Auckland Park Declaration an "opening gambit"

[Gill Moodie: @grubstreetSA] In an unprecedented show of unity, our country's newspaper editors came together late last week to say "enough" to the government and sign what they have called the Auckland Park Declaration. And about time, too. Read more >>

ANC has no evidence to back up media tribunal - MMA

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] As the debate around the ruling ANC's proposed media appeals tribunal continues to spit saliva, fire and ink, the Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) has entered the fray, accusing Africa's oldest party of lacking overwhelming evidence to support the tribunal, and instead relying on assertion and rhetoric. Read more >>

Media freedom: the case for a united front

[Angelo Coppola] Enough is enough... While many of us sit back and watch the skirmishes between editors and journalists, on the one hand, and the police and the state, on the other hand, it dawned on me that perhaps I should be more than an interested observer. After all, we in PR have a symbiotic relationship with people in the media, despite the fact that some journalists choose to ignore that fact. Read more >>

Media freedom: newspapers step up rhetoric against state

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] South African mainstream newspapers - the ruling ANC's primary target in its quest to 'dismantle' critical reporting - have stepped up their editorial rhetoric to send a direct and collective message to the government, and aggressively inform the general public that something bad is about to compromise their democracy. Read more >>

Judge frees Wa Afrika, now out on bail

NEWSWATCH: Acting High Court Judge Johann Kruger last night ordered that Sunday Times journo Mzilikazi wa Afrika be freed, saying, "One minute spent in custody is one minute too much'"- presumably even more so when three prosecutors had declined to continue the case; Wa Afrika meanwhile has branded the Hawks spokesman a liar, writes Times Live - which has just also reported that Wa Afrika has been granted bail. Back in Cape Town, Helen Zille says the proposed Protection of Information Bill poses the gravest threat to our constitutional democracy since 1994, according to Business Report, and the Dispatch has called on its readers to oppose the bill. Read more >>

SANEF open house on media freedom in CT next week

The South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) is inviting all editors and journalists in the Western Cape region to an open house discussion on the proposed media tribunal, problematic legislation currently before Parliament and other threats to media freedom at Newspaper House, Cape Town, on Tuesday next week, 10 August 2010, at 12.45pm. Read more >>

Media leaders rally 'troops' to fight repression

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] An 'all-out war' between the independent media and the ruling ANC looms in South Africa. To echo a Latin proverb that says whoever wants peace must prepare for war, the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) yesterday, Wednesday, 4 August 2010, called an urgent meeting of editors, journalists and academics to form a plan of action that consists of legal, editorial, diplomatic and radical strategies to launch a massive ground offensive against the ANC's media freedom threats. Read more >>

Times journalist arrested

NEWSWATCH: In a scene eerily reminiscent of events comparatively recently experienced in Zimbabwe, a Sunday Times reporter, Mzilikazi wa Afrika, has been arrested outside the Avusa head office, and, according to the newspaper's editor, Ray Hartley, while it has assigned lawyers to represent him, it has so far had no success in establishing on what charges wa Afrika was arrested and - more sinister - where he is being held. [video] Read more >>

POI Bill is the veil for ANC secrets going back 20 years

[Gill Moodie: @grubstreetSA] There we were, brimming with national pride for six weeks throughout the 2010 FIFA World Cup - and now we're fighting for the future freedom of the media. What an all-holy comedown the Protection of Information Bill and ANC noises of a state-funded media tribunal have been. Read more >>

Tensions rise between media, ANC-led government

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] The relationship between the South African independent media and the ANC-led government has hit a low level - probably the lowest level since the dawn of democracy. At the centre of the storm are the Protection of Information Bill and the ANC-proposed media appeals tribunal. While the controversial legislation seeks to hide so-called 'classified and sensitive' information from the media's eagle eyes, the latter aims to punish journalists and editors who publish half-truths. Read more >>

ANC vilifies journos in attempt to quash free speech

[Herman Manson: @marklives] The ANC has made public its plans for the future of South African media in a discussion paper prepared for the ANC National General Council 2010, to be held 20 - 24 September in Durban. The discussion paper makes it quite clear how the ANC views the media - it unashamedly vilifies journalists as dishonest scoundrels - and rather disconcertingly notes the success of the apartheid regime in staying in power through censorship and media control. Read more >>

