| The roses were pruned | Well, now that the World Cup is over and many of us are nursing a headache or two, it's back to business. But before we do, quite a few companies, quite rightly, used the World Cup to promote their brand - and, of course, urge the Bokke to victory. The question is - how many of those advertisements will we remember? For me, the choice is easy - those that made me laugh - and they mainly came from a certain chicken fast-food franchise that are anything but chicken when it comes to using humour in their adverts to send up everything from getting stoned to being part of the gay community. And they came up trumps again. On Saturday afternoon I caught a glimpse of a TV ad that was text only, to the effect: "The sun is shining, there's not a cloud in the sky. It's time to prune the roses." Yesterday in the weekend press, there was some "humble pie" for the Brits and a leading retail chain also got into the act "but not in English". Humour - if it's clever - tends to stick in the mind, and hence, so does the brand.
Rod Baker, Content Manager
| | | Headlines | Nokia launches Linux-based Internet tablet
Sony still doing the PS3 SKU shuffle
Six outstanding community heroes honoured
What sort of future do you want? A green one – or a bleak one?
Partnerships to cut crime in shopping malls
Social networking's explosive growth to level out in five years
Retail franchise operations core to franchise mix
Retail chain supports Breast Health Awareness Month
Your chance to lend a caring paw to guide dogs
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Retail | | The dark side of Africa's chocolate
On Halloween night, kids across the writer's neighbourhood where she lives in the United States can be heard howling with delight. Veins spiked with sugar and goody bags overflowing with chocolate bars propel tiny devils, ghouls and goblins from door to door.
Meet the master
 Wiehan Brink was recently named champion Master Bartender in South Africa during the final of the Pilsner Urquell Master Bartender program.
Enough of the rubbish
 The Cape Times of the 25th April 2007 carried the story of a local man who encountered difficulties when trying to dispose of toxic waste. He was advised by a council official that he should discard of this waste (poisons, old medicine, pesticides and old batteries) in his bin, as everyone else does.
What sort of future do you want? A green one – or a bleak one?
 Our planet is sick, and we will not be able to heal it unless we all take steps to reduce and eliminate everything that we and others are doing that is harming the earth.
Zimbabwe's newspapers go to the black market
[Dumisani Ndlela] Two of Zimbabwe's weekly newspapers, the Zimbabwe Independent and The Financial Gazette are now trading on the black market due to overwhelming demand spurred by lower prices and hunger for news in a depleted market with only one state-owed daily newspaper.
Small business retail and wholesale confidence index launches
USA - The Small Business Research Board (SBRB) has established a Small Business Confidence Index (SBCI) for two new industry categories, the retail and distribution/wholesaling businesses, it was announced on 16 October.
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Banking & Finance | | Zimbabwe inflation closes in on 8000%
Zimbabwe's Central Statistical Office (CSO) has announced that the inflation rate rose to a new record of 7 982.1% year-on-year in September, from 6 592.8% in August. The office ascribes the rise to being driven by non-food items.
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Brand news | | Six outstanding community heroes honoured
 A leading southern African grassroots awards program, the Jet Community Awards, honoured six outstanding community-based organisations for their inspirational contributions to community upliftment at a ceremony in Johannesburg recently. The six 2007 winners were selected from 31 exceptional regional finalists from across southern Africa.
New casino means new jobs - you can bet on it
While South Africa's official unemployment rate remained virtually unchanged at 25.5%, the Mogale City community is set to experience a rise in employment with the opening of Silverstar Casino later this year.
Estate launches double gold Pinotage
 Stellenzicht has just launched their first Cellarmaster's Release Pinotage - a double gold medallist that has already impressed international judges.
The magic biscuits
 To celebrate over 150 years of delivering biscuit magic into South African homes, Bakers is taking us on a trip down memory lane with the launch of their 2007 'Fill your day with Magic' range.
Wicked water!
Here's something new…Vawter – pure spring water with a wicked undercurrent (and a little bit of a kick).
Menlyn tops in Tshwane
Based on a survey on the Tshwane Municipal District conducted during May/June 2007, Menlyn Park shopping centre was voted best shopping centre in the Tshwane municipal district.
A refreshing new look for established brand
Ciro Alliances, well known player in the beverage solutions industry, has revitalised its identity with a new, blue, corporate identity that is designed to stand as a symbol of an overall revitalised approach to customers total beverage needs. The company's name has also changed, to Ciro Beverage Solutions.
Estate launches its first white
 Bilton Wines, on the slopes of the Helderberg, has launched its first white blend - Bilton WHITE 2007.
