Honouring John Farquhar 10 April 2008
Early next month, legendary media commentator John Farquhar celebrates his 80th birthday and over 60 intensive years in advertising. Owlhurst Communications is once again coordinating an opportunity to honour and recognise this milestone in an iconic career and invites contributions from the industry.

Platinum for Riverstone Communications
Riverstone Communications has won seven awards at the 2007 international Ava Awards, which recognise outstanding work by creative professionals involved in the conception, writing, direction, shooting, and editing of audiovisual materials and programmes.

Best airline? The one that's best at marketing
[Chris Moerdyk] South Africa's best airline is the one that not only believes in marketing but understands that marketing goes way beyond just advertising empty promises.

Helping business adapt to the digital age
The next few weeks will see the further editions of two new media marketing events intended to help business adapt to the digital age: the second annual New Media Marketing conference by International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC) in Johannesburg next week and the third Nomadic Marketing course at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB), mid-April 2008.

The power of pink
Eugene Schoeman, the new MD of Pink Advertising, says as a currency the pink rand is growing in strength and cannot be ignored – in 2006, the pink dollar was valued at over US$650 billion in the US alone and, with the American buying power of the gay market projected to exceed US$835 billion by 2011, locals advertisers need to sit up and take heed.


AMF, ACA join forces
The Advertising Media Forum (AMF) and the Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA) last week announced they will be testing out the incorporation of the two bodies for a year to see whether or not the link is mutually beneficial. Says Paul Middleton of the ACA and AMF, “The time has come to pull together for a more positive, less turbulent environment.”

Dubai Lynx honours Joseph Ghossoub
The organisers of the first Dubai International Advertising Festival announced earlier this week that Joseph Ghossoub, president and CEO of The Holding Group, will be honoured with the first Dubai Lynx Advertising Person of the Year Award.


Creative Circle awards 2007 Ad of Year
The best advertisements of 2007 have been chosen! Members of the Creative Circle judged the Ad of the Year from the winners of the Creative Circle Monthly Awards earlier this week in Johannesburg and the awards were presented the same evening to the winning agencies by Creative Circle chairman Rob McLennan.

Ad agencies: treat as partners, not suppliers
[Pedro de Gouveia] Few business relationships are as tough and intense as those between advertisers and advertising agencies. There are many reasons, from the natural subjectivity of the business, to the stereotypes portrayed in shows such as Thirtysomething and locally Generations, to the generational gaps that can exist between clients and their “trendy” agencies.

Need to choose an agency with discretion and in confidence?
[Johanna McDowell] The Independent Agency Search and Selection company (IAS) has been founded in South Africa in response to the realisation that choosing a new advertising, media, digital or design agency is an important corporate and personal business decision.

Suzuki appoints PenQuin - PenQuin International
Suzuki Auto South Africa has appointed marketing solutions company, PenQuin International, as its local through-the-line advertising agency. Suzuki Motor Corporation, the eighth largest vehicle producer in the world, will enter the South African vehicle market in June 2008.

FoxP2 and National Geographic Kids finish tops at Ad of the Year Awards - FoxP2
The South African Creative Circle has awarded FoxP2 two Ad Of The Year awards for National Geographic Kids magazine in the Magazine and Experiential categories. Another FoxP2 piece of work for Addis came a close second in Experiential, with judges being asked to recast their votes to determine the outright winner.


Finally, a solution to all your advertising needs! - Brainstorm Projects
In this day and age where convenience is indeed king, businesses look for advertising agencies that cater for all of their communication needs, whether it be events, websites, company brochures or full blown advertising campaigns.

New MD for Mick & Nick - Lowe Bull
Michelle de Gouveia has been named MD of below-the-line communications specialist Mick & Nick, effective immediately.


SAARF segmentation handbook now on CD
The South African Advertising Research Foundation is now offering its segmentation handbook, based on AMPS 2006 and 2007, on CD. Containing SAARF Universal Living Standards Measure (SU-LSM), SAARF Media Groups Measure (SAARF MGM), SAARF Lifestyles and SAARF Lifestages, the CD may be ordered from the foundation at R195 per copy (including VAT). To request an order form, contact tel +27 (0)11 463 5340/1/2 or email saarf@saarf.co.za. Payment must be received upfront.

