World Digital Library to foster global understanding

When the World Digital Library goes live tomorrow, Tuesday 21 April 2009, a former US professor's vision of fostering global understanding by making cultural treasures accessible to a huge audience takes a leap forward. Read more >>

Loeries Festival Weekend tickets on sale now

Ticket sales are open for The 31st Annual Loerie Awards, set to rock Cape Town from 24 to 27 September 2009. Read more >>

New interest in pay-TV licence

[Matebello Motloung] Listed fixed-line operator Telkom's decision to pull the plug on its pay-TV venture, Telkom Media, has resurrected interest in its operating licence from two black-owned communications firms. Read more >>

Make your marketing sweat

[Kevin Bassett] Why should you spend tons of money, just to find out which marketing media are working hardest for your product, service, company, brand or message? You shouldn't - not anymore. Here's why… Read more >>

Marketing: power and responsibilities

[Thabani Khumalo] Marketing has great power to bring about change in virtually any area in which it is applied, but that power brings responsibilities with it and that means marketers should act honestly, humanly and ethically in their business dealings. Read more >>

Deputy President seeks Soweto's 2010 support

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] The stakes have been raised. The country's top leaders are finally stepping out of their luxury offices' comfort to seek the much-needed support of the people on the ground for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup, which critics of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) believe, are being poorly marketed. Read more >>

In memoriam, Richard Cassels

The MD of TBWA\Group\Durban, Richard Cassels, died suddenly last week. He will be sadly missed by both his colleagues in the agency and the broader advertising community. Read more >>

Savanna claims online campaign success

Distell's Savanna cider's latest campaign via the interactive website www.inthelemonlight.co.za and supported by digital channels has proved highly successful, the company says. Read more >>

Decals warn of danger

Creative Decals in Cape Town's V&A Waterfront's Two Oceans aquarium tank warn sharks about predators. Read more >>

Using word-of-mouth can pay off

[Tshepiso Seopa] The global economic recession is putting strain on a lot of purses, thus demanding that we as individuals stretch every rand further. The same applies to companies, which is why businesses are looking at adding tools that offer budget cuts and also boost revenues in a cost-effective manner. Read more >>

Festival of Media Awards 2009 People's Award open to public vote

Sponsored by the Wall St Journal Europe, the People's Award is allowing anyone with an interest in advertising to be part of the jury and vote for their favourite campaigns from the shortlisted entries at the Festival of Media Awards 2009. Write-ups, images and reels from the 109 shortlisted entries is open for public view and voting until 21 April 2009. Read more >>

Use the power of AMPS

[Ana Oxlee-Moore] Ana Oxlee-Moore, managing director of Mediology, looks at how lazy and superficial use of AMPS causes many to miss out on the rich opportunities provided by this source of data. Read more >>

Absa launches second balloon

Absa has launched a second helium-filled balloon, in the shape of a football, at Maponya Mall in Soweto. Its existing balloon, at Montecasino in Fourways, has been redesigned to match. Read more >>

Does the healthcare industry really need branding?

[Tom Sitati] The healthcare industry has for centuries debated whether to position itself as a profitable business or a service to society. Many hospitals have their origins in the world of non-profit but here's the untold secret of the so called world of non-profits; for any organisation to succeed it has to make a decent profit. Read more >>

Montecasino gets an image overhaul

Montecasino, better known for less altruistic pursuits, has adopted a new logo and slogan to accompany and accentuate its ties to the Oasis Haven of Love Foundation. Read more >>

Hotel group launches Earth Guest programme

The company that owns SA's Formula 1 and Mercure hotels - Accor Hospitality - launched a global Earth Guest programme around South Africa to coincide with Earth Day, yesterday 15 April, 2009. The company-wide initiative, launched globally in 2006, links environmental awareness and education and community outreach and service. Read more >>

Entries open for 2009 Jet Community Awards

The 2009 Jet Community Awards Programme is open for entries from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland. The annual Jet Community Awards aims to reward individuals or organisations who build and empower vulnerable individuals in their local communities. Read more >>

Does your website copy work? Part 1

[Tiffany Markman] So you're getting traffic, but not converting it into sales. Or, you're not getting traffic. Or, and this is the worst one, you have no idea whether or not your audience knows your website exists. Here, for the non-techies, and for people who are scared of words like SEO, html and metatags, are the first five of 10 easy ways to ensure that your website copy is actually working. Read more >>

