SOUTH AFRICA

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

Zambia: Rising levels of resentment towards Zimbabweans
Zimbabweans seeking greener pastures in neighbouring Zambia - and an escape from the election violence wracking the country - are becoming increasingly concerned at the rising levels of contempt directed against them.

Malawi: Budget crisis threatens farm spending
Another year, another budget crisis in Malawi, with the opposition once again flexing its muscles by threatening to block the passing of the treasury vote.

Demystifying voice and data communications systems
Alcatel-Lucent is organising a customised workshop for media professionals in Egypt in order to enhance their understanding of the "how and why" of voice and data communications systems, networks and terminology and the impact of these technologies on business decisions and opportunities.

AFRICA

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.

Where are the election observers?
There are no election observers officially on the ground with just 17 days left before Zimbabwe's presidential run-off ballot.

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

Mobile Football Trivia game hits Nigerian market - Starfish Mobile
Starfish Mobile Nigeria has teamed up with international mobile network operator Celtel Nigeriato to launch the second Mobile Football Trivia Game in Africa.

ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe slaps import duty on foreign newspapers
Zimbabwe has imposed an import duty on the foreign press following concerns by President Robert Mugabe's government over "hostile foreign newspapers coming into Zimbabwe," state media said on Saturday, 7 June 2008.

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.

Tanzanian band takes on Europe
The Ngoma Africa band, a Tanzanian band based in Germany has released a new single CD Apache Wacha Pombe, which means, “Apache stop over drinking alcohol”. And by all accounts, it's a hit in Europe!

KENYA

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.

East Africa governments told to harmonise trade terms
[Carole Kimutai] Kenya's retail supermarket chain Nakumatt has petitioned East Africa governments to consider harmonising existing trade terms to accelerate regional growth.

SOUTH AFRICA

Four BBC Worldwide channels for DStv
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] BBC Worldwide Channels, in partnership with MultiChoice Africa, has said that it will launch four new channels - BBC Entertainment, BBC Lifestyle, BBC Knowledge and BBC CBeebies - from 1 September 2008 on the DStv platform to replace and build upon the success of its existing channels, BBC Prime and BBC Food. The announcement was made yesterday, Tuesday 10 June, at the Saxon Hotel in Sandhurst, Johannesburg.