterday, Thursday, 15 January 2009. She replaces Lianne Burton, who will be pursuing various creative projects. [interview]


Joy! to get Afrikaans sister edition
Christian family magazine Joy! will soon have a new Afrikaans sister, christened Juig!. The new bi-monthly title, conceived due to popular demand, will launch in April 2009.

Sbu Mpungose moves on to Bona
[Tshepiso Seopa] Caxton Magazines has appointed the award-winning Sbu Mpungose as the editor of Bona. Mpungose assumes the reins at one of the oldest magazines aimed at the black mass market, following a break that she took when she left Move! magazine.

Convergence is overrated
[Graham Willcock] There is one indicator/trend that will trump all others in 2009 - and I suspect for quite some time thereafter as well. Vision and values, or V2 as we call it at RadMark, is going to define the nature of business relationships - be they definitional stakeholders such as customers, employees, investors and competitors or instrumental stakeholders such NGOs, special interest groups, Government or the media as a whole.


SABC coalition welcomes ICASA hearing on FXI complaint
The Save Our SABC Coalition (SOS) has welcomed the long-awaited set down of the Freedom of Expression Institute's (FXI) complaint against the SABC for hearing before the Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC) of ICASA during March 2009, it announced this morning, Monday, 19 January 2009.

Sign Broadcasting Bill, coalition urges Motlanthe
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] ‘Save our SABC Campaign' Coalition spokeswoman Kate Skinner has come out in support of the ruling ANC, urging President Kgalema Motlanthe to sign the Broadcasting Amendment Bill as soon as possible. The Star newspaper reported yesterday, Thursday 15 January 2009, that the ANC was unhappy with the president for delaying to sign the bill into law.

SABC back in the headlines
NEWSWATCH: The year has hardly started and the SABC is already back in the headlines, whether is about blacklisting and Snuki; the ANC, COPE, the SABC board and the controversial Broadcasting Amendment Bill; new revenue streams - selling SABC International content to international pay TV providers; and reassurances that the Confederations Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup will be available in both analogue and digital.

Call for end to Gaza foreign media ban
PARIS: The World Association of Newspapers and the World Editors Forum yesterday, Tuesday, 13 January 2009, called on Israeli authorities to immediately lift the Defense Ministry's order banning foreign journalists from entering the Gaza Strip.

CNN Multichoice African Journalist Awards 2009
CNN International and MultiChoice has launched the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2009 Awards. The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony to be held in Durban, South Africa, in July 2009.


2009: the year of publishing dangerously
[Ray Hartley] Let's start with the big thing that is not going to change: the thirst for news - hard news, breaking news. News is alive and well. What is changing is how people would like to receive their news.


Editorial multi-tasking in the digital age - TABPI
[Katy Tomasulo] Short on time and resources in the digital age? Here's my top 10 tips for B2B editors on how to multi-task in the multi-tasking multi-platform media environment...

2009 election debate this Sunday on SABC
Election 2009 Debates continue this coming Sunday, 18 January 2009, at 8pm on SABC2, SAFM and www.sabcnews.com. The debate will be facilitated by Tim Modise and is jointly hosted by the SABC and the University of Johannesburg. Political parties including the ANC, ID, DA and ACDP will have representatives at the debate who will tackle the issue of Crime and Corruption. Political analysts will be on hand to assess and analyse issues on the night. Dr Johan Burger from the Institute of Security Studies will breakdown the issues and take viewers through the meaning behind the meaning.

The mobile media landscape in 2009 - a forecast
[Rick Joubert] With the large developed economies likely to remain in deep recession during 2009 and with a significant slowdown in South African economic growth, it seems likely that overall ad spend growth in SA will be nowhere near the usual double digit media inflation numbers we're so used to seeing - and that, of course, will also impact upon mobile advertising. However, mobile advertising revenues will continue to grow faster than any other traditional or new media channel and during 2009 will overtake investment in online advertising.


MMA appoints new president
NEW YORK/LONDON/SINGAPORE/SAO PAULO: Mike Wehrs is the new president and CEO of the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA), it was announced yesterday, Monday, 12 January 2009, taking over from Laura Marriott with immediate effect.

