by MarkLives (@marklives) MarkLives is tracking South African and African advertising and marketing industry event changes, postponements and cancellations due to the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, and its resulting disease, covid-19. Updates may be sent to us via our contact form or the email address published on our Contact Us page (opinion pieces/guest columns must be exclusive). Most-recent announcements will be added on top. This is for 16–20 March 2020.
- #CoronavirusSA: Adland responds to #covid19 (14—17 April 2020)
- #CoronavirusSA: Adland responds to #covid19 (30 Mar–3 Apr 2020)
- #CoronavirusSA: Adland responds to #covid19 (23–27 March 2020)
- #CoronavirusSA: Ad agencies, marketers’ responses to #covid19 (16–20 March)
- #CoronavirusSA – Special Section
While we have your attention: Please would you consider taking out a MarkLives membership to help finance our operations? The covid-19 pandemic is having a huge impact on society and industry. With your support, either as a once-off or monthly contribution, we can continue our coverage of its impact on our industry.
Save the Event Industries LIVE Conference
Held: Wednesday, 18 March 2020
A live broadcast, hosted by MJ Event Gear and EFX Productions yesterday, discussed the covid-19 impact on the events industry.
https://www.facebook.com/SaveEventIndustries/videos/1047255365655837/
Cannes Lions shifts to October 2020
Announced: Wednesday, 18 March 2020
The organisers of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity have announced that the festival and awards will now take place 26–30 October 2020:
As always, the health, safety and wellbeing of our community is our priority. The decision was made following productive talks with our valued partners and customers and following consultation with public health officials, the City of Cannes and the French Authorities.
We have worked with the City of Cannes to make sure that the move from June to October is a smooth transition for everyone. If you are an existing Cannes Lions customer, all passes, sponsorship arrangements and bookings will roll over and remain valid.
We recognise that this is a difficult time for the entire community and we will remain in deep consultation with many of our customers and partners as we continue to plan. We are now focussed on planning the Festival and preparing for the Lions. It is our commitment to recognise the extraordinary spread of international creative work and its contribution to the development of people, business and society.
The Lions will be awarded during the new Festival dates and the work will still be judged and awarded by our global juries. We are planning to extend the deadline and eligibility date and are currently finalising the plans around this, with an update coming soon.
Our community is facing unprecedented challenges and collaboration and communication have never been more important. We’ll continue to provide you with regular updates and we look forward to supporting you with your plans over the coming weeks and months.
IAB SA invites you to join the #Bookmark2020 experience online
Announced: Tuesday, 17 March 2020
Get ready to go online this Thursday 19 March: 5pm-6pm
Feed: instagram.com/iab_sa
Last week, the IAB SA announced the digitisation of the 12th annual Bookmark Awards ceremony, scheduled for this Thursday at 5pm, and the cancellation of the on-site event at The Galleria that evening. as it only responsible to minimise any health risk of event attendees.
Says Andrea Quaye, Bookmarks jury president: “You won’t have to miss the 2020 Bookmark Awards because #Bookmarks2020 is a digital-first, free awards experience that will be accessible to all online through the IAB SA digital platforms and supporting local media. We invite all agencies, publishers, brands, companies and individuals to join in this week — from whereever you are — as we take the #2020Bookmarks online for the first time.”
“We are also thrilled to be inviting our 2020 Bookmarks Front Row winners to the #2020Bookmarks show format and will be further introducing them to the industry online this Thursday and at future events and platforms,” says Paula Hulley, IAB SA CEO.
2020 Bookmarks IAB SA Front Row winners:
- Zoya Nkosi
- KamogeloMakhale
- Motshidisi Mokoena
- Bokamoso Pascal Tsogang
- Mahlatse Moti
Each of these winners submitted their entry by Friday 13 March and was reviewed by the IAB SA Bookmarks Front Row Panel. Each will receive a R10 000 online-course voucher from The Red & Yellow Creative School of Business, a R3 000 G-Star clothing voucher and an invitation to participate in the #2020Bookmarks online awards and future IAB events.
Annual AMASA Workshop postponed until further notice
Announced: Tuesday, 17 March 2020
AMASA has postpone its fifth annual AMASA Workshop, scheduled for 2–5 April 2020. “This decision was taken in the interest of pulling together as a nation to contain this disease to the best of our ability. We apologise for any inconvenience caused but wish you and your families good health during this time,” reads the statement.
The Radio Awards cancels event, opts for digital announcement
Announced: Monday, 16 March 2020
In light of the Government’s declared state of disaster and the collective national efforts to combat the spread of Coronavirus COVID-19 by prohibiting events where more than 100 people are gathered, it is important that we share the change of format for announcing the winners of The Radio Awards 2020.
