by Mongezi Mtati (@Mongezi) Customers, as with all human beings, want a real and authentic connection with brands and that, in itself, is an opportunity to build a movement of insiders — people who are more likely to hear about a product release first, and help to spread in their circles.
Author archives: Simone Puterman
Dissident Spin Doctor: Do we have to be bullies to succeed?
by Emma King (@EmmainSA) I don’t think bullying is uncommon, and I believe it crosses the spectrum — of all sexes, all ages, and all levels within businesses. So how should you deal with being bullied?
Heroes & Zeros: Ebony+Ivory & Toyota — best & worst brands of last week
Andy Rice (@ricecommaandy) talks about his best and worst brands of last week — Ebony+Ivory and Toyota, respectively — with Jenny Crwys-Williams during The Ad Feature on Talk Radio 702.
Creation: A quick guide to pissing off creatives
by Artwell Nwaila (@artwelln) In April 2013, Harvard Business Review published an article by Dr Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, titled “Seven Rules for Managing Creative People”. I could go on for days about this crazy article but instead have chosen to provide seven more ways to piss off creatives.
Shelf Life: Keeping time with Apple
Louise Marsland (@Louise_Marsland)’s weekly pick of recent product, packaging and design launches: the interwebs crumble as Apple launches THE watch; Bull Brand launches meaty new packaging; Kauai takes a bite out of Namibia; and Kotex presents a fresh new look.
The Switch: Passion’s role in advertising
by Alistair Mokoena (@AlistairMokoena) Every agency claims to be a collection of passionate creative souls. Every client claims to be passionate about its brands. Agency-performance contracts stipulate that agencies must show passion for client business, brands and services. But nowhere have I come across an explanation for what it means to be passionate.
#Top40TVratings: 1–7 September 2014
by SAARF & MarkLives (@marklives) See who made it to the top of our National and DStv charts for the week of 1–7 September 2014! A collaboration between the South African Audience Research Foundation and MarkLives, this #Top40TVratings column is a weekly roundup of South Africa’s TV audience viewership, revealing the best-watched shows of the week before, where they ran and how many South Africans tuned in to watch.
Ad of the Week: #MadeofMore #MadeofBlack
by Oresti Patricios (@orestaki) Once again, we’re featuring Guinness on Ad of the Week. Previously, we chose the beautiful, unique “Sapeurs” as its appeal was so universal and classy that it couldn’t be ignored; this time, the latest offering targets the younger segment, themed on a Kanye West song — #MadeofBlack.
#3D: Five data-driven marketing steps to impress your boss
by Prakash Patel (@prakashpatel_1) Your CEO just asked what your data strategy is. Let’s keep calm and follow this simple, internationally followed, Five-Step Process to becoming a data-driven organisation that I’ve used for years and that will impress your boss!
Beyond Borders: Ebola — a challenge to brands
by Craig Page-Lee (@cpl_ignite) What are global brands doing to help address the outbreak of Ebola in Africa? Why have I not seen any major communications interventions by global brands on this topic — conversations in support of, in sympathy for, and providing relevant and purposeful information to those in the thick of it?