by Herman Manson (@marklives) Stretch, an experiential marketing agency launched in 2009 by Mike Silver, is one of a number of smaller agencies hoping to raise its profile and growth curve by stepping into the space opened up for independent agencies through the effective vacuuming job by WPP and Publicis Groupe.
Category archives: Watch
Smart Africa TV: Gotel’s plans to launch the Al Jazeera of Africa from Abuja
by Russell Southwood (@BalancingActAfr) In this video interview Abukar Abba Tahir, Director, Gotel Communications, discusses the company’s plans to launch the Al Jazeera of Africa from Abuja.
Ad of the Week: Getting Dad’s approval for a car
by Oresti Patricios (@orestaki) I’m generally wary of car ads that use dangerous stunts and high-speed driving, as if the ‘thrill of the drive’ is the most important consideration when buying a car. That said, I think Nissan Almera’s “Dad’s Approval” from TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris turns the model on its head.
Brand Culture: A new reason for an old New Year’s Resolution
by DK Badenhorst. Language can’t stretch forever. It either has to move (ie healthy must mean sexy) or it snaps back (healthy means healthy again and sexy means sexy). Health can’t move; it has family and a job in the health environment. Brands such as Vital and categories such as ‘organic food’ require that it hangs on to its conventional meaning. So what now?
Shelf Life: Packaging, product, design & food trends for 2015
by Louise Marsland (@Louise_Marsland) New packaging, product, design and food trends in the FMCG market for 2015 will revolve around consumer demand for fortified foods; packaging that provides functionality; and ethical product sourcing and manufacture.
Ad of the Week: Takealot of this DIY Christmas Special with Suzelle
by Oresti Patricios (@orestaki) Suzelle DIY is a “Bitesized Do-It-Yourself Webseries” conceived by filmmaker and animator Ari Kruger and illustrator/designer Julia Anastasopoulos. In December 2014, online retailer Takealot.com used the holiday season and four episodes to promote the brand, as well as its wish list feature— and I think it’s a very clever association.
#AdoftheYear: Best South African Ad of 2014 — #getmeto21
by Oresti Patricios (@orestaki) I’m a big fan of digital, social media and viral campaigns that work well. That’s why I’ve decided to award this year’s #AdoftheYear to a campaign that has already made a tremendous impact upon people’s lives, and promises to do more as it continues gathering momentum.
Smart Africa TV: Calabar Carnival — Africa’s largest street party
by Russell Southwood (@BalancingActAfr) In this video interview, we talk to Efa Imoke, managing director of STRATA Management and Technologies and deputy president of the Calabar Chamber of Commerce, about the Calabar Carnival — Africa’s largest street party.
The Sell: The Christmas that marketing made
by Mimi Nicklin (@MimiNicklin) When one delves a little deeper, nearly everything I describe as “Christmas spirit” is nearly 100% created by either retail activation or marketing magic of some kind.
Heroes & Zeros: Afrisam & newspaper inserts — best & worst ads of the week
This week during The Ad Feature 702, Andy Rice (@ricecommaandy) and Jenny Crwys-Williams commend cement brand, Afrisam, for its unlikely creative use of space and give a big thumbs down to a specific type of newspaper advertising — retail inserts.