Support for media tribunal is 'appalling'

NEWSWATCH: SA Press Council chairman Raymond Louw said yesterday that he is 'appalled' by ANC and SACP support for a media tribunal and says it not only reveals 'a startling ignorance about what goes on in the press ombudsman's office,' it is also unconstitutional, reports IOL and Mail & Guardian, the latter also reporting that the DA is on the warpath over the ANC's proposed moves against the media. Back at the SABC, meanwhile, the broadcaster is also doing its bit to stay in the news, with board chairman Ben Ngubane calling his board members 'undisciplined', reports IOL. Read more >>

Correction: Jackson Mthembu quote misattributed to Helen Zille

Bizcommunity.com incorrectly misattributed a quote by ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu, instead of the last paragraph from Helen Zille's weekly newsletter, in yesterday's story Tensions rise between media, ANC-led government. This quote, however, was contained in Zille's column. We apologise for the error and any confusion caused.

Sports industry awards open for entries

The Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards in South Africa, the first replication of the awards outside the UK, has opened for entries from all brands, governing bodies, agencies and rights holders in South African sport to celebrate the work produced by the country's sport industry over the last 12 months. Read more >>

Programme for Sunday's Media@SAfm show

This Sunday, 8 August 2010, the programme for Ashraf Garda's Media@SAfm show, 9am-11am on 104-107FM nationwide, will include chatting to two Dutch media man committed to media freedom and access to information (investigative journalist Roel Geeraedts and lawyer Roger Vluegels ); finding out what makes Liza Albrecht (Rapport editor, Women in Media Awards 2010 winner) tick; academic Walter Pike on the ups and downs of Cell C's rebranding; Nicholas Keller, MD of Benchmark Holdings and the driving force behind the inaugural Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards; Robbie Stammers about Leadership's international recognition; SANRAL's radio ad as "ad of the week"; Nikki Twomey, Standard Bank's group brand head; and five listeners will win the Lexis Nexis Advertising Standards Authority Precedent manual. Advance comments or questions can be sent to ashraf@safm.co.za or media@safm.co.za, Twitter or Facebook.

Support women, Bafana Bafana

The International Marketing Council of South Africa, custodian of Brand South Africa, is encouraging us to continue embracing our diversity, respecting our backgrounds and learning about each other simply by starting a conversation. On the 9 August 2010, is Women's Day, learn to say 'Thank You' in different languages. On the 11 August, Bafana Bafana will take on the Black stars of Ghana; let us again come out in full support behind both teams showing the spirit of African humanity.

Cape Town 'heart' soccer

[Herman Manson: @marklives] Cape Town Tourism, the city's public-private partnership to drive tourism in the city, certainly impressed with its pro-active, post FIFA World Cup 2010, report back to stakeholders. Cape Town Tourism CEO Mariette du Toit-Helmbold talks to Bizcommunity.com about the local industry's strategy pre-and post world cup and why she believes disappointing occupancy levels doesn't tell the full story. Read more >>

World cup added value to Brand SA, Africa - IMC

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] The 2010 FIFA World Cup added huge brand value to South Africa and Africa - something we need to keep going forward, Miller Matola, International Marketing Council (IMC) CEO said during the post-2010 conversation hosted by KPMG late last week in Parktown, Johannesburg. Read more >>

Non-profit creative agency launched

The Net#work BBDO Group has officially launched what is reputed to be the first non-profit creative agency in South Africa, The MAL Foundation. The founding members of this new age consultancy are leading adman and creative activist, Mike Schalit, and chairperson of Net#work BBDO, Boniswa Pezisa. Read more >>

Best of South Africa 2011 - bringing SA's best brands together

The Best of series publishing concept is a home-grown South African success story which now covers the globe, with these B2B coffee table books currently being published in over 45 countries from Australia to Chile, Kenya to Britain, Belgium to Egypt ... and beyond. Read more >>

Cell C - cosmetic makeover or real deal?

