“Umshini wami” a winning communication tactic

[Thabani Khumalo] Only an alien, newly arrived to Planet Earth from outer space, will be ignorant of the fact that black people love to dance and love to sing and do both with distinction. Hence Jacob Zuma's “Umshini wami” communication tactic was the highlight of the election campaign and spearheaded the ANC to victory. Read more >>

Massive marketing platform for Joburg's wine show

This year exhibitors at The Wine Show Jo'burg can benefit from an aggressive marketing campaign created by the organisers of the event. A substantial investment has been made to target an audience of approximately five million Gauteng consumers during the run-up to the show. Read more >>

What Zuma means for 2010

[Dr Nikolaus Eberl] As ANC president Jacob Zuma is about to be inaugurated state president on 9 May 2009, he is poised to play a critical role in what has become South Africa's biggest risk to delivering the 2010 promise of “hosting the best world cup ever”. Read more >>

FIFA clothing to hit stores

The global launch of the official clothing range of FIFA-branded products and merchandise will happen later this year, prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Read more >>

2010 broadcasting transfer skills looms in SA

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] The 2010 FIFA World Cup is much more than just 64 games and 10 ultra-modern stadiums, where enthusiastic fans cheer 22 determined players chasing a ball. Legacy is more important. This week FIFA said that a large number of South African media and broadcast university students and TV professionals, working for the host broadcaster (SABC), will be involved in the event where unique experience will be gained and a transfer of skills will take place. Read more >>

Avusa will spread Confed Cup gospel

[Ramatsiyi Moholoa] The 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee has asked Avusa Media to help it in spreading the gospel of the Confederations Cup to the millions of South Africans. Read more >>

FIFA scores court win against Pretoria sports bar

[Sanchia Temkin] International soccer body FIFA secured its first 2010 court victory in the Pretoria High Court yesterday against a Pretoria sports bar for ambush marketing. Read more >>

Where are the 2010 votes going to?

[Dr Nikolaus Eberl] As the South African electorate is preparing to cast their votes in the upcoming general elections, the world is watching closely, ready to cast the global vote on whether to invest their time and money in visiting the host country of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Read more >>

In terminal decline?

[Matebello Motloung] The liquor and advertising industries are bracing themselves for next month, when government is expected to say whether it will forge ahead with plans to ban alcohol advertising. Read more >>

Make an ad. Spread the word. Go to Cannes

LONDON: There's a new 38th place for the 2009 Young Lions Film Competition: YouTube and the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival announced this morning, Tuesday, 28 April 2009, that they have partnered to search for two young creatives to win a trip to this year's festival and be Team YouTube. Read more >>

Anita Prendergast new Leo Burnett Group MD

Anita Prendergast has been appointed group MD of creative agencies Leo Burnett and rednail by the Leo Burnett Group, it was announced this morning, Tuesday, 28 April 2009. Read more >>

Nando's says it's NOT chickening out

After all the controversy around Nando's and the “Julius Malema” ad, the ANCYL and Nando's have agreed (in true South African style) to resolve the disagreement by disassociating the ANCYL brand Julius Malema in the current Nando's TV campaign. This follows a meeting between its representatives and the ANCYL yesterday, Thursday, 23 April 2009, after which Nando's issued a statement, refuting claims that it had "chickened out". Read more >>

Winning ugly key to business survival

Saatchi & Saatchi's worldwide CEO, Kevin Roberts, believes that winning ugly together is key to business survival. The wisecracking Roberts was in South Africa this week as the keynote speaker for Tony Koenderman's AdReview Awards last night, Thursday, 24 April 2009. Read more >>

Brand positioning in economic downturn at AMASA CT April meeting

Coley Porter Bell planning director Mathew Weiss will discuss how, despite the economic climate, everyday brands are responding to the need for optimism by offering a more positive outlook in the way they position themselves at AMASA's April 2009 Cape Town meeting . The event will take place at The Grill Room, Mount Nelson Hotel, on Wednesday, 29 April at 4pm. The event will be free for members; for non-members it will be R50 and for students R25. Space is limited. Contact Lee Anne Mostert at lee@stamrood.co.za or on +27 (0)21 685 3838 to reserve your place.

