TBWA, Zille deny Sunday Times tender scandal report

The Sunday Times has published allegations that the office of Western Cape premier Helen Zille has awarded the province’s communication budget to agency TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris without following proper tender procedures. It values the contract at R1 billion over two years. The newspaper is basing the story on information supplied by an anonymous “whistle-blower.”

The Sunday Times has published allegations that the office of Western Cape premier Helen Zille has awarded the province’s communication budget to agency TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris without following proper tender procedures. It values the contract at R1 billion over two years. The newspaper is basing the story on information supplied by an anonymous “whistle-blower.”

Zille’s office was quick to release a statement on the matter, denying the charges published by the Sunday Times. Zille’s office says “there is absolutely no truth in the suggestion that there was anything improper or unprocedural in awarding this tender.” It goes on to charge that the Sunday Times “chose deliberately not to present the facts as presented to them” and that a formal complaint will be lodged with the press ombudsman.

The ad agency involved has also denied any foul play. “We have incredibly high standards and ethics, as well as strict corporate governance rules,” said TBWA\ South Africa CEO Derek Bouwer in a statement. Click here for the full story.

Let the tablet wars begin

The tablet wars are here, with a dozen options on the South African shelves. ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK kicks off Gadget’s extensive coverage of the field with an overview of the available devices.

After months of battlefield manoeuvres, the tablet wars have been joined in earnest. More than a dozen opposing armies have lined up their forces, and the shooting war has begun.

Nothing signalled the ferocity of the war better than preliminary court injunctions granted to Apple against Samsung this week, barring the latter from selling its Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia and Germany. Apple accuses Samsung not of copying its technology, but its look, feel and intuitive interface. Both the Samsung device and Apple’s iPad have screens of around 10 inches in diagonal width – the iPad is 9.7” – regarded by many as the ideal tablet size. Click here for the full story.

M&C Saatchi Abel gets thumbs up from Moray MacLennan

M&C Saatchi Abel is buzzing. The agency, which launched in early 2010 with no clients signed up front but a powerful management team, has grown to more than 63 staffers working with 29 client organisations. It just won the account for Geely – the Chinese auto manufacturer that also owns Volvo. The agency recently took another floor in the block in Cape Town where it is headquartered.

The management team is also energised by the presence of Moray MacLennan, worldwide chief executive of M&C Saatchi, in South Africa on a two-day stint to check in on progress.

“I’m clearly pleased,” says MacLennan, with regards to the results of the investment his network made in launching its Cape Town and Johannesburg offices. The UK-based group has and continues to invest tens of millions of rand in growing its South African business.

So far, the SA agency’s financials match those set out by the revenue and profit plan co-founder and chief executive partner Mike Abel drew up before the shop opened, says MacLennan.

Abel is on record as saying he expects the agency to break even by the end of 2011. It would give the agency’s critics pause for thought – the broader industry was widely dismissive of M&C Saatchi Abel’s attempt at entering the market, believing its initial top-heavy structure would prove too much in a tough economic climate. Click here for the full story.

John Brown wins triple play, challenges for top content marketer spot

John Brown has quickly become a force to be reckoned with in the South African custom marketing field. It launched in 2007 with Pick n Pay as a client, producing its monthly food magazine, Fresh Living, which has since emerged as the bestselling food title in the country. Now, suddenly, it has grabbed Cell C, Edgars Club and Discovery Health in short succession, shaking up the local custom marketing industry.

In the UK, John Brown is an important player in content marketing, doing catalogue and publishing work for clients such as retailers John Lewis, Orange, Waitrose and RBS. Its titles are known for its quality and craftsmanship.

When Pick n Pay announced it was looking for a publisher for its new in-store magazine, John Brown CEO Andrew Hirsch initially hoped to pitch for the title alongside local partners. Unable to find suitable partners, the group launched in SA on its own steam – and managed to win the Pick n Pay account with, as MD Lani Carstens put it, a team of “two-and-a-half people”. Click here for the full story.

Oliver Hermanus on critics and Skoonheid’s marketing strategy

In the second part of our interview with Oliver Hermanus, he discusses Skoonheid’s marketing strategy, the critical reaction of the major trades and South African critics, his reasons for making the film and the faults of the local film funding system. By Roger Young (for Mahala). Click here for the full story.