by Russell Southwood (@BalancingActAfr) Chike Maduegbuna of Afrinolly talks to us about his latest deal with MTN to put the Afrinolly platform out in all its territories; its strategy to widen its distribution; and the short film competition it is running.
Monthly archives: November 2013
Red & Yellow set for revamp, expansion
by Herman Manson (@marklives) Cape Town ad school Red & Yellow has set in place a firm foundation for growth and renewal in the new year, when a brand refresh — the first in a number of changes for the school — will be revealed.
NSA spying could see tech companies could go ‘dark’ to regain trust
by David Glance. There is definitely a motivation for major technology companies to provide a verifiably secure means of allowing users to communicate securely without an ability for them to provide access to security agencies, even if requested to. Two companies, Silent Circle and Lavabit, have come together to form the Dark Mail alliance in an attempt to do exactly this.
Media defies govt over Nkandla photo ‘ban’
by Herman Manson (@marklives) The media in its broadest sense, from print to social media, has collectively defied the ministers of the ‘security cluster’ in the South African government who is claiming that is illegal to publish photographs of President Jacob Zuma’s taxpayer upgraded Nkandla home, by, well, publishing photographs of President Jacob Zuma’s taxpayer upgraded Nkandla home.
MagLove: How to make a magazine in 24 hours
by MediaSlut (@mediaslut) The best international and local magazine covers this week: Fricote, New York, Stylist (The 24-Hour Challenge special edition), Time Out London, My Tyd (Rapport) and SARIE.
Media Future: HTC comes back to the party
by Arthur Goldstuck (@art2gee) It makes some of the best phones in the world. Yet HTC imploded as a brand this year. Now it’s back in South Africa.
Shelf Life: A Toy for Toy Christmas retail story #ExtraSpecial
Louise Marsland (@Louise_Marsland)’s pick of new product, packaging and design launches this week: Royal Dansk butter cookies launch in SA; DStv takes to the malls to demo Explora; Perdeberg Winery launches its wines in a new collection; and here’s how you can contribute to Checkers and Shoprite’s Toy for Toy campaign to provide festive cheer to needy kids.
The Ad Contrarian: Adland — salespeople or sociologists?
by Bob Hoffman (@adcontrarian) Somewhere along the line, the ad industry decided that advertising should be about consumers, not products. This unnoticed and unremarked-upon mutation has had a profound impact on the nature and effectiveness of what we do.
Ad of the Week: Where’s my name? #ShareACokeZA
by Oresti Patricios (@orestaki) Since the beginning of November 2013, South Africans have been able to buy cans and bottles that have the wording “Coca-Cola” replaced with 600 of the country’s most common names. Produced by Draftfcb with Velocity Films, the television commercial (TVC) that goes with this #ShareACokeZA campaign is called “Share a Coke with Bobby”, featuring a gorgeous black-and-white border-collie-cross-pit-bull.
Fair Exchange: Unilever, P&G and the rise of the corporate brand
by Erna George. Over the past few months, I have noticed that corporate brands are increasingly being featured in campaigns marketing the product or ‘consumed’ brand. Whether a surreptitious inclusion or blaring endorsement, this phenomenon is an interesting addition to the branding landscape.