It's a strange morning in Joburg - mild with heavy cloud cover. Reminds me of an Autumn day in England. Mind you, it is rapidly heading into winter now, just hoping for a few more hot and sunny days before I freeze.
I've been reading the headlines over the last few days and it makes for interesting reading. Google is paying back US$90 million in the click fraud case, niche bite-sized videos are attracting attention, Knight Ridder is about to bought, the huge media companies are on the hunt for new websites, everyone is talking about blogs etc etc.
And yet, here in SA, no one really seems to be talking about the Internet, blogs, online videos. Here, we're still yapping about how the magazine and newspaper industry is growing (despite the closure of Nova, a Media24 newspaper 'experiment'); how well radio advertising is doing etc. It makes me wonder when we are going ot catch up. Granted, South Africa is much like Brazil in the huge disparity between rich and poor, therefore there aren't that many (relatively speaking) using the Internet at the moment. And of course, Telkom is a huge hindrance with the cost of broadband and not so nifty service. But, unless marketers and advertisers start using the Internet as a medium, it's never going to grow. I just wish some more people would take a few risks. It's what other people do.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Friday, March 03, 2006
If only...
It's a beautiful day in Joburg so far. An almost clear sky, warm and the birds are singing. However, I'm tired (no sleep whatsoever last night), irritable, and trying to hatch a plan.
You see, I have a problem. My partner and I have moved into a new place, albeit in the same complex (we like it there and it's far too much hassle to move far) and it stinks. I mean, literally, stinks. Having inspected the place very briefly a month previously, we could smell cat wee. However, we presumed (wrongly) that the cat had sprayed only on the furniture (as seen by my partner) and therefore the stench would be removed when they moved. WRONG.
The place was filthy (four days and it's still not clean enough for us) and the smell is so bad that after washing the carpets with an industrial cleaner 10 times, it's still as strong as ever. Luckily, the carpets are being replaced today. This is not to mention all the other stuff that's wrong with the place either. Sigh.
You may wonder why I'm telling you all this. Simple. To demonstrate the power of the Internet, and blogs. How else as editor of a marketing magazine would I ever get to vent like this. To the world, no less. Or, at least to those reading this blog. And if I happen to find out the name of this woman who kept 10 cats (most of whom must have been feral as all cats registered in the complex have to snipped, and you're only supposed to have one) I will be posting her name on my blog and probably dedicating a website to her.
I love the Internet.
You see, I have a problem. My partner and I have moved into a new place, albeit in the same complex (we like it there and it's far too much hassle to move far) and it stinks. I mean, literally, stinks. Having inspected the place very briefly a month previously, we could smell cat wee. However, we presumed (wrongly) that the cat had sprayed only on the furniture (as seen by my partner) and therefore the stench would be removed when they moved. WRONG.
The place was filthy (four days and it's still not clean enough for us) and the smell is so bad that after washing the carpets with an industrial cleaner 10 times, it's still as strong as ever. Luckily, the carpets are being replaced today. This is not to mention all the other stuff that's wrong with the place either. Sigh.
You may wonder why I'm telling you all this. Simple. To demonstrate the power of the Internet, and blogs. How else as editor of a marketing magazine would I ever get to vent like this. To the world, no less. Or, at least to those reading this blog. And if I happen to find out the name of this woman who kept 10 cats (most of whom must have been feral as all cats registered in the complex have to snipped, and you're only supposed to have one) I will be posting her name on my blog and probably dedicating a website to her.
I love the Internet.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Unappetising advertising
The weather in Joburg is dreadful today. The cloud is hanging low, it's raining, dark and thoroughly miserable. But, at least we have electricity, unlike Cape Town! See local newspapers such as Cape Times or Cape Argus or Carte Blanche, a magazine and actuality programme.
But, I digress. What I really want to chat about is something that I saw on one of Jobrug's highways late yesterday afternoon. After spending a lovely afternoon with my partner's family (it was a birthday) and chatting about all sorts, the drive home was uneventful - until....
