The best and worst of 2007
[Louise Marsland] Hasn't this been a year? Of highs and lows, nation-pride and change. It went so fast and was so incredibly busy, it's hard to remember everything that happened. So here is Bizcommunity.com's informal (and entirely subjective) list of the good, the bad and the ugly that was 2007.


Top press offices for 2007
A press office on Bizcommunity.com is one of the best ways to showcase your brand activity, case studies and corporate news. And there're no surprises in our most read press office stories for 2007: money, sex and sport sells, even in business-to-business writing and reporting!

New Year's resolutions for 2008
[Chris Moerdyk] Indominatible columnist Chris Moerdyk and Bizcommunity's own soothsayer writes up the industry's new year resolutions, because he knows how busy they are being creative.

Fast and furrier... Young cheetahs go to new home – first class
DHL South Africa, the leading global express delivery and logistics company, provided air and ground transport support for the safe delivery of four young cheetahs from Johannesburg to the Casela Bird Park in Mauritius this morning.


Keeping things clean
Making bathroom hygiene a way of life among hundreds of schoolchildren has been the challenge facing brand activation specialists Zinto Marketing Group, as it uses its industrial theatre skills to activate Operation Deep Clean in 60 schools around greater Gauteng.


Opulent: a marketing culture revolution - Opulent Consulting
Throughout 2007 Opulent has provided a comprehensive range of marketing, design, print and production services for some of South Africa's frontline companies, for whom attention to detail, value for money and the ability to work within strict deadlines are all critical requirements.

TV ad helps mag move off the shelves
Who says no one watches TV commercials anymore? Gay magazine Wrapped reports a “dramatic” increase in advertising requests since it started flighting its TV spots, produced by Hilltop Studios, in October 2007.

Boa Mzansi. Speak South Africa(n)!
DStv and Ogilvy Johannesburg recently teamed up to create “Boa Mzansi” [Speak South Africa(n)] – a joint project aimed at fostering creativity amongst African language-speaking students, as well as reaching out to consumers in their mother tongue and strengthening the brand.

Creative Circle results for November 2007
The Creative Circle results for November 2007 are out and according to chairperson John Davenport, the judges, including himself, were “still getting the hang of the top-three-ads-go-through idea, and the thinking that these should be thought of as Ad of the Year finalists. Some of the judges expressed doubt about this system, but no matter which system we use, this seems to be the case!"

Cape Town opens it heart to art
The inaugural Art with Heart charity auction was held by Playtpus Productions in conjunction with the Cape Film Commission late last week. The initiative raised R23 000 for the two charities involved, Heart of Healing and Hollywood Hearts.


Global media planning agency launches in SA
New generation global media channel planning agency Vizeum, powered by one of Europe's independent groups Aegis Media, has recently launched in South Africa. Heading up the joint venture as directors are Tanya Schreuder, ex group media director of FCB SA and one of the co-founding directors of Nota Bene JHB, and Richard Procter, ex media director of FCB Cape Town.

"Invest in SA" advert goes global
A television advert inviting global business people to invest in South Africa is currently being aired on the worldwide television networks, including CNN.

Depth works with MTV for new identity imaging - Depth VFX
MTV recently approached Depth (Johannesburg) to produce all-new imaging for the launch of its new two-part show into Nigeria. The first-part show is called VJ Search Nigeria, and is a talent competition to discover up-and-coming artists. The winner goes on to present the final show entitled “Naija Hits”.


Wicked Pixels produces first for Panasonic Japan - Wicked Pixels
Global mega-brand Panasonic recently gave Wicked Pixels the green light to produce Panasonic's first locally made TV commercial for its Lumix range of digital cameras.


Grootegeluk Environmental Program takes first place - Creationstation
Grootegeluk coal mines not only qualified to showcase, but won first place with the PABALLO Environmental program it has been running on its mine at last month's Exxaro Resources, Safety, Health and Environment conference in November 2007.


Dulux and Mick&Nick warm up sales - Lowe Bull
Dulux called on below-the-line specialists Mick&Nick (part of the Lowe Bull Group) earlier this year to give its winter sales a healthy kick-start, and to get consumers – even those who spend these months sitting on their couches – at least thinking about the prospect of painting their homes.


