Marketers: born or bred - or a bit of both?
[Michellé Blundell] There is a lot to be said for making decisions that are based on gut feel. Granted, it is, if anything, open for debate with captains of industry such as General Electric's Jack Welch proclaiming they built their empires upon gut feel.


CMO Council 'Voice of Customer' survey results
The Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Council has found that, despite overwhelming agreement on the importance of customer experience and word-of-mouth, nearly two-thirds of companies do not have a formal 'Voice of Customer' program in place.

2010 confidence high amongst South Africans - survey
Recent market research commissioned by FIFA suggests that three out of every four people believe that South Africa will be ready by the time the event starts on 11 June 2010.

FIFA renews partnership with Panini
FIFA and Panini, described as the world's largest publisher of collectibles, have signed an exclusive joint agreement for the next six years that will cover the next two FIFA World Cups in South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014 for trading cards and sticker album collections, it was announced yesterday, Thursday, 29 January 2009.

World Cup in all SA households
[Tshepiso Seopa] By the time the first whistle is blown to signal the beginning of the 2010 FIFA World Cup at Soccer City in Johannesburg in 499 days, the national broadcaster will have a dedicated sports channel. This will enable the SABC to provide more content about the world cup and other related content, said SABC group executive for content enterprise Mvuzo Mbebe yesterday, Monday, 26 January 2009.

2010 clock strikes 500 days to kick-off
[Michael Appel] The world is watching in anticipation as stadiums go up, roads and highways are built or upgraded, and a country once faced with overwhelming odds draws closer to hosting the biggest sporting spectacle on the planet.

DBB SA out of Jupiter's orbit
[Simone Puterman] A consequence of the 49% acquisition of The Jupiter Drawing Room (South Africa) & Partners by WPP, announced late last week, is that Jupiter shareholders will be releasing their shareholding equity in DDB SA. "DDB SA has enjoyed its short association with The Jupiter Drawing Room,” DDB SA CEO Glen Lomas told Bizcommunity.com on Friday, 30 January 2009. “We mutually benefited from the working relationship on a number of levels.”


Cannes Lions open for entries
LONDON: Entries are now open in 56th Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival for all categories - Film, Press, Outdoor, Direct, Media, Cyber, Radio, Promo, Design, Titanium, Integrated and the new PR Lions category. There are also changes to Integrated, Media, Direct and Promo Lions, and more ways to enter Digital work in various categories.

WPP buys 49% stake in Jupiter group
Media and communications giant WPP has acquired a 49% stake in The Jupiter Drawing Room (South Africa) & Partners, reportedly Africa's largest independent advertising agency group. The announcement was made late yesterday afternoon, Thursday, 29 January 2009, to coincide with WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell's announcement of the deal to the media in Davos, Switzerland, earlier that day.


ACA announces 2009 APEX judging panel
The Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA) has announced its panel of judges for the 2009 APEX Awards. The panel is be chaired by Andy Rice, chairman of Yellowwood Brand Architects.


Loeries weekend date change
[Tshepiso Seopa] The 31st anniversary of The Loerie Awards will depart from its traditional Saturday and Sunday timetable; this year's festival weekend runs 25 - 27 September 2009 in Cape Town. With Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, starting on the evening of Sunday 27 September, the awards ceremonies will take place on Friday and Saturday nights.

Our economic January
[Glen Lomas] Father Christmas has a lot to answer for. He has made the expectation of free gifts, regardless of merit, a universal ‘right'. All parts of the business community have been gorging themselves merrily and piling on the excess pounds as a result, and yet now this never-ending Christmas has come to an end.


Creative Circle results for November, December 2008
For those of you who've been wondering where the Creative Circle November and December 2008 results are, here you go. Congratulations to all concerned.

IMC feel-good campaign continues
The aim of the latest campaign of International Marketing Council (IMC) of South Africa, launched by The Jupiter Drawing Room (Jhb), is to inspire each South African to become an active citizen for the good of the country so that we can all create the kind of country we want to live in. [video]

The US president Barack Obama has undoubtedly inspired art, street art and fashion - Gallo Images
The Getty Images Creative Research team finds how a politician is influencing marketing and advertising and how his look is becoming a visual reference.


In memory of Nic Pickard - Volcano Advertising
Considerate, sincere, honourable, chivalrous, diplomatic, helpful and professional. These are just some of the words paid in tribute at the wake of Nic Pickard, whose recent passing is an inconsolable loss to family, friends and the industry alike. Nic was not only loved for himself, but for the self he gave others.

