16 Apr 2012 |
Africa | Marketing & Media |
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Marketing & Media, Advertising, Branding, Cinema, CRM, CSI, Design, Digital, Direct Marketing, Education & Training, Events & Conferencing, Exhibitions, Magazines, Marketing, Media, Mobile, Newspapers, Online Media, Out Of Home, PR & Communications, Printing, Production, Promotions, Radio, Recruitment, Research, Retail, Sales, Sponsorship, Trends, TV, Youth Marketing, 2012 Design Indaba
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Social media can be a funny thingSocial media can be a funny thing at times. Especially when it comes to breaking news. Over the past couple of weeks I've kept an eye on social media, namely Twitter. With news of the late president of Malawi passing; the president of Mali stepping down and the president of Zimbabwe's health condition. I had first seen the news that Mutharika had a heart attack on Twitter, followed by another tweet mentioning that he had been flown to South Africa for medical attention, later on I saw another tweet saying that he had not yet left Malawi, but would shortly be departing. After a while, I gave up trying to find out a relevant source who could confirm whether or not Mutharika had actually left Malawi. Tweets that I had read, well, at that moment, never mentioned that he went in to cardiac arrest. Nothing was mentioned about where exactly he was. Nothing was confirmed. At midnight, I searched again and followed updates on his condition, still nothing was confirmed. I found it highly frustrating not knowing what the real story was, and even more I didn't know what or who to believe with conflicting reports. With the stepping down of the president of Mali, I however found out while watching television and turned to the social network to read how people were reacting to the news. There was however no conflicting reports around this matter, but it was interesting to see how it was reported. I believed the story more after seeing it on TV, rather than on Twitter. I did however find out on Twitter when the interim president would be sworn in. Another piece of news that really boggled me was that of Robert Mugabe. There were too many mixed reports on Twitter, which led me to believe that it was just another hoax doing its rounds. From Tweets of the president on his death bed - to receiving urgent medical attention - to him on a private visit to arrange his daughter's studies in Singapore, I really didn't know what to believe. This went on for several days. With recent reports of the presidents' health, it wasn't easy to believe which report had the actual facts, although the Zimbabwean government dismissed reports that Mugabe had been hospitalised during his trip. It was only when I had seen footage of him back in Zimbabwe did I believe that he was well. I've come to realise that you cannot believe everything and anything you read on social media. When it comes to breaking news, which is often instant (if you're on Twitter), how do you really know that the facts presented are credible? In news this week: in Malawi, Patricia Kaliati is fired as Information Minister and CEO of MBC; The Daily Times urges the new president, Joyce Banda, to turn MBC into a state broadcaster and the Nigerian internet community has plans to gather information on the history of the internet in the country. Have a great week! Evan-Lee Courie @evan1985Responses to this column welcomed in our online editor's column archive. Send all your Africa marketing news to africanews@bizcommunity.com and opinion pieces to contributors-africa@bizcommunity.com, also take a look at our guide "How to contribute to Bizcommunity, from op-ed pieces to news". Follow Bizcommunity on Twitter @Biz_Africa and join our Facebook page. Top stories
Special focus on media freedom & right to know
PEN American Center yesterday, 12 April 2012, named Eskinder Nega, journalist and dissident blogger in Ethiopia, as the recipient of its 2012 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award. Read more >>
Marketing
[Megan Louw] Over the years, various media commentators have proclaimed the death of email, yet its usage continues to grow year-on-year. While many of email's potential challengers (including instant messaging, social networks, microblogging, VoIP, SMS and collaboration software) have also flourished, none of them have killed email off, or even taken its crown. Read more >>