DDB SA takes AdReview Ad Agency of the Year

DDB South Africa has continued its winning streak - the latest accolade it has walked off with is Ad Agency of the Year, announced at the seventh annual AdReview Awards last night, Thursday, 23 April 2009, in Kyalami, Johannesburg. Read more >>

Julius wants to be paid; Duarte's clip a hit

NEWSWATCH: Julius Malema is apparently not upset by the Nando's ad, but says his league is, so he'll take their lead; in any event, he wants to be paid for being the subject of a puppet, writes IOL. Meanwhile, the ANC's Jessie Duarte cut loose at a journalist and her rant has now become a hit, according to Journalism.co.za. Suspended YFM DJ Sbu is back on air and, on a sad note, a 10th victim of the fire at Paarl Media six days ago, has died, reports IOL. Read more >>

Loeries, Vodacom to reward mobile ads

There's a new Loeries category this year: the Mobile Advertising Award in partnership with Vodacom. "Internet advertising generated a new platform a few years ago and now mobile advertising is definitely the way of the future with the vast majority of South Africans being cellphone savvy,” explains Andrew Human, MD of The Loerie Awards. Read more >>

Nando's ‘Julius' ad ruffles ANCYL feathers

The African National Congress Youth League is anything but amused; it has demanded that Nando's and its advertising agency withdraw the retailer's latest TV ad in which a puppet that seems to resemble the Youth League's leader, Julius Malema, explains how you can get more change at Nando's. In a statement issued today, Tuesday, 21 April 2009, the league says, “Whatever is the lousy explanation of the Nandos [sic] advertisement, the ANC YL is fully aware that the advertisement is intended at mocking the President of the ANC YL, and in a racist fashion portrays political leaders as Cartoons [sic].” The statement goes further to threaten ‘militant' action. For more comment: Twitter Search and Google News.

New commercial promotes Eastern Cape

The production of a new TV commercial to promote the Eastern Cape as a prime tourism and investment destination has been completed by 2.0 Media's CEO, Peter Gird, and creative director, Jason Xenopoulos. The commercial was filmed for the Eastern Cape Development Corporation. Read more >>

Extreme Makeover dentist visits SA

Celebrity dentist Dr Bill Dorfman has been in South Africa to support The Tomorrow Trust's charitable work among children affected by HIV and AIDS. Read more >>

EU threatens Internet economy of Europe

Intentions to protect the rights of the consumer on the part of the EU may threaten the Internet economy of Europe. This is the belief of organisations representing the media and advertising industries, which issued a statement late last week. Read more >>

Nokia Music Store opens in SA

The virtual South African Nokia Music Store, music.nokia.co.za, offering hundreds of thousands of local and international tracks, finally opened for business on Friday, 24 April 2009. Read more >>

SA's online advertisers can now build own display ads - Google

Google yesterday, Monday 20 April 2009, launched the Display Ad Builder in South Africa. The tool is designed to enable online advertisers to create affordable, professional-looking display ads through their AdWords account, and the process is claimed to take only minutes. Read more >>

New home; wider focus for HRDE

The Star Human Resources Development Expo (HRDE) has been moved to a new venue in Sandton and added major new “focus areas”, including recruitment, labour law and BEE. Read more >>

Launch of new custom lifestyle magazine

The Publishing Partnership (TPP) is now publishing a new custom magazine for the RCS group, called RCS Lifestyle, with creative partner Tenfour Media. The new title aims to introduce positive influences into its readers' lives, intending to improve and harness their lifestyles, while positively reinforcing the benefits of RCS. Read more >>

Goodbye Snuki: SABC board announces changes

BREAKING NEWS: The contract of Snuki Zikalala, SABC head of news and current affairs, will not be renewed when it expires at the end of April 2009, several international news bureaux will be closed down and the number of board committees will be reduced, the SABC board announced in a press statement today, Tuesday, 28 April 2009, shortly after midday. Read more >>