International award for Nike 'Be true pop-up store' campaign
Following its Grand Prix win at the 2008 Loeries, Trigger's Nike ‘Be true pop-up store' was recently named the winner in the Innovation & Improvement category at the Aegis Media Awards 2008 - Central Europe and South Africa. Judges were impressed with the “future-oriented and visionary concept about how to communicate brand messages. This is an extraordinary example of how to exceed our core competences by generating new business opportunities and additional sources of income.” The campaign used different media channels and incorporated events, interactive advertising, online elements and architectural ideas to extend its footprint, creating real relationships between the brand and the target audience.

2009 One Show, One Show Interactive, One Show design entry deadline
The entry deadline for the 2009 One Show has been extended until Friday, 6 February 2009, and entry deadlines for 2009 One Show Interactive and One Show Design until 27 February. For more on entering and late online entry fees, go to www.enteroneshow.org.

Brands of the future - equity versus value
[Lisa Steingold] Being in the marketing ‘space', I am extremely passionate about brands. So what exactly is a brand?


One crucial factor - Interbrand Sampson
Every brand relies on one crucial factor: what happens inside the company behind it, or what is known as the ‘inside out' factor. This is the specialist focus of Interbrand Sampson Inside, the new brand engagement consultancy in the Interbrand Sampson Group.


Telkom order Brandseat chairs for nationwide “Get Closer” launch - Brandseat
Brandseat recently supplied over 200 Telkom-branded chairs for use in each of its branches across South Africa and at the corporate head office in Pretoria.

Design print mag goes digital
Print magazine Design> in Business was recently relaunched in digital format, with interactive features such as flip pages, animated advertisements, hyperlinks, video and audio feeds, as well as showcase, portfolio, forum and pressroom sections where readers can contribute or nominate content.


INDEX: Award nomination for local agency
Branding and design agency Rex has been nominated for one of the industry's largest international awards, the Denmark-based INDEX: Award, for its recent branding and design work for ECHO, the WITS Paediatric HIV Clinic.


Even more to talk about at Design Indaba
Despite the tough economic climate, Design Indaba Expo 2009 has reported that it has grown with more than 60 new exhibitors and has secured more than 20% extra floor space since 2008. With a month to go until the event, already more than 100 buyers have pre-registered, including 70 international buyers.


Springleap.com woos Paul Simon into online fashion - Springleap.com
Paul Simon, acclaimed YDE (Young Designers Emporium) founder, is teaming up with Springleap.com to once again revolutionise the fashion industry in South Africa by supporting online design.


Packaging Design Challenge judges announced - Nampak Products Ltd
Nampak and the Design Indaba have announced the judging panel for the Packaging Design Challenge. The competition invited all agencies, freelance designers and IPSA Student Goldpack Award winners to compete and be acknowledged for creativity in the area of packaging and graphic design.

Design, Cyber Lions jury presidents announced
LONDON: Sylvia Vitale Rotta, CEO of Team Créatif, has been appointed jury president for this year's Cannes 2009 Design Lions jury, and Lars Bastholm, co-chief creative officer of AKQA, will chair the Cyber Lions jury, it was announced earlier this week. Commented Philip Thomas, festival CEO, "As Design enters its second year at Cannes and winning a Cyber Lion has become quite simply the most desired award in Digital advertising, we are delighted to entrust Sylvia and Lars, two highly respected and internationally experienced professionals, with these two important competitions."

SA Tourism takes Nigerian tourists online
As part of its global word-of-mouth campaign, South African Tourism recently launched a website for Nigerians to upload pictures, videos or write on their South African travel experiences after visiting the country.

Google lets Gmailers cut the cord
[Walaika Haskins] Google has officially taken Gmail offline. No, the search giant has not put the kibosh on the popular e-mail service; it's added offline functionality, the company announced earlier this week.

Going online to promote SA music
[Sindy Peters] The South African music industry has recently seen some healthy developments in the online environment, with new platforms popping up to promote this attention-craving and -deserving market. Since mid-2008, the Internet and mobile web have been offering South African musicians and emerging artists a helping hand by providing the means to make their music more easily accessible to fans. Bizcommunity.com takes a look in a two-part series.


Creating brand buzz through retargeting
[Chipo Madusise] Buzz marketing has gained momentum as brands look for ways to effectively communicate and interact in social networks.