The knowhow of presidential branding
[Naseem Javed] The boy wonder of the US minority blacks, senator Obama, is being referred to as being a "just do it" brand, and Lady Clinton of the good old White House days of the sleek Clinton era as a "yes we can" brand. You surely would know what these two slogans being created by the big advertising machines stand for.

Use load shedding to build better brands
[Richard Prévost] Every business, no matter what industry they are in, has undoubtedly felt the impact of the recent spate of blackouts due to load shedding. And, it's not just the operations that are negatively affected. In fact, it goes much deeper than that and, for companies that have not invested in building their customers' emotional bond with their brand, a power failure could mean the end of a relationship.

The Open Window student scoops Construction New Media Award - The Open Window
Neil van Vuuren, a final-year Degree student at The Open Window in Pretoria, recently won the Innovation category at the 2008 Design Indaba with a video production called “Promotion” that deals with the way people have become obsessed with online identities.

Pete Case for 2008 Clio Interactive jury
NEW YORK: Pete Case, creative director of Cape Town-based Gloo, has been chosen as a member of the 32-strong 2008 Interactive jury for the 49th Annual Clio Awards, the organisers announced yesterday, Monday, 24 March 2008.

Google's clarification on ACAP welcomed
The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) and other publishers organisations yesterday, Thursday, 19 March 2008, welcomed Google CEO Eric Schmidt's statement supporting the aim of the Automated Content Access Protocol (ACAP) to give publishers more control over the use of their content.

New tech podcast from SA journos
In need of a techno fix? Several well-known South African journalists have started a weekly podcast covering developments in the local and international technology industry. This follows shortly after the launch of Nudjit.com, a gadget review site by more local gadget geeks.

EASSy is on its way
[Walter Wafula] Construction of the East African Submarine Cable System (EASSy) fast internet and broadband fibre-optic wire is due for completion by 2010.

Dream team on their toes: and on the ball - Glasshouse Multimedia
If you've never met the Glasshouse creative team, you'll want to check out the tilting floor that keeps them on their toes. And you'll get to find out the integral part that biscuits play in the studio on their website.

TaylorMade/adidas Golf take top two honours at The Vodacom World of Golf - Ripe Design
At the recent Golf Festival at The Vodacom World of Golf, golfers were given a total experience of the game. Ripe Design was briefed to conceptualise the TaylorMade/adidas golf marquee in every detail.


Striata publishes eMarketing benchmarks - Striata
While there is a large body of international research and statistics on email marketing, similar information for the local environment is hard to find. This prompted electronic messaging and marketing specialist Striata to look internally for the development of local eMarketing benchmarks.

Deadline looms for 2008 Interactive Media Awards
Time is running out to submit your online work for the 2008 Interactive Media Awards. All nominations must be submitted online or postmarked by 31 March 2008. Available industry categories include Advertising, Advocacy, Architecture/Interior Design, B2B, Blog, Consumer Goods, Education, Entertainment, Healthcare, Hotel/Resort, Web Design/Development, and many others. To enter, go to www.interactivemediaawards.com/enter.

Stapleton to judge D&AD
Damon Stapleton, executive creative director of TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris Johannesburg, has been selected as a member of the Direct and Digital judging panel of the 2008 D&AD Awards. He will join the international panel in London for the judging week taking place 7 – 11 April.

On the edge and in the thick of it - Amara celebrates ten years of success - Amara Productions
It was 10 years ago, inspired by a George B. Shaw quote from Pygmalion – “You see things and ask, ‘Why?' I dream things that never were and ask, ‘Why Not?'” - that Gavin Mills, MD of Amara, jumped into the sandpit on his own... and Don't Forget George Events was born.

SA event agency invited to pitch for ICC World Twenty20 in UK - Maverick SA
Maverick Experience Exhilarator, which managed the eventing elements of the inaugural Twenty20 Cricket World Cup tournament last year, has been shortlisted to pitch on the ICC England World Twenty20 2009 tournament.

