Research in Motion have finally acknowledged the reason for the near-global BlackBerry outage. But the fault goes deeper than the network alone, writes ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK.
Category archives: Marketing
A quick guide to a life without BBM
The outage that has rendered BlackBerry Internet Service all but unusable across Africa, Europe and the Middle East has highlighted the need for options and alternatives. ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK offers a quick guide to a life without BBM.
Tale of two outages #seacom #blackberry
On 10 October, South Africans wrestled with two major connectivity outages: the SEACOM undersea cable and the BlackBerry Internet Service both went down. But the outages were one thing; how users were treated was another, writes ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK. They provide a case study in both successful and disastrous public relations.
The next big shift in smartphones
Lurking beneath the headlines of the iPhone 4S launch was a signpost to the next big shift in smartphones – high end devices at low-end prices. ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK explores the meaning of a $99 iPhone 4.
BlackBerry brand so powerful in SA, consumers associate it with their right to communications
The BlackBerry brand in South Africa found itself in the midst of two seemingly disastrous public relations crises in the past two weeks. But, says ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK, both events said more about the power of the brand, and the fall-out gave it even more strength.
A history of brands and branding in South Africa
An exciting new addition to South Africa’s marketing literature come in the form of the recently published From Groot Constantia to Google: 1865 to 2010 – a colourful history of brands & branding in South Africa by Affinity Advertising & Publishing.
Backtrack: How human universals help build great brands
By understanding what humans across the globe have in common, marketers can begin to build brands that create meaningful connections between products and people. Jan Hofmeyr highlights the four most important factors that need to be considered.
The myth of the ‘digital born’
Are children really “digital born”? ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK argues that this fondly held belief is a myth. He suggests a tool used by kids that adults can also embrace to become “digital made”.
Ad workers on go slow
The Creative Recruitment And Producer’s (CRAP) union – which represents copywriters, graphic designers and recruitment agents across the country – has announced that its members are set to embark on a nation-wide strike in a bid to improve wages and working conditions.
Mike Abel asks are you a Challenger Brand or simply the Underdog?
M&C Saatchi Abel MD Mike Abel takes a closer look at the art of creating true challenger brands.