The Radio Awards gala dinner which was initially scheduled to take place in Sandton on 18 April 2020 has been replaced with an online winners announcement to be aired via digital channels on Friday, 17 April 2020 at 14h00. Further information regarding access to the announcement will be shared in due course.
As planned, category finalists will be announced via the www.radioawards.co.za website and The Radio Awards social media channels at 10h00 on 18 March 2020.
While it’s unfortunate that it will not be possible to celebrate the success of local radio talent in person, we thank you for your understanding, and for playing your part in keeping the health of our fellow citizens top priority.
#TOW 2020 cancels event
Announced: Monday, 16 March 2020
The Times of the Writer (#TOW2020) festival, which was due to take place from Monday 16 March until Saturday 21 March has been cancelled. The organisers hope to facilitate part the festival through digital and media channels.
People who have already purchased tickets will be contacted regarding refunds. In case of any questions, contact cca@ukzn.ac.za or send a Facebook chat message.
Night of 1000 Drawings postponed
Announced: Monday, 16 March 2020
The organisers of Night of 1000 Drawings have postponed the event until further notice. The art-for-charity initiative was scheduled to take place from Friday 27 March to Sunday 29 March at Victoria Yards, Lorentzville.
“1000 Drawings acknowledges the extraordinary efforts made by members of the community to ensuring a successful event. A rescheduled date will be announced in due course. We anticipate that the event will go ahead in a few months. However, should you wish to be refunded, please contact: info@100drawings.org. (or Webtickets).”
IMC Conference postponed
Announced: Monday, 16 March 2020
The Nedbank IMC 2020 has been postponed in keeping with cabinet guidelines regarding covid-19. This is according to Dale Hefer, IMC CEO. The conference, which sold out with over 750 delegates and 18 speakers, scheduled to take place this Thursday 19 March. A new date will be established as soon as possible.
“We fully respect the prevention guidelines,” says Hefer. “The good news is that people who had cancelled previously due to the virus will now be able to attend. We have the full support of our sponsors, speakers and other stakeholders including the Marketing Association of South Africa (MASA) and the IAB. We undertake to supply delegates with no less than one month’s notice of the new date and are committed to a smooth transition to the new date.”
PRISM Awards cancelled
Announced: Monday, 16 March 2020
The PRISM Awards Committee and Public Relations Institute of South Africa (PRISA) cancelled the 2020 PRISM Awards event. The awards ceremony was scheduled for 5 April 2020 at the Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg.
“We have been monitoring the developments around the virus closely over the last few weeks and we were aware that a cancellation of the awards was a possibility. We acknowledge that the PR and communication industry at large will be disappointed, however, this decision has been taken with their health and safety in mind,” says Palesa Madumo, PRISM Awards convenor.
The PRISMs committee will be in contact with all individuals, agencies and organisations that have entered the 2020 awards ,and additional information will be shared with them in due course. Refunds will be given to all those of who have purchased tickets; contact Louise Struwig on louise@prisa.co.za with any queries.
“We are considering a number of options to still ensure that entrants and the ultimate winners of the awards are acknowledged and celebrated. We will make this information available once finalised,” says Madumo.
Bookmarks cancels gala, now digital only
Announced: Friday, 13 March 2020
The IAB Bookmarks Awards has cancelled its gala event, which was to be held at The Galleria on 19 March 2020. The awards will instead be announced via digital format, and all paid 2020 Bookmarks ticket event holders will be refunded in full.
“While all systems are on track for the 2020 award announcements [this] Thursday, we are taking a cautious approach, based on the industry’s response to COVID-19,” says Paula Hulley, IAB SA CEO. “In conversations regarding company mandate to minimise risk to assure health and safety, we have decided to ask our attendees not to gather in the same venue at the event and, as such, we have cancelled the physical event planned for 19 March 2020 at The Galleria.”
While we have your attention: Please would you consider taking out a MarkLives membership to help finance our operations? The covid-19 pandemic is having a huge impact on society and industry. With your support, either as a once-off or monthly contribution, we can continue our coverage of its impact on our industry.
See also
- #CoronavirusSA: Adland responds to #covid19 (14—17 April 2020)
- #CoronavirusSA: Adland responds to #covid19 (30 Mar–3 Apr 2020)
- #CoronavirusSA: Adland responds to #covid19 (23–27 March 2020)
- #CoronavirusSA: Ad agencies, marketers’ responses to #covid19 (16–20 March)
- #CoronavirusSA – Special Section
This MarkLives #CoronavirusSA special section contains coverage of how the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and its resultant disease, covid-19, is affecting the advertising, marketing and related industries in South Africa and other parts of Africa, and how we are responding. Updates may be sent to us via our contact form or the email address published on our Contact Us page. Opinion pieces/guest columns must be exclusive.
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