Polished pitch processes win new business
[Johanna McDowell] Agencies that sell their service through a polished and creative presentation, indicating exactly how they will meet their client's needs, stand a far better chance of creating a lasting impression with the client. This is what makes an advertising agency pitching for new business stand out from the rest of the contenders. In essence, agencies offer similar services and you differentiate yourself from others by taking the “polished and connected” principle into account from the start.


Recession? Freelancers, do more marketing!
[Tiffany Markman] During a recession, like the one South Africa (and, in fairness, everyone else) is looking at right now, scared businesses tend to cut back on marketing. “After all,” they say, “most clients are becoming more cautious about spending, so let's conserve our resources, wait out the downturn and spend when the economy picks up.” Not true, I'm afraid.


Nivasha Naidoo to market “station for the nation”
With a background in the broadcasting and marketing industries, Nivasha Naidoo has been promoted from SABC2 brand manager to SABC2 marketing manager to oversee the various brand portfolios at the national broadcaster, it was announced yesterday, Wednesday, 29 October 2008.

It's summer time and the tourist campaigns are shining
Some of Cape Town's top tourist attractions and organisations - including V&A Waterfront, Goldcircle, Cape Town Routes Unlimited and Cape Town Tourism - have teamed up to present a combined summer campaign for the upcoming holiday season to showcase events all over the Mother City throughout the festive period.


Kids Intellectual Property SA - Egg Marketing & Communications
A closer look at homegrown children's brands and entertainment properties and the licensing thereof.


Bostik Prestik, 101 and then some! - Egg Marketing & Communications
[Charlotte Bradley] Bostik Prestik is the original, reusable adhesive - a fact which is underlined by people's reference to similar products as ‘Prestik', regardless of the brand. The product has become such an integral part of our everyday lives that we sometimes forget how truly unique it is.

MMX Art awarded 2010 FIFA fine art licence
Last week, Global Brands Group announced the appointment of MMX Art as the official licensee of the production and marketing of fine art relating to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This is the first time that art has formed part of the official suite of world cup products.

Agreement allows for free viewing of 2010 matches
COTONOU: Following last week's strategic co-operation agreement between FIFA and the African Union of Broadcasters (AUB), Africans in sub-Saharan Africa will be able to view the 2010 FIFA World Cup free of charge.

Van Rooyen joins McCann Erickson
Robert van Rooyen has joined the McCann Erickson team as executive strategic planning director, effective 1 November 2008. He comes to McCann Erickson after a year at The Jupiter Drawing Room as executive strategic planning director and brings to the McCann family experience and strategic prowess.

2009 One Show call to entry
NEW YORK: The 2009 One Show call to entry begins today, Monday, 3 November 2008. Deadline for submissions is Friday, 30 January 2009.

It's time for the Roger Garlick Awards
Kicking off tomorrow, Saturday, 1 November 2008, is the call to entry for the Roger Garlick Awards, South Africa's own Cannes Media Lions that recognise exceptional innovation in the use of media.

Two Cape Town creatives to judge 2009 D&AD
Almost 250 judges have now been confirmed for the D&AD Awards 2009, with the advertising and digital juries announced yesterday, Wednesday, 29 October 2008. So far, the two South Africans are Draftfcb Cape Town's Glynn Venter on the Direct jury (who was also a Cannes Lion Direct judge this year), and BBDO Cape Town's Ivan Johnson for Radio Advertising.

Global matchmaking site launched for linking creatives, NPOs
NEW YORK: DesignismConnects.org was launched earlier this week by The Art Directors Club, in partnership with Idealist, to support the creative needs of non-profits and connect them with creatives willing to give their time and talent to causes.

New solution for tracking advertising effectiveness
After seven years of development, Francesco Mariola and his team recently launched Media and Business Tracking Solution (MBTS), which is intended to assist the advertising and marketing industries by scientifically linking communication spend to transactional data. MBTS is described as being able to “accurately track and rank advertising spend across all media types, categories and regions, linking the data back to actual sales, or lack thereof”.

Media, marketing industries desperately short on skills
[Chris Moerdyk] I haven't met anyone in the advertising business lately who will dispute the fact that the industry is still far too white. In fact, to that one can add the media and marketing businesses.

Ogilvy wins Cadbury SA account
Following a four-way pitch involving incumbent agency Publicis, Euro RSCG and Saatchi & Saatchi, Cadbury South Africa has appointed Ogilvy as creative agency on its chocolate brands, it announced yesterday, Monday, 27 October 2008. The portfolio includes global giants such as Dairy Milk, Lunch Bar, Crunchie, Flake and Milk Tray.

Another YoungGun of the Month for SA
Once again, a South African has been judged as a YGAward YoungGun of the Month! This time around, it's the turn of Brendan Hoffmann from Joe Public South Africa to be Professional YoungGun of the Month - September 2008 - for Arrive Alive: Number Plates.


A whole new world awaits with Musica - The Jupiter Drawing Room
Fourteen years ago, The Jupiter Drawing Room Cape Town created the ‘Listen with your soul' positioning for Musica. Now, in line with the music retailer's new expanded focus, it has masterminded the new positioning, 'A World Awaits'.


Manhattan Ice Tea - always into you - Stimulii
Never shy of making a commitment, Manhattan Ice Tea, a Clover product, has upped its game plan in its latest strategy to reach the ice tea beverages core target market. The fully integrated campaign, which will be rolled out in conjunction with the most anticipated chick flick to hit the big screens in 2009, He's Just Not That Into You, will offer every girl the ultimate shoulder to cry on.

