The PM’s misspelt letter – a parable of modern Britain?

[Dr Graeme Codrington] The first few entries of this blog have focused on trying to understand the future by tracking the trends that are shaping the world around us. This is something I do everyday – watching the world, and looking for the defining moments and shaping stories. One such story from the world of British politics, military and the media caught my eye this week.

Comments [1] [12 Nov 11:17]

Another ‘lucky’ feline tale

[Louise Marsland] Remember how we all went gaga over the story of Lucky, the one-legged cheetah in the VW Golf ad by Ogilvy Cape Town earlier this year? Well, how about this tale of a one-eyed kitten surviving a journey across Jozi in an Opel engine?

Comments [3] [10 Nov 11:43]

Take care when choosing a spokesperson

[Marion Scher] So your company needs to nominate a spokesperson – pretty straightforward decision, don’t you think? After all, who are you going to choose, the person with the speech impediment or perhaps someone for whom English is a third language? Maybe an alien from another planet or possibly just someone who doesn’t seem to have enough to do in the office and volunteered?

[04 Nov 10:28]

How did you survive this recession?

[Louise Marsland] As we near the end of this year, most people will heave a sigh of relief. It’s been a tough one in many industries, and while South Africa may not have been as badly off as some elsewhere in the world, there’s no doubt that we’ve had to work harder for our money this year!

Comments [1] [02 Nov 11:25]

Zakitumi, baby!

[Terry Levin] Thought you might want to share a few marketing lessons that I picked up from the Cape Times, when I went online to renew our subscription this week. What is a rather fab stroke of genius is the launch of the Zakumi cartoon exclusively on the web at IOL, by the Madam & Eve outfit – Stephen Francis and Rico. “The Adventures of Zakumi” is just the kind of saleable, added value, engagement thing we need.

Comments [2] [07 Sep 11:53]

Survivor China: the Great Wall of SABC ruin

[Shan Radcliffe] It was all hands-on-deck for the three-hour Survivor finale last night, as fans across South Africa tuned in to watch the final plays and last minute wheeling and dealing from the contestants to see who would be crowned the winner of Survivor China. It's the moment we've all been waiting for. So what did SABC3 go and do? [poll]

Comments [9] [01 Sep 13:57]

[Loeries] Camps Bay to be Cannes'd

[Terry Levin] The activities kick off on Heritage Day with a Mayoral Welcome for the VIEs [Very Inflated Egos] at 5.30pm, the customary Industry Battle of the bands at 7.30pm and the 10.30pm Chairman's Party with none other than DJ and chairman of the Loerie Awards, Festus Masekwameng in the mix. The catch is this - with two nights of parties to go, you don't want to overdo it at this one. Yeah right.

Comments [2] [31 Jul 12:01]

Much ado about nothing – Confed Cup branding bungle

[Marion Scher] Been to OR Tambo International Airport in the last week? What would you expect to see right now, during the much-feted Confederations Cup? Why banners, of course, welcoming much-needed tourists to our country and the event.

Comments [6] [17 Jun 11:25]

Time to face it, guys, you desperately need training

[Marion Scher] As a media professional, I should be grateful to Julius, Jacob, Helen and most of COSATU for constantly letting their mouth-offs make the front page and selling papers. But it’s now time to take on a more professional image.

Comments [3] [09 Jun 11:52]