Nicole Kidman gets 'dolled up'
 The Tonner Doll Company is set to release its new character figures based on New Line Cinema's upcoming feature film, 'The Golden Compass'. The collection of characters, based on the likenesses of Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and Dakota Blue-Richards, is scheduled to hit speciality retail store shelves later this year.
Selling Zimbabwe
[Dumisani Ndlela] Selling brand Zimbabwe, a land of great natural beauty should be relatively simple, but it is not, for the chaos beside the beauty makes it a difficult sell.
Five new premium wines for your palette
 Constantia Uitsig has yielded five premium wines from its 2007 vintage – all a continuing testimony to the historic estate's reach for excellence.
Veritas medals galore
Following its trophy and gold medal wins on the International Wine & Spirit Competition in London earlier this month, Nederburg has earned the highest number of Veritas medals at this year's SA National Wine Show.
Revitalising Lexus pays off
During the first full year of the implementation of its revitalisation plan, Lexus has sold more than 1.5 times the number they have recorded during the past 11 years. In the years since 1993 Lexus sold only 1,782 new vehicles in South Africa. During the rebranding first year this figure escalated to 3,006 (250.6 vehicles per month). Read the full article on Bizcommunity.com's motoring section here.
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Catering | | Dine out, in a home from home
Whether it's a business dinner, or a quiet family get-together, a new venue promises to provide you with "Service excellence, passion and exquisite attention to detail".
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Consumer research | | Can you smell the X Factor?
Linking a product to a celebrity or TV show can work well, but can be problematic if the popularity of the celebrity or show falters – or in the case of some celebrities, goes from hero to zero. And that applies in South Africa as much as it does anywhere else – in this case, the UK.
Social networking's explosive growth to level out in five years
A just-released report from London reveals that while the growth of virtual communities and online social networking sites has exploded, trends indicate that this growth will level out by 2012.
Betray their trust, and you could lose your customers
Research shows that unethical business practices, customer dissatisfaction and lack of innovation erode consumer trust. And though the following article relates to Europe, there are lessons for South African business; lose your customers' trust and winning it back will be an uphill road.
2007's biggest online shopping day
After analysis of previous years' holiday sales figures, eCommerce solutions provider Volusion Inc., predicts that the biggest shopping day of the year will break the typical pattern seen in most years this decade.
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Distribution | | iTunes cut: Will labels be casualties of music price war?
[Chris Maxcer] With a one-two punch, Apple is in the process of lowering the price of its iTunes Plus DRM (digital rights management)-free music songs from US$1.29 to 99 cents while at the same time adding 2 million songs to its iTunes Plus library. The additional songs, which come from music mega-label EMI - along with a good many from independent labels - will give Apple the largest DRM-free catalogue in the world, the company said.
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Franchising | | Retail franchise operations core to franchise mix
 Retail franchising in South Africa has achieved store and turnover growth of almost 10% since February 2006 and turnover growth of 21%. It is the second largest contributor to the local franchise mix, after the fast food and restaurant sectors.
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Health & Safety | | The revolution's here
 Levi's® Rage for the Revolution, a live music concert that forms part of the Levi's® Red for Life Initiative, the call to action where the public get to hear core HIV messaging from the mouths of their musical heroes, is back.
Agency helps the homeless
Representatives of Ogilvy Africa paid a visit to the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg recently – with a trailer-load of food items and clothing.
Savvy moms talk about it
Sarah McKerron, author of Savvy Kids Food, Savvy Kids Menus and mother of two, has recently launched the Savvy Kids Moms blog. McKerron intends to use the network to share, with other parents, her experiences regarding the health and environmental issues that face today's children.
Retail chain supports Breast Health Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in South Africa and Clicks, recognising the importance of education in the fight against this hugely prevalent disease, has chosen to highlight the benefits of good breast health and create awareness around the importance of early detection.
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Import/Export | | IBSA members won't accept just "dessert"
[Sholain Govender] India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) will no longer accept just "dessert" from major international countries but insist on joining in on the "main meal" conceded the three heads of state at the opening of the second IBSA summit.
SA, India, Brazil trade reaches $7 billion
[Michael Appel] Trade between South Africa, India and Brazil has reached the $7 billion mark but the countries should be aiming to improve this, says the Minister of Trade and Industry Mandisi Mpahlwa.
Magic results for SA clothing brands in the US
 Next to 3600 manufacturers and 5000 clothing brands, the South African ranges presented at Magic – the fashion industry marketplace exhibition that takes place in February and August in Las Vegas, US – were outstanding and have been well received by the industry.