3dP New Media's 2009 offer to help clients create more sales clout, in an affordable way - 3dP New Media
During these financially tough times, 3dP New Media is offering the option to pay off any new work contracted to it divided over a two-month timespan.

Popimedia - taking online viral marketing to new levels - Popimedia
The extent to which social networks have been used to benefit business in terms of return on advertising investment has been somewhat questioned when compared to traditional online advertising banner placements.


KREW Interactive back with a vengeance for an action-packed 2009! - KREW Interactive
Having pitched and won the entire Kellogg's South Africa online account at the end of last year, KREW Interactive now provides e-communication strategies and fully-fledged digital communication services for the entire range of Kellogg's brands, including Coco Pops, Rice Krispies, All Bran, Corn Flakes, Special K and the umbrella Kellogg's corporate division, too.

Purple Cow Communications' new clients for 2009 - Purple Cow Communications
Purple Cow Communications has begun 2009 on a high note by working on the accounts of several new clients - including those of both locally and internationally-acclaimed brands.

St George's Grammar School turns to d6 to boost communication with parents - d6 Media
The importance of communication between schools and parents cannot be underestimated. And traditional communication methods are no longer working - newsletters often just don't make it home, emails are ignored and even the best maintained website relies on parents actually visiting the site.


Toyota Hilux takes the digital high ground - Draftfcb (South Africa)
Toyota Hilux has taken the digital high ground with an interactive website designed by Draftfcb Impact to provide visitors with an energetic, rewarding and dynamic online experience.


Stonewall+ flicks on new DStv website - Stonewall+
Digital marketing agency Stonewall+ recently designed a fresh new online interface for DStv. Stonewall+ was responsible for working out how to present the existing content with improved information architecture and a new design.

Business executives will come home to digital at DigitalLife Expo 09 - DigitalLife
Rapid advances in technology have facilitated the growth of the small office/home office (SOHO) phenomenon. Fuel costs, increasing traffic congestion in major centres and mounting time pressures in the business day, have seen this global trend rise considerably in South Africa.


Collaborative efforts minimise technical outage at MSN.co.za
Yesterday afternoon, Tuesday, 27 January 2009, the MSN portal experienced a technical outage. Live teams from around the globe collectively pooled their resources to correct the issue, and immediately loaded a static home page as an interim solution. Habari Media, the local MSN representative, says it will ensure that all campaigns currently running are delivered in full, and that no advertiser will be charged for impressions that do not appear as a result of this technical problem. “Giving our audience a great MSN experience is our number one priority," comments Adrian Hewlett, MD of Habari Media, "and we will work tirelessly to assure that this never happens again."

House & Home taps PRIMEDIA@HOME to draw new store consumers - PRIMEDIA@HOME
House & Home recently contracted PRIMEDIA@HOME to create awareness around the launch of its new store opening in the Inkwazi Mall, Richards Bay, and to direct consumers into the store.

New Sandton learning company reveals best-kept writing secret - HeadSpark
There is an uncomfortable little secret that very few writing coaches are prepared to share with their students. It is the most important ingredient in publishing success, yet it's so embarrassingly obvious that it is often neglected or ignored. Inspiration. Inspiration is the only factor that will motivate you to learn new writing techniques and skills in the first place.

Kreate SA events division opens the year in the form of the L'Ormarins Queens Plate - Kreate SA
Kreate SA's start to the year began with the staging of the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate. Kreate, in partnership with Jonathan Snaith from Snaith Racing (one South Africa's top racing stables) and David Raad of Cafe Caprice, collaborated to stage one of South Africa's premium events.


Deodorant brand boasts staggering growth - thanks to latest campaign - Sound Media
Following four months of intense through-the-line activity, the Dettol 24 Fresh Deodorants range has successfully been relaunched by The Sound Contact, a division of BTL activations company, Sound Media.


Onsite matchmakers! - Outsmart Marketing
Attending a conference with the objective to meet specific industry players can be a challenge for most delegates. A sea of faces, black jackets around the buffet and tea stations make meeting specific individuals a hit-and-miss activity.

ECHO acquires BBBEE status - ECHO Events and Conferences
ECHO has announced that it is now BBBEE-compliant.

Sound Media bring Beach Carnival to South Africa - Sound Media
Bringing interactive brand experiences to the beaches of South Africa has become a speciality service of below-the-line activations company, Sound Media.


