by Arthur Goldstuck (@art2gee) The buzz around wearable device at this year’s CES in Las Vegas almost overshadowed a flood of groundbreaking new gadgets, but not quite. Let’s look at the newly launched devices that are likely to make an impact in 2014.
Author archives: Simone Puterman
The Switch: The quick agency/marketer guide to surviving a pitch
by Alistair Mokoena (@AlistairMokoena) Every profession has its defining moment, a moment when stakes are at their highest. We refer to these moments as the moment of truth. For marketers, the moment a consumer interacts with a brand for the first time constitutes a moment of truth. For those of us in the advertising world, the moment we present work to a client is our moment of truth.
Fair Exchange: Equal benefits
by Erna George. January is usually when we all consider how we’d like to do things differently in 2014. But, before we start planning the year ahead, evaluating the year behind us is key.
The Ad Contrarian: Adland success can be a steal
by Bob Hoffman (@adcontrarian) Sometimes, creativity isn’t about inventing. Sometimes it’s about rearranging. Yes, adland success can be a steal.
Shelf Life: Two-for-one specials coming to a fast-food outlet near you
Louise Marsland (@Louise_Marsland)’s pick of new product, packaging and design launches this week: January is the time of sales and special offers and even fast food isn’t exempt as KFC cooks up; Native VML shows how branded content works for Jameson; the tinsel has hardly been put away when the shops are slathered in red for Valentine’s Day and “sincere” messages on chocolates; Pepsi takes to the streets; and it turns out the Sodastream deal wasn’t that sweet for Scarlett Johansson.
Green Sky Thinking: “Live design. Transform life.”
by Colwyn Elder (@colwynelder) The role of design has indeed evolved and broadened rapidly in the past decade. Concurrently, the design process has also evolved and human-centred design is now finally enjoying centre stage.
Ad of the Week: Pop-up Street Store for the homeless shows real heart
by Oresti Patricios (@orestaki) Don’t you love it when intelligent people apply smart thinking to innovate solutions to social problems? If you’re like me, you’ll love what the team of clever clogs at M&C Saatchi Abel have come up with to try and help Cape Town’s needy — a pop-up Street Store for the homeless!
Indy Ad Exec: Independent thinking
by Tom Fels (@thomasfels) Having spent most of my career working at independent agencies, I suddenly found myself contemplating what it means to be an independent in this industry.
Africa Style: Why leaner budgets could be good for adland
by Masingita Mazibuko. When it comes to marketing budgets, these are often financially ambitious and informed by the principle that, with more money, one can do that much more.
#ShelfLifeTrends 2014: Culture change drives packaging innovation
by Louise Marsland (@Louise_Marsland) Packaging and new product trends for 2014, across the consumer packaged goods markets globally, reveal the increasing use of vegetables in unique formulations; a growing focus on ‘extreme’ flavours; an emphasis on ‘clean’ ingredients and sustainability; and packaging innovation driven by changing consumer lifestyles.