by Erna George. So many brands that do initiate conversations seem to take the role of a parent talking to a child: the conversations are one-sided, directive and sometimes distracted. What with the shift in power towards the consumer (slow though it may be in South Africa), the opportunity to have dialogue as equals is enormous.
Category archives: Columns
#AdoftheYear: Top 10 Best South African Ads of 2014 [ads 5-2]
by Oresti Patricios (@orestaki) Emotion — that’s the one thing in common with the ads at the top of the pile for 2014’s #AdoftheYear. All of these entertain, but are remarkable because they connect to human feelings. So let’s continue with the countdown.
Media Report: Global media buying trends
a The Media Report 2014 feature by Oresti Patricios (@orestaki) Imagine being able to buy media at a click of a button — the same way you’d buy some airtime online or be able to purchase an airline ticket. The news is that you can now do this, and it’s the hottest media buying trend across the globe.
#Top40TVratings: 17–23 November 2014
by SAARF & MarkLives (@marklives) See who made it to the top of our National and DStv charts for the week of 17–23 November 2014! This collaboration 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.
#AdoftheYear: Top 10 Best South African Ads of 2014 [ads 10–6]
by Oresti Patricios (@orestaki) The Christmas decorations are out in the malls, the newspapers are full of brochures and seasonal specials, and the promise of a well-earned break is just around the corner. With two weeks to go until Marklives.com closes shop for the holidays, it’s time to do a countdown of the #Top10 Best South African Ads for 2014.
Media Report: Independence Day
by Oresti Patricios (@orestaki) The theme of this issue of The Media Report 2014 is independence… and independence is the issue. An independent judiciary, independent law enforcement and an independent media, all balanced by a constitutional system that provides checks and balances – this is what makes for a healthy democracy and, naturally, a healthy economy.
Brand Culture: Ray Bans on the promenade
by DK Badenhorst. Ray Ban Wayfarers (especially on the Cape Town promenade) have become a proxy for middle/upper-income Cape Town. And, instead of the art installation being seen for the bridge it’s trying to be, it’s been crucified for the gap that currently exists.
#Top40TVratings: 10–16 November 2014
by SAARF & MarkLives (@marklives) See who made it to the top of our National and DStv charts for the week of 10–16 November 2014! This collaboration 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: Eyes in the back of your head
by Oresti Patricios (@orestaki) These are technological innovations that boost our driving with added elements of safety and convenience. A while ago I featured an ad for Merc’s system that detected driver drowsiness — now it’s VW’s turn, with the brand’s ‘Side Assist’.
Motive: Hello — we’re the Millennials
by Gareth Pearson (@gareth_pearson) Millennials are marketing-savvy and socially empowered — and, as consumers, can be ruthless with products and brands which they see as irrelevant, self-seeking, non-tech, shy and non-engaging.