Savanna drinkers taken on a global trip - Sound Media
5FM and Savanna blasted across the nightclub scene with their “What on Earth” campaign this past December.


Top training academy celebrates 10 years - Bartenders Workshop
With humble beginnings from a garage-based workshop 10 years ago, The Bartenders Workshop has since trained more than 8000 aspirational bartenders, and co-owners and brothers Etienne and Kurt Schlechterhave have reportedly written the very first South African cocktail guide, among other things.


Bumper December season - Flying Pigs Branded Theatre co
December is the month when we shift our focus from the corporate market to providing entertainment and activities in shopping centres and Christmas functions. The 2008 silly season has come and gone, and once again it was a bumper season for Flying Pigs Branded Theatre Co.

Live radio broadcast from J&B Met
Good Hope FM will be broadcasting live from the J&B Met this Saturday, 31 January 2009, keeping listeners updated on all the fashion, stylish lifestyle, celebrities and other activities direct from the Kenilworth racecourse. Go to www.goodhopefm.co.za for more information.

New joint venture to publish Cosmo SA
As from April 2009, Cosmopolitan magazine will be published in South Africa by a new company, a joint venture between Hearst Magazines International and a new company in the Associated Magazines stable, Media24 and Associated Magazines announced earlier this week in a joint statement.

Sanlam goes custom with RamsayMedia
RamsayMedia's first custom title will be a quarterly lifestyle magazine directed at members of Sanlam's Reality Lifestyle and Rewards programme from April 2009 in a new partnership with Sanlam, the media house announced this morning, Thursday 29 January.


Malawi launches The Big Issue
[Gregory Gondwe] Malawi has launched The Big Issue, a magazine aimed at ending poverty according to its chairperson, John Chikago, and information and civic education minister, Patricia Kaliati. It is the first magazine of its kind in the country, modelled after Britain's magazine for the homeless, the Big Issue.


Seeing the world through NG Kids' eyes - 8 Ink Media
The results of the third NG Kids Young Photographers Competition are revealed in the February 2009 issue of the magazine. This initiative, which aims to excite children about their environment through photography, attracted 1500 entries from kids of all ages across South Africa.


SA Men wins over 3000 subscribers in six months - SA Men
When we launched SA Men a little over eight months ago, we had some very high hopes for its growth and success. We also had faith, commitment and a dash of insanity on our side, which is why we are so excited to announce our subscriber base has just reach the 3100 mark.

Joint venture to capitalise on increase tourist footprint
Kagiso Urban Management (KUM) and Blue Planet Media (BPM) earlier this week launched its ‘Welcome to Jozi Pack' - a joint venture initiative aimed at giving local residents and visitors, national and international tourists an ‘all-in-one' comprehensive guide to experiencing the City of Johannesburg's key nodes. Set to be an annual publication, the pack contains essential information about KUM's main city improvement districts (CIDs) and will contain KUM's annual publications and brochures. To be launched mid-May 2009, it will capitalise on the increased tourist footprint to be created by the FIFA Confederations Cup which kicks-off in Johannesburg mid-June. Distribution will be primarily through hotels in KUM's management districts and other key points such as the Sandton Convention Centre, Gauteng Tourism Association and Johannesburg Tourism Company.

Cosmo names SA's sexiest man

click to enlarge

Cosmopolitan magazine earlier this week named Paul Rothman, its Mr December, as the sexiest man in South Africa. He trumped 11 other contenders for the title - all of who are featured in the magazine's annual Sexiest SA Men Calendar, distributed free with the January 2009 issue of Cosmo. Rotham, who presents Afrikaans lifestyle show Pasella on SABC2, is also a part-time model.


Sports Illustrated releases Super 14 guide
The February 2009 issue of Sports Illustrated, on sale now at R30.95, comes complete with a 21-page Super 14 guide and a 2009 sports calendar sponsored by Klipdrift brandy. Remarks Sports Illustrated editor Steve Smith, “Given the way the Boks ended 2008 with that walloping of the Aussies... and the similar treatment their cricketing counterparts got from Graeme Smith and co, I suspect we're in for a crackerjack year of sport.”

ADvantage ADmags deadline extended
The deadline for ADvantage magazine's annual ADmag Awards for consumer magazines has been extended to Friday, 6 February 2009. In these awards, editors are recognised for their leadership in steering their publications to success. Bizcommunity.com is the sponsor of the ADmags Innovative Digital Publishing award that has been added this year for consumer magazines. Further details are available on the downloadable entry form.