Collyer Lessick & Associates “Don't Stop the Magic” at the Clover Convention 2008 - Collyer Lessick & Associates
Collyer Lessick & Associates were challenged by Clover to better their 2006 Convention experience and, judging by the responses received regarding the three-day event, successfully accomplished the task.


The Coca-Cola dome will only work with reliable promoters - Coca-Cola dome
The Coca-Cola dome has issued a press release stating that it will no longer work with unreliable promoters who harm South Africa's image with both national and international performers.

Forward from the past - Amara Productions
Motivated by the achievements of 2007, Amara Events & Productions is set to rekindle relationships with clients in 2008 and continue to make service excellence their number one priority.

Gearhouse sweeps the boards at annual TPSA awards - Gearhouse SA
Many of the behind-the-scene stars of the South African live events industry were honoured at a recent award ceremony held by the Technical Production Services Association (TPSA). Gearhouse SA took home more than a few awards for the mantelpiece.

New mag applauds the arts
Bravissimo Publishing, in association with New Media Publishing, has launched Bravo! magazine, an Afrikaans glossy in honour of the arts and entertainment industry.


Marketing and advertising sales managers appointed at woman360 - woman360
woman360 has appointed Marina Smith as its marketing manager and Theuns Venter as the new advertising and sales manager. The portfolio consists of leading women's titles Sarie and Sarie Kos, Fairlady and True Love as well as the magazines' bridal extensions.

Free tours of SA for journos
Journalists attending Indaba, South Africa's annual destination showcase held in Durban 10 – 13 May 2008, will be entitled to a free two night/three day pre- or post tour of one of South Africa's provinces.

Online media room for football's hidden story launches
An online media room, designed specifically for journalists worldwide and endorsed by FIFA, has been launched to help bring to public attention Football's Hidden Story – extraordinary stories of ordinary people whose lives have been transformed through the power of football.

Media24 to pay up for defamation
[Simone Puterman] NEWSWATCH: City Press publisher Media24 will be coughing up R150 000 in damages for defaming ANC politician and medical doctor Zweli Mkhize in March 2007, the Pietermaritzburg High Court ruled yesterday, Monday, 17 March 2008, writes the Mail & Guardian Online.

Call to enter Sanlam Fashion Journalism Awards
Sanlam is calling for entries from all print and internet-based fashion journalists in its second Sanlam SA Fashion Journalism Awards. The blue chip financial institution last year raised the bar for coverage of this industry when it introduced its sponsorship of two awards for fashion journalism as an extension of its sponsorship of the bi-annual Sanlam South African Fashion Week.

Court favours Lesedi presenters; Avusa vote gets go ahead
NEWSWATCH: The Johannesburg Commercial Crimes Court has ruled against the SABC in favour of suspended Lesedi FM presenters Thuso and Mamontha Motaung and co-accused Joshua Ramme, writes SABCnews.com. Meanwhile, shareholders yesterday, Tuesday, 18 March 2008, voted in support of separately listing Avusa's stake in competitor Caxton, reports the Sowetan Online. The shell company, to be called Element One, will hold Avusa's 33.6% interest in Caxton and will be listed from 31 March.

Caxton community newspaper for Joburg South
On Wednesday, 9 April 2008, Caxton will launch another community newspaper in Johannesburg South, the Comaro Chronicle, due to the extensive growth of suburbs in the area.

Another beauty crowned Beeld's Bride of the Year - Beeld
Michelle Bezuidenhout has been named Bride of the Year by judges including fashion designer Simon Rademan. Beeld's Bride of the Year, in association with Canderel, has been running for 30 years.


Sondag celebrates Woordfees - Sondag
The Mardi Gras, with media partner Sondag was bound to be successful. Artists and various stands transformed the Braak in Stellenbosch into a welcoming venue where the whole family could enjoy a relaxed and fun-filled day.