[Chris Moerdyk: @chrismoerdyk] Cell C's rebranding, repositioning and pretty much re-everything under the sun, is certainly different and quite refreshing in what is a pretty predictable industry. But, the proof of whether this is the real deal or just an elaborate cosmetic makeover, will be in the pudding. And the cellphone industry pudding is actually quite a simple one. Read more >>

New brand categories in Sunday Times awards

The 2010 Sunday Times Top Brands awards, to be held on 26 August 2010 at Greenstone Park, will include two new categories - Marketing Personality of the Year and Brand Agency of the Year. The theme for this year's event is 'What a year, what a country, what a brand'. Read more >>

Green Encounters to move audiences

Encounters - the documentary film festival showing in Cape Town 12-29 August 2010 at the NuMetro, V&A Waterfront and the Labia on Orange and in Johannesburg 18-29 August at The Bioscope, Ground Floor of Main Street Life, 286 Fox Street, Maboneng Precinct - offers viewers a 'green' component. Read more >>

SA goes to the movies in winter

Despite expectations, South African cinemas did not experience the dip in cinema attendances during the 2010 FIFA World Cup that other host countries have experienced, Ster-Kinekor reports. Although the record for the highest ever attendance in one day stays intact, the attendance figures for June 2010 were distinctly higher than previous years. This could be from the influx of foreign visitors, extra long school holidays, 3D kid's movies, holiday packages and the screening of world cup matches in 3D.

If only Cell C had hired Alex Hunter...

[Herman Manson: @marklives] For online interaction with consumers to be successful, brands are required to undertake a transparent, truthful and open approach to communication. "You need to keep it real," says Alex Hunter, independent brand consultant and a speaker at the Tech4Africa conference being held this week in Johannesburg, 12-13 August 2010. Read more >>

702 small business competition opens

This year's 702 Small Business Awards with Softline Pastel launched this week with a call to listeners to nominate small businesses that have given them outstanding service. The call for nominations will run throughout the campaign, which begins profiling two finalists a day from 16 August 2010. Read more >>

TopTV recycles old billboards

Following TopTV's three-month marketing campaign, which included billboards in and around Gauteng and Cape Town, the question of what to do with the old billboards arose, as the company is about to embark on a new campaign. After some research, the TV station has identified two very important initiatives in Cape Town and Johannesburg that use old billboards and recycle them. Read more >>

Award for media awareness campaign

In 2009, Independent Field Advertisers (IFA) visited nine schools in eight provinces around the country, collaborating with local media to raise awareness about the plight of neglected schools and encouraging IFA members to contribute funds to the schools. Read more >>

Entrepreneurship academy gets 20% of brand design agency

The Mkhwanazi Academy for Christian Entrepreneurship (MACE), based in Vosloorus Gauteng, has taken a 20% shareholding in the brand design agency, The Red Quarter (TRQ). Read more >>

New digital division at Bester Burke Slingers

The Bester Burke Slingers Group has launched a new division, Two Dry Sticks, to engage the increasingly complex world of digital strategy to integrate a brand's digital behaviour into its strategic and communications objectives. Read more >>

Entries for Global Moguls still open

Global Moguls, the launch pad for South Africa's musicians, creatives, designers, photographers, marketing geniuses and video and film buffs, is still open for entries until mid-August 2010. So far, over 600 bands and creatives have registered and are encouraging fans through Facebook and Twitter. Fans are encouraged to register on the website to view uploaded content and start voting. Go to www.globalmoguls.com for more.

SAFREA meets... to learn to use subconscious language effectively

The Gauteng SAFREA meeting for August will take place on Thursday, 12 August 2010, at Doppio Zero in The Firs, Rosebank, 5-8pm. The speaker is Gwen Watkins, a freelance writer and NLP practitioner, who will speak on The use of language that appeals to the subconscious, so that readers grasp the tone of the message while they view the piece. Read more >>

2011 photography programme open now for applications

The Photojournalism and Documentary Photography Programme (PDP), run with the support of Getty Images and the Open Society Foundation for South Africa at the Market Photo Workshop in Johannesburg, is now calling for registrations for 2011, which close on 31 August 2010. Read more >>

Key women leaders speak at Sandton conference

Helen Zille, Nomvula Mokonyane, Angie Motshekga and Phuti Malabie are just some of the women leaders who will address delegates at the inaugural 'Legacy Dialogue by South African Women Leaders' organised by Finlay Events and Promotion on Friday, 13 August 2010, at the Sandton Sun Conference Centre, Johannesburg. Read more >>

Events industry briefing

An information sharing session with Philip Mondor from Canada will be held to introduce 'Professional Designations' for event managers and coordinators in South Africa, using the IEMS (International Event Management Standards) as an international qualification, whilst simultaneously complying with SAQA policies to register them on the NQF. The Services SETA in Cape Town hosts this on Friday, 6 August 2010, 9.30am-1.30pm at no cost; to book email rabia@serviceseta.org.za or tel +27 (0)21 425 1575.

