SOUTH AFRICA

[2013 trends] Africa finding its own solutions using mobile tech

[Dr KF Lai] There are several key trends that will present themselves in 2013. From m-payments to HIV/AIDS prevention, emerging markets are leading the way when it comes to innovative uses of mobile technology. Marketers, too, are seeing their roles and responsibilities expand. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

[2013 trends] A virtuous cycle - appscriptions, augmented, apocalypses and other apt trends

[Gisele Wertheim Aymes] The world is more interdependent and interconnected than ever before. Technology is ensuring the free flow of ideas, information and energy; creative co-operation and influence; and is bringing change across the globe that is happening at an unprecedented and accelerated rate. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

[2013 trends] From data to honesty, it's getting personal

[Janice Spark] South Africa is a complicated place - each year outdoes the last in the 'magnitude of change' stakes. And we just know this year will deliver even more surprises. Nonetheless, important trends appeared across the brandscape during 2012. Here I explore the key brand moments of the year just passed, and takes a peek at what might be ahead. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

[2013 trends] Tracking and training

[Chamendran Naidoo] As we gaily simulate horse-riding while singing in Korean, the eyes of judgment fall upon us for clinging to the relics of yesteryear. Don't allow yourself to get caught doing last years' exercises or wearing scrubs that are "Soooo 2012", oh my readers. This year, you're going to be ahead of the curve and I'm going to help you do just that. Presenting the health trends of 2013... Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

[2013 trends] Looking ahead at retail, shopper marketing in SA

[Bernard Matlhaga] The following are my thoughts on trends that will emerge in the retail and shopper marketing space in South Africa. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

[2013 trends] Media and advertising regulation in 2013

[Gail Schimmel] So here we are in 2013 - the Mayan trend predictions for 2012 having spectacularly failed to materialise, leaving some of us with hangovers and debt that we had secretly hoped would be wiped clean in a Mayan-flavoured apocalypse. Now is the time for us to look into our crystal balls, and see if we can get our predictions for media and advertising regulation a bit more spot-on than the poor Mayans did. Read more >>

AFRICA

Mobile marketing leads the way...

[Yusuf Begg] When most people see 'mobile' in front of the word marketing they're confused, fearful and ambivalent towards the industry. They immediately think 'SMS', 'spam' and 'inconvenience'. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Digital marketing 2013: Lessons from the past

[Amy Johnson] At midnight on 31 December 2012, champagne was popped and the year 2013 was ushered in. The start of a new year always brings about change, or at least the resolve to change. In the business world, it's no different. Marketing strategists and account managers will be on the lookout for trends that they can implement into their digital marketing strategy for the New Year. So what are these trends? What are the best practice tips to implement them? And how are they arrived at? Read more >>

AFRICA

ICOM+IN appoints Niche IMC in Nigeria

ICOM+IN, a global network of independent advertising and marketing communications agencies, has appointed Niche - Integrated Marketing Communications in Lagos, to represent the network in Nigeria. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Easy-Up Cost-Effective Gazebo

[Issued by Right Stuff] There's no need to compromise on quality when it comes to the Right Stuff range of gazebos. Their new Easy-Up Cost-Effective Gazebo continues this tradition of high quality outdoor branded products which offer not only superior design and finish, but also competitive pricing, not to mention the ease-of-use. Read more >>  visit press office >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Make and market stuff that matters

[Anton Ressel] By 2050, it is estimated that the earth's human population will be 9.07 billion. 62% of the people will live in Africa, Southern Asia and Eastern Asia - numerically this is the same as if all the world's current population lived in just these three regions. In addition, another 3 billion will be spread across the rest of the world. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Africa advancing digitally

[Issued by Bluegrass Digital] Bluegrass Digital, a London-born, Cape Town-based digital agency, is bridging the gap between south and west Africa. Experts in website technology, development, online marketing and forward-thinking, Bluegrass have now set their sights on the west after working in collaboration with various ad agencies in Nigeria. Read more >>  visit press office >>

NIGERIA

Lagos to host Social Media Week

Social Media Week, powered by Nokia for a third year, will for the first time take place on the African continent in Lagos, Nigeria from 18-22 February 2013, under the theme 'Open & Connected: Principles for a Collaborative World'. Read more >>

AFRICA

AABLA nominations now open

The All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) will once again honour its captains of industry in 2013. Following the successful rollout in 2012, nominations for the AABLA are now open. Read more >>

KENYA

Reporting Kenya website launched

The Institute for War and Peace Reporting and the Wayamo Communication Foundation announced the launch of ReportingKenya.net, a new online platform for Kenyan journalists covering transitional justice and politics. Read more >>

AFRICA

AFCON 2013 music video released

The music video for AFCON 2013, entitled "Our passion powers Africa", was released last week. The video is a collaboration between Nigerian music celebrity, Don Jazzy, ad agency, Cheil Worldwide and content producer, Embassy. [video] Read more >>