Discount for pre-ordering Loeries annual
Designed by Net#work BBDO, the Loeries Awards 2007 Annual is launching in February 2008 at the Design Indaba in Cape Town. The annual now covers all areas of brand communication, even relatively new categories such as architecture, interior design and field marketing. According to The Loerie Awards MD Andrew Human, it is an easy reference for original thinkers and a must-have for marketers, advertisers and communication designers. “It includes an index of winners by brand, agencies and creative credits, making it the ultimate guide to advertising, communication and design,” he explains. A 10% discount on all pre-orders placed through www.theloerieawards.co.za is being offered.

Extreme makeover for Mozambican cell company
The recent opening of the Maputo flagship store for Mozambican cellular operator mcel is the culmination of a major rebranding journey using the services of brand company HKLM. According to said HKLM group MD Sean McCoy, the strategic brand rejuvenation presented some interesting challenges.

Safmarine Maersk Line big winner at SAGRA Awards - Brand Alive
Safmarine Maersk Line became the biggest winner at the inaugural South African Graduate Recruiters Awards ceremony, held at Kievits Kroon, Pretoria, last month. The company took Gold in the Best Graduate Recruitment Website (under 30 recruits) category, as well as the Grand Prix award for the Web category, and also took home the Bronze award for the Best Printed Material (under 30 recruits) category.

New vigour for SA film, TV market place
The new board of directors for Sithengi, South Africa's annual international film and television market, last week announced that its first priority is to assess the financial situation of the organisation, and consolidate a history that spans over a decade.

Responding to customers in 12 seconds?
Like many service industries, the glass replacement industry is about speed and convenience. Keenly aware of this, southern African glass supplier PG Glass is always looking for ways of improving upon its services. So when figures revealed that there are now over 3.8 million regular Internet users in South Africa, the company promptly decided to investigate the potential of this underdeveloped channel further.

New UN logo designed by SA
South African design proved, once again, that it can hold its own with the world's best when a design by TBWA\South Africa was chosen recently as the official logo for the United Nations' Declaration of Human Rights 60th anniversary.

M&G Online launches online entertainment guide
[Simone Puterman] NEWSWATCH: Just in time for the holidays, the Mail & Guardian Online yesterday, Thursday, 13 December 2007, went live in beta with its latest online development, The Guide, a new social entertainment site with a specialised events-based social network called Yiza. Also launched yesterday was the Financial Mail's Polokwane blog for the upcoming ANC conference this weekend.

The four most popular social networking sites
[Pedro de Gouveia] Here is an overview of the four most popular international social media sites this year: social networks Facebook and MySpace, the video-the sharing YouTube and the virtual world Second Life.


First-ever blogger accreditation for Polokwane
For the first time in South Africa's history, a blogger will be accredited alongside journalists to blog about the ANC leadership succession conference to be held in Polokwane later this week. Blogger and author Ndumiso Ngcobo will be live-blogging the event, providing commentary, colour and behind-the-scenes reportage on the Mail & Guardian Online's Thought Leader group blog platform.

New copyright legislation for digital publishing imminent, says European commissioner
“The role of the journalist is key in bringing trusted information to readers… Print media is going to be the most trusted media in the future,” predicted information society commissioner Viviane Reding at the recent annual Publishers' Forum in Brussels. European publishers exchanged views openly with the European Commission at this platform.

Nokia, Zoopy partner for online imaging
On Tuesday, 11 December 2007, Nokia and Zoopy.com announced that users of Nokia Nseries 'multimedia computers'/cameraphones will be able to directly upload, organise and share photographs and videos on the South African online media sharing platform, which has become Nokia's regional imaging partner for Africa.

Local Facebook competition gets more incentive
Microsoft SA has thrown down the gauntlet to South African developers taking part in a competition to find the best locally-developed Facebook applications, challenging them to build applications using the company's Silverlight programming platform.

Stonewall+ celebrates a decade in business with a bumper 2007! - Stonewall+
Digital marketing agency Stonewall+ reports recordung a bumper year in 2007 that has seen the agency achieve record growth alongside significant account gains. The agency also celebrated its 10th year in business.

Deadline looms for 2007 IMA Web Awards
Time is running out to submit your online work for the 2007 Interactive Media Awards. All nominations must be submitted online or postmarked by 31 December 2007. Available industry categories include computer software, food/beverage, games, lifestyle, medical, movie/film, nonprofit, professional services, science/technology, and many others. Enter at www.interactivemediaawards.com/enter/.