Advertising
Discovery Networks Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) this week announced the launch of commercial ad sales on an additional three of its five channels. From Wednesday, 18 April, advertisers will be able to book advertising on the women's lifestyle channel TLC, Investigation Discovery (ID) and Animal Planet. Read more >>
CRM
As part of its corporate social responsibility (CRM) programme to empower Nigerian children with quality education via its adopt-a-school initiative, telecommunication services provider, Airtel together with research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare company, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) embarked on a health awareness campaign at a public school in Lagos, Nigeria. Read more >>
Digital
Helios Towers Africa (HTA), the independent telecoms towers operator in Africa, has announced the appointment of Philippe Loridon as CEO of its subsidiary in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Read more >>
Events & Conferencing
Magazines
[Laura Walubengo] A magazine has been launched to cater to the diverse film industry in the country, and the author's hope it will help put a spotlight on the immense talent displayed on Kenyan screens. Read more >>
Media
[Gregory Gondwe: @Kalipochi] Malawi's daily newspaper, The Daily Times has told newly instated president Joyce Banda to change the status of Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) from being a state broadcaster to a public broadcaster. Read more >>
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[Gregory Gondwe: @Kalipochi] Information and Civic Education Minister, Patricia Kaliati and state owned Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) CEO, Bright Malopa have been fired. Read more >>
Mobile
Telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria scooped three awards for its outstanding performance as the 23rd edition of the Enugu International Trade Fair which recently took place in the Enugu State, Nigeria. Read more >>
[Craig Wilson] A new research study has found that SA has some of the least affordable prepaid mobile tariffs on the continent and is falling behind many of its neighbours because of high wholesale call rates between operators. Read more >>
Online Media
Research
It has been disclosed that the Nigerian internet community has commenced plans to gather information on the history of the internet in the country. Read more >>
Retail
Sales
[John Boe] Whether you're conducting a one-on-one interview, motivating your sales team or delivering a keynote address, your success as a leader is defined by your ability to persuade with clarity and passion. In fact, you might say that leadership is synonymous with effective communication. Read more >>
Sponsorship
Airtel Nigeria been unveiled as the official sponsor of the African Movies Academy Awards (AMAA), scheduled to take place on 22 April 2012 at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. Read more >>
TV
[Gregory Gondwe: @Kalipochi] MultiChoice Malawi has announced that a new-format channel, TRACE Sports will be launching on DStv, Channel 129 on Tuesday, 17 April 2012. Read more >>
ATLANTA, US: Christiane Amanpour will host a new daily foreign affairs program on CNN International that will launch today, Monday, April 16, it was announced today. Beginning with the program's launch, the 30-minute daily broadcast of Amanpour, will air weeknights at 3pm, and replay at 5pm. All times are Eastern (6 hours behind South Africa time). Read more >>
DARMSTADT, GERMANY/PARIS, FRANCE: 3 May 2012 marks World Press Freedom Day, an opportunity to celebrate the gains and highlight the work still to be achieved in securing freedom of expression for the world's press. Material on show will include work by South Africa's Zapiro. Read more >>
NEW YORK, US: The Art Directors Club ( www.adcglobal.org), one of the premier organisations for creatives in integrated media and the first global creative collective of its kind, has announced the international winners of the ADC 91st Annual Awards. Read more >>
LONDON, UK: Next week, D&AD is issuing a series of announcements to mark the 50th Anniversary of one of the world's most coveted prizes for creative excellence. Read more >> More International...
