Food security tops African Regional Summit agenda
[Rosalia Opondo] Food security is top of the agenda at the 25th Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Regional Conference for Africa, currently being held in Nairobi, Kenya.

Franschhoek comes uncorked
After the inaugural Franschhoek Uncorked last year, The Franschhoek Wine Valley is once again, hosting its spring meander over the weekend of 30 and 31 August 2008.


Retailers warn on public holidays
[Nicola Mawson, Consumer Industries Correspondent] Retailers have warned that acceding to suggestions that stores be closed on certain public holidays would hamper sales growth and the economy.

The museum of antique branding
[Naseem Javed] All over the world, with so many different meanings and perceptions of the word "branding", it appears that it has lost its true meaning; the terminology is more like a walk through a museum with a glorious past.

Government won't be cutting fuel levy
[Vivian Warby] Government would not consider cutting fuel levies but would instead look at other proposals to bring down escalating fuel prices, Government spokesperson, Themba Maseko said on Thursday, 12 June 2008.

Retailers flock to Beacon
[Lerato Matsaneng] A new “value centre” under construction in Beacon Bay has secured big name retailers.

Why FMCG brands should be marketed on the web
[ActivRetail] Marketing a consumable product to the mass of consumers out there is challenging. In light of all the competition, keeping your brand top of mind for consumers is of utmost importance - but this is all stuff you know.

Cape Town Fashion Week goes mobile
Virgin Mobile has secured the headline sponsorship of Cape Town Fashion Week, now officially renamed “Virgin Mobile Cape Town Fashion Week”.

Marketing during recession: Survival tactics
It's been proven that it is sound advice to spend more on marketing during a recession. But many marketers will find this advice impractical. For those that don't have extra money available, what tactics can be used to weather the storm of tough economic times

Grolsch raises the bar
South African Breweries (SAB) yesterday, Tuesday, 10 June 2008, confirmed that South Africa will be the first country outside Europe to bring to market the Dutch beer, Grolsch Premier Lager, following the acquisition of Royal Grolsch by SABMiller some four months ago.

Get Tested Day - 21 June 2008 - The Heart and Stroke Foundation SA
The Heart and Stroke Foundation SA (HSFSA) is encouraging the public to have their blood pressure tested during the annual Get Tested Day campaign on 21 June.

Global recognition for SA bank
Standard Bank has been awarded the Global Business Coalition (GBC)'s Award for Business Excellence for its HIV/AIDS Workplace Program in 2008. The award effectively recognises the best workplace AIDS program in the world.

Don't go it a loan
Yesterday's 50 basis point interest rate hike tightens the screws on all of us, so now is not the time to take on more credit. Say No! to any loan offers, and if your bank refuses your request for a loan, believe it or not, they are probably doing you a favour. Furthermore, if you run into difficulties, talk to your bank and explore your options - before the situation becomes critical.

Interest rate up by 0.5%
[Michael Appel] Despite economists and analysts across the board forecasting a 100 basis point increase, Reserve Bank Governor Tito Mboweni on Thursday, 12 June 2008, raised the repo rate by 50 basis points.

Who wants to be a trillionaire...? I don't...
[Dumisani Ndlela] There's one thing that does not add up to one big spectacular zero at the moment in Zimbabwe, and that's its banknotes. In fact, the problem is too many zeros in a country with more billionaires than any other nation on earth - but Zimbabwe's 'rich' are starving.

BPO starting to drive insurance policy admin
[Jonathan Steiman] Today's increasingly competitive marketplace elevates the importance of flexibility and efficiency in the administration processes surrounding life insurance policies.

Bizcommunity.com beefs up Gauteng sales team
After losing some heavyweight sales people in Gauteng at the beginning of the year Bizcommunity.com is happy to announce that heavy artillery, in the form of Riaan Kriel, will be employed in the Gold City as from the beginning of July.

Woolies launches men's skin care range
Woolworths has just introduced a comprehensive range of men's skin care products.

Cape campaign scoops gold in New York
JWT Cape Town's poster campaign for Jabula Wigs & Wefts has won a gold medal in the design category at the One Show Design Awards, held recently in New York.