Feeling inspired: Activate develops brand identity for Westwood Mall - Activate Communication
Using research-driven design in the development and design of a brand guide and logo for Westwood Maal, integrated brand agency Activate, alongside Retail Africa, drew elements from prior research and focused their creative skills on all that was local and natural.


Manchester United and Howard Music? - Howard Music
Adam Howard was recently invited to do the musical direction for the Manchester United Gala Banquet dinner at Emperor's Palace. Howard arranged the music and conducted the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra for this function, at which the Bala Brothers lent their voices.

The cult of the personality
[Thabani Khumalo] A prominent all-African American band, Living Colour, is best remembered for its anthemic single "Cult of Personality", which won it a Grammy Award in 1989. The phrase "cult of personality" was defined by Karl Marx as a country's leader who uses mass media to create a larger-than-life public image through unquestionable flattery and praise. It is similar to general hero worship, except that it is specifically built around political leaders.


Name change for luxury safari company
Luxury safari company CC Africa (Conservation Corporation Africa) announced that it has changed its name to &BEYOND and embarked on the second phase of its global expansion programme yesterday, Thursday, 30 October 2008.

New political party not immune to trademark laws
[Eben van Wyk] As preparations for South Africa's new political party gather momentum ahead of Sunday's planned National Convention in Bloemfontein, so, too, does speculation regarding the possible name of the party. A political party is, however, not immune to the trademark laws of South Africa and would need to choose its name, logo and colour combinations in accordance with the provisions of the Trademarks Act.

New brand campaign for energy giant
Energy giant Total South Africa earlier this month launched its new brand campaign through the line, creating a new platform that is intended to align the group's sub brands to a single value proposition while deepening the mark's connection with South Africans. The campaign has been masterminded by Net#work BBDO. [video]

Nando's new Peri Deli
[Tshepiso Seopa] From the brand that has become synonymous with Peri Peri comes the Peri Deli - a niche brand, smaller-format, contemporary Nando's store that sells freshly prepared grab-and-go fast food.

More praise for HKLM's annual report designs - HKLM
HKLM Exchange has once again been acknowledged for its groundbreaking annual report designs, this time for its Massmart annual report and, for the third time, for its Cotlands report.


Zoom challenges brands that aren't conscious - Zoom Advertising
By publishing an illuminating little book called, ‘The Conscious Brand', Zoom Advertising explains the agency's sustainable approach to business (and life in general) and also aims to inspire its clients and associates to adopt a similar philosophy.

Sun... sand.... and summer madness - Expanding Branding
Over the past four years Umhlanga Rocks has become a festive season hotspot for locals and tourists alike, drawing in crowds of around 30 000 people a day to take part in what is being dubbed “The Beach Event of the Season”.


Trusted consumer brands will hold their own in global turmoil - Brands & Branding
The top 100 Trust Brands have shown little or no decrease in trust levels despite widespread negative economic and business sentiment in South Africa over the past year. In fact, many top 100 have instead shown a small increase in consumer trust perceptions proving that trusted consumer brands will hold their own during the global economic turmoil.

Mozambique short film wins at AiM
The inaugural Africa in Motion (AiM) film festival, the shortlist of which consisted of eight short films by young and emerging African filmmakers, has been won by Rogério Manjate from Mozambique for his short film "I Love You" (2007).

CineMARK are proud to unveil their new corporate identity - CineMARK
After 37 years, CineMARK have updated its old corporate identity to a new and glamorous persona which lets its star quality shine through.

2008 Pentawards winners
The international jury for the Pentawards, a worldwide competition devoted exclusively to packaging design, presided over by Gérard Caron, last week announced its 2008 list of winners. Best of Show, winning the Diamond Pentaward, went to the Piper Heidsieck Rosé Sauvage champagne bottle, signed by the Dutch designers Viktor & Rolf and produced by Sleever International.


Great ideas catalyst: Inspiring collections of African images - Africa Media Online
Africa Media Online's picture library, africanpictures.net, has just launched a useful tool that will not only ease certain picture searches but should spark fresh story ideas: collections of images around frequently-searched-for themes, by some of Africa's greatest photographers.


Nampak and Design Indaba invite designers to compete in Packaging Design Challenge - Nampak Products Ltd
Nampak invites all professional design studios, agencies and freelance designers to compete in the Nampak Packaging Design Challenge and be acknowledged for creativity in the area of packaging and graphic design.

Springleap goes Moto - Springleap.com
The funky young online T-shirt company, Springleap.com, is hosting a summer promotion to find the 100 Trendiest Companies in Cape Town. In an effort to create brand awareness, it has teamed up with GoMoto Motorcycles, which has sponsored a Nippi scooter to power the initiative.


Great Stock! SNAP game hits the mark - Great Stock!
The intriguing Corbis SNAP game launched by Great Stock! is reported to be a resounding success amongst agency, design and publishing creatives, as it enters its fourth week.

“Google joins world of copyright” - ACAP
The ACAP (Automated Content Access Protocol) Project yesterday, Wednesday, 29 October 2008, welcomed the landmark settlement reached in the case brought against Google by the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers (AAP), in which Google has acknowledged publishers' intellectual property rights in the online environment, putting copyright back centre stage of the creative marketplace.