Sitting in the passenger seat I was casually gazing out of the window when I saw a huge sign for Anat (falafel and shwarma) on a wall on the side of the highway. It was huge. In the split second that my mind registered the sign and I thought, 'oh, that's quite cool', my mind then registered the most disgusting It was stuck to the wall next to the sign. It was gross. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a vegetarian or against meat-on-a-spit. In fact, I adore a schwarma at least once a month. But. This was not nice. Simple as that. Anat has ruined a great sign with this lardy and very unappetising advertising ploy. No I won't be able to enjoy a schwarma for a very long time. Thanks a bunch guys.
But, I digress. What I really want to chat about is something that I saw on one of Jobrug's highways late yesterday afternoon. After spending a lovely afternoon with my partner's family (it was a birthday) and chatting about all sorts, the drive home was uneventful - until....
Sitting in the passenger seat I was casually gazing out of the window when I saw a huge sign for Anat (falafel and shwarma) on a wall on the side of the highway. It was huge. In the split second that my mind registered the sign and I thought, 'oh, that's quite cool', my mind then registered the most disgusting It was stuck to the wall next to the sign. It was gross. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a vegetarian or against meat-on-a-spit. In fact, I adore a schwarma at least once a month. But. This was not nice. Simple as that. Anat has ruined a great sign with this lardy and very unappetising advertising ploy. No I won't be able to enjoy a schwarma for a very long time. Thanks a bunch guys.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
The weather has finally cleared up this morning and it looks to be a wonderful summer's day in Joburg once again. Hoorah.
I've been reading with interest about the problems with MySpace and pornogrpahy/paedophilia. And people seem surprised by this! Remember when instant messaging first appeared on our monitors and the uproar it caused? I certainly do.
The question is, who should be policing this? MySpace can only do so much. It's a public domain after all. You could say that the parents should be policing their kids, but remember how sneaky we all were as teenagers? The truth is, kids need to be educated on what can really happen out there in the big bad world. A recent story broke in one of the US newspapers about a teenage boy, who had just emerged out of the closet and met another teenage boy in MySpace. With the blessing of his parents, he invited his new friend over for dinner and a sleepover. The teenage visitor was actually a 27 year old convicted paedophile who molested the young boy. His parents were quoted as saying 'that they slept in separate rooms'. Now really. Gay teenage boys - in separate rooms. Come on.
Anyway, off the point. The point is, that everyone needs to take some responsibility for roaming around in MySpace. According to a recent article in AdAge.com, community spaces such as MySpace is giving marketers the jitters. However, those savvy enough to sit down and think carefully about positioning as well as taking short-term contracts so that ads can be pulled at the drop of a hat shouldn't have too much trouble. And let's face it, 56 million users on one site. Surely this is too good to miss. For the full report go to MySpace: Big Audience, But Big Risks
I've been reading with interest about the problems with MySpace and pornogrpahy/paedophilia. And people seem surprised by this! Remember when instant messaging first appeared on our monitors and the uproar it caused? I certainly do.
The question is, who should be policing this? MySpace can only do so much. It's a public domain after all. You could say that the parents should be policing their kids, but remember how sneaky we all were as teenagers? The truth is, kids need to be educated on what can really happen out there in the big bad world. A recent story broke in one of the US newspapers about a teenage boy, who had just emerged out of the closet and met another teenage boy in MySpace. With the blessing of his parents, he invited his new friend over for dinner and a sleepover. The teenage visitor was actually a 27 year old convicted paedophile who molested the young boy. His parents were quoted as saying 'that they slept in separate rooms'. Now really. Gay teenage boys - in separate rooms. Come on.
Anyway, off the point. The point is, that everyone needs to take some responsibility for roaming around in MySpace. According to a recent article in AdAge.com, community spaces such as MySpace is giving marketers the jitters. However, those savvy enough to sit down and think carefully about positioning as well as taking short-term contracts so that ads can be pulled at the drop of a hat shouldn't have too much trouble. And let's face it, 56 million users on one site. Surely this is too good to miss. For the full report go to MySpace: Big Audience, But Big Risks
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
what marketer's are doing right
It's overcast but fairly warm in Joburg this morning. Thankfully it hasn't started raining yet. It seems as though it hasn't stopped raining since the beginning of Jan - it's like being in the UK again.