On your bike!
Oak Valley, a leading Elgin winery, situated alongside the N2 northeast of Cape Town, has recently launched the Oak Valley Mountain Biking Experience, a series of three mountain biking routes on this beautiful 1,786ha mountainside farm.

Edcon outlook revised to negative
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has revised its outlook to negative from stable on Edcon.

Kids have quacking good time with Goggles
Nestlé Nutren Junior's brand ambassador visits children in the paediatric ward at Life Vincent Pallotti Hospital to spread a bit of cheer.


Brewer adds to local froth
[Zweli Mokgata] SABMiller uses local launch of iconic Dutch beer to reaffirm its position as one of South Africa's great success stories - a world-beater.

SAB to relaunch iconic Grolsch in R30m campaign
[Nicola Mawson, Consumer Industries Correspondent] SABMiller's new super premium beer will go head-to-head with Amstel and Heineken, according to an analyst.

Sweetening a bum deal
Canderel has announced that it is sponsoring actress Shelley Meskin's first theatre production, ‘Does My Bum Wobble?' which she co-wrote with award-winning writer, Thomas Hall.


Backing a green future
Backsberg Wine Estate was awarded the Mail & Guardian Greening the Future prize for energy efficiency and carbon management at this year's ceremony held in Johannesburg on 5 June 2008, which coincided with World Environment Week.


Halls - In space no one can hear you scream! - Cadbury South Africa
Halls throat lozenge brand has produced a new ‘out-of-this-world' television commercial that's sure to give South Africans something to shout about when it hits small screens later this month.


Semillon's stake in gold

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Stellenzicht Semillon Reserve, one of South Africa's top white wines, made from a single vineyard block on the slopes of the Helderberg outside Stellenbosch, has been awarded a gold medal for its 2004 vintage at the 2008 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show held recently. "It's great that this 2004 Semillon Reserve has now been recognised "officially" by the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show..." said winemaker, Guy Webber. "Having just returned from a two week-long excursion into Europe, where this particular wine was poured many times in different countries, it is clear to me that the quality and style of our Semillon Reserve is well accepted and respected by those 'in the know' in the UK, France, Belgium, Germany and Sweden."

Cell phones still hot; more mobile advertising proposed
Survey finds that people in the US may cut back on going out to dinner, but many will not cut back when it comes to buying the latest/smallest/funkiest cell phone. And that's good news for advertisers.

Parents in the dark
A recent Symantec study, the Norton Online Living Report, fielded by Harris Interactive, reports how kids and adults are spending their time online, do they talk to strangers, treat online friends different than offline friends, look for a date, pay a bill, play a game, or compare to the rest of the world?

Mobile advertising: 18-24-year-olds lead the parade
The usage of picture/video phones is growing among all age groups in the United States, according to research carried out by BIGresearch, a US-based consumer intelligence firm.

The battle of traditional versus new media in emerging African markets
As marketers look at the diverse markets of Africa they undoubtedly see endless opportunities for their products and services. But getting their brands to impact and motivate consumer choice has become more and more difficult in the extremely fragmented and rapidly evolving media scene that is typical of the region.

Helping to keep kids in school
Pep Stores has launched the Student Prince Academy to provide after-school core competence training in literacy, numeracy and life skills to hundreds of Grade 4 children in Gauteng and the Western Cape.


Go M.A.D!

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August marks the launch of the M.A.D (Make a Difference) World global campaign. M.A.D World aims to inspire people to make a difference to themselves, to others and to the planet. One hundred and eight M.A.D World hearts are moving across the globe, being handed to famous people and not so famous people. Each heart has a unique number and can be tracked, real time, on the M.A.D World website, www.lovemad.org. Individuals who receive the heart are invited to visit the website, plot their heart on the M.A.D World map, make a difference, share their M.A.D act online and then pass the heart on to someone else. Each heart carries with it the potential for change, the chance for individuals to make a difference in the world in which we live. The site also offers over a 1000 suggestions of user-generated ways to make a difference including inspiring stories from around the world. From the smallest action to something large - it's all about doing something. The choice is yours. Make a difference today.