Broken chair clip no longer funny - 'chair'man Nene may sue
NEWSWATCH: It seems as if the joke could be over - politician Nhlanhla Nene, whose video clip of his chair breaking under him during an SABC2 interview went viral last week on the Internet, has confirmed that he has been seeking legal advice against “those who had engineered the laughs at his expense”, reports IOL. In response, reports The Times Online, the SABC, which has formally apologised for the incident and has been conducting an internal investigation on the matter, will defend itself if it is listed as one of the respondents.

Africa predicted for 10% of global WiMax market
Trends show that operators are choosing to use wireless broadband rather than satellite connectivity for cellular backhaul. Africa is one of the most promising regions in the world for WiMax.

The Bookmarks adds a new category for their inaugural awards - The Bookmarks
The Bookmarks, South Africa's very first award for websites, and cutting-edge creative digital and mobile advertising, has created a new category due to popular demand: most effective use of e-mail advertising.

World Wide Creative lands 12 major clients in 12 months - World Wide Creative
A lot has been happening at digital marketing studio World Wide Creative recently. Awesome campaign results; new, glamorous projects; team growth and extensive press coverage. And so, we figured it's only fair to shout from the hilltops about it all...

Digicape iPhones home with new website - Digicape Apple Premium Reseller
Apple reseller Digicape recently launched a new-look website to coincide with the launch of the iPhone 3G, which landed on South Africa's shelves three weeks ago.

KREW Interactive launches for Coco Pops, Bioplus and more! - KREW Interactive
It's the last quarter of 2008 and KREW Interactive is in full swing creating and launching a number of exciting projects! In the past two monthsm KREW has created new websites for Target Search and Selection, Kellogg's Coco Pops and Bioplus, a fully fledged multimedia presentation for Adcock Ingram and an online advertising campaign for Bailey's.


FLUX implements HotDocs product range - FLUX
HotDocs, the international market leader in document automation with more than 400 000 users worldwide, is now available from FLUX, through a partnership with LexisNexis.

SynthaSite snaps up first place in “Community and Social” category in The Industry Standard 100 - SynthaSite
Do-it-yourself free website builder SynthaSite was recently named the winner of The Industry Standard 100 awards in the Community and Social category.

Time is running out to book for the DMASA Assegai Awards Conference - DMASA
Time is running out to book for the DMASA Assegai Awards Conference presented by the South African Post Office on Wednesday, 5 November 2008 at Gallagher Estate in Midrand.

Interaction without distraction - Tollreach
And the countdown begins... Only 36 days, one hour and 16 minutes left to ensure that your brand reaches the right audience, at the right time, at a very reasonable rate per impression, this holiday season.

AFDA offers teaching scholarships in their Master of Fine Arts programme - AFDA
AFDA is offering graduate students a unique opportunity to realise their dream of mastering the craft of motion picture production by researching, developing and participating in the making of a feature film or television series.

End-of-year function ‘stressing' you out? - CBM Training
Learn the A-to-Z in how to prepare, plan and organise your end-of-year function from start to finish in no time! CBM Training, the market leader in public and onsite training in South Africa, is offering you the opportunity to attend a two-day intensive course in event management this November!

Top media consultant gets back behind the microphone - Janine Lazarus Media Consultancy
One of South Africa's top media consultants, Janine Lazarus, will be hosting an evening hard news talk show on a new Jewish community radio station that will be taking to the airwaves in December this year.

Cape convention centre contributes R2.7 billion to SA's GDP
The Cape Town International Convention Centre has contributed an estimated R2.7 billion to South Africa's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during 2007/08.

Taste of Tanqueray Time - Barcode
Gin brand Tanqueray has joined forces with elite bar and beverage service provider Barcode to invigorate the South African cocktail set with an 80-event national campaign.


P and P adds drama this season - P and P Communications
The season of festivities has finally arrived. Christmas, office and staff parties will soon be in full swing - it's time to celebrate the end of another year. Due to popular demand, P and P Communications has extended its events portfolio to incorporate events with a difference that complement any summer year-end bash.

Full House Events spreads poker's five-card fever - Full House Events
Five-card fever is fast spreading across corporate South Africa, thanks to the poker-themed evenings run by Full House Events.


Full House Events and All Africa Poker teach the art of bluffing - Full House Events
It's not only in the movies that a complete novice can take on the pros and stand a fighting chance. An All Africa Poker training evening, powered by Full House Events, helped guests turn beginners luck into real skill.


True Colour Events orchestrates 5000-strong family day for Anglo American - True Colour Events
True Colour Events recetly orchestrated a mammoth family fun day for Anglo American staff and their families at the Inanda Club . More than on 5000 guests gathered at Anglo American's headquarters, from where they were shuttled to the Inanda while True Colour Events concluded what proved to be a challenging, weather-defying set-up.


A Verri eventful beginning! - Verri Organised
Since opening our doors just five weeks ago, we have gone above and beyond to deliver on our promise to source anything, anywhere, anytime! Requests have ranged from the obscure - sourcing giant, illuminated elephant tusks - to the sublime, with the magical transformation of Sandton Convention Centre, shimmering with thousands of bubbles.

Countdown to The Baby Expo Cape Town - The Baby Expo
There are just nine days to go until parenting expo The Baby Expo is delivered in all its energetic glory at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in the heart of Cape Town.

EXSA exhibits corporate character - The Exhibitions and Events Association
It is with regret that EXSA acknowledges the resignation of two long-standing members of the Association - Thebe Exhibitions and Projects and Outdoor Exhibition Organisers.

John Farquhar leaves Advantage
Advantage editor and industry icon, John Farquhar, has resigned as editor. Farquhar, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday, will be returning to MarketingWeb as editor-at-large for Wag the Dog publishers.