Discovery Health launches health journ awards
Discovery Health has launched the Health Journalism Excellence Awards in South Africa, with R275 000 in prize money to journalists for outstanding health reporting, it announced this morning, Monday, 2 February 2009. “Although there are other journalism awards in South Africa, the Discovery Health Journalism Excellence Awards will be the first dedicated to the health field in South Africa,” said Neville Koopowitz, CEO of Discovery Health.

SA press freedom to be staged on Dutch TV
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] In a continent where the media is constantly persecuted for exposing the elite's dirty tricks and abuse of power, the South African media has come out tops, attracting the attention of the developed world. Therefore, a Dutch university team is currently touring the country to conduct a research on local media and interviews, in the view of staging the contents on Dutch national TV.

Media groups relieved as Motlanthe rejects Publications Bill
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] President Kgalema Motlanthe last week refused to sign the Films and Publications Amendment Bill, questioning its constitutionality and returning it ‘untouched' to Parliament. Melissa Moore, head of Law Clinic at Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI), welcomed the president's decision.

Last day for Cape Times editor
NEWSWATCH: It was Tyrone August's last day as editor of Independent Newspapers' Cape Times, yesterday, Thursday, 29 January 2009. It is not known whether he will be replaced. Meanwhile, President Kgalema Motlanthe has returned unsigned the Films and Publications Amendment Bill to Parliament, according to media reports.

Confederations Cup media accreditation opens on 2 February
The media accreditation procedure for the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 will begin on 2 February 2009 and close on 22 February.

Dan Moyane appointed to MDDA board
President Kgalema Motlanthe has appointed Dan Moyane to the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) board with effect from 20 January 2009 for a term of office of three years, it was announced yesterday evening, 27 January 2009.

Break into freelance writing - Media Mentors
Have you ever wondered if you could break into freelance writing or just improve your writing skills and job chances? With the current economic climate and companies looking to use freelancers more, there could be no better time than now.

Copywriters.co.za: Benefits of an in-house freelance copywriter or translator during tough times - Purple Cow Communications
Not being able to afford in-house copywriters and translators does not mean that their inherent benefits are out of reach. By employing a freelance, in-house copywriter or translator from Copywriters.co.za, you may combine the benefits of both freelance and in-house employees.

MMA releases mobile banking, updated mobile advertising overviews
NEW YORK, LONDON, SINGAPORE & SAO PAULO: The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) released its Mobile Banking Overview yesterday, Thursday, 29 January 2009. This educational resource is designed to provide analysis of the marketing opportunities and attributes that the mobile channel represents for the financial sector. Also updated this week was its Mobile Advertising Overview.

Getting ROI from mobile marketing
[Russel Stromin] Too many mobile campaigns are one-off exercises that seem to be driven by no greater strategic insight than the idea that mobile marketing is a hot trend companies should be part of.


14th Global Mobile Awards finalists announced
LONDON: The GSMA announced the finalists for the 14th Annual Global Mobile Awards late last week, as well as the competitors for the EMEA leg of the annual Mobile Innovation Global Award Competition. The overall winners will be announced and recognised during the GSMA's annual gala dinner at the National Palace in Barcelona on Tuesday, 17 February 2009.


Clickatell experiences exponential growth in 2008 - Clickatell
Clickatell, provider of global mobile messaging solutions, enjoyed a banner year as the growth of SMS continued to experience phenomenal growth.

Political party donations go mobile
South Africans can now use their cellphones to donate money to political parties at a fraction of the cost of a premium SMS, thanks to payment service Pocit (www.pocit.co.za) which only charges a fee of 5% of the donation. So far nine parties are listed on the service, with one collecting over R80 000 in the first week the service was launched. Donors are rewarded with a link to a WAP site, developed by technology partner Strike Media, offering downloads of party logos, ringtones and other media. “The Obama campaign is famous for the remarkably effective way it used the Internet to raise millions of small donations from ordinary people,” says Russel Stromin of Strike Media. “In South Africa the cellphone is the only way for the vast majority of people to get online.”

Call to enter Mondi Shanduka Newspaper Awards
The eight Mondi Shanduka Newspaper Awards, endorsed by the Newspaper Association of South Africa and sponsored by Mondi Shanduka Newsprint, is calling for newspaper journalism entries from all journalists and photographers, irrespective of whether they serve a national or community-based newspaper.