Brandscape signs joint development agreement with Digital Marketing specialists, Evolved Digital - Brandscape
Brandscape Marketing, Cape Town, has signed an agreement with Evolved Digital Media, Dubai, to jointly develop new ways of deploying mobile technologies to provide brands and agencies across Africa and the Middle East with better ways to engage with their target audience.

24 hours of eyewitness news online
[Tshepiso Seopa] Primedia Broadcasting has finally come out of the closet over the stealth launch in December 2008 of Eyewitnessnews.co.za, a new standalone news brand which provides content to Primedia Broadcasting's four radio stations. Why the silent launch? To use word of mouth and viral marketing before going big.


Ten recession-busting tips for freelancers - Freelancentral
[Jo Duxbury] Right now, it's a great time to be a freelancer. Really. Nobody can make you redundant; you are in control of your own income; and clients are more likely to outsource than employ staff. Here are 10 tips for freelancers to make the most of the current economy.


MyBroadband continues strong growth - MyBroadband
MyBroadband welcomes two new staff members as it continues its strong growth.

Why this is the year to invest in online marketing - AlterSage
Have you noticed the growing excitement around online marketing? Following international trends, there has been an increase in the number of big brands in South Africa using online marketing to create brand awareness and get their message across. It's more than likely that if your own company hasn't already implemented online marketing, you know of a company that has.


Spend your Ukash vouchers at bidorbuy.co.za through PayFast - Expand Marketing
Ukash, a globally recognised e-commerce cash payment method, has joined forces with PayFast to allow online consumers to use cash when shopping at bidorbuy.co.za.

Special events to spur outdoor advertising in 2009
[Richard Bode] Outdoor advertising should still see positive growth in 2009, along with multi-messaging, a more tactical use, improved research and planning tools, LSM integration and integrated campaigns - all spurred on by the increase in special events.


2009 will see more advertisers in shopping centres
[Darren Katz] The shopping centre space in 2009 continues to be a hub of activity for consumers of all ages, races and social backgrounds. While in the past few years, the average time spent in a mall has been around three hours, research and recent refurbishments around major centres are indicating that consumers are spending more time and advertisers are getting more bang for their buck.


NuMetro hit the road with 100 Popimedia cars during the festive season! - Popimedia
NuMetro Film Distribution and NuMetro Home Entertainment expanded their reach and exposure with Popimedia and branded 100 cars for the movie releases of Yes Man, The Day The Earth Stood Still, Star Wars, Get Smart and Australia.


Rapid Telescopic Flag/Feather Banner - Right Stuff
2009 is the year to create a massive impact by using the right tools to boost your marketing strategy. And what better way than with the Rapid Telescopic Flag, our top seller for 2008?!


Plan your 2009 outdoor advertising campaigns with us - The Marketing Kraal
The year 2009 is here with us and very soon it will not be a new year anymore. As marketers put together their marketing and communication plans, we offer ourselves to partner with you in your plans for 2009.


Mozambique, here we come! - DStv promotion - What's New Media
What's New Media's flexible and mobile medium means location isn't a problem and it'll go to those hard areas where static billboards may be out of reach, including countries outside of South Africa and within the SADC region.

Gauteng architectural photo competition
Continuum Architects and WesBank are giving photographers the opportunity to capture a unique view of the new home of WesBank in Fairland, billed as one of South Africa's architectural masterpieces, as part of a photography competition.

Bioscope and Wicked Pixels create Clover campaign for Joe Public - Bioscope Films
Bioscope and Wicked Pixels completed a three-commercial campaign for Clover Cream at the end of last year. The campaign blends live action and animation as it tells three separate stories of how homespun recipes are used to create a warm, loving environment.


US mega-star applauds Nando's SA TV commercial - Fresh Eye Film Productions
A South African commercial for Nando's, directed by Cindy Lee from Fresh Eye Film Productions, has been applauded by a US megastar. In one of her recent shows, Emmy award-winning talk show host Ellen DeGeneres told millions of viewers it was one of her favourite TV commercials from 2008.