Noddy magazine to launch in SA
Lunar Dragon, publishers of TeenZone and Barbie magazines, will be launching Noddy magazine on 1 December 2008. With a heritage of almost 60 years, Noddy is a household name and numerous children have grown up loving this endearing Toy Town character and his friends.

FHM Models 2009 campaign launches on FHM.co.za to huge success - UCM
Since 1 October 2008, FHM readers have voted a whopping 250 000 times on FHM.co.za and via SMS for the FHM Models 2009 of their choice.

Reader-generated issue for teen girl title

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The November 2008 issue of Saltwater GIRL magazine takes the appeal of user-generated content (UGC) and applies it to print. Over the past six months, readers have had the opportunity to write features and submit them for possible inclusion. “It is becoming more and more important to have a relationship with your readers in order for your magazine to be successful and that is for me the most fun part of the job,” comments Mea Neethling, editor of Saltwater GIRL.


Magazine launches networking site to celebrate first birthday

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Fledgling women's magazine Destiny is celebrating its November 2008 birthday issue with the launch of www.destinyconnect.com. The site allows readers to create a free personal or business profile to enable them to meet and network with like-minded women, promote themselves and grow their businesses by creating new business and personal connections. They can also share their thoughts and aspirations via interactive blogs and forums. Destinyconnect.com users will also get brand-new Destiny magazine-related content via Destiny Weekly, and on Destiny TV, which will showcase relevant business and lifestyle content and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from Destiny events and features.

SABC ignores ANC, favours Shikota - claim
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] NEWSWATCH: The SABC has been accused of ignoring the ANC gatherings in favour of Shikota, a new splinter group recently established by the ruling party's dissidents, according to yesterday's (Sunday, 2 November 2008) edition of The Sunday Independent.

2008 John Manyarara Investigative Journalism Awards winners
Charles Mpaka and Mike Chipalasa of the Daily Times, Malawi and Conceição Vitorino of Canal de Mozambique have won the 2008 MISA John Manyarara Investigative Journalist of the Year Award and the MISA John Manyarara Upcoming Investigative Journalist of the Year Award respectively.

Avoid sensationalism in these trying times, media told
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] News headlines such as ‘Exodus', ‘ANC under siege', ‘Ruling party vs ruling party', ‘Desperate ANC fears genuine opposition', ‘50 MPs set to quit ANC', and many more have suggested that South African newsrooms, gatekeepers and reporters are on the ‘high', enjoying every minute of the changing political arena, which is already filled with hate speech and political intolerance. But some observers advise the media to be critically objective and avoid sensationalism in these trying times.

Call for media to join campaign for more press freedom in China
PARIS: The World Association of Newspapers (WAN), the global organisation of the world's press, is calling for newspapers and other media world-wide to join the campaign for more press freedom in China by publishing new advertisements that highlight Chinese repression and call on authorities to allow more freedom of expression.

Sport broadcasting rights regulations: where to from now?
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] The publication in the Government Gazette of the document discussion on the review of sports broadcasting rights regulations by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has generated a lot of talking points, anxiety and fears among advertisers, marketers and some broadcasters. Last night, Tuesday, 28 October 2008, a discussion was held on this burning issue at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) in Illovo, Johannesburg.

8 Ink Media to represent BMW Magazine - 8 Ink Media
8 Ink Media has been appointed official agent for BMW Magazine and will handle all media sales for the title, which has a local print order of 75 000 copies.

Tshabalala-Msimang to open R1.2m community radio building - MDDA
[Montsho Matlala] The Minister in the Presidency Manto Tshabalala-Msimang is expected to open the R1.2 million Moletsi FM community radio station building in Limpopo.

Call to enter Green Innovation Awards

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The second annual Real Simple Green Innovation Awards is calling for entries. The awards applaud homegrown green products, services, solutions and entrepreneurs. Comprising nine lifestyle categories (beauty, design, fashion, food, habitat, household, media and education, service, and inspiration) and an overall green innovation winner, entries are driven via Real Simple magazine and its website, www.realsimple.co.za. A panel of judges will select category winners to be profiled in the April 2009 issue. Comments Real Simple editor Ingrid Corbett, “Together with our brand partner Fleur du Cap, we hope to once again provide readers with the knowledge and motivation to make small, simple changes that may have planet-saving significance. It's also a great opportunity to encourage local designers, architects, entrepreneurs and manufacturers in their efforts, which contribute towards the rise of the global trend of sustainable living.”

AdMob on realising the value in mobisites
Everyone - from large media companies to scrappy startups - are looking to get into the mobile arena and taking stock of the mobile opportunity in South Africa, which is on the verge of an explosion in mobile Internet usage and market penetration This is according to AdMob, the world's largest and fastest growing mobile advertising network, whose director of international operations, Jason Morse, spoke at the Africa Media and Broadcasting Congress at Sandton Convention Centre. Johannesburg, today, Thursday, 30 October 2008. [download]

Updated mobile ad guidelines released
NEW YORK; LONDON, UK; SINGAPORE & SAO PAULO: The updated global Mobile Advertising Guidelines, released yesterday, Wednesday, 29 October 2008, by the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA), address mobile TV and video and multimedia messaging (MMS). The MMA has published regional ad guidelines since 2005 and globalised these in April this year.

2008 Global Mobile Marketing Award finalists released
NEW YORK, LONDON, SINGAPORE & SAO PAULO: The finalists in the fourth annual Global Mobile Marketing Awards, which honour the companies who are successfully using and leading the adoption of the mobile channel for marketing purposes, were released yesterday, Tuesday, 28 October 2008, by the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA).