BDFM apologises for Absa results blunder

Mzi Malunga, MD of BDFM, yesterday evening, Wednesday, 4 August 2010, released a statement apologising for this week's issue of Financial Mail containing Absa's interim financial results, in the form of an advertisement, which caused the temporary halt in trading of Absa shares on the JSE yesterday. Read more >>

Magazines double up on attraction, move publishers

The Woolworths Taste magazine has split its August 2010 cover to attract different foodies and Greeff Properties has announced its magazine will be published by Quantum Publishers. Read more >>

SOS slams SABC governance problems

The SOS Campaign has issued a statement, today, Friday, 6 August 2010, on the subject of the on-going boardroom battles and other problems at the SABC and says that, once again, Parliament needs to intervene. The SOS statement follows... Read more >>

Sunday Independent to apologise to SABC - ombudsman

The SABC in a statement today, Thursday, 5 August 2010, welcomed the ruling by deputy press ombudsman Johan Retief of the Press Council of South Africa that the Sunday Independent newspaper publish an apology to the SABC "for possible harm caused to the SABC" by the article published on 28 February 2010, headlined 'SABC told to drop Malema story'. Read more >>

Media organisations launch Lead SA

Primedia Broadcasting and Independent Newspapers Group launched an initiative with the aim of mobilising South Africans to look within and be the change they want to see this morning, Wednesday, 4 August 2010. Lead SA was launched on Talk Radio 702, 94.7 Highveld Stereo, 94.5 Kfm and 567 Cape Talk at the same time The Star, Pretoria News, Cape Argus and Daily News splashed details across their front pages. [multimedia] Read more >>

World Press Trends 2010 released

According to the just-released World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers' (WAN-IFRA) annual world press trends update, newspaper circulation worldwide fell just slightly in 2009, despite the economic downturn, and the impact of the global recession on newspaper advertising revenues appears to be easing. Read more >>

FXI disagrees with removal of 'racist' blog

Commenting on the recent blog-posting of RW Johnson's blog-posting in the London Review of Books (LRB), the subsequent removal of the post and the apology by the LRB, the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) believes that its removal removes the possibility of real and balanced discussion of the issue and instead drives it underground, which is counter-productive. Read more >>

Buildings speak of Creativity takes courage

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For two weeks in July 2010, eight buildings in Johannesburg and surrounding areas were lit up with larger-than-life revelations from some of South Africa's top artists as part of the Absa L'Atelier campaign run by The Jupiter Drawing Room (Jhb) creative team, led by creative director Raj Ranchod. The buildings, Johannesburg - Kings & Marshall, Fourways Design Quarter, Blu Bird - Corlett Drive, Milpark Garden Court, Melville - Cool Runnings, Parkhurst - 4th and 12th, Parktown - 3rd and 7th and Johannesburg Main St (next to Tiger Wheel), carried out this year's theme, 'Creativity takes courage.'

SA paper merchant gets FSC certification

According to Rob Haden-Smith, MD of Papersmith & Son, the company is the first paper merchant in the South African market to receive the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. Read more >>

Call to international standards on media measurement

The Public Relations Consultants' Chapter (PRCC) of the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA) has conducted extensive research and consultation with local practitioners to produce a guideline on effective evaluative research in order to move media measurement in South Africa to be more closely aligned to international trends. Read more >>

Meropa opens in Durban

Meropa Communications, a PR consultancy, has opened a new office in Durban, headed by local PR man Yogin Devan and supported by consultants Jozi Donjeany, Neliswa Hlombe and an administrative assistant. Read more >>

NFVF releases Skin audience research

National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) has released a study this week, intended to establish the attitude of the learners towards local films, while looking at their viewing trends and barriers to attending cinemas. Read more >>

