Africa’s most-admired brands as selected by key influencers. Curated by Mandy de Waal (@mandyldewaal) in this Mark Magazine: Africa Dispatches feature.
Category archives: Columns
It’s good to be #1
by Jon Pienaar. Nigeria as an investment destination has been ramped up to grab the world’s attention because of its huge increase in rebased GDP. But it’s going to take more than that to compete with South Africa for FDI.
SAARF/MarkLives #Top40TVratings: #WorldCup scores five of Top 10 slots
by SAARF & MarkLives (@marklives) It’s a goaaaaaal as the 2014 FIFA World Cup launches into five of the Top 10 slots on SAARF/MarkLives #Top40TVratings national chart during during the week of 16–22 June 2014. It also took up nine of the top 20 slots. The State of the Nation address came in at number 16. On the DStv, chart SONA came in at no. 6 and no FIFA games made the Top 10.
Ad of the Week: Sanlam’s super-duper boy
by Oresti Patricios (@orestaki) It has been a trend lately for ads to look back at ‘the old days’ with a strong sense of nostalgia. This week we go ‘retro’ again, with an ad from King James Group that harks back to the ’60s: Sanlam’s ode to youth and the patience that’s required to build wealth in the long term.
Motive: Mike Abel — How to train your awards judge
by Mike Abel. So much time is spent in our industry developing brilliant work, yet how much time is spent on training creatives (and strategists and suits) on how best to evaluate it?
Nigeria, Africa’s new economic giant
by Jon Pienaar Nigeria’s much-delayed rebasing of its GDP caused a few waves in April, but how does it affect South Africa? Most analysts seem to agree that it’s business as usual.
SAARF/MarkLives #Top40TVratings: Ja, South Africans love the beautiful game #WorldCup
by SAARF & MarkLives (@marklives) Indeed, yes, we South Africans do love our football, as our SAARF/MarkLives #Top40TVratings national and DStv charts show during during the week of 9–15 June 2014 — but the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil hasn’t made it to the Top 10 in either chart… yet.
Ad of the Week: Duck, duck, croc
by Oresti Patricios (@orestaki) Curiosity is the engine of learning. But without access to information, the natural curiosity of a child will be stifled. This charming ad, “Duck Egg” by MetropolitanRepublic for MTN, tells a story of curiosity and education while selling MTN’s data product.
Africa Dispatches: Grow with Africa
The continent’s higher growth rates are calling but many brands have ventured forth, only to discover that expanding in Africa is complex. Mandy de Waal (@mandyldewaal) speaks to the vanguards in this Mark Magazine: Africa Dispatches feature.
SAARF/MarkLives #Top40TVratings: “When we were black” back in top 10
by SAARF & MarkLives (@marklives) SABC 1 drama “When we were black” returned to the top 10, at no. 4 position, during the week of 2–8 June 2014, our SAARF/MarkLives #Top40TVratings national chart shows. Meanwhile, on our DStv chart, International Rugby: South Africa vs World XV made it to no. 14.