Using MXit to empower communities
[Sindy Peters] Using the mobile instant messaging platform MXit, Marlon Parker, an information technology lecturer at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, has over the past seven months initiated a rehabilitation programme for drug addicts in the Cape Flats region that has spread out as far as the Eastern Cape. His aim is to use technology to empower underprivileged communities in an area that is rife with poverty, unemployment, drugs and gangsterism.


Clickatell wins 'Best Value Product 2008' from Mobile Industry Review - Clickatell
Clickatell, leading global provider of mobile messaging solutions, has announced it won first place in Mobile Industry Review's (MIR) 2008 Awards ‘Best Value Product' category. Runners up in the category include Google Maps, SpinVox, 3 Pay As You Go, Mippin and others.

Multimedia Solutions garners international recognition - Multimedia Solutions
Multimedia Solutions has been recognised in the first ilovemobilewebawards, winning the commercial and retail section and coming third in the corporate section.

Breaking news SMS service for financial news site
Financial and investment information site Moneyweb has partnered with mobile marketing companies Strike Media and OptionAds to launch an SMS news service. Every morning, noon and late afternoon subscribers to the service receive SMS messages with Moneyweb's current top three headlines, as well as updated quotes for the JSE, gold and oil prices and rand exchange rates against the dollar, pound and euro. Each SMS also contains a link to Moneyweb's mobile site for further information. “We realised that business people spend a lot of time in meetings and often don't have quick and easy access to market information,” says Moneyweb's Chris Buchanan. “This way the information comes to them.”

Google Earth touches down
Earlier this week, Google Earth was released for iPhone and iPod Touch. The Google Earth app displays the same imagery, offers the same navigational capabilities as the desktop client and features layers with geo-located Wikipedia articles and Panoramio photos, as well as map labels and borders. Available in 18 languages, Google Earth can be downloaded for free from Apple's App Store (accessible through iTunes) and is compatible with first- and second-generation models of both iPhone and iPod Touch operating on EDGE, 3G, and other WiFi networks.

Daily Sun, MMP smoke peace pipe
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] The long-running and bitter dispute between South Africa's fast-selling newspaper, Daily Sun, and the Media Monitoring Project (MMP) over the tabloid's labelling of foreigners as ‘aliens' and its alleged xenophobic reporting has finally been settled amicably.

Rondrits to hit the shelves - Rapport
Rondrits, which hit the shelves on Sunday, 2 November 2008, is a new travel supplement in South-Africa's biggest Afrikaans Sunday newspaper, Rapport.


Die Burger's new CD launched - Die Burger
Die Burger just launched its CD, Die Burger se Beste van die Beste. All 38 songs included on the CD have been selected by readers of Die Burger as part of the Kies jou Tune (Choose your Song) campaign - which was run in the newspaper over the past few months.


Fred Mouton's new book now available - Die Burger
Laat Daar Lig Wees, a collection of cartoons from Die Burger's genius cartoonist Fred Mouton is now out on sale. This book includes a selection of cartoons that has been published in the newspaper over the last few years.

SynthaSite kicks off first website building contest
Free website builder SynthaSite announced its global Build the Best SynthaSite contest yesterday, Wednesday, 29 October 2008. The aim is to reward every day web users who design sites using SynthaSite, with money, publicity, free SEO training, and bragging rights.

Show off your street (pole) cred and win
Entries for the 2009 Street Pole Ads Cannes Award, which is currently being launched to top creative agencies across the country, open on Saturday, 1 November 2008. Presented annually by the ADreach Group, the award recognises creative excellence and appropriate application of creative to street pole ads as a unique outdoor medium - with the chance of winning an all-expenses paid trip to attend Cannes Lions.

Pimp your what?
[Chris Roper] Man, you gotta love the new American Swiss billboard on the N1 in Cape Town, and on whatever that road is that takes you to OR Tambo in Joburg. It's a pic of a ring or something, with the words "Pimp your Bride". Fantastic. At last, we have a company that's taking the downturn in the economy seriously, and looking after the consumer.


The Marketing Kraal promotes Move magazine - The Marketing Kraal
Outdoor advertising and media company Marketing Kraal is promoting Move magazine on one its media platforms - wall murals.

Screen Truepress Jet2500UV wins Product of the Year award at SGIA '08 - Kemtek
Attendees of SGIA '08, the annual event for the specialty graphic imaging segment of the printing industry, were treated to award-winning print quality on the Truepress Jet2500UV. Screen's innovative wide-format UV inkjet printer was recognised as Product of the Year at SGIA by the Digital Printing & Imaging Association (DPI).

Sappi 2008 International Printers of the Year
The nine overall winners in this year's Sappi International Printers of the Year Awards, held earlier this month in Cape Town, are: annual reports - Raff (Riederich, Germany); books - Ultra Litho (Johannesburg, South Africa); brochures - Continental Colorcraft (California, North America); calendars - Grafica Facform Impressos (Recife, Brazil); catalogues - A4 Ofset (Istanbul, Turkey); general print - druckpartner Druck-und Medienahaus (Essen, Germany); magazines - Transcontinental Yorkville-O'Keefe (Toronto, Canada); packaging and labels - Grafica Facform Impressos (Recife, Brazil); and printer's own promotion - Pragati Offset (Hyderabad, India). Over 6000 entries were received from participating countries in this year's four qualifying regional competitions. The awards originated in Africa 30 years ago and were introduced in Europe 15 years ago, in North America 11 years ago and in the Trading region eight years ago.