Moneyweb launches merger, acquisitions site
Independent business media company Moneyweb Holdings launched www.dealweb.co.za – a website focusing on mergers and acquisitions and other corporate finance news, including new listings, capital raising and private equity – yesterday, Monday, 17 March 2008. Business journalist and columnist Tim Cohen is the co-owner and editor.

Alliance Media donates life-saving bridge to Zambia - Alliance Media
Alliance Media Zambia recently constructed and installed a life-saving pedestrian bridge across the city's busiest road, the Great East Road outside the University of Zambia.


POP Outdoor offers great billboard opportunities at Sandton, Eastgate and other Liberty malls - POP Outdoor
Sandton City and Eastgate both have more visitors than O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg yet advertisers have historically been unable to advertise their products at some of South Africa's favourite shopping destinations. This has changed fairly recently with POP Outdoor being awarded rights to install its scrolling billboards across Liberty's entire portfolio of malls.


Namibia awards first-ever street pole advertising tender - Alliance Media
The City of Windhoek has awarded the exclusive advertising rights for the installation and maintenance of Street Pole Advertisements to Alliance Media Namibia.


Nothing shady about our parasols - Right Stuff
There is clearly an unrelenting demand for umbrellas in the commercial sector, as can be clearly seen in their extensive use at outdoor cafés, beaches and sporting events. It therefore comes as no surprise that we offer a product which not only exceeds the expectations of our clients, but also fulfils the urgent need for value for money.


Brilliant quality graphics cut to your unique shape! - Expandasign International
We have all seen the standard rectangular rollup Banner Stand but now Expand a Sign is the first company to offer unique, eye-catching cut-out shapes in a fabric roll up banner.

400 guests leap to celebrate with Paarl Media - Paarl Media
The Paarl Media Group celebrated Leap Year along with some 400 clients and business associates at Nederburg on 29 February 2008.

Platform to nurture local talent in the film industry
In 2007, MultiChoice launched the Film Talent Incubator programme to introduce new entrants to the world of television and film making. In 2008, this full-time programme will run for 20 weeks, from the first week of April to mid-September, when graduation takes place.

SABC commits to film, TV festival
At the opening event for the Bafundi Film and TV Festival on the weekend, Sabelo Silinga, executive manager of SABC Content Enterprises, announced that the SABC is committed to the Bafundi Film and TV Festival for the long haul.

Classically directed, beautifully shot KFC ad from Frieze Films - Frieze Films
Frieze Films' Tony Baggott recently partnered with Ogilvy South Africa to produce a brand-building television commercial for KFC.


Evo adds dimension as Chief 3D Animator is appointed - Evo Media
Evo Media, a new media animation, film editing, TV commercial, motion graphics and video production agency based in Cape Town, has appointed a new chief 3D animator to its growing team – Ian Wood.


Creative Circle's prestigious film ad of the year announced! - Bouffant
Dean Blumberg of Bouffant has been awarded the Creative Circle's 2007 film ad of the year, for his spot called “Ubuntu” for Ford through JWT Johannesburg. The award was presented at an awards ceremony held at The Venue, Melrose Arch on Tuesday, 18 March 2008.

Is PR measurable?
[Pat Senne] Although PR is a necessary cog in any private or public company wheel, how seriously is it taken? My feeling is that it is often considered the “poor relative of marketing”. This could be for a number of reasons: how we project ourselves as PR in business; what we offer corporate South Africa; what role we play in the economy; how we are perceived in the public domain; and how abreast we are of external changes and new realities in the business environment.


Jargon – the curse of the 21st century
[Marion Scher] Just recently I gave a workshop to the communications department of one of South Africa's top companies. Before the course they sent me a sample of their in-house publications which I ploughed through – ploughed being the operative word here. Apart from the usual dreaded 'hatched, matched and despatched', there was a collection of jargon second to none...

Act fast, time is ticking by... - Quo Vadis Communications
There are only a few places left for Quo Vadis Communications' highly regarded Organisational Communications course in Johannesburg during April and May 2008.

Michelle Constant quits Radio 2000
Award-winning arts and music journalist Michelle Constant announced yesterday, Monday, 24 March 2008, that she will be leaving Radio 2000 at the end of the month, after nearly two years helming the noon-to-three show.