DEKAT takes to TV

DEKAT magazine is celebrating its 25th anniversary by venturing into the world of television. DEKATV will focus on art and film, environmental awareness, entrepreneurs, travel, cars, food, current affairs, news and lifestyle issues, packaged in an exciting new format. Read more >>

Paarl mourns fire victims; fears of job losses

NEWSWATCH: As Paarl mourns the victims of last Friday's fire, reports Paarl Post, unions fear that jobs may be lost as well, says Business Report. In Pretoria, meanwhile, the Tshwane Metro Council is apparently riddled with fraud, corruption and a host of other ills, and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission has expressed the view that the mayor does not appear to have an answer for any of the accusations, or is not even aware of them. Read more >>

Elections 2009: media, social media coverage of voting and results

[Simone Puterman & Rod Baker] ELECTIONS 2009: These reports from newspapers, radio and TV around the country bring you the latest news on the election results, plus comment from candidates and views from voters. The official Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) site has been up and down, and some mainstream media sites are also taking strain but it's Twitter Search that is Bizcommunity.com's digital medium of choice for keeping on top of things! Read more >>

Botswana media head down the Zimbabwe path

[Simbarashe Nembaware] GABORONE: The Media Practitioners Act (MPA) and the Intelligence and Security Act (ISA) recently enacted by the state “as a way of bringing accountability to the media” and safe guarding sovereignty have been described by journalists here as draconian legislatures that trample on democracy by muzzling the media and usurping basic civil rights. Read more >>

SABC accused by ‘blatant' bias, ‘sabotage'

NEWSWATCH: Cope has accused the national broadcaster of being blatantly biased in its election coverage, and what the new party calls ‘sabotage', reports IOL. On a more sombre note, investigations are continuing into the cause of last week's fire at Paarl Media's factory, reports IOL. Meanwhile a radio personality has been suspended for standing too close to Jacob Juma, reports Sowetan Online. Read more >>

‘Election coverage snubs SA children' says MMA

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] South African children are vulnerable, forgotten and facing serious problems ranging from HIV/Aids to child abuse, lack of education opportunities, hunger and inadequate early childhood development, and more - and these issues are yet to be properly addressed by policy-makers. Our children have been once again given a cold shoulder by the media, yet it is an industry that is supposed to be advocating their rights. This is the view of the Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), expressed in their recent report on media election coverage. Read more >>

Meffys 2009 entry deadline extended

The Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF), a global association for the mobile media industry announced that due to popular demand, the call for entries for the sixth international Meffys Mobile Entertainment Awards has been extended to Friday, 24 April 2009. Read more >>

Company says new tool facilitates low-cost mobile surveys

A Cape Town company, Mobilitrix, says it has come up with a cost-effective way of gaining customer information that's even cheaper than the SMS. The answer is USSD. Read more >>

Newspaper Association of South Africa announces finalists

The finalists in this year's Frewin, Joel Mervis and McCall awards have recently been announced by the Newspaper Association of South Africa. The various awards recognise excellence in a range of disciplines. Read more >>

Business Day should regard single edition as opportunity, not failure

[Chris Moerdyk] It has come as no surprise that Business Day has decided to discontinue its late edition because it does not take rocket science to realise that, for the past few years, this second edition has been a complete waste of time, money and energy. Read more >>

Grolsch at Cape Town International

An ardent supporter of large-format outdoor hoardings, SAB Miller continues to make use of key Wideopen Platform sites across the country. For upmarket beer brand Grolsch, Cape Town International was chosen as the ideal position for the brand to communicate the beverage to business travellers. “South African Breweries wanted a key outdoor site that would highlight the premium nature of this product,” says Wideopen Platform's SD Ryan Cohen. “Utilising over 200 metres of advertising space, the Grolsch hoarding is impossible to miss, and communicates that this brand is serious about being noticed.”