New TV commercial is no monkey business
In a case of primates for prime TV, Savanna has gone to Hollywood for creative inspiration.


Nicci Cox to head Egg JHB - Egg Films
Egg JHB is now running at full steam. In just over a year, the small satellite office, originally opened to house the Humanoids, is now also home to director Slim, plus a soon-to-be-announced new Humanoid director. Since opening, Colin Howard has overseen the Joburg office, but recent growth has made the office ready for its own executive producer and Nicci Cox has been promoted to fill the position.


Bioscope shoots Steers ‘Slo-Mo' - Bioscope Films
Director Hylton Tannenbaum has just completed the latest Steers commercial for King James Johannesburg.


Bioscope launches new director - Bioscope Films
Bioscope has announced the addition of director Mark Hofmeyr to the boutique film company's roster.


Refinery does 16-week job for Danamon Bank in just four weeks - The Refinery
Director Jeremy Goodall from feelgoodfilms knew where to bring his massive job home to roost in order for it to get the best post production! It took Flame operator Jean du Plessis and producer Lisa Haw and their creative team from Refinery, led by Sam Alessandri, just four weeks to pull off the 16-week job.


Nedbank make a 'Fresh Start' with Red Cherry - Red Cherry Media
Red Cherry Media Holdings, together with NotaBene JHB, conceptualised and executed a TV show in additional to other elements as part of the Nedbank ‘Fresh Start' promotion, where new clients opening a Nedbank Current account would receive R750 in this account courtesy of Nedbank.


Generous Pictures delivers on new Roman's ad - Generous Pictures
Director Jonty Fine's latest serving for Roman's Pizza captures an eccentric humour and showcases generous talent. Working on a retail budget, the 30" ad titled 'the human generator' was shot over one day in Johannesburg's West Rand, and shows exactly the lengths that Roman's Pizza will go to, to keep its prices low.


Refinery Visual effects adds more value to the table! - The Refinery
In a bid to add even more value to the service it provides, Refinery Visual Effects has announced the arrival of its new dynamic duo, Sam and Ben (move over, Tom and Jerry), who bring top talent to two completely different realms in the post-production world.

Global Game Jam at UCT next year
The University of Cape Town will host the South African leg of the Global Game Jam at the end of January 2009, and according to Marion Walter, senior lecturer at the Centre for Film and Media Studies, artists and animators are needed urgently. For further updates and more information on Games and Learning South Africa (GaLSA), join the Google group.

Hollywood actor in SA, Namibia for TV ads

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Legendary screen-actor and Hollywood star Louis Gossett Jr arrived in South Africa late last week to film a series of new television commercials for Windhoek Lager. The filming is taking place in both Cape Town and Windhoek, Namibia, over two weeks. Commented Windhoek Lager marketing manager Brendon Nash, “We are excited that Louis Gossett Jr is part of our new TV campaign and look forward to hosting him in South Africa and Namibia. Louis Gossett Jr is a highly respected man; he is very grounded and very real. He fits the task of taking the Windhoek message of ‘keeping it real' to our market”.

Grapevine Postcards at the rAge Expo - Grapevine Media
Yes, summer is here! One way to celebrate is to go outdoors, swim, tan and cavort in the sun! Another way, however, is to spend the scorching hot days banishing boredom with some of the awesome new PC, PlayStation and Xbox games being released! Ranging from trivia to war to wrestling games, BT Games had it all at the recent rAge Expo.


Belgian LED starcloths come to SA

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Questek Advanced Technologies (Questek) will now be distributing ShowLED, from Belgium, to the South African market. These custom-made LED starcloths can be installed in smooth-surfaced fabrics, soft goods, walls, ceilings, hard props and set pieces to create animated backdrops. The application is aimed at lighting designers, theatres and television producers, event companies, exhibitions, concerts, night clubs, restaurants, corporate events and cruise ships etc. ShowLED consists of lightweight sockets on thin cables, with LEDs that not only flickers but also flash as a strobe. Assembly is with easy-to-set-up velcro patches so that the reusable sockets and strings can be pulled off the cloth without damage.

Investor relations from here on in
[Derek Abdinor] Corporate transparency is the winner after every market correction - from the 1930's New Deal laws through to King II and Sarbanes-Oxley. Being involved in your company's investor relations/corporate affairs section, this will affect how you communicate to the markets and even internally.

PR industry now has access to BUSA, Parliament
The South African PR industry now has access to Business Unity SA (BUSA), Nedlac and the Parliamentary Portfolio Committees through the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa's (PRISA) membership of Business Coalition SA (BCSA). PRISA is therefore challenging PR and communication consultants to take up the baton and represent their industry.

PR on a tight budget
[Sarah Rice] Times are tough, and this means the old ways of getting business for small companies - generally word of mouth - doesn't bring enough into the pipeline. They know they need to get the word out further. In fact, in the past few weeks, Sentient has been receiving an increasing number of new business calls from companies who know that “getting some PR” can help them, but they don't have the level of budget needed to retain an agency.


Companies warned to lower their risk profile - Crisis Communications Consultancy
The recent tragic deaths of a number of members of a South African firm, when the light aircraft they were travelling in crashed, highlights why companies need to lower the risks their executives face on a daily basis while carrying out their corporate duties.

Top tips to increase your media exposure - Encyclomedia
Would you like to get a whole lot more media exposure for what you do? Do you want to learn the top practical PR success strategies?