Stream your favourite SA radio station live
[Tshepiso Seopa] Relying only on two new media tools, viral marketing and blog posts, to inform the masses about AmaRadio, South African developer Gary James says his free online live radio streaming program was downloaded more than 500 times in just five days of going live.

DJs in the April Fool's mix
[Tshepiso Seopa] It is that time of the year again when radio stations have been doing their SWOT analyses, reflecting on their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and possible threats in the year ahead. Over the years, this period has come to be known for everyone being very discreet about their intentions and a lot of speculation about whose contract will be renewed and whose won't.

No more trade restraints for YFM DJs
99.2 YFM has dropped the radio industry practice of slapping restraints of trade on DJs at the end of their contracts of employment, the station announced yesterday, Monday, 17 March 2008, that it. All new contracts signed by YFM going forward will no longer bind presenters to being off air for a period, once their stint with the station is concluded.

Ligwalagwala DJ nominated for MTN SAMA
The list of all MTN SAMA Awards nominees is out and making Mpumalanga proud is Ligwalagwala DJ Sdunkero (Dumisani Kunene), who has secured a place for himself in the Best Record of the Year category. Sdunkero is currently a resident DJ on the Ligwalagwala FM Power Play every Saturday, 6pm – 9pm.

Pre-employment screening as a critical risk-management tool
[Kirsten Halcrow] In today's competitive economic environment, companies cannot afford to be sidetracked by employee problems such as dishonesty, theft, false CVs, fraud or harassment. Employers have increasingly turned to pre-employment screening as a critical risk-management tool to try and avoid hiring problem employees in the first place.


Employee engagement is about effective leadership and good management - CRF South Africa
The concept of employee engagement has gained widespread recognition and credibility in management practice in the last few years, according to Phuti Tsukudu, former chairperson of the South African Post Office and executive director of Tsukudu Associates, a management and HR consultancy based in Cape Town.

Load shedding – how it has affected people in metro areas
At least a half of metropolitan residents have been badly affected by load shedding, both in their personal lives and financially. This is according to a survey last month by marketing and social insights company TNS Research Surveys.

Working together to make the 2010 FIFA World Cup a success! - African Response
In spite of the current electricity shortage, 62% of South Africans agree that our nation will pull it together to make the 2010 work, according to market research company African Response.

Saturating the East Rand's formal shopping centres
[ActivRetail] The economically active commuter market living in Etwatwa/Daveyton, situated on Johannesburg's East Rand, sometimes travel as far as Sandton or Cresta to spend their disposable income at their favourite shopping centre, even though many of these residents have to travel by taxi to get there.

What's hot around the globe – insights on household products 2007
[Nielsen] This survey, which covers 61 markets across five regions around the world, accounting for more than 85% of the world's GDP and over 70% of the world's population, focuses on categories that contain products used around the home to keep it clean and running smoothly. Examples include dish, laundry and hand detergents; brooms, brushes and mops; bleaches and disinfectants; batteries; and plastic and aluminium wraps and bags.

R225 million to support TV drama
[Gabi Khumalo] The Department for International Development in England has announced an investment of R225 million to support two of southern Africa's most successful television and radio series.

M-Net's power-cut solution
To ensure that sporadic load shedding and power cuts do not hinder viewers from enjoying all their favourite television shows, pay-television operator M-Net is now rebroadcasting its prime-time series on a dedicated DStv channel called M-Net Extra on weekends.

See history being made – at Input 2008
Preparations for hosting African public television extravaganza Input are shifting into full gear.

SuperSport acquires rights to Indian Premier League
Friday, 18 April 2008, will mark the beginning of 44 uninterrupted days of 59 Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 cricket matches on SuperSport, played by world-class cricketers. The IPL Twenty20 competition, backed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, will be a landmark event as teams will not be grouped by nationality, but by celebrity owners or corporate houses which have bought players on an auction to form eight teams with a pool of 16 players each. SuperSport has acquired the rights for this tournament for five years.