AFRICA

Recruitment in Africa: Predictions for 2013

[Mark Gray] In the last five years, online recruitment has become an essential HR practice with US research showing 92% of companies now recruit via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Seven in ten companies have successfully hired this way. Read more >>

AFRICA

The 'Philips African Dialogues' to discuss Africa's retail reality

CNBC Africa, the continent's business television news channel, will be screening the third episode of the series, 'The Philips African Dialogues', and will discusse 'Africa's Retail Reality', touching on a generation of consumers on the rise, the booming middle class and a critical mass of city dwellers. Read more >>

UNITED KINGDOM

Informa analyst comments on Nokia's results

LONDON, UK: David McQueen, principal analyst at Informa Telecoms & Media, comments on Nokia's financial results. Read more >>

FRANCE

In the Digital Age, the power of print should not be overlooked

PARIS, FRANCE / DARMSTADT, HAMBURG, GERMANY: The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers' (WAN-IFRA) 4th annual Printing Summit, to be held in Hamburg, Germany, in March, will focus on design, digital printing, energy savings and innovation for maximizing revenues from newspapers in print. Read more >>

FRANCE

60th Cannes Lions opens for entries

CANNES, FRANCE: The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is now accepting entries into all 16 categories: Branded Content & Entertainment Lions, Creative Effectiveness Lions, Cyber Lions, Design Lions, Direct Lions, Film Craft Lions, Film Lions, Press Lions, Media Lions, Mobile Lions, Outdoor Lions, Promo & Activation Lions, PR Lions, Radio Lions, Titanium & Integrated Lions, and the brand new Innovation Lions. Read more >>

UNITED STATES

Cybercrimes rise but Internet speeds fall

WASHINGTON, USA: Global Internet connection speeds around the world slowed in late 2012, according to a survey released on Wednesday (22 January) that suggested a temporary stall in broadband gains. Read more >>

UNITED STATES

iPhone sales fly in US but Android rules the world

SAN FRANCISCO, USA: Apple's iPhone remained the most popular smartphone among US buyers in the closing months of 2012 while Android handsets were on top worldwide, Kantar Worldpanel ComTech reported on Tuesday (21 January). Read more >>

UNITED STATES

Firefox smartphone from Mozilla

SAN FRANCISCO, USA: The Mozilla Foundation on Tuesday (22 January) unveiled two preview smartphones as it invited developers to try its new open-source mobile operating system that it hopes will challenge Apple's iOS and Google's Android. Read more >>

UNITED STATES

2013 ONE SHOW: Deadline - 31 January

NEW YORK, US: There are less than two weeks left to enter the 2013 One Show! Who will be this year's One Show Best of Show? Or Green Pencil winner for the most environmentally-conscious work? Enter now and see if you have what it takes to win a Gold Pencil. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

The business of corporate social responsibility

Ever since the dawn of the industrial age, debate has raged over whether or not companies carry a responsibility solely to make profit, or whether they have a responsibility to the society from which they generate a profit. As a company in the gaming industry, Tsogo Sun is mandated by our bid commitments to give back to society and the communities in which we operate, but I believe there is much to be said for 'doing good while doing good business', writes Noëleen Bruton*. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

R24.6bn spent on consultants

The Office of the Auditor General on Thursday called for stricter controls on the use of consultants by government after a performance report found that eight government departments had spent R24.6bn on consultants in a three-year period. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Repo rate remains unchanged at 5%

The Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has kept the repo rate unchanged at 5% in line with market expectations. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

ANC to meet FNB on 'that' ad

NEWSWATCH: An ANC delegation is to meet with FNB representatives today at 11am at Luthuli House to discuss First National Bank's 'You Can Help Campaign', reports IOL, which also reports that the Democratic Alliance wants a probe of state adspend in The New Age. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Presidency disappointed at FNB adverts

The Presidency says it is "disappointed and surprised" by the one-sided First National Bank campaign. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

CAR sees 'that' ad, and does their ad

All revved up and ready to go, CAR decided that what with bank advertising campaigns being top of mind around now, and the ANC blowing their top, what better time to show that when the magazine advertises (on radio this time), it does so on all cylinders... Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Revamped Europcar website offers launch specials

Europcar is offering a host of promotions on its car rentals and chauffeur service in conjunction with the relaunch of its website. The site now offers a quicker and more streamlined booking process in three simple steps, ensuring stress free and simplified car rental. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Cruising the Med: MSC announces summer cruises changes

The beautiful city of Dubrovnik in Croatia has been added to MSC Fantasia's 8-day/7-night summer cruise, further enhancing a voyage of discovery that will take MSC travellers into the very heart of ancient Greece and some of the most beautiful destinations in the eastern Mediterranean. Read more >>