New MD for Telkom International

Thami Msimango has been appointed MD of the Telkom International Business Unit, the South African telecommunications giant said on Wednesday 15 April 2009. Read more >>

Yahoo! preparing new round of layoffs

Yahoo! is preparing a new round of layoffs and several hundred employees could be affected, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reported late Tuesday 14 April 2009. Read more >>

Mobile shopping set to boost Digital Mall

[Nicola Mawson] Online shopping portal Digital Mall aims to increase turnover fivefold in the next two years as mobile shopping becomes a reality in SA and on the continent. Read more >>

New conference centre for Nelspruit

A new conference centre at The Winkler, Nelspruit, has been completed recently. The hotel's centre has been kitted out with state-of-the-art equipment to satisfy the needs of the business community. Read more >>

HalloCrazyWorld magazine launch

Hallocrazyworld, an online travel magazine focusing on outbound youth travel, is launching its printed edition at the World Holiday & Travel Fair (meet the team at its stall on 19 - 21 June 2009 at the Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg, to get a copy). The aim is to provide clear and easily accessible information on a variety of destinations and leading service providers to young South Africans travelling or working abroad. The biannual printed magazine will be available every June and October, distributed by Magscene and available at CNA and Exclusive Books stores nationwide. Find out more at www.hallocrazyworld.com.

Entries open for new-look SAB Sports Journalist of the Year Awards

Entries for the 29th SAB Sports Journalist of the Year Awards are now open and entrants can submit work produced between 1 January 2008 and 30 April 2009. The winner will receive R25 000. Read more >>

Call to enter Vodacom Journalist of the Year 2009

The deadline for the 2009 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards, which recognise excellence in South African journalism, is 28 May 2009. Read more >>

Elections 2009 - it all happens here

The Independent Electoral Commission's Results Operation Centre will be operational until the final results of the 2009 national and provincial elections have been announced. Hall J at the Tshwane Events Centre has been transformed into a world-class technology centre. A total of 450 computer workstations, 300 telephone units, 22km of data, fibre and telephone cabling, more than 1000 electricity power points and more than 200 high-powered lights and 2km of network cabling have been installed. A total of 122 offices have been built to accommodate five television and seven radio studios for live broadcasting from the centre, several media representatives, including radio stations, TV broadcasters and newspaper organisations, as well as the 26 political parties contesting the national elections.

Sony Ericsson slashes jobs; Telkom gets engaged

NEWSWATCH: Mobile giant Sony Ericsson announced today, Friday 17 April 2009, that it plans to cut 2000 jobs following massive losses, and Telkom and AT&T have got engaged; both reports via Mail & Guardian Online. Read more >>

Presidency launches new web-based media database

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] In an effort to better communicate with the media, the SA Presidency this week launched a new web-based media database, which will allow journalists to personally update their contact details, and will in time be used to send out statements and other information to the media. Read more >>

Recession claims another victim

NEWSWATCH: As the recession bites, the Nation Media Group has decided to close its tabloid, the Daily Metro, reports Journalism.co.za. In the UK, a London web developer has found one way to make money from Twitter, reports M&G Online. Read more >>

Successful undercover reporting gives hope

[Prof Anton Harber] There is gloom about the media and our journalism, but entries into the Taco Kuiper Award, to be presented tomorrow, Friday 17 April 2009, shows that there are brave reporters, backed by serious and committed editors and producers, who are doing their best to uncover wrongdoing, and ensuring that crooks and thieves in the state, public and private sectors don't sleep easily at night. Read more >>

Mozambique seeks new cell phone provider

MAPUTO: Mozambique began the search for a new cell phone provider on Thursday, 16 April 2009 paving the way for a third mobile communications company to enter the market, state media reported. Read more >>

Entries open for Mobile Messaging Industry Awards 2009

Entries are now open for the 6th Annual Mobile Messaging Industry Awards, which will take place at the Global Messaging Congress 2009 being held in London at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre from 23 - 24 June 2009. The event is organised by 160Characters, in association with Informa Telecoms and Media. Read more >>

The naked Telkom

[Duncan McLeod] Telkom's CEO is clearly relishing the company's imminent divorce from Vodacom and the demands of a competitive market. Read more >>

Business Day drops to one edition

NEWSWATCH: Business Day has announced that it will be printing only one edition from today, Monday, 20 April 2009 - the late edition is no more, a casualty of the economic situation. Meanwhile, it seems to be a case of round one to Zuma... London newspaper The Guardian has been forced to negotiate a settlement with him after a 'subbing error' occurred. Read more >>