A mighty issue - SoulCircle
It is a film about shocking brutality, enormous loss, accepting and the issue of forgiveness. A Mighty Heart is as real as it is heartbreaking and South Africans are abuzz with Mariane Pearl's story.

UCT launches leadership programme tailored for women - UCT Graduate School of Business
The UCT Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) will launch a programme in 2008 specifically designed to develop women leaders in South Africa.

Do the Joburg jive on New Year's Eve
It's carnival time again! The annual Joburg Carnival on New Year's Eve promises to bring the inner city to a vibrant life and usher in 2008 with a colourful flourish. In keeping with the city's dynamic urban character and culture, this year's carnival theme is “Nyakaza – Joburg on the move, unplugged and in colour”.

Techrig press - Techrig Lighting
Since its inception Techrig has been going from strength – it was recently appointed preferred suppliers to the University of Johannesburg Arts Centre (UJ Arts Centre) and has also increased its staff quota by five over the past two months through sheer volume of work.


Anglo's Platinum Oasis - True Colour Events
A venue on the East Rand was recently transformed into a “city” defined by the vision of absolute indulgence – Platinum Oasis described the elements where Desert met Oasis, Oasis met Ocean – and this ocean met Anglo Platinum's employees to recognise their achievements throughout the year, allowing them an opportunity to relax and enjoy the camaraderie of their peers.


True Colour Events brings Altech Autopage's Moulin Rouge alive - True Colour Events
Stiltwalkers, fire eaters and jugglers created a colourful musical setting at Altech Autopage's Moulin Rouge recent year-end function. In true Moulin Rouge style, a swinging lady welcomed guests as they entered the top hat and tail extravaganza.

Oasys got the job done at Sun City - Oasys Innovations
Oasys Events, part of the Oasys Innovations Group, was again contracted by Sun International to prepare the infrastructure for the Nedbank Golf Challenge.

CTICC puts 2.5 millionth visitor in the spotlight - CTICC
One lucky Capetonian recently became the 2.5 millionth visitor to the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) and was personally congratulated by deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and premier Ebrahim Rasool.

Success for Your Baby Show in Cape Town - Your Baby Show
The first-ever Your Baby Show Cape Town was an ‘unparalleled success' according to the over 19 000 officially audited visitors 110 exhibitors. This success has ensured that Cape Town will once again play host to Cape Town Baby Expo (previously Your Baby Show) in November 2008.


New dates for Mega Media Expo - CADEK Media
Cadek Media, organisers of the Mega Media Expo, has announced that its planned January Media Expo will be postponed to 7 and 8 May 2008. “We realised that exhibitors will need more lead time to plan their exhibitions,” says organiser Chris de Klerk of Cadek Media.


Expo to highlight innovative science, technology solutions
Exhibitions for Africa has recently been appointed as the service provider to coordinate and manage Insite 2008, the International Science, Innovation and Technology Exhibition, taking place 15 – 17 September 2008 at the Sandton Convention Centre. Incorporating the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) 25th World Conference, the overarching theme will be the role of science, technology and innovation as key drivers of economic growth and development. The organising team includes David Graham from International Trade Projects, Sally Braham PR and Oasys Innovations.

SABC secures exclusive rights to tribute song
The SABC, together with New Birth Music (a Jamaican-based record label), has recently concluded an agreement whereby the SABC has acquired full and exclusive rights, for a limited period, throughout the world for the usage in all media of the Jamaican tribute song to the late Lucky Dube.

Cricket Australia tries to corner image market
Cricket Australia (CA), the governing body of one of Australia's favourite sports, is trying to force all photographers and agencies to sign a new contract before they enter the cricket grounds.

The speeding DJ
[Simone Puterman] NEWSWATCH: The silver Audi TT motorist caught doing 257km/h on the weekend is Ukhozi FM's DJ Sbu, the Mail & Guardian Online quotes Talk Radio 702 as reporting this morning, Wednesday, 12 December 2007, and two Cape photographers were clubbed over the head by security offers at the Transwerk fire in Salt River yesterday and R20 000 worth of equipment destroyed, according to IOL.

Climate change: what should the media do?
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] Melting glaciers, rising seas, deadly heatwaves and floodings, tsunamis, and unpredictable droughts and cyclones are the paradoxical signs of climate change, with potentially devastating effects for Africa. Experts are now calling for the media to use its influence in the fight against climate change in Africa.