Host cities' history to go online

SA History Online is working closely with history and heritage institutions, historians, photographers, architects and archaeologists in compiling a heritage project, One City, Many Histories to share online the histories of the nine 2010 FIFA World Cup host cities. Read more >>

Bootlegger at RAC Lite 2010

A new speaker has been confirmed for the RAC Lite 2010, being held on 24 August 2010 at Johannesburg's Theatre on the Track and 26 August at Lord Charles in Somerset West, Cape Town. Read more >>

Enablis gets R1.5 million grant

The Enablis Entrepreneurial Network in South Africa, a non-profit organisation (NPO) geared to leveraging and supporting entrepreneurial talent in developing economies, has received a R1.5 million grant in further support of local entrepreneurial development, capacity building and long term economic stimulation from its founding partner, FNB. Read more >>

Pendoring gets new gold sponsor

The Pendoring Afrikaans Advertising Awards have added a ninth gold sponsor - Huisgenoot, which is supporting the awards for the first time. The magazine reportedly reaches 2.4 million Afrikaans readers and 40 000 readers on its Facebook-group.

End of the line for Super 5 Media

[Duncan McLeod: @mcleodd] Pay-TV operator Super 5 Media on Tuesday, 3 August 2010, retrenched all of its remaining employees, more than 40 people in all, and is now facing the prospect of liquidation if it isn't able to pay one of its biggest creditors by the end of the week. Read more >>

Young photographers' competition opens

National Geographic Kids (NG Kids) has opened entries to its Young Photographers Competition to readers in the age groups 7 and under, 8-10 and 11-13 years in the categories Animals, People, I love South Africa and That's Funny. The closing date for entries is 20 October 2010. Read more >>

Asia-Pacific Digital Magazine Conference early-bird deadline extended

HANGZHOU, CHINA: The 2nd Asia-Pacific Digital Magazine Conference, hosted by FIPP and CPA (China Periodicals Association) will take place on 14-15 October 2010 at the InterContinental Conference Centre, Hangzhou, China and the early bird registration discount has been extended to 1 September 2010. Read more >>

Office for Mac 2011 hitting store shelves this October

REDMOND, US: Microsoft Office for Mac 2011, the next version of the leading productivity suite for the Mac, will be available in more than 100 countries around the world at the end of October. Read more >>

Italian gag law threatens bloggers with €25 000 fines for 'incorrect' facts

ROME, ITALY: - Bloggers, podcasters and even anyone who posts updates on social networks such as Facebook all face being slapped with fines of up to €25 000 (about R240 000) for publishing incorrect facts, if a bill that journalists' organisations are calling "authoritarian" currently before the Italian parliament is passed. Read more >>

UAE PocketMedia production facility now in full swing - PocketMedia Solutions

Z-CARD Africa, Middle East, India and Turkey's (ZAMI) new production facility in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is now up and running with state-of-the-art machinery. Read more >>

Finalists selected for penultimate round of Pyro Inspirations Awards - Pyrotec

Pyrotec, the privately owned South African company that specialises in providing innovative and top quality product identification solutions, recently announced the July finalists of the 2010 Pyro Inspiration Awards. Read more >>

McCann launches healthcare division - McCann Worldgroup

After more than a year of research and numerous visits to South Africa and the rest of the continent, McCann Healthcare has finally opened its doors at their offices in Johannesburg as a healthcare hub for the group in Sub-Saharan Africa. Read more >>

Promise wins Alcatel - Promise

Promise has been appointed as agency to TCT Mobile (Alcatel Mobile Phones). TCT Mobile, under licence, manufactures and distributes Alcatel Mobile Phones and is one of the fastest growing handset manufacturers in the industry. Read more >>

Core Group assists the ABF - Advertising Benevolent Fund

Core Group, Apple's official distributor in South Africa, has assisted the ABF in a validation case by providing a member who suffers health problems and a debilitating speech impediment with a power cable in order for him to continue communicating with his loved ones. Read more >>

Mesh dominates inaugural 'Digital' category at Creative Circle Ad of the Month Awards - Draftfcb (South Africa)

Mesh, the digital and interactive specialist agency within the Draftfcb South Africa group, dominated the inaugural digital category at the Creative Circle Ad of the Month Awards, taking first and second spot. Read more >>