I listened to a very interesting radio interview online this morning. It was an audio interview with Ad Age executive editor Jonah Bloom What the year's top marketers are doing right regarding the magazine's top 50 marketers of the year awards.
During the interview about why these 50 made the grade, it was nice to hear how important design has become in the US marketing world, how budget doesn't always matter, that they have used consumer insight, especially new media, to help them develop the products. They have listened to the consumers and actually conducted research though also reading blogs, community websites etc. They have all embraced online, and they talked enthusiastically about the internet and their own websites. It was also great to hear that the marketers chosen, weren't all huge brands, but they did have one thing in common - an absolute passion about their brand.
It would be nice if South Africa's marketing fraternity would take notice of these fundamental shifts within their industry and start moving forward.
Definitely worth a listen.
I listened to a very interesting radio interview online this morning. It was an audio interview with Ad Age executive editor Jonah Bloom What the year's top marketers are doing right regarding the magazine's top 50 marketers of the year awards.
During the interview about why these 50 made the grade, it was nice to hear how important design has become in the US marketing world, how budget doesn't always matter, that they have used consumer insight, especially new media, to help them develop the products. They have listened to the consumers and actually conducted research though also reading blogs, community websites etc. They have all embraced online, and they talked enthusiastically about the internet and their own websites. It was also great to hear that the marketers chosen, weren't all huge brands, but they did have one thing in common - an absolute passion about their brand.
It would be nice if South Africa's marketing fraternity would take notice of these fundamental shifts within their industry and start moving forward.
Definitely worth a listen.
Monday, January 30, 2006
A1 Grand Prix
It was a little foggy this morning at 5.30am on my way to work, and it's overcast now. As long as it doesn't provide us with a similar Highveld storm as yesterday, I'll be happy - need to play tennis urgently and bored of the courts being soaked.
Anyway, I watched the A1 Grand Prix www.A1gp.com yesterday live and direct from sunny Durban on SABC 3. Well, I watched most of it as above mentioned storm took out the satellite feed at various points during the race - most annoying.
I have to say, I was quite impressed with the coverage, it didn't always go to plan with two diffrent commentaries occasionally boradcast over the top of one another, and some dropped commentary, but it was much better than the diasater I imagined might happen. Sorry to the SABC, but its programming quality isn't always the best, but then neither is SuperSport - the commentators for the F1 are dreadful and I'm praying that when the season starts again shortly, they've fired the lot of them.
Here's me going off the topic as usual. What I really want to chat about is the opportunity that A1 brings to South Africa. I noticed that Absa took the lion's share of the sponsorship, I spied Telkom there somewhere, SABC was all over the place, and Emirates airlines has banners in promient positions - not too shabby.
However, I think that more local brands should have jumped on the brandwagon after all, it was a globallly televised event, it's gaining huge support from fans, involves nations competing against one another as oppose to brands, and is guranteed to only get bigger and better with the support of Sheikh Maktoum and Tokyo Sexwale (the SA version of Donald Trump).
If only the SA brands would see this opportunity. They could even brand Stephen, he's a fairly good-looking guy, good natured in front of the camera, and by all accounts, the country has got itself a new hero to support. What a great opportunity.
PS, the last race of the season is in China - what a branding opportunity that is.
Anyway, I watched the A1 Grand Prix www.A1gp.com yesterday live and direct from sunny Durban on SABC 3. Well, I watched most of it as above mentioned storm took out the satellite feed at various points during the race - most annoying.
I have to say, I was quite impressed with the coverage, it didn't always go to plan with two diffrent commentaries occasionally boradcast over the top of one another, and some dropped commentary, but it was much better than the diasater I imagined might happen. Sorry to the SABC, but its programming quality isn't always the best, but then neither is SuperSport - the commentators for the F1 are dreadful and I'm praying that when the season starts again shortly, they've fired the lot of them.
Here's me going off the topic as usual. What I really want to chat about is the opportunity that A1 brings to South Africa. I noticed that Absa took the lion's share of the sponsorship, I spied Telkom there somewhere, SABC was all over the place, and Emirates airlines has banners in promient positions - not too shabby.