SA takes part in Spanish crafts expo
[Nthambeleni Gabara] The wealth of talent in South Africa's the craft industry is being showcased at the Zaragoza International Expo in Spain.

Potters, start your wheels
Entry is open to members of Ceramics South Africa for the 2008 Corobrik National Ceramics Exhibition, hosted by Ceramics SA.


Halaal on the conference table
The Third International Halaal Conference under the theme “Raising Halaal to new heights” is to be held on 21 July 2008 at Gallagher Estate, Gauteng, South Africa. The conference will be hosted concurrently with the Africa Big 7 exhibition, featuring the successful Halaal World introduced last year. Click here for conference registration and exhibition details.

McDonald's SA has plans to supersize
[Nicola Mawson, Consumer Industries Correspondent] Fast food group McDonald's, one of the largest landowners in the world, is set on expanding aggressively in SA.

New one shop Movie Stop
With the cost of living rocketing skywards, and reports* calculating that 73% of consumers are cutting down on entertainment and going out, Ster-Kinekor has launched a new DVD rental option aimed at keeping consumers affordably entertained.

Sunspray receives HACCP accreditation
Sunspray Food Ingredients, independent manufacturer of spray-dried ingredients, has received its HACCP accreditation from the SABS. HACCP, which stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, is a systematic preventive approach to food safety.

Banner year expected for SA wines in the USA
Cape Classics, reputedly the largest importer of fine South African wine into the USA, expects 2008 to be a banner year, building on the success of fiscal year 2007, which was the strongest in the company's history.

South African maize heads to Harare
A 300,000 ton consignment of South African white maize is currently being dispatched to Zimbabwe a few weeks ahead of the 27 June presidential election re-run.

SA, Thailand to expand trade relations at business expo
South Africa will be looking to further expand trade relations with Thailand at the 8th annual Thailand Exhibition in South Africa next week.

SA company joins the heavyweights to serve Africa
Concargo, a South African-based expert in supply chain management activities, has successfully qualified in becoming the first African member of The Heavy Lift Group (THLG).

Investors look to logistics, transport
[Praveen Ojha] Financial deals in Africa's transportation sector: shipping and aviation dominate the industry landscape in early 2008.

SA's top logistics company announced
Imperial Logistics has been awarded the National Logistics Award 2008 at the National Business Awards' gala event on May 28th. The event was hosted by Topco Media in association with their annual publication, SA's Top Performing Companies, and was attended by 600 representatives from government, business and industry. The National Logistics Award is one of 15 business accolades that celebrate excellence in business in various categories and industries. For more information about the awards and category winners, go to itinews.co.za

Polymer rate hike to hit packed food
NEW DELHI, India, 6 June - There is one more reason why your grocery bill may shoot up in the next few days. Packaging costs are expected to rise substantially, which could push up the prices of branded consumer products.

Spice it up this season!
Consumers now have the opportunity to be creative with mince dishes by adding some Mexican flavour to their meals. When buying a packet of Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix and any mince packet at 15 Pick n Pay Hypers around the country, consumers will get R5 off the total price. The promotion will run from June to August this year and the coupon offer will be stickered on all mince packets in the butchery aisle and the seasoning mix will be merchandised in this section. The Old El Paso range also offers a variety of meal kits where spicy mince can be added to tacos, burritos and fajitas.

New legislation on medicines to save consumers 20%
[Gabi Khumalo] The Single Exit Price legislation introduced by the Department of Health has resulted in an approximate 20% savings for consumers on medicines, according to Board Healthcare Funders (BHF) of Southern Africa.

Microsoft releases hounds on pirate resellers
Microsoft has launched a salvo of piracy lawsuits against computer resellers the corporation claims have sold PCs with pirated copies of Windows and Office pre-installed. Microsoft investigators say they gained several tip-offs from the company's anti-piracy phone hotline as well as its Genuine Advantage verification system.

Kenya hits Coca-Cola with excise tax
Coca-Cola's Kenyan operations have received a hard knock with a ruling from the Revenue Authority that will force the company to pay excise tax on costs incurred washing and sanitizing returned soda bottles.