New look Sunday Times this weekend
This weekend, national newspaper the Sunday Times will reveal its ‘bigger, brighter, bolder' new look. The intention is to give its reported 3.9 million readers more value for their money by introducing new elements and character to its design.


German minister's comments on China dismay global press body
PARIS: The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) has called on European leaders meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao this week to reaffirm their commitment to improving human rights and press freedom in China, after Germany's justice minister expressed “respect” for the Chinese approach to human rights and the rule of law.

Get cooking with the sixth annual Suidoosterfees - Die Burger
With two cooking demonstrations on stage and David Kramer's Breyani Show, the sixth annual Suidoosterfees is going to cook!

Take-home messages - the OPA looks back at 2008 - Online Publishers Association
2008 was a great year for The Online Publishers Association. Not only did it open up the organisation to smaller online publishers and advertising agencies, and in so doing grew organisational membership from 30 to 75, it also launched the Bookmarks, South Africa's very own digital Oscars.

Edition 2 of the Quirk eMarketing textbook - now out - Quirk eMarketing
Quirk eMarketing has launched Edition 2 of eMarketing: the essential guide to online marketing. This new edition is said to be bigger and better than the last.

Visual Tours rebrands as Fuji Image Studios - Fuji Image Studios
For the past nine years Visual Tours has offered a range of architectural and interior photography to clients. It has now been rebranded to Fuji Image Studios.

Want to float your billboard?
bbi South Africa has launched an inflatable billboard that is portable and works on both water and land. It's the creation of bbi Display Systems, Malibu, California. “It's the only product of its size and kind that works,” claims Jacques van Schalkwyk, CEO of bbi SA.


LiquidChefs stamp its presence in Cape Town - LiquidChefs
"Celebrate summer with a twist" was the theme of the December 2008 LiquidChefs promotion. The three branded LiquidChefs cars would have been seen in and around Clifton and Camps Bay over the festive season.


Looking for coastal billboards? - POP Outdoor
POP Outdoor has launched 3m x 6m POP Lite two-weekly rotational packages in key coastal towns. The billboards are intended to give brands big bang in the alleged previously hard-to-reach, yet busy, coastal towns of La Lucia, Ballito, Richards Bay, Port Elizabeth and George, as well as moving slightly inland to Pietermaritzburg.


Popularising the Older Persons Act - What's New Media
What's New Media's mobility was put to the test again when the National Department of Social Development tasked them with running campaigns in two phases in all nine provinces of South Africa aimed at educating and informing older persons about their rights.


World Cup fever blasts across Braamfontein - BOO! Alternative Media Communications
With the countdown to the 2010 FIFA World Cup rapidly approaching the 500-day mark, many of the event's leading sponsors are kicking off their associated media campaigns - and none more eye-catchingly so than MTN.


Sold out! Aero celebrates successful mall marketing campaign with BOO! Media - BOO! Alternative Media Communications
As part of its multimedia strategy to launch the new product Aero Caramel, Nestlé included a mall advertising campaign in conjunction with its TV, print, in-store and web elements.


Lack of diversity just doesn't make sense - What's New Media
In a drive to get employers to submit their Employment Equity Forms, Department of Labour joined forces with What's New Media (Pty) Ltd to drive the message across South Africa. Again mobility was not an issue for us as we set out in four provinces of South Africa, taking the message with us.

Media Film Service acquires MCC/Logical Designs
Media Film Service has purchased MCC/Logical Designs from e.tv, it announced yesterday, Monday, 26 January 2009. The merger will result in both companies combining and will see Media Film Service absorbing MCC's approximately 40 staff, liabilities and assets.

Gamble on Savante
South African actor Stelio Savante last week announced that he has been attached to the supernatural thriller Tamora Gamble and will star opposite Angela Bettis (Girl Interrupted) as her ex-boyfriend.

Actor performance fantastic in new Tastic Rice ad - Fresh Eye Film Productions
The latest Tastic Rice television commercial demonstrates you can take a hard-sell ad and still get a wonderful performance by injecting some emotion. It's a scenario all mothers can relate to - feeding half the neighbourhood.


Greg Francois takes over the city in gripping Dunlop spot - Collective
One city, two days, 100 crew members - 250 yellow cars - this sums up the latest action-packed commercial for Dunlop tyres, directed by Greg Francois of Collective Films.