Focus on your core audience says Daily Sun's Sampson

The Power of Print conference, which will be held in Barcelona, Spain on 27 and 28 May 2009, will be addressed by Fergus Sampson of the Daily Sun. Read more >>

A ray of hope for US newspapers

NEWSWATCH: US newspapers facing plunging ad revenues and a haemorrhaging readership may profit from a new company designed to make money from news, reports IOL. Read more >>

eBay takes controlling stake in Gmarket

US online auction giant eBay has bought a controlling stake in South Korea's biggest online marketplace Gmarket in a deal worth up to US$1.2-billion, the two companies announced on Thursday 16 April 2009. Read more >>

Paarl company to lay flowers for fire victims

Flowers would be laid at a Paarl printing factory today, Monday 20 April 2009, after nine of its workers died in a fire at its premises on Friday, the company announced yesterday. Read more >>

Support fund for Paarl Print fire victims

Following the tragic loss of nine lives and with nine still in hospital after the devastating fire at the Paarl Print plant on Friday morning, 18 April 2009, Paarl Media has established a Family Support Fund for the victims' next of kin. No further persons have been reported missing. Read more >>

Elections good for large and small

[Matthew Hill] While the global crisis leaves scores of companies threadbare, the local T-shirt printing industry is being stretched to capacity. Election campaigning and the accompanying orders have led to booming business. Read more >>

Making PR work on a tight budget

A CANSA case study has shown that the expenditure of a small amount on public relations - even in tough economic times - can yield considerable benefits. Read more >>

PR agency launches in Cape Town and Joburg

A new full-service PR agency, Epic Communications, has been launched this week. It is headquartered in Cape Town, but also represented in Johannesburg. It also has a satellite office in Israel to handle Israeli and US clients. Read more >>

If you're not talking to the big boss, you're not doing PR

[Roger Hislop] It's the oldest question in the PR world. It's the second oldest question in the journalism world (the oldest, of course, being “where's the bar?”). Trying to answer it has churned up more argument than almost any other in the Public Relations industry. And the question is… What is PR? What is publicity? Are they the same thing?* Read more >>

Breaking the stranglehold

[Matebello Motloung] First it was pay-TV, now it's the commercial radio industry's turn to have its dominance by a handful of players ended. Read more >>

Ligwalagwala FM marketing boss moves to greener pastures

[Tshepiso Seopa] He has spent the last two years plying his trade in Nelspruit as marketing manager for Ligwalagwala FM and now Mfundo Ntsibande is on his way to Johannesburg to be MD of a new advertising agency to be known as Slick Marketing. Read more >>

Many more people are going bankrupt

[Mariam Isa] Debt summonses soared in February while wholesale trade plunged a record 8.9%, adding to the raft of dismal economic data seen so far this year. Read more >>

Zimbabwe's old brands struggle to make a come-back

[Sam Hungwe] Zimbabwe's collapsing economy obliterated traditional product brands, but an economic resurgence appears nowhere closer to bringing them back on the shelves. Read more >>

Retail trade figures drop by 4.5%

[Neo Semono] Retail trade figures for the month of February decreased by 4.5%, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reported on Wednesday, 15 April 2009. Read more >>

Altech Netstar flouts recession blues

Altech Netstar has flouted the economic recession by signing an impressive sponsorship deal for the brand-new season of Ultimate Survival, on Discovery Channel. Read more >>

SABC knuckles under to ANC pressure

The SABC had "knuckled under" to ANC pressure in cancelling a show on political satire, Cope said on Wednesday 15 April 2009. Read more >>

How the SABC can regain its credibility

[Kate Skinner and Tawana Kupe] What is to be done about our public broadcaster? For years, the SABC has been lurching from crisis to crisis, to the extent that its editorial and programming credibility, financial viability and institutional sustainability are now seriously in question. Read more >>

SABC bans satire

[Werner Swart] The SABC yesterday, Tuesday 14 April, canned a Special Assignment programme focusing on political satire, only hours before it was due to be aired — and South Africa's best-known cartoonist has labelled the broadcaster “pathetic and spineless”. Read more >>

Final call on Telkom Media

[Zweli Mokgata] Telkom Media's fate will be decided tomorrow, Thursday 16 April, when Telkom shareholders meet to vote on the closure of the pay-TV project. Read more >>

Can SA be a breeding ground for Web 2.0 start-ups? Join Vinny Lingham and others to find out - Cambrient