C for Copycat? - The Brand Union

[Gary Bryant] With much fanfare and chest beating, Cell C unveiled their new brand identity. I'm not a designer so I'm going to steer clear of an in-depth commentary on the new logo from a visual perspective, but I have a few questions for them about the new pay-off line. Read more >>

Mobenzi offers free research using SMS Insight - Clyral

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Imagine if you could ask a question (or several questions) about your company or service in an SMS and allow respondents to reply in plain text, but still be able to analyse the data using quantitative techniques? That's precisely what SMS Insight offers: the ability to derive structured results from plain text responses. Read more >>

IFA's 'Drive for a Difference' initiative receives 'Vision for Tomorrow' accolade - Underline Communications

Independent Field Advertisers (IFA), a multi-level marketing network offering business opportunities to South Africans of varying backgrounds, was recently praised by the country's foremost industry association for its contribution towards the upliftment of communities, says Mthunzi Mbali, IFA's Marketing Director. Read more >>

Maverick brings World Cup cheer to the kids of Dimpho Hani Childcare Centre - Maverick SA

It's good to give something back and Maverick, through the power of Twitter, recently had the opportunity to get involved in the Twitter Blanket Drive. Read more >>

Africa Media Online launches an African Royalty Free site - Africa Media Online

With 10 years experience of Rights Managed sales, Africa Media Online is now launching a Royalty Free site for African images. Specialising in giving African photographers a voice, Africa Media Online supplies home-grown solutions to the media market's imaging needs. Read more >>

The Graphic Ballroom photographer exhibits: Textures of Cederberg - The Graphic Ballroom

Yellow Aloe Guest House, Clanwilliam, is the venue for the upcoming public exhibition of fine art photographic prints by Cape Town photographer, Peter Atterbury, from 16 August - 16 September 2010. The exhibition of depicts the textures and ever-changing beauty of the Cederberg wilderness. Read more >>

Cambrient founder to judge prestigious Loerie awards - Cambrient

Jarred Cinman, creative and software director and one of the founders of Cambrient, a Web marketing and content management company, has been selected as a judge on the digital and digital crafts panel at the 32nd Loerie Awards. Read more >>

KRAZYBOYZ catches the Fox! - KRAZYBOYZ

Fox International Channels and National Geographic Channels have appointed KRAZYBOYZ as their Africa region Digital Agency for National Geographic, National Geographic Wild, FX, Fox Africa and Fox Retro. Read more >>

Fluorescence Interactive - new kid on the block! - Fluorescence Interactive

Fluorescence Interactive is a genetic hybrid of old and new creative bloodlines which includes Steven Brewis, Creative Head from Fluorescence Media Design, Creative Director Greg Norman, previously of TBWA Tequila, and Eddie van Rensburg, former Creative Director and multi award winner for Clearwater. Read more >>

E-business evolves: complex, diverse market outgrows 'one-stop shops' - Realmdigital

[Wesley Lynch] The e-business provider arena has grown into an enormous, complex industry with numerous specialist areas in the last 10 years. And yet providers continue to claim one-stop shop status and fail to carve out clear niches. Read more >>

Habari Direct enjoys new business acquisition binge - Habari Group

The past two months has seen specialist below-the-line agency Habari Direct acquire a bevy of new business from leading local brands, including Safari Dried Fruit and Marmite (Bokomo Foods); Choccos and Provita (via agency Keynote), and Damelin College. Read more >>

Kreate SA conceptualises and implements experiential activation platform for core gaming systems - Kreate SA

Kreate SA, a specialist activations, promotions and eventing company, was commissioned by Core Gaming Systems, official distributor of Nintendo in South Africa. Read more >>

Human polar bear - Speakers Inc

Lewis Gordan Pugh has pioneered more swims around famous landmarks than any other swimmer in history and is the only person to have completed a long distance swim in every ocean of the world. He is probably best known for becoming the first person to undertake a long distance swim at the North Pole. Read more >>

Strike Productions provides full technical support at SARS Awards Evening - Strike Productions

Strike Productions provided streamlined technical assistance at the annual SARS Awards Evening on Friday, 23 July, at the CSIR Conference Centre in Johannesburg. The glitch-free event included a list of VIPS, guest speakers and a dance performance. Read more >>