A chance to interview Polokwane journalists
In order to bring the public the latest up-to-date happenings behind the scenes at the upcoming ANC Conference in Polokwane, Independent News and Media group's journalists covering the event may be questioned directly on a daily basis as to what is really happening behind the scenes.

Media and 16 days of campaign against domestic violence
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] As another episode of the 16 days campaign against women and child abuse comes to an end, critics, women's rights activists and various social organisations now turn their spotlight on the media to see how best they fared in terms of reporting ethically and fairly on the issue.

Provantage Media – setting the pace in 2007 - Provantage Media
Since launching in 2003, Provantage Media has enjoyed "spectacular" growth but says its success in 2007 has now cemented its place as market leaders in the ambient marketing, activation, events and transit communications industry.

Sweden launches world's first 'newspaper' phone
Sweden's Dagens Nyheter, reports The Telegraph, recently launched the world's first "newspaper" telephone: a cellphone offering the daily's subscribers access to its website.

Study provides insights into mobile marketing
HONG KONG: In order to help brands and marketers identify key market trends, mobile subscriber usage patterns, and success metrics for mobile marketing in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) last week announced the results of its third-annual APAC Mobile Attitude and Usage Study.

Morocco: Market leader in less than a year
Even before celebrating its first birthday, the Moroccan daily Al Massae has received an unexpected gift.

The leader you've been waiting for is You - City Press
City Press has introduced another outdoor series for its initiative dubbed ‘Your South Africa – Our Home, Our Effort'. The campaign was launched by the Media24 Sunday newspaper in July 2007 in an effort to encourage and challenge ordinary South Africans to act against vandalism of public property and littering.


Zululand Fever – now you have a choice - Sky Blue Media
Zululand is changing – there has been exceptional development and growth with the resultant influx of people. The reading habits of readers have changed, and the need for a new paper is what more and more people are demanding.

The Internet as a global village for Arab activists
A young Arab blogger tells about why Internet has come to play such an important role for the Arab youth.

Private Property voted best property website - Private Property
For the second year running, Private Property Listings was recently voted the best property website in the South African E-Commerce Awards held by online South African shopping search engine Jump Shopping.

Zoopy launches version 2 with podcasts, blogs and Nokia integration - Zoopy
After launching as South Africa's first video and photo sharing social network in March 2007, Zoopy has grown to attract thousands of unique visitors a day from South Africa, Africa and the rest of the world. Taking its service even further, Zoopy released a new version of the site earlier this week, featuring a complete overhaul of design and functionality, as well as announcing its partnership with Nokia as regional imaging partner for Africa.

Students get a serious return on Investment Challenge - Student Village
The online Student Village Investment Challenge for tertiary education students has been won by industrial psychology student, Dorron Aremband from Wits University, who took top honours recently after quadrupling his initial investment over a three-month period.


It's time to take email back! - Visual Productions
Email has replaced the telephone as the most frequently used business communication tool in the world today, according to a study conducted by KRC Research. Unwanted email ("spam") is a growing problem. Spam is forming a larger and larger percentage of all email, and the time spent dealing with spam causes genuine productivity loss.

From 'brain drain' to 'brain circulation'
[Angella Nabwowe] The majority of Africans who acquire training abroad are returning home because of the benefits derived from their knowledge to their communities and countries at large.

US screenwriters' strike lessons for local writers
[Charl Groenewald] There are major lessons to be learned by South African screenwriters from the strike currently underway by their American counterparts. The most important of these is to ensure that everything a writer believes he or she is entitled to – or may become entitled to at a future date – must be included in the initial contract of employment.

From a naked man walking round a pool to buxom blondes milking cows in a meadow - Velocity Films
A naked man walking round a pool, a couple wearing masks and whipping each other in a hotel lobby and some buxom blondes milking cows in a meadow are just some of the humorous scenes that Lourens Van Rensburg has produced in commercials that he has directed to date.

Conduit tries on the make-up... - Conduit Productions
Conduit Productions' collaborative directors, Marc Ziman and David Correia, have completed a four-commercial campaign for cosmetics company Yardley London and their friends over at Bester Burke Slingers.


Dean Blumberg of Bouffant selected on Shots New Directors Showcase 2007 - Bouffant
Dean Blumberg's streak of wins has not ended in 2007, having recently been chosen for the Shots New Directors Showcase. Shots magazine and DVD is the world's leading publication focused on creative excellence in advertising and has published its selection of top New Commercials Directors for 2007.