Don't waste a second of free airtime

[Marion Scher] As I write this it's elections day. The talking is over and it's time for people to make their mark and maybe change their lives. But how effective was the ‘talking'? How well did the various parties use the ‘free' editorial opportunities that were given to them? Read more >>

94.7 listeners offered full track downloads

94.7 Highveld Stereo and eXactmobile have entered into a partnership that will allow the station's listeners to purchase music through its website and download it onto their mobile phones. Read more >>

CV fraud rises with the unemployment rate

[Kirsten Halcrow] The greatest pull-back in markets since the great depression of the 1930s put new appointments on hold and initiated a programme of retrenchments in South Africa and abroad. A recovery from this situation in the short term seems unlikely, but as employment opportunities become scarcer, so some applicants are dishonestly boosting their CVs in order to better their chances of landing the job. Read more >>

Did elections deliver useable market research data?

[Chris Moerdyk] With caution and considerable circumspection, it might well be possible to read between the lines of last week's election results and come up with some interesting market research and consumer behaviour trends. Read more >>

Fore Good gets Braun, Pringles

FMCG group Fore Good is the new brand custodian and distributor for Pringles and Braun in southern Africa, having concluded an agreement with Procter & Gamble (P&G) Geneva International. Read more >>

Discovery sponsors East Coast Radio's Big Walk

The East Coast Radio Big Walk has a new sponsor in Discovery, it was announced earlier this week. The Big Walk takes place on 7 June 2009. Read more >>

SABC gets ‘fair' rating for election coverage

The latest Media Monitoring Africa report of 4-19 April 2009 has given the SABC News a high rating of “fair” coverage of the national and provincial elections. Read more >>

CNBC Africa goes pan-African

CNBC Africa concluded a satellite distribution agreement with Multichoice Africa on 16 April, 2009. The agreement makes the channel available to DStv viewers in 41 countries across sub-Saharan Africa. Read more >>

Howard Music rocks Nigeria... and Limpopo... and Steve Hofmeyr - Howard Music

From the soundtrack of a Nigerian TVC to a killer track for Smoothies on local youth radio and in studio with Steve Hofmeyr, Howard Music is rocking the airwaves around the continent... Read more >>

Foozi challenges advertising creatives to win their own branded foosball table - Foozi Gaming

Impress co-workers, gloat in front of subordinates, spruce up your agency bar and laugh disparagingly at the opposition - Foozi Gaming is offering the chance to win a branded foosball table with your winning design on it. Read more >>

The Crazy Store launches fun-spots at election time - Zoom Advertising

Zoom Advertising has produced a series of 15-second TV commercials featuring comedian Alan Committie for The Crazy Store, marking the first time the retailer has used TV as an advertising medium. Read more >>

One Gospel sings an animated hallelujah! - Masters & Savant

Gospel music channel, One Gospel, took the decision to uplift its branding image to reflect its standing as well as promote its dedication to bringing the best international and local gospel music talent. Read more >>

Short-term price deal, long-term brand damage - The Fearless Executive

[Terry Behan] Everyone is trying to stand out in the wrong way, launching new “special deals”, cutting prices or hosting permanent 50% off sales to attract customers. But if you haven't figured it out by now, the customer can smell desperation and is not buying into this new “we love our customer” trend. Read more >>

New faces at Boomtown - Boomtown

Port Elizabeth-based strategic brand agency, Boomtown, has made several new appointments. Read more >>

Vega's victory at the Sony Profoto Awards - Vega School

The Vega School captured its growing influence and relevance in the photography industry for posterety when a number of its students received Gold, Silver and Bronze awards of the Sony Profoto Student Portfolio category at this year's 2008 Sony Profoto awards. Read more >>

CRM - It's personal - Quirk eMarketing

[Kathryn Sharfman] Customer Relationship Management (CRM) has matured over the years. It was once commonly defined as software to manage sales leads and not much else but has now become a recognised business methodology for helping to shape and form an organisation. Here's an outline of my personal journey with CRM. Read more >>

Special offer to Bizcommunity.com readers: get 30% discount until 30 April - Africa Media Online