SA's digital marketing voice takes an investigative look at the South African Web 2.0 industry to try and understand if it has been affected by the lack of broadband or if it is progressing at a rate rivalling international trends. Read more >>

Convergence of media offers advertisers more bang for the same buck - Southern Africa Direct

The move of advertising spend online will continue in 2009, while TV advertising is becoming cheaper as a result, according to media insider, Pierre van der Hoven. Read more >>

New awards, new people to watch - Finweek

Tickets are selling fast for the AdReview Awards banquet on 23 April with half the number of tickets zapped up in the first week of sales alone. Read more >>

Promise wins Budweiser, Stella Artois and Beck's - Promise

NMK Premium Global Brands has appointed Promise as agency for its Budweiser, Stella Artois and Beck's brands in South Africa. The agency will be responsible for all brand building activities through-the-line. Read more >>

The sales power of the animated audiovisual - Masters & Savant

Sales and promotional tools become one the most important elements within the marketing and sales arsenal, but the production costs of these may be a problem, especially at a time when marketing budgets are being cut extensively. Read more >>

Branding 2009 - 3rd Annual Conference not to be missed! - Knowledge Resources

In the current economic climate, brand owners and marketing managers are starting to feel the pressure and have to find new and innovative ways to retain and attract customers. However, tough times also create opportunities, and companies should use this period to invest in their brand to ensure future success. Read more >>

Using language to strike the right chord - OIL

When it comes to advertising, many have been driven by the philosophy that we should, at all times, speak with respect to the people who will be shelling out money to buy the brands and services we tout. Read more >>

Lebogang Pekeche appointed sales manager at Great Stock! Image Library - Great Stock!

Lebogang Pekeche joined Great Stock! as picture researcher in 2004, and soon rose to the position of key accounts manager. Read more >>

Pick n Pay appoints aquaonline - aquaonline

Pick n Pay recently appointed aquaonline as its digital agency to provide them with full service digital marketing. The engagement kicked off in March and sees aquaonline assisting Pick n Pay with digital activation across their web and mobile channels. Read more >>

Email adoption strategies to help with paper turn-off - Striata

Coupled with the growing need to reduce the environmental impact of paper consumption, many organisations are looking to the cost efficiencies and expanded capability of communicating with customers electronically. Read more >>

Future of Web 2.0 will be driven by freemium models and strategic partnerships - Yola survey - Yola

The freemium model for Web 2.0 sites is by far the prominent choice for businesses that are looking to weather the economic downturn, according to a survey conducted by Yola at the Web 2.0 Expo earlier this month. Subscription-based models trailed as a distant second. Read more >>

FLUX completes newest CSI project, sponsoring website for Tshwane Home of Hope - FLUX

FLUX responded with typical generosity to a request from Tshwane Home of Hope to design and create a website to publicise the work this organisation is doing in providing a haven for young girls living and working on the streets of Sunnyside. Read more >>

Business embraces Facebook - Popimedia

[Audra Mahlong] Companies are leveraging the benefits of social networking site Facebook - and this trend will only grow in the future, says online marketing group Popimedia. Read more >>

Do you communicate with your clients in plain language? - Simplified

Leading business writing consultancy, Simplified, is discounting its April workshops to fast-track your staff to writing effectively. Read more >>

ECHO Green Conferencing - clean and simple - ECHO Events and Conferences

ECHO has put together Green Conferencing packages for corporate companies looking to keep it clean and simple, conference and reduce the environmental impact of their business activities. Read more >>

Our own CSI - solving conference and event challenges - Conference Speakers International

[Roger Knowles] Conference Speakers International is the Sole Bureau Sponsor (and Principal Overall Sponsor) at the Global Speaker Summit, being held with the annual convention of the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa in Cape Town this year. Read more >>

Guinness World Record hat-trick for Provantage Events - Provantage Media

Provantage Events was tasked to add special flair to the 20th Anniversary of World Aids Day for Khomanani, held at Sahara Kingsmead stadium last year. The event was made even more historic by the creation of the world's largest pledge ribbon. Read more >>

Thebe Exhibitions and Projects becomes member of UFI - Thebe Exhibitions and Projects

The Thebe Exhibitions and Projects Group (TEPG) has been admitted as a full member of UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry. In addition, the group's flagship exhibition, Decorex Joburg, has been granted the status of a “UFI-approved event”. Read more >>