Safety and security top priority for venues - Gallagher Convention Centre

South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world and most of these crimes occur while victims are enjoying leisure activities and not as alert as usual. This is why safety and security should take priority at exhibition and events venues. Read more >>

Soccer World Cup retrospective - The Event Production Company

[Karen Ashwin] As a leading personality in the SA events industry, Karen Ashwin comments on the impact of the FIFA World Cup on the events industry sector. Read more >>

Hat trick for Oasys Electrical in KZN - Oasys Innovations

Oasys Electrical provided the electrical infrastructure on three major events in KZN - the Vodacom Durban July, the Canon Gold Cup and the Durban Air Show. Read more >>

Catherine Glennie - Conference Speakers International

The Royal Elephant Hotel played host to delegates, guests and inspirational speaker, now back in South Africa, Catherine Glennie, on Friday, 30 July 2010. Catherine Glennie is a published author, international speaker, trainer and manifestation coach and has been working as a motivational specialist for over 12 years. Read more >>

The Baby Expo Durban is MamaMagic - book now! - The Baby Expo - MamaMagic

This year parents can expect to experience even more magic as The Baby Expo hits the beautiful coast of Durban for its fourth year, hosting the widest range of MamaMagic products seen under one roof. Read more >>

Trademarking The Wedding Expo - The Wedding Expo

The Wedding Expo® has announced the successful registered trademarking of their brand name underpinning the success and distinctiveness of the brand. Read more >>

Huisgenoot Tempo Awards 2010 - Media24 Family Magazines

With the announcement of the 2010 Huisgenoot Tempo Awards Afrikaans music lovers have again recognised their leading stars. Read more >>

Bafana Bafana give local marketers widest reach - Carat

Bafana Bafana's early exit from the 2010 FIFA Football World Cup spelt bad news not only for millions of local sports fans but also - potentially - for local marketers and advertisers seeking to promote goods and services to television viewers on the back of sports' "biggest event ever". Read more >>

AdMob's donation to the SHOUT SA campaign shows the power of mobile marketing - AdMob

In order to lend its support to fighting the crime wave in South Africa, AdMob has donated five million mobile internet ad impressions to the SHOUT campaign. Read more >>

Five simple housekeeping tips for better SEO - Acceleration Media

[Diane Charton] Many companies are making extensive investments in search engine optimisation (SEO) without getting the basics right. But there are many simple little tips and tricks that will get your website ready for the search engines and help you to get better natural search results at no cost and with only a small investment in time. Read more >>

Real-time search and personalisation change the search game - Acceleration Media

According to SEO expert, Michael Walker, two major trends are sweeping across the search market, bringing with them a host of new challenges and opportunities for online marketers. They are the moves towards universal search and personalised search results, and together, they amount to game-changers for search engine optimisation. Read more >>

Tailormade4you launches new web design course - Tailormade4you

Tailormade4you will be launching their new Comprehensive Web Design course on 23 August 2010. The course is meant for fledgling web designers who want to learn how to become professional web designers in a short period of time. Read more >>

Clint Bryce joins Quirk as Chief Creative Officer - Quirk eMarketing

Quirk's founder and CEO, Rob Stokes, and leading digital "ideas man", Clint Bryce, can track each other's progress way back to the heady nineties when the two started kicking up a fuss on the local Internet scene. Today, they join forces for the first time to take Quirk eMarketing to a new creative height. Read more >>

Quirk Education announces two new marketing courses in August - Quirk eMarketing

Quirk eMarketing is proud to announce two new online courses, Mobile Marketing, and the SEO course for anyone who would like to acquire practical skills to optimise a website, and who would like to learn more about how search engines can be leveraged from a marketing perspective. Read more >>

Taxis show Energizer's new look - Provantage

Provantage Out of Home Media have been tasked to brand 58 Quantum taxis in the Gauteng region and 58 Siyaya taxis nationally to showcase Energizer's new look. The energized taxis will make use of routes that pass the main shopping centres in the specified areas and will be up and running for three months. Read more >>

Riverstone Films attracts a new director - Andrew Wessels - Riverstone Films

Andrew Wessels has had a successful career in long-form, corporate work, and music videos. His experience has lead him to working with clients, agencies and suppliers alike from producing, directing, shooting and sometimes even editing the work. This has given him a rounded understanding of the discipline required to produce great work. Read more >>