However, I think that more local brands should have jumped on the brandwagon after all, it was a globallly televised event, it's gaining huge support from fans, involves nations competing against one another as oppose to brands, and is guranteed to only get bigger and better with the support of Sheikh Maktoum and Tokyo Sexwale (the SA version of Donald Trump).
If only the SA brands would see this opportunity. They could even brand Stephen, he's a fairly good-looking guy, good natured in front of the camera, and by all accounts, the country has got itself a new hero to support. What a great opportunity.
PS, the last race of the season is in China - what a branding opportunity that is.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Mildly annoyed
Yuk. It's pouring down in Joburg this morning. It's dull, grey, miserable. I detest this weather.
I've just been reading brandchannel's most influential brands results for 2005.
I'm not surprised that Google came out top overall, followed by Apple. If ever two companies were changing the face of the earth, it's them. What's also interesting is that I'm currently working on a Design feature, and when chatting to some of SA's best design companies, Apple's iPod is always mentioned as the icon of design. As for Google, what can you say. It's my homepage, I have Google Earth, Video Player, and I'm a Google addict. I check every so often to see what cool new products they've added, and I often spend hours just typing in words to see what's out there. Sad, I know.
It would be nice to see a South African brand on the list someday but the top three Europe and African results were: Nokia, Ikea and Skype - more Euro-centric than Afro-centric me thinks. It would also be nice to see Africa finally treated as a category on its own, instead of always being lunped with Europe or the Middle East, or both.
Anyway, visit http://www.brandchannel.com/features_effect.asp?pf_id=298#more for the full survey results.
I've just been reading brandchannel's most influential brands results for 2005.
I'm not surprised that Google came out top overall, followed by Apple. If ever two companies were changing the face of the earth, it's them. What's also interesting is that I'm currently working on a Design feature, and when chatting to some of SA's best design companies, Apple's iPod is always mentioned as the icon of design. As for Google, what can you say. It's my homepage, I have Google Earth, Video Player, and I'm a Google addict. I check every so often to see what cool new products they've added, and I often spend hours just typing in words to see what's out there. Sad, I know.
It would be nice to see a South African brand on the list someday but the top three Europe and African results were: Nokia, Ikea and Skype - more Euro-centric than Afro-centric me thinks. It would also be nice to see Africa finally treated as a category on its own, instead of always being lunped with Europe or the Middle East, or both.
Anyway, visit http://www.brandchannel.com/features_effect.asp?pf_id=298#more for the full survey results.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Fat Kids
It's overcast today, but still warm. Just hope it doesn't rain as it causes chaos on the roads. South Africans can't drive at the best of times, but pour water on the road and the rainbeast takes over and they drive ten times worse than normal - still haven't don't understand this. Plus, all the traffic lights (robots) go out and giant potholes magically appear in the road where there was tarmac just a few minutes before.
Just finished reading my daily news emails, and the big story this morning seems to be about Kelloggs and Viacom (its Nickelodeon channel) being sued (only in the US) for freedom of choice and health issues ie junk food advertising.
I can see the point, and I know all the why's and what's..but... personally, the parents should be the ones being sued, or at least made to go to some form of 'stand up to your bratty kids and learn to say NO'. There, said it. Parents must be made to take responsiblility for their kids and stop feeding them junk food. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Kellogg's shouldn't be made more aware and have their advertising watched very carefully, but people are free thinkers, have freedom of choice and willpower too.
In SA, Kellogg's is having to deal wtih a complaint, this time a competitor complaint from rival, Bokomo Foods. Bokomo argues that Kellogg's should be made to retract its TV campaign that features 'healthy' claims in the ads.
A great explanation of the US$2 billion lawsuit in the US can be found on http://adage.com/news.cms?newsId=47513 or visit www.asasa.org.za/ResultDetail.aspx?Ruling=2893 for the South African complaint.
Just finished reading my daily news emails, and the big story this morning seems to be about Kelloggs and Viacom (its Nickelodeon channel) being sued (only in the US) for freedom of choice and health issues ie junk food advertising.