Frieze Films gives Tropika the 'Real Jamaica' - Frieze Films
Producer persistence during casting and director attention to detail on set were the tipping point for Tropika's recent summer promotion given the budget advertising agency Joe Public and production house Frieze Films were required to consider.


Be engaged by Johnnie Walker - Masters & Savant
Masters & Savant World Wide's latest animated competition promotion for Johnnie Walker Red Label whisky portrays the brand not only as a superior whisky, but a lifestyle lived by the dreamer.


Ariane Besson with Bouffant directs new commercial for Aids awareness - Bouffant
The new commercial for Aids awareness Khomanani is directed by Ariane Besson of Bouffant for TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris.


Duuuummeeeelaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa... - Velocity Films
Dumela, the Tswana translation for Hello, is the name and central focus of Thabo Marera's latest commercial for MTN. The network service provider and its advertising agency MetropolitanRepublic have created an entertaining commercial brought to life by Thabo.


2007 wins for Masters & Savant secure all-round first choice position - Masters & Savant
2007 has seen animation company Masters & Savant Worldwide winning gold and silver in the two most important award ceremonies for commercial productions and broadcast respectively – Loeries and Promax.


Sasani Studios and ZSE TV, in Highlands North, are expanding further... - ZSE TV
Two new 1000 sqm studios are currently being built at Sasani Studios in Highlands North Johannesburg. The total construction, including office space, is well in excess of 4000 sqm.


Early Xmas present for hip-hop star
South African hip-hop sensation HHP gets to unwrap an early Christmas present when he takes delivery of his new music video for ‘Music N Lights' this Friday, 14 December 2007. Playing ‘Santa' are MTV base and Shell whose MTV Making the Video with Shell initiative enabled HHP to have a music video shot free of charge by legendary music video director Nick Quested, with a cameo appearance by US R&B star Amerie. HHP will see the final cut of ‘Music N Lights' just one day before the video gets its global TV premiere on MTV base (DStv Channel 322). The music video is also being added to MTV base's ‘A list' rotation from 14 December, where it will receive up to 30 plays a week.

Provantage Media putting ‘Brrr' into summer - Provantage Media
Provantage Media is taking shoppers to the ‘Brrr' side of life this festive season with an integrated brand activation campaign, incorporating transit media, shoppa shows and in-store promotions, as part of Coke's new through-the-line ‘Brrr' campaign.

Nationwide's PR – more harm than good
[Chris Moerdyk] In the days after an engine fell off a wing and the wheels came off its airworthiness certificates, what little PR there was from Nationwide Airlines was unimaginative, naive, completely without substance and distinctly lacking in credibility. Then, to add insult to injury, the company actually had the gall to say that it believed it had protected its corporate reputation during the entire crisis.

Writing a good media release is not good enough - Encyclomedia
Many journalists receive hundreds of emails every day, most of which are PR pitches and press releases – up to 800 daily emails in some cases. With this amount of email flowing in, the strength of your press release (or media release, as we prefer to call it) means nothing if your email isn't picked up in the first place.

It's the radio station DJ shuffle…
[Simone Puterman & Tshepiso Seopa] The listeners of 567 CapeTalk, Talk 702, Jacaranda 94.2 and East Coast Radio can look forward to various changes in the New Year. Kieno Kammies is leaving Jacaranda to return to his former show on CapeTalk and 702, replacing Tom London who recently announced that he is joining Vodacom's Yebo Radio, and replacing Kammies on the breakfast menu at Jacaranda is East Coast's Darren Scott.

Caren Olsen new 5FM programme manager
Caren Olsen is the new programme manager of 5FM, the national youth radio station announced yesterday, Wednesday, 12 December 2007. Olsen has been working in the 5FM music department for over nine years, starting out as music assistant and handling the responsibilities of programme compiler until her current promotion.

702 presenter scoops energy efficiency award
Nominated by Primedia, Talk Radio 702 presenter Jenny Crwys-Williams was the winner in the Women in Energy – Community Category at Eskom's annual energy efficiency competition held last night at Kyalami Theatre on the Track, Gauteng. The eta Awards aim to reward the proven application of sound energy efficiency principles, which reduce energy use, ensure cost reductions and have positive environmental benefits.