It's mobi click!
Global Mobile Yellow Pages launched in Cape Town.

Intersecting commuters to create opening awareness
Game recently contracted Primedia@Home's Intersect Direct team to aid the launch of two new stores in Richards Bay and Potchefstroom and create an awareness of the retail chain's opening specials.


Markex Parasol special - Right Stuff
Right Stuff is currently exhibiting at Markex and World of Events 2008, where several of its portable advertising products are on display. In conjunction, there is a special running on the 1.9m Parasol for June 2008. The show runs until 12 June at the Sandton Convention Centre.

When PCI compliance isn't enough
[Jack M. Germain] US - High-profile data breaches continue to spotlight the growing risks consumers face of identity theft and credit card fraud. Four highly visible data breaches disclosed in the last 18 months are particularly worrisome because they show a systemic failure in the procedures that both the public and regulatory agencies expect companies to get right.

Better tech support in 3 easy steps, Part 1
Building a good tech support team is no easy task, and getting started on the right foot is essential for success. That means choosing the right people for the job, writes Journyx's Randy Miller.

Make your web site work for you
A company's Web site should capture its personality and clue visitors in on what kinds of customers it is targeting, advises Steve McKee. Also, it should maintain a style throughout, so don't have the font size grow smaller or larger as you scroll down each page.

Open source development is smart business
Open source is more than a marketing buzzword - it is a developer state of mind delivering real returns to companies and the broader market, writes Dave McAllister, director of standards and open source for Adobe Systems.

The asterisk on the 3G iPhone's price tag
[Dwight Silverman] Apple has named the next iteration of its game-changing mobile device the "iPhone 3G", which calls attention to a feature missing from the original release - the ability to grab information from the Internet at near-broadband speeds. However, the fact that the new iPhone will use AT&T's zippy 3G network is not its killer feature.

IBM throws cold water on hot chips
It's amazing how hot advanced microprocessors can get - their heat dissipation can approach 1 kilowatt, 10 times that of a hotplate. IBM's latest idea to keep them cool is to pipe water through them. Its latest cooling technology runs hair-thin water conduits through stacked chips, chilling them them out much more efficiently than conventional backside cooling. The hard part: Creating a water-tight seal.

The happy collision of collaboration and competition in the mobile world
Silos and walled gardens are giving way to collabetition in the mobile handset industry. Faced with customer demands to innovate at nearly light speed, mobile handset makers are discovering that collaborating and using open source software can help them develop products faster, writes Morgan Gillis, executive director of the LiMo Foundation.

Web #2 ad medium in five years
According to a recently released study by IDC, the US Internet Advertising 2008-2012 Forecast and Analysis, overall Internet advertising revenue will double from $25.5 billion in 2007 to $51.1 billion in 2012. During the forecast period, Internet advertising will grow about eight times as fast as advertising at large.

On-demand PLM provider achieves gold again
Eqos Ltd, a UK-based provider of on-demand PLM, global sourcing, and supplier management solutions for the retail supply chain, has announced that it has achieved Microsoft Gold Certified Partner status for the second consecutive year. Gold Certified Partners, who maintain close working relationships with Microsoft, represent the highest level of competence and expertise with Microsoft technologies.

Putting the consumer at the centre of search
[Gerry Bavaro] Over the past couple of weeks, I've had the opportunity to digest the thought-provoking, inspiring conversations that occurred at this year's Search Insider Summit. It's clear to me that we as an industry are beginning to view search more holistically.

Warning: New Ransomware making the rounds
A new malware variant is making its way around that encrypts nearly every type of file on a victim's hard drive. The malware contains a ransom note offering a decryption key to the user for a price. A US-based company, Kaspersky Lab, which discovered the malware, is working on cracking the 1,024-bit RSA encryption code.

KwaZulu-Natal youth to access agri opportunities
[Siboniso Ntuli] KwaZulu-Natal youths will be able to access more opportunities within the agriculture sector through the provincial Youth in Agriculture Rural Development Forum which was launched on Saturday, 14 June 2008.