Picture Tree has been branching out - Picture Tree

Johannesburg-based commercials production company, Picture Tree, recently got involved in an initiative at JZ Malaza Primary School in Daveyton, where they donated 36 school tracksuits to children in need. Read more >>

Bioscope shoots Steers 'Gogo' for TBWA Hunt Lascaris - Bioscope Films

Director Hylton Tannenbaum has just completed a commercial launching the Steers 'Get Real' range of burgers. The commercial tells the story of Thabo, a young man on a journey to take his Gogo her first ever Steers burger. Read more >>

Waterfront Studios bids farewell to Mike Smit - Condor VFX

Mike Smit, MD of Waterfront Studios, has parted ways with the post-production house as of the end of July 2010 to pursue other business interests. Read more >>

Epic Communications dares businesses to take the Sanlam Investment Management SA Challenge - Epic Communications

Epic Communications has been appointed to handle the public relations requirements for the Sanlam Investment Management SA Challenge. Now in its third successive year, the team development event takes place in September in the Magaliesberg Mountains and is described as the ultimate corporate adventure. Read more >>

New lineup: Jacaranda 94.2 says, experience matters! - Jacaranda 94.2

Jacaranda 94.2 has announced its new line-up of talented radio and content professionals.The radio station is now working with some of South Africa's most experienced radio talent. Read more >>

So you think you can mix? Search is on for top upcoming DJs - Heart 104.9FM

The hunt is on for new talent on the DJ scene. As the Mother City is known for its hot DJs, it also forms the focal point for a search by Heart 104.9 FM and Cash Crusaders for the city's most promising new male and female disc jockey. Read more >>

Creamer Media partners with Jobs.co.za to launch new job portal - Jobs.co.za

Recognising that its multimedia capabilities and extensive reach offered the ideal opportunity to bring together job seekers and companies requiring skills, Creamer Media has entered into a partnership with South African job portal and online recruitment technology provider, Jobs.co.za. Read more >>

The misconception of the recruiter's 'top drawer' - RecruitMi

Have you ever employed the wrong candidate due to a lack of time? As an employer have you experienced an unexpected vacancy that requires your urgent attention, but with no time to find the correct person to fill it? RecruitMI can help. Read more >>

Global employee confidence down in 2010, visible leadership needed - CRF

Employee confidence in the future of their companies globally has dropped in 2010 and leadership that inspires confidence has emerged as the key driver of employee engagement to help businesses rebound in 2010 - this is according to the findings of a new global HR survey this May. Read more >>

Seeking South Africa's leading managers for 2010 - CRF

The very best of South Africa's management talent is being sought after by SA's Leading Managers, an annual multimedia campaign that communicates leadership and organisational achievements. Read more >>

OUTsurance announces the launch of a direct life insurance product - OUTsurance

OUTsurance has announced the extension of its insurance product offerings with the addition of a fully underwritten and comprehensive life insurance product. Read more >>

Justin Sampson appointed CEO at SAIL Rights Commercialisation - SAIL

SAIL, the rights commercialisation arm of MARC Group, has announced the appointment of Justin Sampson as the new CEO. Sampson moves over from group company, Exp South Africa, after having worked in the industry for the past 10 years. Read more >>

Exp reflects on the last quarter and counts a Guinness World Record amongst its World Cup campaigns - Exp

The sponsorship marketing industry in South Africa has seen an increase in spend invested as a direct result of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Exp has secured additional and non-traditional business, directly relating to the World Cup, from both local and international brands. Read more >>

Toyota Fathers and Sons' cricket clinics bowl over Durban - MSCSPORTS

Leading vehicle manufacturer and family favourite brand Toyota brought the children of Durban a day to remember when they hosted a cricket coaching clinics at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on 1 August. Read more >>

Broadcasting brings organisations together - Global Access

The New Apostolic Church chose to use a private broadcast to bring its international congregations under "one roof" for their 2010 Pentecost service. Global Access was the obvious broadcast partner as the company routinely screens Sunday services for the Church. Read more >>

Our influential kids - Youth Dynamix

Marketers have historically always considered the family market a holistic one, with great focus on parents. But who's really calling the shots? Read more >>