The top 15 mistakes in crisis management - Crisis Communications Consultancy
With a wide variety of crises regularly occurring in South Africa and around the world, it has become apparent that there are numerous basic mistakes companies continue to make when it comes to crisis management.

Stellar RAMS results for Capricorn FM
Speculation about how well South Africa's three new commercial radio stations are attracting listeners is now over. Capricorn FM leads the pack with a stellar performance in RAMS October 2008, the fifth RAMS for 2008 from the South African Advertising Research Foundation (SAARF). Also noteworthy is that Kaya FM has ended its growth streak.

Kelly launches ICT division
Talent management organisation Kelly has launched Kelly ICT, built around the skills and talents of core ICT experts, it announced yesterday, Monday, 27 October 2008.

Retrenchment time or silly season or both? - theWorksquad
Bet you we are all asking ourselves the same thing: “Gosh, is it that time of the year (again), albeit a little earlier than before?” But it seems harder to digest with the state of our surroundings - politically, financially and (always in South Africa) emotionally - where there seems to be other not-so-nice things happening - mainly staff restructuring and/or retrenchments.

Update to analysis of US citizens' emotional responses to presidential candidates
LONDON: Brand development and marketing insights firm Added Value today, Friday, 31 October 2008, updated its Emotional Brand Connection analysis of US citizens' emotional responses to presidential candidates, following Obama's half-hour infomercial that aired last night, Thursday, 30 October. Despite the millions of dollars spent, Added Value concludes that it had virtually no impact on attitudes towards Obama.

Avusa awards for retailers
Gauteng's top retailers were honoured late last week at the inaugural annual Retail Awards ceremony at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg.

PEP opens in Angola
South Africa's biggest single brand store network, PEP, is extending its southern African store footprint into Angola and is making a major investment in Africa's fastest growing country. On 31 October 2008, PEP opens its first store in Lobito, central Angola. The group has also established a 2 000 m² distribution centre in Benguela.

Inaugural Retail Awards to highlight quality as key
Quality will be a key focus at the inaugural annual Retail Awards for Gauteng hosted by Avusa media titles, The Times and Sowetan. The gala award ceremony will be held at Constitutional Hill, Johannesburg, tonight, Thursday, 30 October 2008.

Retail giant blasts offs with customised trolleys
In a bid to make shopping an entertaining and pleasant experience for parents and their young ones, local retail giant Pick n Pay has signed an exclusive contract with Icon Media to create uniquely modelled trolleys resembling space ships for its Hypermarket stores across the country.

National Ports Act - friend or foe?
Although the National Ports Act commenced almost two years ago, the full effects of it are yet to be felt. The act contemplates some drastic changes to the regulation of port facilities and port services, one of the most notable being the requirement that all port facilities and port services be licensed or registered by the National Ports Authority (TNPA) in terms of the procedures laid out in the Act and its rules and guidelines.

Team SA win five medals at IKA Culinary Olympics
The City of Cape Town has congratulated Team South Africa on winning five medals at the Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung (IKA) Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany.

Levi's boards Denim Drive - Clover
The jean company Levi Strauss has donated more than 1 000 metres of denim fabric to Clover Mama Afrika's Denim Drive campaign.


Recognition coming in leaps and bounds
The results of The Standard Innovation 100 Awards were recently released and local social media/online retail outlet Springleap.com was judged as the second most innovative retail company worldwide, placing it above the Apple Application Store, Amazon.com, Threadless and thousands of other nominees. Springleap has also been nominated by Frost and Sullivan for the Product Line Strategy Award that is presented each year to a company that has demonstrated the most insight into the needs and product demand of its customers. The site is currently competing in the South African E-commerce Awards in the Clothing and Accessories category, up up against the likes of Edgars and Keedo.

Funding available for small businesses
SME development has been given a major boost through the structuring of an investment facility financed by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of South Africa, working in collaboration with the NEPAD Business Foundation (NBF). Says Demetri Pappadopoulos, chairman of the NBF working group on FMCG development in Africa, “This continent has an extremely large informal sector, which needs to be serviced. SME companies play a pivotal role in progressing the industry within this sector. Therefore, SME development is critical to the creation of employment, poverty reduction and the harnessing of skills from the informal sector.”

Absa Cape Epic sponsorship extended
Mountain bike stage race, the Absa Cape Epic, has secured a new three-year contract with Absa Corporate and Business Bank (ACBB), which has been title sponsor since 2006. The contract will include sponsorship of the 2010 - 2012 events. Says Oscar Grobler, ACBB head of commercial products and financial institutions, “At ACBB our intention is to be more than a bank, to be a financial partner. The structure of the race, where two riders compete as a team, associates very well with the aim to nurture partnerships. In addition to this, the event itself is very well-organised, it is unique and has become an international benchmark in mountain bike stage racing. We've seen the development and growth of the Absa Cape Epic into one of the best in the world and are proud of our association with this event.”

Partnership search of culinary excellence
Prudential is the sponsoring partner of New Media Publishing's Eat Out Restaurant Awards, now in its 11th year. According to Bernard Fick, director of Prudential Portfolio Managers of South Africa, there are surprisingly many analogies between the world of asset management and the culinary industry. “Award winning asset managers as well as top rated chefs have to consider very carefully the ingredients that make up their offerings,” he says. The 2008 Prudential Eat Out Top 10 Restaurants will be announced on 30 November 2008 at a gala event in Cape Town.

