Stretching experiential marketing

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.

Marrying PR and social, new agency shoots up in a year

by Herman Manson (@marklives) Where do journalists go as their industry divests from original content? To industry doing the exact opposite, of course — like marketing, to be exact. Tom Manners and his business Clockwork Media are an apt example.

Digify attempts to address diversity, digital-skills gaps in adland

by Herman Manson (@marklives) Digify, a new project launched by Livity Africa in association with Google and the IAB, is helping to address both the digital-skills gap and lack of diversity in the supply of digital-savvy youngsters joining ad agencies and marketing departments.

TBWA plans up to six acquisitions

by Herman Manson (@marklives) TBWA is looking at as many as six more acquisitions spread out over the next four quarters, says Derek Bouwer, ‎CEO at TBWA\South Africa. At the end of 2013, TBWA acquired 80% stake in youth marketing agency, HDI Youth Marketeers. It also increased its stake in marketing agency Openco to 51% from a previous holding of 30%.

With 8Bit, bloggers unite for scale, ad spend

by Herman Manson (@marklives) An innovative sales network is emerging to ensure the sustainability of South Africa’s smaller independent publishers and bloggers. 8Bit, started by Tom Kennedy and Richard Hutch, combines the inventory of a number of popular blogs and indy websites in a bid to grab a bigger piece of the online advertising pie.

Grey is back, and heading north

by Herman Manson (@marklives) Volcano, an agency that this year entered its 21st year in operation the South African ad industry, has been resisting offers from the multinational networks for years. But, a year ago, WPP suddenly closed down its SA agency for Grey. Negotiations with Volcano started soon afterwards.

Gail Curtis leaves Saatchi & Saatchi

by Herman Manson (@marklives) Gail Curtis has left advertising and her position as group CEO at Saatchi & Saatchi South Africa, after nine years with the agency. She departed in May 2014 but is committed to advising the agency through July. Her plans are to establish a new consultancy focused on mentoring women in senior management positions.

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