More listeners despite difficult year for Jozi FM
It is all systems go at Jozi FM after a difficult second half this year, when accusations and counter-accusations filled the air. "It was a difficult year, but we've managed to turn matters around – there is an all-round pleasing change in performance and we look forward to next year with complete confidence", says COO Nono Mchunu.

Retention contracts vs restraints of trade
It is in a company's best interests to prioritise proactive staff retention, rather than concentrating efforts exclusively on creating barriers to exit for employees who wish to leave. This is the opinion of Debbie Goodman-Bhyat, MD of Jack Hammer Executive Headhunters.

The Eighty20 approach to segmentation - Eighty20
A serious seminar on segmentation, with a light-hearted touch, at the World of Beer in Johannesburg. If not thought through carefully, segmenting your market based on one variable, such as LSM, can be no more effective than segmenting your market based on their alcohol consumption.

Approval of President Mbeki remains at its lowest in four years - TNS Research Surveys
TNS Research Surveys recently conducted a series of surveys since 2000 that ascertain whether people feel the president is doing a good job. These surveys are conducted amongst a sample of 2000 SA adults from the seven major metropolitan areas of South Africa, interviewing them face-to-face in their homes, with a margin of error of under 2.5%.

Presidential succession issues and consequences - update - TNS Research Surveys
In September and October 2007, marketing and social insights company TNS Research Surveys conducted two studies to determine how people feel about key issues around who might be the next President of South Africa.

Synovate and the Consumer Insight Agency to launch world-first in market research - Consumer Insight Agency
The Consumer Insight Agency (c.i.a.) has teamed-up with Synovate, one of the world's largest market research companies, to quantify its unique study of South African society – the NOW project.

South African's feelings about the justifiability of woman and child abuse - Markinor
Three percent of South Africans believe it is always justifiable for a man to beat his wife, while 73% asserted that this can never be justified. This is according to Ipsos Markinor's latest public opinion poll on crime in South Africa, conducted among a nationally representative sample of 3500 adult South Africans.

The ANC leadership race and the marketing community - Eighty20
Eighty20 has an online poll on its website to gather the marketing community's thoughts on the ANC leadership race, and the next President of South Africa. The 30-second poll asks you who you would vote for, and how you think Jacob Zuma will fare on issues like health, crime and women's issues.

A very unmerry Christmas!
[Dumisani Ndlela] If you notice the tone in John Moxon's voice when you “read his lips” carefully from the chairman's statement accompanying the Meikles Africa Limited group results for the six months to September 30, 2007, you'll realise there little to be merry about this Christmas in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe's ‘sunrise' – or yet another ‘sunset'?
Zimbabwe's Central Bank is to launch yet another new currency before Christmas. The move is apparently to help end a severe cash shortage and allow consumers cope with high inflation. However, previous attempts to halt rampaging inflation have come to nought… well, a lot of noughts – the country has by far and away the world's highest inflation rate.

New POS product
Headspace Advertising announced recently that it has secured the African rights for a new promotional media that is allegedly taking the international marketing by storm. Pop 'n Sell and Outtathebox, a delivery mechanism for coupons/entry forms/information leaflets, is a patented system for differentiated branding opportunities and versatility.


SA wine firmly back on growth track
Wine exports are once again on the rise, reflecting a 16% volume increase for the first 11 months of the year, compared with the same period last year, says Wines of South Africa (WOSA) CEO Su Birch, commenting on the latest data from industry body SAWIS.


US store sites gain in customer respect index
[Sarah Mahoney] Brick-and-mortar retailers – once the laggards in online sales – are winning more and more respect from consumers, according to the latest ranking of the Customer Respect Group, an Ipswich, Mass.-based company that evaluates website performance.

Shop stock levels worryingly high
[Adele Shevel] Rising interest rates are stifling one of the JSE's hottest sectors — but we will only really see the effects of the retail slowdown after the festive season.

The love of a child conquers all - Clover
They are soft and cuddly and have come all the way from Canada to put smiles on the faces of young South African children. These are the 260 teddy bears that recently arrived in South African waters after a six-month trip by ship. Children from the Rudolph Henning School in Edmonton, Canada, each donated a soft toy to children from the Clover Mama Afrika centres in Mfuleni, Ubombo, Pretoria, Ennerdale and Thabong.

Crystal Award for Uwin Iwin Incentives
This year's Crystal Awards Recognition Program included new categories to reflect Society of Incentive & Travel Executives (SITE)'s heightened focus on the importance of business results and responsible programming. One of these was the Most Outstanding Sustainable Incentive Event category, which was scooped by Huw Tuckett, operations director of Uwin Iwin Incentives.