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Merchandising | | Bootylicious mannequins promote 'big is beautiful'
Displaysense, UK supplier of retail display products, has announced it's development of a new mannequin with a larger rear end to meet changing demands in the clothing industry and to help promote the image that big is beautiful.
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Promotions | | Finding future stars in KZN – and they're not just guys
 Members of Bakers and Cricket South Africa (CSA) recently toured some of the outlaying areas of KwaZulu-Natal to see the development of the Bakers Mini Cricket program in the region.
After a green & gold triumph, it's a yellow summer
MTN has prepared a jam packed summer feast that they reckon will ensure that every consumer makes this a summer to remember. Activities will range from football, cricket, music and 'Rock, Shop and Recover' competition.
Calling all rugby fans… this one's for you
 This weekend the entire country will be rallying behind the Springbok team with a single goal in mind – to bring the Rugby World Cup trophy home. And many of us will have a beer or two in hand… But there's more…
A coffee calendar with sensuality
 The glamorous images from the 2008 Lavazza calendar were revealed at an international preview event held at the Palace of Versailles, Paris, yesterday.
Inyathelo advances philanthropy with co-sponsors
Inyathelo is an organisation dedicated to promoting philanthropy in South Africa. Their inaugural awards, to recognise those who have embraced the cause of philanthropy, are now being backed by BoE Private Clients and the O'Shea Foundation.
Dairy goes green & gold this week
 The minute the final whistle was blown in Paris at Sunday night's semi-final clash between Argentina and South Africa, confirming our place in the 2007 Rugby World Cup final, Douglasdale Dairy pressed the button in Johannesburg.
Your chance to lend a caring paw to guide dogs
 For the second year running, Baby Soft® is taking cute and cuddly to the next level through an initiative with The South African Guide Dog Association for the Blind (SAGA).
Green buns for Burger, Bakkies and Co
 The Springboks' victory over Argentina in the Rugby World Cup on Sunday has the whole country in the grip of green fever and Steers is leading the way with their “Bok your Burger” initiative.
Ready to tie one on?
 Come Saturday evening, South Africa will be glued to their TV sets as the Boks go head to head with England for the Rugby World Cup. Tie Weavers, producers of a range of ties and scarves, now has a range of IRB RWC ties, suitable for corporate gifts, or simply to show your support for the Boks. For further information, go to http://www.tieweavers.co.za or email romaties@romaman.co.za.
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Regulatory | | Education is key to implementing Credit Act
[Lavinia Mahlangu] Educating consumers, lenders and court officials regarding the National Credit Act has been one of the biggest projects undertaken by the National Credit Regulator this year.
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Security | | Partnerships to cut crime in shopping malls
[Michael Appel] Shopping centre owners and managing companies have agreed on a number of measures to reduce the risk of organised crime in shopping centres.
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Supply chain | | Western Cape is SA's agricultural powerhouse
[Michael Appel] The Western Cape has generated almost R9.5 billion of the R49.7 billion earned by large scale farming units in 2005/06, making it the biggest contributor to agriculture in South Africa.
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Technology | | Nokia launches Linux-based Internet tablet
[Nancy Cohen] The Linux-based mobile device marketplace is growing and thriving, and Nokia is but one beneficiary, though a strong one indeed.
Sony still doing the PS3 SKU shuffle
[Walaika Haskins] USA - Sony continued its seemingly weekly shuffle of models and pricing Thursday, 18 October - this time shifting focus to stateside and announcing the imminent arrival of the 40GB PlayStation 3 as well as lower pricing for the 80GB model. The news comes after similar changes were made first in Europe and then in Japan in the first two weeks of October.
Casio Exilim cam packs a host of handy features
[John P. Mello Jr.] When it comes to slim and sleek in digital cameras, Casio is king. One of its latest offerings, the Casio Exilim EX-S880, illustrates why.
Catalogue retailer changes BI tool and boosts efficiencies
HomeChoice has replaced its OLAP-based business intelligence tool with QlikView. The company says the changeover has led to a greater sense of empowerment, and more users of the BI tool.
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| | Upcoming events | UCT Unilever Institute annual meeting UCT Unilever Institute - Durban, 23 October Rich dad poor dad personal finance seminar Lankon Consulting - Johannesburg, 29 October | More... Submit an event | | |
| | Quotes | | | "You can never get enough of what you don't need to make you happy." - Eric Hoffer | | "The breakfast of champions is not cereal, it's the opposition." - Nick Seitz | | "A bargain is anything a customer thinks a store is losing money on." - Kin Hubbard | | "Our technological powers increase, but the side effects and potential hazards also escalate." - Alvin Toffler | | More... Submit a Quote | | |
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