I can see the point, and I know all the why's and what's..but... personally, the parents should be the ones being sued, or at least made to go to some form of 'stand up to your bratty kids and learn to say NO'. There, said it. Parents must be made to take responsiblility for their kids and stop feeding them junk food. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Kellogg's shouldn't be made more aware and have their advertising watched very carefully, but people are free thinkers, have freedom of choice and willpower too.
In SA, Kellogg's is having to deal wtih a complaint, this time a competitor complaint from rival, Bokomo Foods. Bokomo argues that Kellogg's should be made to retract its TV campaign that features 'healthy' claims in the ads.
A great explanation of the US$2 billion lawsuit in the US can be found on http://adage.com/news.cms?newsId=47513 or visit www.asasa.org.za/ResultDetail.aspx?Ruling=2893 for the South African complaint.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
It's a beautiful morning in Joburg and I've got a busy day as usual including an interview with the Dti regarding business tourism and a visit to Sappi regarding a project for later in the year. The visit to Sappi means I get to go into town/city (Joburg CBD for those not familiar), which I always love. Despite the fact there is still a lot to do in the area, it has such a buzz about it. I'm there tomorrow morning as well at Home Affairs, so not quite sure what time the blog will go up tomorrow.
Just reading through all my international emails that are waiting for me in my inbox every morning, and there's a story that Ad Age is going to podcast its columnists www.minionline.com/topstory.htm , and this gem comes from the fabulous www.iwantmedia.com email that I get. Has some of the best media stories around in this daily email. Subscribe to it now if you haven't already.
Maybe I should think about setting up podcasts for my columnists - after I get a website of course. You see, South Africa is waaaaay behind the US and Europe when it comes to media and marketing. Our magazine industry is still seeing loads of launches, newspapers are still increasing in circulation, and because of the Telkom (telecomms company) monopoly, broadband is still very expensive and hampering Internet growth. This is ignoring the fact that most of the country still lives in poverty, without electricity and running water. So, the growth in SA can only continue for traditional media for quite some time. And new media is simply going to take much longer.
But, I live in hope that I can maybe help push things forward through Marketing Mix. Oh, and if you didnt know this, Marketing Mix is a magazine. Just thought I'd let you know that. And it's about the marketing mix - clever huh!
Just reading through all my international emails that are waiting for me in my inbox every morning, and there's a story that Ad Age is going to podcast its columnists www.minionline.com/topstory.htm , and this gem comes from the fabulous www.iwantmedia.com email that I get. Has some of the best media stories around in this daily email. Subscribe to it now if you haven't already.
Maybe I should think about setting up podcasts for my columnists - after I get a website of course. You see, South Africa is waaaaay behind the US and Europe when it comes to media and marketing. Our magazine industry is still seeing loads of launches, newspapers are still increasing in circulation, and because of the Telkom (telecomms company) monopoly, broadband is still very expensive and hampering Internet growth. This is ignoring the fact that most of the country still lives in poverty, without electricity and running water. So, the growth in SA can only continue for traditional media for quite some time. And new media is simply going to take much longer.
But, I live in hope that I can maybe help push things forward through Marketing Mix. Oh, and if you didnt know this, Marketing Mix is a magazine. Just thought I'd let you know that. And it's about the marketing mix - clever huh!
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
The Persuaders
I watched an excellent DVD last night given to me by Marthinus from FCB Impact (on loan) of course, called The Persuaders. A Frontline production for PBS, it's over an hour long and filled with interesting snippets from the US advertising industry. Cynical, no bullshit, tell it like it is interviews and research on how the ad industry is desperately trying to break through the clutter. It's starts in NYC, naturally, with night time shots of Times Square - which let's face it, the amazing flashing neon glare of the ad boards is the reason why we all go there - with two guerrilla guys looking for a building upon which to project an addidas ad. The addidas ad looked great by the way. This is followed by an in-depth look at the launch of Song and exploring hte depths of our mind with a mad Frenchman who lives in a mansion!
For anyone who hasn't seen this, order it, and put more pieces of the advertising puzzle together. Definitely worth watching.
www.shoppbs.org
For anyone who hasn't seen this, order it, and put more pieces of the advertising puzzle together. Definitely worth watching.
www.shoppbs.org
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