SA migrates to digital broadcasting
[Tshepiso Seopa] As of tomorrow, Saturday 1 November 2008, South Africa will enter a new era of broadcasting, when the country officially converts its television broadcasting signals from analogue to digital. Minister of communications Dr Ivy Matsepe Cassaburi officially launched the digital broadcasting signal at the World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly at Emperor's Palace, Johannesburg, yesterday, Thursday, 30 October 2008.

Prepare to be Blitzed on SuperSport
Relaunching tomorrow, Saturday, 1 November 2008, under the new name of Blitz is SuperSport's Update channel, which will feature news, reviews and previews around the clock.

SABC2 presenter search reaches Joburg
The search is on to unearth new presenters for a new youth property on SABC2. This weekend, it's the chance of Joburg to audition - next weekend, Durban.

Must-carry regulations published
[Tshepiso Seopa] The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has published two final must-carry regulations aimed at ensuring that the broadcasting industry operates well. This follows a process in which interested parties were consulted to ensure that the outcomes address the needs of the industry.

Increase in tourism a boost for SA wines abroad - Southern Africa Direct
The increase in tourism to South Africa is boosting the sale of South African wines in the UK, according to research done by London-based companies SA Wines Online and Southern Africa Direct.

Forgive & Forget returns for its third season and wants to hear your stories - e.tv
Forgive & Forget, e.tv's local reality show with a heart-warming difference, returns to your screens for its third season on Tuesday 6 January 2009.


eNews to report live on American elections - e.tv
Free-to-air channel e.tv and the eNews Channel will report live from America to cover one of the most historic elections in the history of the US. eNews will report from America over 30 October - 9 November 2008.


SAARF TAMS Information Days this November
Over the past 10 years, the South African Advertising Research Foundation has made enormous progress in the way it measures TV audiences. However, it has become abundantly clear that current and future challenges will require new and inventive ways of measurement to ensure that the currency for the buying and selling of TV airtime reflects the real world. SAARF will focus on various future challenges in TV measurement - digital terrestrial television (DTT), high definition TV (HDTV), return path measurement and PVR viewership - at its free SAARF TAMS Information Days, 18 - 20 November 2008, in Joburg, Durban and Cape Town. Additionally, it will also look at the status of the current TAMS panel and at some of the recent changes in the panel ie inclusion of kids 4+. The team will be lead by SAARF's CEO, Dr Paul Haupt and he will be accompanied by Chris Eyre, executive director of AGB Nielsen Media Research. Email saarf@saarf.co.za or phone +27 (0)11 463 5340 to RSVP.

Hyper-local TV for Cape Town suburbs
790Tv is a newly launched Internet-based television channel from TapeTown Productions servicing Hout Bay and Llandudno residents and businesses. Viewers are able to view clips about news, events, and businesses in the Cape Town suburbs on www.790Tv.co.za. Content for the site is provided by locally based video journalists.

TV channel to train SA realty professionals
Real estate group RE/MAX of Southern Africa earlier this week announced that a free national marketing and sales training channel on DStv for all South African residential and commercial real-estate agents and property professionals will be available during November 2008. The content is sponsored by RE/MAX of Southern Africa, and has been taken from the RE/MAX Global Education Centre, which broadcasts through digital-on-demand on the RE/MAX Satellite Training Network. For more information, go to www.realestatetvsa.co.za or email info@realestatetvsa.co.za.

SuperSport apologies for Currie Cup broadcast interruption
SuperSport has apologised once again to viewers for the interruption in the broadcast of the Currie Cup final in Durban this past weekend, which was caused by a massive thunderstorm and driving hail in Randburg, Johannesburg, that “extended for a full 30km” and knocked out both the satellite down-link site in Randburg and the backup one in Rivonia - the first time this has ever happened. Eight other feeds were also lost. “While this interruption was beyond our control, we understand and share the frustration experienced by our viewers. We therefore humbly apologise for the interruption which occurred and assure viewers that we are exploring all possible technical avenues to ensure that this will not happen again,” said SuperSport CEO Imtiaz Patel in a press statement yesterday, Tuesday, 28 October 2008.

Kids' castings attract hundreds

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Hundreds of young South Africans descended on the Maggi Yo-TV audition road show this past weekend at Gateway Mall in Umhlanga, Durban The mass casting forms part of a nationwide search for new presenting talent for SABC1's youth programming segment Yo-TV. Open castings have been hosted at shopping malls across the country and this coming weekend, the road show moves to Centurion in Gauteng, followed by Maponya Mall in Soweto the weekend after.

VillagePro builds resilience among young professionals - Student Village
“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the people who do.” This is according to Erik Vermeulen, the co-founder of Leader Motivations Systems, who spoke at the recent VillagePro event held in Johannesburg. The event focused on teaching young professionals how to thrive, as opposed to just survive, in the workplace through building their personal resilience.

Cupcakes and champagne celebrate courage - HDI Youth Marketeers
October is acknowledged the world over as Breast Cancer Month. Last week, youth market specialists, HDI Youth Marketeers, hosted an intimate Pink Ribbon Breakfast to honour the courage of a long-serving member of the HDI team who was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year.


Tuning in to student needs
Campus Media has established communication channels with viewers that enable students to provide feedback on programming content, as well as advertising campaigns, for its Campus TV service. “At present Campus Media is experiencing a definite increase in the numbers of students that are interacting with new media platforms. Personal interaction with students enables Campus Media to provide students the exact programme content they are interested to receive,” says Chris Day, Campus Media sales and marketing director.