Do these 'feel-good' ads really inspire goodwill?
The latest Shell ad lauds Shell's Public Affairs manager for his involvement in developmental and educational projects in Southern Africa. 8 Jan 2004
TV slots and dodgy advertising
What must be arguably THE WORST ad on TV at the moment!! There is an ad that I have seen a few times now on the telly. It is for some funny sweet manufacturer and involves two minutes or so of a kid dressed up as a ringmaster droning on about various examples of sweets. 4 Jan 2004
The new Cell-C campaign
Am I the only one out there who thinks that NO-ONE talks like they do in these ads? Not even the age group projected in the campaign knows what's going on! 16 Dec 2003
What's up with retail ads in general?
Sure, you get some good ads - retail - but why are most so crap, that they totally put you off a product. 18 Nov 2003
Original ideas
Is it really true that great minds think alike or is it just that great ideas are adopted over and over again. 10 Nov 2003
New DROS commercial - completely inappropriate voice-over
Has anybody seen the new Dros Restaurants commercial in which the people (and the restaurant chain) are portrayed as fiercely patriotic South Africans? 6 Nov 2003
Holding advertising accountable
If advertising is to be seen as an investment and not an expense, surely agencies should do more to show evidence of the link between their work and their client's business imperatives. 16 Oct 2003
Is advertising becoming more of a science than an art?
With more and more people from a non-art and -design background such as social and cultural sciences being employed in the advertising industry, has advertising become more of a science using experiments and cultural/social research to observe and scrutinise a target audience's interests, as opposed to witty, snappy, memorable copylines and imagery? 6 Oct 2003
Shouldn't the Loeries be a non-profit organization?
Where does all the money go? Should it be used for development projects or helping deserving winners with entry fees for international awards instead of going into the MFSA's coffers? 3 Oct 2003
Agency pitches
As a smaller agency, how does one get to hear of work out for pitch, or indeed new clients looking for world class agency's to handle their accounts. 26 Sep 2003
Bad Planning
"Why, am I as an avid English Football fan who is, let's face it, in all likelihood English speaking, subjected to ads at half-time promoting sokkie treffers and Bok jol? What are these idiots thinking?" 22 Sep 2003
Freelancing & 'intellectual property'
How do creatives, without the benefit of agency backing, 'protect' their creative from shady clients? 28 Aug 2003
Should gambling ads be banned?
The National Gambling Bill was tabled in parliament on Wednesday. Among other things, it proposes a ban on casino advertising. 20 Aug 2003
Two Faced Brand Identities
Why do brands sell a lifestyle they don't support? 21 Jul 2003
Strategic Planning
With the outflow of experience from SA, clients are placing junior staff (unfairly) into senior marketing positions. 6 Jul 2003
The ARA and alcohol advertising
The Industry Association for Responsible Alcohol Use (ARA), comprising the major alcohol-producing companies of South Africa, has stated their position on alcohol advertising on their website, www.ara.co.za. 30 Jun 2003
5FM TV campaign ''Go With It''
With 5FM's latest campaign "GO WITH IT", who actually goes with it? 23 Jun 2003
Continued lowering standards for black radio advertisements
Myself and other people that fall within this market have really been offended by the lack of dedication by radio producers and audio directors from ad agencies. 19 Jun 2003
Is Dulux pushing it?
In the latest Dulux advert, a photo of Happy Sindane - the teenager who claims he was abducted from a white family and raised in a township - appears above the tagline: "Any colour you can think of". 18 Jun 2003
Transform or abandon the Loeries
Jabu Mabuza, chairman of the Marketing Federation of South Africa, has called on the industry to transform or abandon the Loeries. 13 Jun 2003
New Opel Campaign
I saw the new Opel Corsa (Classic i think) Tv ad last night and heard some radio ads this morning. It's all comparative ads against the Polo and uses the line "better than Polo" if i remember correctly. 11 Jun 2003
Advertising on Cows! Why not kids?
I read in the Advantage Magazine that a overseas company is selling advertising space on cows!? 5 Jun 2003
Subliminal advertising
After the furore of subliminal advertising a few years ago is it still practised in South Africa? 5 Jun 2003
Are black copywriters ever considered for awards?
It's just that I noticed that there aren't any in all the ads of the month/year. Yet most of these ads are supposed to be talking to Black audiences. 2 Jun 2003
The VW Golf Ad
What do you think of the new VW Golf Ad (the one where the bloke can't get it up, then goes for a spin in his Golf and comes back home ready for action)? 31 May 2003
How many adverts can you squeeze into a cinema full of people waiting to watch the Matrix?!
I admit I did not count but it was about ten too many!!! 28 May 2003
Bus shelter, sweet bus shelter
I find the new Standard Bank adverts on bus shelters quite offensive and I'm quite surprised because of Standard bank being as family orientated as they are. 28 May 2003
Impact of poor Springbok Performance on advertising revenues during World Cup
Will the continuing poor performance of the South African rugby side have a negative impact on advertising revenues during the upcoming World Cup? 27 May 2003
Half-naked ladies - not music to my ears
What is it with hair care and skin care adverts using half naked chicks, doing somersaults and handstands in galeforce wind conditions, to sell their products? 20 May 2003
