by Tom Fels (@thomasfels) In December of 1967, Esquire magazine housed 308 pages filled to the brim with advertising, aimed at the ‘modern man’ — 166 ads in all. I know of this because, on New Year’s Day, I was gifted an advertising ‘time-capsule’ of several Esquire magazines dated from 1967 to 1971.
Author archives: Simone Puterman
Shelf Life: Posted with love
Louise Marsland (@Louise_Marsland)’s weekly pick of recent product, packaging, design and food launches: Joe Public Amsterdam ‘owns’ Valentine’s Day; Hennessy’s design collaboration; Kauai launches in Mauritius; and the Rado Star design prize is awarded.
Motive: South Africa at risk of being digitally out-innovated by offshore players
by Jarred Cinman (@jarredcinman) Late last year, Liquid Telecom announced Kenya as the leader in average internet speeds, with the lowest costs on the continent. This is just the latest in the steady erosion of South Africa’s lead over its African cousins in the evolution of its digital landscape.
Ad of the Week: Enjoying the party?
by Oresti Patricios (@orestaki) Many Twitter users streaming #SONA2015 on the day would have spotted the Photoshopped images of President Jacob Zuma, leader of the opposition Helen Zille, the EFF ‘Commander in Chief’ Julius Malema and a mysterious fourth person in various different scenes, enjoying a ‘good time’ together.
Africa Dispatches: Vlisco, a material part of Africa
by Mandy de Waal (@mandyldewaal) Africa’s most successful fabric company isn’t born of the continent, but rather from the Netherlands. Yet Vlisco has become embedded into African culture and trade because of its fierce understanding of customer intimacy.
The Sell: What shopper marketing must learn from digital
by Mimi Nicklin (@MimiNicklin) Do you remember a few years ago, when “digital” was this new and confusing discipline that everyone wanted a piece of but no one knew how? The cycle (of early-days ignorance) is starting again, except this time it’s shopper marketing that is the scary dragon looming at the agency front door.
Homegrown: Lessons from the roadside
by Lynne Gordon (@lynne_gordon) They’re everywhere — small homegrown businesses that pop up along the roadside of busy life in Mzansi. And, for the marketer, closer inspection reveals lessons from the roadside that are as relevant in the boardroom as they are in the backstreets.
Tuned: Why brands should click, tag, post on Instagram
by Thabang Leshilo (@Thabang_Leshilo) For brands, Instagram provides insight into people’s greatest passions helping their custodians and ambassadors understand what makes them tick. It also enables brands to stay in step with the most emergent happenings and trends.
Green Sky Thinking: The shifting role of the consumer
by Colwyn Elder (@colwynelder) Three campaigns did a standout job for sustainability in 2014, and a prevalent theme across all three is the shifting role of the consumer. While there’s always been a role for more conscious consumption, shoppers are now finding their collective voice.
The Real McCoy: Under-promise and over-deliver
by Sean McCoy (@TheRealMcCoyTRM) In a classic case of the converse, my 2015 has gotten off to a grumpy-consumer start, in the area of technology and wireless broadband services specifically. The example triggers a somewhat vocal view about why organisations should adapt their communication in line with what they are capable of delivering against, and not the other way around.