In the present economic climate, people's induced thirst for innovation and knowledge has increased the practice of information mapping to encourage them to think and learn new skills as they adapt to new roles. Read more >>
A United States union paid legal fees for a local union to fight US retail giant Wal-Mart's acquisition of local retailer Massmart, according to a report on Wednesday. Read more >>
[Nthambeleni Gabara] Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile says there should be one more consultation process on the Tshwane/Pretoria name change issue. Read more >>
SA's bulk export volumes rose by 20.8% in March from February after having dropped by 21.2% in February from January as mostly iron ore exports out of Saldanha surged by 127.6% month on month (m/m) to a record 5.85 million tons (Mt), Transnet National Ports Authority data showed on Wednesday. Read more >>
Road users who have registered for e-tolls would not have to do so again, the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) said on Thursday. Read more >>
The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes that the response by Sifiso Dabengwa, president and CEO of the MTN Group (Ltd), to allegations of corruption and human rights violations is a fudge, and MTN, meanwhile says it was Turkcell's own failures and not MTN that had caused the Turkish group to lose out on the second cellular licence in Iran. Read more >>
Government has assured South Africans that it is intent on ensuring that the Commission of Inquiry into the Strategic Defence Procurement Package, also known as the arms deal, delivers on its mandate in a transparent manner. Read more >>
Trade union Solidarity is contemplating a major legal onslaught against prison authorities over affirmative action, the union said on Wednesday. Read more >>
President Jacob Zuma has likened Africa's growth pace to that of Asia, saying the continent is fast making good progress economically and is on its way to achieving economic growth and improving the quality of life of Africans. Read more >>
Rural dwellers caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, writes Sarah Wild. Read more >>
[Paul Vecchiatto] Government's review application against the R16.5bn Wal-Mart/Massmart merger cost it R4.1m, says Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel. Read more >> More Government news...
[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] It might not have the sleek and awesome beauty of an Audi R8 V10 or the stream-lined sexiness of a Ferrari or the historical racing pedigree of a Porsche 911 but the ballistic bullet looks of the Nissan GT-R and its blistering performance make it the Alpha dog amongst super sportscars. Read more >>
[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] To increase awareness for its brand - and its range of off-road vehicles in particular - Nissan South Africa has teamed up with social networking adventure website All Terrain, a portal aimed at lifestyle adventure enthusiasts. Read more >> More Motoring news...
[Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel] When assessing the value of something most of us look at what's there. What do we get for our money? At Grootbos, you must consider what's not there. There isn't pollution (unless you're allergic to fynbos pollens), there isn't noise (unless the sound of birds and the crashing sea is bothersome) there aren't crowds - even at full capacity the 1768ha reserve is vast so it is easy to feel oneself alone, in nature. Read more >>
[Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel] As hotelier Nigel Pace takes his first extended holiday in years Brian Berkman asked him what he loved about being a five-star hotel general manager. Read more >>
Nine young men and women from surrounding rural communities comprise the fifth intake at the Singita School of Cooking (SSC) in the Kruger National Park, who will shortly commence training as aspirant chefs. Read more >> More Travel news...
[Eugene Yiga] Mental illness is a serious problem. So serious, in fact, that at some point in our lives one in four of us is likely to be affected. What can we do? For a start, you can bring three friends to see US-born comedian and TV presenter Ruby Wax in Lost It, her one-woman show now playing at Cape Town's Theatre on the Bay. Read more >>
[Daniel Dercksen] Revenge can be sweet. It can also be the best thing that can happen in one's life as in Young Adult, a sensational romance that will steal your heart. Read more >>
[Ruth Cooper] Spoek Mathambo has received a fair amount of exposure, both locally and internationally, but with the recent release of his album " Father Creeper" things are now really starting to move in directions big. We thought it best to capture a few words from the man himself, before his star shoots stellar and phone calls may go unanswered. Read more >>
[Daniel Dercksen] Disturbingly provocative, Puncture is a hard core journey into drug abuse, the addiction to power, and the weakness of human nature. Read more >> More BizLounge news...
International boutique PR consultancy would like to appoint a seasoned professional with Africa and Public Affairs experience to their team. Great opportunity for travel. Read more >> Click here to customise your jobs section
Click here to customise your events section
"What the mass media offers is not popular art, but entertainment which is intended to be consumed like food, forgotten, and replaced by a new dish. (via Good reads)" - W.H. Auden "I think it's brought the world a lot closer together, and will continue to do that. There are downsides to everything; there are unintended consequences to everything. The most corrosive piece of technology that I've ever seen is called television - but then, again, television, at its best, is magnificent. (via Brainy Quote)" - Steve Jobs
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