Africa Media Online, a South African company giving African photographers an opportunity to tell Africa's story, is offering a special price for the purchase of both of their Multiple Use image compilations. The 80 images on each CD can be used multiple times in multiple media and are available for advertising purposes. Read more >>

Interactive Media Learnership goes live at Concept Interactive - Concept Interactive

Concept Interactive has been recruiting candidates for the National Certificate: Interactive Media Learnership over the last month and it has been difficult to select only eighteen as the talent and quality of work demonstrated in most of the portfolios of these previously disadvantaged candidates has been exceptionally high. Read more >>

FormFunction upholds philosophy of business nurturing - FormFunction Digital Consultants

Having flourished from participating in the Bandwidth Barn My Mentor programme, FormFunction Digital Consultants was very excited at the opportunity to participate in another CITI initiative for 2009. Read more >>

SA Tourism and SA Direct partner to promote South Africa online - Southern Africa Direct

South Africa Tourism and Southern Africa Direct are teaming up to help the South African tourism industry promote itself internationally using the exciting marketing opportunities offered by online video and social networking. The industry is invited to participate in the project. Read more >>

Proudly growing success and moving house - Glasshouse

Glasshouse has moved to a freshly revamped and contemporary building. With the appointment of a new Technical Director and Client Services Director the team now numbers 20. Read more >>

Saving the Planet... - Callit-IT

Saving the Planet, a Siemens Profile Awards 2009 evening hosted in recognition and acknowledgment of South Africa's top technology journalists, was recently held at the Montecasino ballroom. Read more >>

Invest in Mozambique - Upbeat Marketing

Mozambique offers South African businesses extensive trade and investment opportunities. The Intra-Africa Business Executive Breakfast Meeting will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sandton on Thursday morning, 30 April 2009. Read more >>

Callit-IT in New York... - Callit-IT

Callit-IT, event and delegate logistics specialists, were responsible, on behalf of their client Collyer Lessick International (CLi), for organising the Unilever Face Care Arabia - Pond's press preview in New York. Read more >>

Amarula cocktail competition - Bartenders Workshop

Amarula, in conjunction with Cape Town Tourism, launched a competition for venues around the Cape to design a unique cocktail using Amarula. The Bartenders Workshop was given the challenge of tasting each one of the entries and Etienne Schlechter selected the five finalists. Read more >>

Meet the man behind the numbers at VWV - VWV Productions

In a thriving business within a growing industry the role of a strong numbers person becomes crucial. Warren Stewart, CFO of VWV, puts the spotlight on creative budgeting and ensuring that the company delivers more than its clients pay for. Read more >>

Gearhouse SA gets jazzed - Gearhouse SA

Gearhouse South Africa's Cape Town branch supplied technical production design, complete technical infrastructure including lighting, sound, AV, staging and power, plus 40 crew for the three main stages at the 2009 Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Read more >>

Attica is off to a chic and sassy start at the L'Ormarin's Queen's Plate - Attica

Attica's initial launch at the L'Ormarin's Queen's Plate in January 2009 set the tone for future events as classy and elegant, with stylish lounge sections providing luxury seating for Cape Town's elite. Read more >>

The Power of Relationships - Alex van den Heever

Now, more than ever, South Africa needs new stories of success in the area of relationship building. In his dynamic presentation, Alex van den Heever tackles issues of trust, conflict and polarisation in corporate and social South Africa. Read more >>

Oasys Innovations appoints new executive - Oasys Innovations

Martin Swanepoel has been appointed as the new Chief Operations Officer for Oasys Hiring. He takes over from Jonathan Coles who has been assigned to special projects. Read more >>

Oasys training and development creates success - Oasys Innovations

The current skills shortage South Africa is experiencing across all areas of the economy is a challenge to any organisation, in any industry. The exhibitions and events industry is no exception and responsible employers are aware of this shortage and are implementing ways in which to urgently address the issue. Read more >>

DNAlysis brings 'Pink or Blue' test to The Baby Expo - The Baby Expo

South African molecular technology firm, DNAlysis Biotechnology, will be making international foetal sexing technology available to pregnant mothers at The Baby Expo held from 14 to 17 May at the Coca-Cola dome in Johannesburg. Read more >>