Knowing Pebo well in 2009 - Pebo Productions
Despite South African business' lowest confidence since 2003, as recently reported, and the much-talked about global economical crisis that our country is not immune to, Pebo Productions is taking a much more positive outlook on the year ahead.

Bravo for Bravia! - Tradeway Promotions
Tradeway Promotions has completed its in-store promotional campaign for its client, Bravia, the high definition (HD) TV offering.

South African for international IABC judging panel
Daniel Munslow, executive strategist at Newsclip, has been invited to join the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Blue Ribbon Panel to perform final-tier judging for this year's Gold Quill Awards. The panel convenes at IABC headquarters IABC in San Francisco, 20 - 21 March 2009.

Communication trends to be mindful of in 2009
[Catherine Luckhoff] Filter failure, ultra-niching, mobile strategies and your Ps and Qs are all things you should be mindful of in 2009. If, however, you too are suffering from information overload despite it only being January, read on.


2009's PR demons
[Marcus Brewster] A brave new world or ‘the more things change, the more they stay the same'? As the public relations industry moves into a new year, the temptation to offer predictions is gratuitous without an appreciation of the carryover of legacy issues from the year before. I would venture that the PR industry will be wrestling with the following demons for the next 12 months.


Out-of-date media contacts are old news - Encyclomedia
You wouldn't buy a newspaper on Tuesday with the plan of keeping it to read some fresh news on Sunday. Clearly, the news won't still be new by then.

Sentient Communications launches Web and social media division - Sentient Communications
Sentient Digital is a new South African agency that translates technology and “Web 2.0” into brand-centred marketing and communications activities that make business sense.


Matrix Advertising awards PR project to Livewired Communications - Cape Town - Livewired Communications
Matrix Adverting, a Cape Town-based advertising agency, has enlisted Livewired Communications' PR expertise to propel its efforts in launching the 2008 Summer Sun Festival.

The evolution of the radio station
[Alan Khan] What's on the cards for radio this year? It's all about keeping up with the times - multimedia, digital media skills, mobile, user-generated content (UGC), the demands of the youth market, collaborative partnerships, general elections and supporting the newly formed Radio Advertising Bureau.


Zondi says au revoir to YFM
He joined GP's hottest frequency in December 2007 - 13 months later, in January 2009, Vukile Zondi has resigned from YFM and is heading to Auckland Park to join SABC's 5FM, also as programming manager. The announcement was made today, Wednesday, 14 January 2009.


Buyi Shongwe quits MPowerFM
Buyi Shongwe has resigned from MPowerFM and is heading to Johannesburg to join the corporate world, the station announced yesterday, Tuesday, 13 January 2009. Shongwe, who was recently crowned second princess in the Miss SA beauty competition, co-hosted the PM Drive Show with David Watts.

New job etiquette guide
[Madge Gibson] Changing jobs and settling into a new position can be a stressful experience and one of the hardest parts of moving up the corporate ladder. The transition from a familiar role to new unchartered territories may be unsettling but here are a few basics that will make the process easier.

Despite tough times top people land new jobs
As companies continue to compete for scarce skills, and develop recruitment strategies to appeal to job hopping Generation Y, a recent survey by employer branding specialist Magnet Communications gives employers an indication of the effectiveness of their recruitment strategies and the values which will also retain talent.

New year, new attitude, new challenges - theWorksquad
Are we entering 2009 with mixed feelings, based not only from a local perspective but also from international activities? If so, none of us have the power, in our personal capacities, to drastically change much but if we each give it our best shot, surely we can make the year as enjoyable and rewarding as feasibly possible?

Two weeks until close of early-bird bookings for 2009 SAMRA Conference - SAMRA
Bookings for the 2009 SAMRA Conference at the Spier Wine Estate on 28 and 29 May 2009 are open and early-bird booking rates apply until 31 January.

"Mandela's Children" to answer surveys via mobile phones - Clyral
“Birth to Twenty” is the largest and longest running study of child and adolescent health and development in Africa. In 2009, it embraces the mobile era by connecting several thousand participants to the Mobile Researcher platform, facilitating real-time mobile data collection.

