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Another Guide to Following People on Twitter

How does one decide who to follow on Twitter? The answer is apparently much more complicated than you would expect. None of that “I don’t like this guy’s face” nonsense. It’s a potentially lengthy process involving multiple steps according to various social media expert types.

‘Social media experts’ and flow charts go together like Google and Verizon or Facebook and privacy-invasion. They just get one another. The web hosts numerous attempts to chart the thought process of you, dear Tweep, in deciding who you will follow.

With apologies to Cell C

Cell C CEO Lars Reichelt published a second full page apology this past weekend after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that Cell C must stop using the term “4Gs” in its advertising material. Cell C earlier this year punk’d consumers and commentators with an ad apologising to comedian Trevor Noah for lapses in service in what later turned out to be part of a marketing campaign involving the positioning of Noah as Cell-Cs ‘chief experience officer’. Lars (not the real one this time) seems to be at it again, as I explain on BizCommunity.com, rather cheekily.

Not quite legendary…

The other James Dean ad. Created in 2000 for Dunlop tyres by TBWA\ reports Coloribus.

BCCSA ruling could complicate content rating system

The Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa’s (BCCSA) recent ruling, that recommends strong language with a sexual inference be rated with an S alongside the traditional L rating, would complicate South Africa’s television content rating system if implemented.

The waning influence of ad award shows

The statues are stacked in neat rows along office walls. It’s come to define our industry. Kids are told they need to win ’em to impress the creative director and secure that job. Creative directors are told they needs to win ’em to impress the MD and prove their relevance in a competitive industry. MD care because they are told the talent cares, and with a bit of spin and a celebratory lunch, the client might be induced to care, too.

That’s a lot of caring taking place right there, so why am I seeing more and more stories along the lines of ‘Death to Design Awards’, published on the influential design blog Design Observer, or “What’s wrong with advertising award shows?”, published on Adsoftheworld?

Anton Crone: Operation Smile Madagascar

Last week I found myself on an island in the Indian Ocean – and spent most of my time in hospital. But first impressions count and if hospitals are anything to go by, Antananarivo, Madagascar is a magical place.

I’ve seen no gunshot, stabbing or minibus victims, only a broken arm and a smokers’ cough – and that was one of the surgeons. She smokes a pack a day and drinks more coffee than is healthy but her hands are as steady as a rock. They have to be if you are operating on about 8 patients a day over five full days.

Most of the patients I’ve seen in the hospital are smiling, happy characters, made more remarkable by the fact that over 400 of them have cleft lips or palates.

The Creative Process Illustrated – on YouTube

The Art Directors Club and YouTube announced the launch of “The Creative Process Illustrated – on YouTube”, a new series of documentary video shorts in which top agency creatives and marketers provide a rare behind-the-scenes look at how great online work is made.

Top creatives including BBH New York’s Kevin Roddy, Barbarian Group’s Benjamin Palmer, W+K’s Old Spice team of Eric Kallman and Craig Allen, and Dynomighty Designs’ Terrence Kelleman have been interviewed in a behind-the scenes look at creative development in the digital age. The film shorts will premiere on September 28. After the premiere, the films will posted on YouTube Show & Tell.

Feedback re: Andrew Human

Andrew Human, MD of the Loerie Awards, disagreed with my article titled Fall in entries for Digital Loeries points to adoption issues published on BizCommunity.com.

If only Cell C had hired Alex Hunter…

For online interaction with consumers to be successful, brands are required to undertake a transparent, truthful and open approach to communication. “You need to keep it real,” says Alex Hunter, independent brand consultant and a speaker at the Tech4Africa* conference being held in Johannesburg, 12-13 August 2010.

#zamediafreedom ANC vilifies journos in attempt to quash free speech

The ANC has made public its plans for the future of South African media in a discussion paper prepared for the ANC National General Council 2010, to be held 20 – 24 September in Durban. The discussion paper makes it quite clear how the ANC views the media – it unashamedly vilifies journalists as dishonest scoundrels – and rather disconcertingly notes the success of the apartheid regime in staying in power through censorship and media control.