SOUTH AFRICA

[2013 trends] Internal communication: high value, low cost

[Daniel Munslow] Looking back at the internal communication landscape in South Africa over the past year, and the trends that we are implementing in dozens of companies across Africa, here are some of the highlights of what can be expected in this specialised discipline in 2013. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

[2013 trends] Everything's so serious - time we loosened up a little!

[Karen Ashwin] In reviewing the past few years from an events perspective, I'm tempted to ask: "Where did all the fun go?" As both the South African and the international events industries have grown, developed, matured and become increasingly competitive - all within the context of the global economic crisis - I might be forgiven for thinking that the game plan has changed. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

[2013 trends] Cheaper, better, faster

[Gillian Rightford] The biggest change in South Africa will be the continued growth of mobile and online, and how this affects everything we do - all of our buying habits, from deodorant to cars, and how, when and where we do it. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

[2013 trends] Social media marketing and the youth

[Bradley Maseko] The following is a breakdown of social media marketing trends for 2013.This year I take a look at both external (the youth market) and internal (business marketing efforts) trends that I predict will play a crucial role in further cementing the role of social media marketing in the overall marketing strategies for most brands and businesses seeking to effectively engage the youth market through social media platforms. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

[2013 trends] The old 'new' rules for language

[Tiffany Markman] Here's my list of old 'new' language rules for 2013: things that have evolved over the last few years, things pro writers are using in certain contexts and things you will see more and more in today's writing, now that you know what to look for. [Please note: the listed items are to be used only in light of the mini-disclaimer at the bottom.] Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

[2013 trends] Game on for retailers going mobile

[Steve Cragg] As crisis-hit Europe continues to impact economic growth, and projections for the local economy are trimmed, the battle for a share of consumer spend is getting increasingly fierce. Retailers will rely on technology to drive innovative discount models and integrated loyalty programmes by optimising the one device every consumer has access to already - even in-store - the mobile phone. Read more >>

AFRICA

African films to look out for in 2013

Here is a selection of eight films from five African countries to look out for in 2013, the year of the 23rd edition of FESPACO - bi-annual pan-African film and television festival of Ouagadougou. Read more >>

AFRICA

Exset partners with Digital Telemedia

In a move set to redefine digital migration in India and the digital pay TV space in emerging markets, including across Africa, Exset, pioneers of TV ecosystems for emerging markets, and Digital Telemedia (DTM) have announced their co-operation with Digital Telemedia becoming a Digital Monetisation System (DMS) technology partner. Read more >>

TOGO

Police target journalists during protest

At least four journalists were reported injured by police while covering an anti-government protest in Togo's capital, Lomé, last Thursday, according to news reports. Read more >>

EGYPT

Egyptian-Jordanian media cooperation

Information Minister, Salah Abdel-Maqsoud on Monday 14, January 2013, met Jordanian counterpart, Samih Maayatah to discuss means of boosting bi-lateral cooperation in the field of media. Maayatah is currently on a visit to Egypt to attend the 44th Session of Arab Information Ministers' Council, which is being held on from 15-16 January. Source: allAfrica

AFRICA

Orange, Baidu partner to drive mobile data adoption

Orange has signed a strategic partnership - on an exclusive basis - with Baidu, the Chinese internet company, to develop a co-branded internet browser for smartphone customers in Africa, the Middle East and Asia (AMEA). Read more >>

NIGERIA

Etisalat partners with Eskimi to strengthen position

Eskimi, one of Nigeria's social networking platforms and Etisalat Nigeria have teamed up to provide Etisalat subscribers and Eskimi fans quicker access to the social networking site through the speed dial option on the Etisalat-branded Opera Mini browser. Read more >>

AFRICA

Veteran broadcaster Sam Sibanda dies

State media reported this weekend that veteran Radio 2 broadcaster Sam Sibanda died early Sunday morning [13 January 2013] at his home in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe. Read more >>

UNITED STATES

Will technology kill us or make us stronger?

NEW YORK, US / JOHANNESBURG, SA: McCann "Truth about Wellness" global research study reveals multiple contradictions & cultural upsets around the world. More than half of respondents (54%) think that technology is making us healthier while 46% think it is making us sicker; globally 94% of consumers agree brands have a role in supporting their wellness needs. Read more >>

UNITED KINGDOM

Pearson to close UK adult training division

LONDON, UK: British publisher Pearson, owner of the Financial Times newspaper, has announced that it will close its adult training unit, in the first announcement made under new group chief executive John Fallon. Read more >>

UNITED KINGDOM

Copyright and the world of online news

[Ilse du Plessis] LONDON, UK / BERLIN, GERMANY / PARIS, FRANCE / BRASILIA, BRAZIL: The way in which we keep up with the news has changed greatly over the past decade. How many of us still buy a daily newspaper? Many of us opt to get our news from a variety of online sources. Read more >>

UNITED STATES

What is content marketing & why should you care

[Jessica Davis] Everyone is talking about content marketing these days - but what exactly is it and why should you care? Content marketing is a marketing activity that focuses on creating and distributing engaging, relevant, and valuable content to acquire and retain customers, and to build a stronger brand. It is the art of attracting customers to your products without an obvious sales pitch. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

How to identify bogus colleges

Is that college you have chosen a real thing? Here's how to spot the bogus one. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Festive season safety campaign a success

[Gabi Khumalo] The Operation Duty Calls National Festive Season Crime-Fighting campaign has so far been a success with over 67,000 suspects arrested in all nine provinces, says Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Hawks nab suspected FET college fraudsters

[Eric Mashaba] Three people suspected of running bogus Further Education and Training (FET) campuses in Limpopo will appear in court on Wednesday on fraud charges. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Zille zaps Mthethwa's court action

The Western Cape High Court yesterday announced its dismissal of Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa's urgent interdict against the commission set up by Premier Helen Zille last year, reports Mail & Guardian. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Taxpayers plan to retire in poverty

How many South Africans will be able to afford to retire? Here are some numbers based on the recently released SA Revenue Service statistics for 2012. Read more >>