OUTsurance Insurance expands to Namibia with the launch of car and household contents insurance - OUTsurance
Southern African direct short-term insurance company, OUTsurance, recently announced the launching of its car and household contents product lines in Namibia in January 2008, complementing its home owner's insurance cover, which has been available in Namibia since July 2007.

Celebrating 10 years with collector's edition
To mark Sports Illustrated Swimwear's 10th year, Sports Illustrated and Nashua have brought out a collector's edition of the best images from the last 10 years. Nashua has been a title sponsor for eight consecutive years.


Exp celebrates 25 years and Xmas party with commitment to charity - Exp.
As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations this year, Exp will be making Christmas a little brighter for the children of the Tomorrow Trust, an organisation caring for children orphaned by HIV and AIDS.

Research shows popularity of 20/20 cricket - Sports Marketing Surveys
The Twenty/20 Cricket format is four times more popular than that of conventional test matches and twice as popular as the 50 over ODIs, according to research undertaken on the World Twenty/20 Cricket Championship Tournament in September 2007 by Sports Marketing Surveys. Sixty perecent of people prefer attending the Twenty20 game over other forms of cricket.

SABC continues to dominate football viewership
While SuperSport is now the primary holder of football rights, SABC Sport continues to dominate audience delivery for the sport, indicates a new research report produced by international sports and sponsorship research agency Sports Marketing Surveys.

SABC's demand unreasonable – pay TV operators
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] South Africa's pay TV operators are incensed about the SABC's demand that they pay for all its content that they carry on their platforms. In their “must carry” presentation made yesterday, Wednesday, 12 December 2007, before the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) in Johannesburg, MultiChoice and Telkom Media called the SABC's demand “unreasonable” and “opportunistic”.

Video on demand shows future of TV
[Chris Moerdyk] While subscription television in South Africa has grown by a massive 50% in the past two years, an even more interesting indicator of the way television viewership habits are moving in this country is the growth in personal video recorder (PVR) sales. Right now almost 14% of all DStv subscribers in SA have opted for PVRs – a clear indication of the popularity of video on demand.

ICASA ‘must carry' hearings begin
[Issa Sikiti da Silva] New pay TV licensees On Digital Media (ODM), e.Sat/e.tv and Walking on Water (WoWTv) presented their cases to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) in Sandton, Johannesburg, yesterday, Tuesday 11 December 2007, on the ‘must-carry' obligations for subscriptions broadcasting services.

Honouring the extraordinary deeds of ordinary people
CNN Worldwide and its global audience paid special tribute to seven ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary deeds, recognising them as "CNN Heroes" in a global broadcast last week. CNN's Anderson Cooper and Christiane Amanpour hosted "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

e.sat announces pay-TV plans - e.tv
e.sat, the sister business to free-to-air television channel e.tv, has announced that it will initiate its multi-channel strategy in 2008 with the launch of South Africa's first independent 24-hour television news service on Multichoice's DStv platform.

Christmas Eve with Madam and Eve
Loosely based on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, the Madam and Eve Christmas Eve Special on e.tv will be filled with ghouls, eggnog and festive cheer. When Madam loses her festive spirit, she refuses to give out bonuses to Eve and the rest of the workers at her house. This does not bode well with the powers that be and Madam is visited by the three hosts of Christmas: the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. They show her the error of her ways, eventually teaching Madam that it is better to give than to receive. Catch it on Monday, 24 December 2007 at 8am.

Dancing celebrities announced
SABC2 revealed on Monday, 10 December 2007, the eight celebrities competing in the fourth series of popular reality show Strictly Come Dancing, starting 31 January 2008 at 7.30pm – soccer star Mark Williams, comedian Trevor Noah, actress Brenda Ngxoli, TV presenter Ashley Hayden, model Tanya van Graan, TV star Emmanuel Castis, businesswoman Uyanda Mbuli and TV star Mutodi Neshehe. Shot live from the Carlton Hotel Ballroom, this eight-part series is hosted by Ian von Memerty and Sandy Ngema. “Pre-production is in full swing and the couples started rehearsing last week. The competitive spirit has kicked in very early this season,” said Kee-Leen Irvine, MD of Rapid Blue and executive producer of Strictly Come Dancing.