Bioscope makes Hectic ad for Steers - Bioscope Films
The latest Steers ad introduces the new Hectic Burger in a quirky way. It features two everyday office workers having lunch, one of whom unsuccessfully attempts to use an old school tactic to prevent his friend from asking for a bite.

IABC Quills 2009 judging panel announced
Entries to the IABC 2009 Quills close tomorrow, Tuesday, 3 February 2009. Shortly thereafter, the first tier judging in the African region will take place, and winners will be announced at a gala event on 27 March 2009. The judging panel includes experienced communicators across South Africa.

Tips for entering PRISA PRISM Awards
Here are three tips to assist PR companies and practitioners preparing to submit entries for this year's PRISA PRISM Awards. The deadline is Friday, 30 January 2009, and no extensions can be granted this year, according to the organisers.

Are communicators failing their responsibility in organisations? - Knowledge Resources
Communication professionals have the responsibility to sharpen their skills to communicate information with employees. A crisis whether it is financial, accidental, legal or otherwise can happen in an instant and failing to communicate effectively with your internal stakeholders can result in uncertainty and speculation.

New marketing manager for Metro FM
The new marketing manager for Metro FM is Victor Koaho, effective today, Monday, 2 February 2009. Koaho was previously acting media strategy manager at SABC Commercial Enterprises.

More voices for OFM
OFM today, Tuesday, 27 January 2009, announced its new lineup for 2009, commencing next week, which will see the addition of an extra show during the day and the injection of more energy, more competitions and more opportunities to interact with the radio station on multimedia platforms.

Going the electronic fingerprinting route - theWorksquad
As they say, the only constant in life is change... we've changed to the new AFISwitch (electronic fingerprint collection and processing) system to accommodate criminal checks on candidates, on behalf of our clients.

SAARF's March LSM workshop cancelled
As SAARF will be hosting a Television Audience Measurement Forum on 4 March 2009, the March LSM workshop has been cancelled. The next SAARF Universal LSM workshop for Johannesburg will be in April. Go to www.saarf.co.za for more info.

Unilever scoops nine Product of the Year awards
Consumers, tasked with selecting brands that understand their needs and develop products which speak to their heart and pocket, have named Unilever the winner of nine of the 13 categories in which it was nominated in South Africa's inaugural Product of the Year Awards. The announcement was made at a gala award evening held at the Vodadome in Midrand last week.


Stoned Cherrie to strut SA style at NY Fashion Week
South African fashion label Stoned Cherrie will be showing on schedule at Bryant Park during New York Fashion Week as part of the inaugural This Day/Arise Magazine: African Fashion Collective 2009.


Leading cereal company thinks inside the box
Kellogg's in the US has announced a new space-saving box that gives consumers a glimpse of the possible future for the cereal aisle.


Isenzo signs up European master distributor for its digital signage technology - Isenzo Broadcasting cc
Isenzo has signed a strategic European distribution deal with Como Computer & Motion GmbH, the Focus Enhancements European office. The deal will significantly expand Isenzo's reach in Europe by providing customers in that region with a central contact point for sales, support and training.

OUTsurance helps OUT over the holiday season - OUTsurance
Over the recent festive season, short-term insurance company OUTsurance was expecting its all-hours emergency call centre operation, Help@OUT, to really be put to the test.

SAFTA SMS voting line opens
The SMS line for public voting in the third South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) is now open. Categories are Best Soapie, Best Hero/Heroine, Best Comic, Best Dressed and Best Villain/Villainess.

New timeslot for 3rd Degree
3rd Degree takes to a new time slot at 9.30pm, beginning this week, Tuesday, 3 February 2009, by looking back at the big stories that were covered in the past year, and giving viewers a taste of what they can look forward to this year.

Campaign on the alert for smarties
Sasol regularly awards university bursaries to over 250 up-and-coming Grade 12 learners and BEng, BSc and BCom students every year. “To promote Sasol's bursaries programme among the smarties out there, we've launched a campaign that uses an awesome cast of seven characters,” explains Bronwyn Watt, Sasol group brand and marketing manager.


Africa's first family and children's industry network - Egg Marketing & Communications
Building on the success of its monthly newsletter Chirp, Egg Marketing & Communications will be launching Chirp Network, reportedly Africa's first family and children's industry network platform, in February 2009.