Shoprite takes the price plunge
[Chris Moerdyk] Are South Africa's retail marketers fast asleep and missing out, or are they a lot more astute than Shoprite, which has taken the plunge and started heavily advertising the fact that, owing to the fuel price having dropped, it's going to cut prices?

Changing shopper habits in 2009
[Louise Boxall-Davie] JWT South Africa, and its global network of trend spotters in more than 200 countries, foresees that the economy, technology and social marketing will recur as major themes throughout 2009.


All systems go for sandwich pack production
[ActivRetail] Nampak Cartons & Labels Epping is on track to commence local production of the newly launched and fully biodegradable Woolworths “To go” range of sandwich packs.


A 2009 wishlist for African business objectives
[Terry Levin] Products and services that are meaningful, authentic and feelgood act as antidotes to recession and digital overkill, hence 2009 is the time for essential model shifts necessitated by global financial, humanitarian and health issues.


Pick n Pay voted world's best retailer
Pick n Pay has been voted the world's best retailer by international retail organisation, the National Retail Federation (NRF).


Setting the record straight on myths regarding pest control this summer - Rentokil
Pests are never welcome in any home or working environment; not only are they unsightly, but they carry diseases as well. The summer season creates the perfect environment for an influx of insects such as flies.


Pay attention to pop-up, advise experts - The Todwil Group
South Africa brands looking to target consumers directly need to pay attention to pop-up retail marketing, says Todwil Retail Solutions, a global South African-based specialist in retail marketing.

Adversity gives you strength
[John Boe] How can you stay self-motivated and productive in the midst of turbulent times and a sluggish economy? How do you persevere as a salesperson when times are tough and customers seem to be holding on to every penny in fear of economic uncertainty?

Tutu warns on email scam
A fake email, originating from archbishopdt@mail2southafrica.com and purporting to be raising funds for Archbishop Desmond Tutu, is doing the rounds on the Internet. The office of Archbishop Tutu warns organisations and individuals not to be taken in by the email appeal to donate funds and says that the only recognised institution mandated to raise funds for his organisation is the Mpilo Ministries Trust. Investigations are underway to ascertain the origin of these emails.

eNews to cover Barack Obama's inauguration - e.tv
On Tuesday 20 January at 6.55pm, eNews Prime Time will cross over to one of the world's most historic moments, the inauguration of America's first African-American president, Barack Obama. E.tv will bring you a front row seat when his term of office as America's 44th United States president officially kicks in.


SABC2 live screening, SABC choir for American inauguration
SABC2 will also broadcast live the much-anticipated inauguration of America's next president, Barack Obama, in Washington tomorrow, Tuesday, 20 January 2009, 6pm - 8.30pm. The live crossing will be co-hosted by Tsepiso Makwetla and Tim Modise. A panel of analysts will join them in studio to discuss this momentous occasion which president-elect Barack Obama built around the slogan “change”. Meanwhile, the SABC Choir will perform at the African Celebration of the inauguration at Montecasino, Fourways, Johannesburg, tomorrow, organised by the State of Illinois Africa Office of Trade and Investment. “For the SABC, this is a wonderful opportunity not only to showcase our world-class choir, but also to share in a historic moment, as president-elect Obama is crowned the first black president of the United States," comments Joyce Dube, SABC CSI projects manager/SABC Choir marketing manager.

South Africa's youth know who's tops - HDI Youth Marketeers
For four years running, young South Africa has voted Pick n Pay as the Coolest Grocery Store in the Sunday Times Generation Next Brand Preference Survey conducted by HDI Youth Marketeers and Monash University. Now, the international retail community has followed suit, by giving Pick n Pay the same kudos.


Wonders Inc to set wheels in motion for SA children's licensing - Egg Marketing & Communications
Most South African marketers understand that strong brands can boost sales and licensing forms part of most companies' strategic marketing plans or new business development. Our children's retail aisles are colourful portrayals of the latest and greatest.