The Baby Expo helps immune awareness to 'zinc' in - The Baby Expo

Research has shown that a newborn does not have a mature immune system and is often unable to produce an effective immune response. Building up a healthy immune system no longer has to be a concern for parents as Zinplex Junior provides all the ingredients necessary to act as nature's own antibiotic. Read more >>

MDDA's first Media Literacy and Culture of Reading Summit debuts in the Eastern Cape - MDDA

The MDDA's first Media Literacy and Culture of Reading Summit, a programme intended to promote media awareness, media literacy and the culture of reading amongst learners, was launched at the council chambers of the Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Mount Ayliff in the Eastern Cape, on the 28th and 29th March 2009. Read more >>

Mobile statements launched by Multimedia Solutions - Multimedia Solutions

Multimedia Solutions has created a mobile statements solution, allowing companies to send account statements to their customers on their mobile phones. Read more >>

Samsung Electronics' commitment to a cooler and greener earth - Samsung Mobile

The Samsung Global Environment Research Centre was established to conduct environmental research and drive environmental policies across the organisation. Read more >>

Die Burger's presence notable at KKNK 2009 - Die Burger

Die Burger was involved in quite a few projects at this year's KKNK festival. As usual, Die Burger's Tongelos tent created a platform for upcoming artists to strut their stuff. Well known artists like Munro, Andriëtte, Dewald Louw and Romanz also made special appearances on stage throughout the festival. Read more >>

Tygervalley to host Die Burger and Morgan's Wine Tasting Festival - Die Burger

Visitors can look forward to a selection of quality wines from top wine farms across the region at Die Burger and Morgan's Wine & Cheese's Wine Tasting Festival at Tygervalley Centre in Bellville, Cape Town on Thursday 30 April. Read more >>

Habari Media Digital Symposium - Habari Group

Specialist online media sales house, Habari Media, delivered a comprehensive overview of the latest global online developments at their annual Digital Symposium held on the 25th and 26th March at Spier, Stellenbosch. Read more >>

The ins and outs of Search Engine Optimisation - AlterSage

These days, merely having a website is not sufficient in terms of a company's online presence. Any good online marketing strategist will tell you that Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the basis of a successful online marketing strategy. Read more >>

Mama Dance! Music Solutions places Goldfish hit in MTN 2010 TV ad - Mama Dance! Music Solutions

Mama Dance! Music Solutions has been preparing for music requests for the 2010 FIFA World Cup over the past year and has been collecting hundreds of great tracks from South African record companies and publishers, music producers, bands, musicians and SA artists. Read more >>

TEC Video involved with Miss World pageant and memorable DVD for Parliament - TEC Agency

For the Coronation Ball, a highlight of the glamorous Miss World 2008 pageant, TEC Video put together a sponsors' video. Another unforgettable project was the compilation of a DVD reflecting the transformation of Parliament to a democratic institution. Read more >>

Juniper from Picture Tree wins at the MK Music Awards - Picture Tree

The award for Funniest Video went to Kooler Box, for his music video “Jou Moer”, at the MK Awards this year. Read more >>

The exciting crisis - Gullan&Gullan

Apparently, in the current economic environment, marketing budgets are front-line casualties, so many magazine titles are falling off the shelf and newspapers are getting thinner. Here are some suggestions on how an economic crisis can be exciting, instead of, well, a crisis. Read more >>

Inzalo refreshes - InZalo Communication

In today's evolving communication environment companies need to remain dynamic and a company who is breathing new life into their corporate identity (CI) is Inzalo Communication. Read more >>

Bored and don't have anything to do these holidays? - Gullan&Gullan

Vespa and Gullan&Gullan Advertising suggest ten top things to do these coming holidays. Read more >>

Ngage Media Zone: An important tool for journalists - Ngage Public Relations

Johannesburg-based communication agency, Ngage Public Relations, recently launched the Ngage Media Zone, which is an online resource for journalists and adds to the agency's list of communication tools. Read more >>

Research in a recession: Cheaper, faster and newer types of insights are here - Columinate

These challenging economic times call for research that is cost-effective while still meeting the needs of the client in terms of speed, quality and value of insight. Columinate has a new and innovative method that could change the way in which qualitative research is done - Market Research Online Communities (MROCs). Read more >>

Making corporate television truly interactive! - Global Access

[Rick Grantham] Corporate broadcasting traditionally has been viewed as a one-way communication process, but interactive technologies have changed that. Interactivity allows the audience to respond to communication, enabling responses to flow back to the communicators. Read more >>