Real Simple right on the money - 8 Ink Media

The May 2009 issue of Real Simple magazine celebrates reusing those long-forgotten items lurking in your home in new and innovative ways, rather than splurging on yet more stuff. Read more >>

New-look website for Profit Partnership - Profit Partnership Corporation

Profit Partnership Corporation (Pty) Ltd, a business communication company providing corporate, financial and digital publishing solutions, has announced the launch of its completely revamped website. Read more >>

Are you talking to me? - Brandscape

“If you don't like change you're going to like irrelevance even less!” This statement was made by US Army Chief of Staff (ret.) General Eric Shinseki, and how right he was and still is! His focus was on military communications through the use of new technology in conflict theatre scenarios. Read more >>

Stop cholera - community education - What's New Media

With the recent cholera outbreaks in South Africa, The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry reacted by embarking on an education awareness campaign in the provinces that were most hard hit, to prevent further cholera outbreaks. Read more >>

Outdoor branding with the Cabana Shade Gazebo - Right Stuff

Innovation is the key to success, and the all-new Cabana Shade Gazebo is not only innovative and unique, but it's also becoming quite a success in the popularity department. Read more >>

Six finalists for Velocity at One Show - Velocity

Production company Velocity Films has six finalists in The One Show awards. The One Show is an awards show based in New York that judges the world's best advertising work. Read more >>

Leverage campaign - Grapevine Media

Sony Entertainment Television (SET) has kicked off a comprehensive series launch campaign in support of the South African premiere of the channel's new 13-part drama series, Leverage. Read more >>

ChatROOM adds MTU South Africa to their client list - ChatROOM

MTU South Africa, a supplier of diesel engines and complete propulsion and power systems in southern Africa, has appointed ChatROOM as its communications service provider. Read more >>

ChatROOM extends its reach to the hospitality sector by signing Pasta Factory - ChatROOM

ChatROOM has been appointed to conduct media liaison and public relations services for Pasta Factory. Pasta Factory's core business is the production of fresh, good quality pasta made only from the finest Italian semolina flour. Read more >>

CHATROOM is proud - ChatROOM

ChatROOM's entry in the Media Relations category of the recent 2009 PRISA PRISM Awards, which recognise excellence in public relations and communication management, was rewarded with a Bronze Medal. Read more >>

East Coast Radio and Discovery team up on KZN's biggest family participation event - East Coast Radio

The East Coast Radio Big Walk has entered a new era in its six-year history with the announcement that Discovery is the new co-sponsor of the event. Read more >>

One in two South Africans experience road rage - Synovate

Reports of aggressive or threatening driving behaviour have stabilised at 51%. Even though this is lower than the record high reported in 2005, this still means that one out of two drivers on South African roads are experiencing aggressive or threatening driving behaviour. Read more >>

Bottoms up for household spending - resilience at the bottom of the South African pyramid - Eighty20

Eighty20 will be hosting a presentation of its ongoing research into the low income market in South Africa in Cape Town. Read more >>

Optimism and emigration - TNS Research Surveys

TNS Research Surveys conducted a survey In February 2009 to ascertain whether people feel positive about South Africa and whether they are thinking of leaving. Read more >>

Leadership, morality and multiple wives - TNS Research Surveys

TNS Research Surveys conducted a survey in February to ascertain what people expect of their leaders with respect to morality and their private lives. Read more >>

Todwil introduces new green point-of-purchase materials - The Todwil Group

Todwil has expanded its product offering with Xanita's X-Board, an eco-friendly board manufactured in South Africa from recycled materials which can be used as an alternative material for temporary point-of-sale displays. Read more >>

SBK Superbike World Championships coming to Gauteng - hospitality packages on offer - SAIL

The speed and exhilaration of the SBK Superbike World Championships 2009 is about to hit Kyalami and CIRCA Hospitality is ready with corporate hospitality packages to bring you closer to the action. Read more >>