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Names, like sticks and stones, can hurt you. Just ask Corona — the beer, not the virus.

The coronavirus is currently a trending topic and a major public health hazard worldwide. But at the same time, it is also not doing the Mexican beer brand of the same name any good. Being linked to something like the corona virus is something you absolutely do not want as a brand. The name corona virus comes from the Latin word corona, meaning crown or halo. Under an electron microscope, the image of the virus is reminiscent of a solar corona. In a recent article published by nytimes.com (2020) the following statement was made – Grupo Modelo’s Corona beer drew attention…

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Supply chains have been changed, possibly forever

The competition is no longer between brands or even between companies; it is between supply chains (networks). Supply chains in the time of coronavirus have changed, possibly forever. MARZIA STORPIOLI reports. Supply chain management has been likened to a philosophy, a concept rather than an essential service. Historically, companies relied on strong brands and good products to win over the consumer. Competitive advantage was gained by the organisation based on the strength of its brands and its reputation for quality products. But as the COVID-19 pandemic continues its inexorable march across the globe, supply chain management is no longer…

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Robots vs Humans: A compelling story of a powerful and impactful experience

Ads24 won a bronze in the 2019 Assegai Integrated Marketing Awards for its Food for Thought experiential media campaign. In its third year, the 2019 event was themed Robots vs Humans. This is the case study on how the award-winning activation was conceptualised and rolled out. To cut through the plethora of activations and events aimed at media agencies and advertisers, Ads24 required a single-minded reason for its existence. It was out of this that Food for Thought was conceptualised, packaged and promoted to inspire and inform targeted individuals about cutting edge developments impacting on their careers and their…

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The ins and outs of successful rewards and loyalty programmes

Research has shown middle-income South Africans are members of at least nine loyalty plans, while membership is set to grow as smartphones penetrate more of the market. JUSTIN BROWN finds out more about what makes a rewards programme successful, and where opportunities lie. Over 24 million South Africans are members of rewards and loyalty programmes, of which there are more than 100 in existence. The most popular schemes are those offered by grocery, health and beauty retailers. Steve Burnstone, CEO of Eighty20, a Cape Town-based consultancy, says his company’s research found that middle-income South Africans were members of, on…

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Don’t be distracted by the ‘shiny new objects’ arising from the advance of technology

The ‘father of open innovation’, Henry Chesbrough, has just published a follow-up to his ground-breaking first book. He believes business must extend beyond the creation of new technologies, to also include their broad dissemination and deep absorption, in order to prosper from new technologies. GLENDA NEVILL reports. ‘Open innovation is a term used to promote an information age mind-set toward innovation that runs counter to the secrecy and silo mentality of traditional corporate research labs.’ ~ Wikipedia Right now, think tanks and scientists and researchers across the globe are collaborating in the search for a coronavirus vaccine (or cure). This…

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Sales Indaba 12-13 March

 Anisa Fielding IMM Graduate School: Lecturer & Short Courses Corona – Not to be mistaken for a virus! What’s in a name? A curse or an opportunity.
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South Africa’s POPI Act – What It Means For Marketers

If you were to ask consumers regarding whether or not they value their personal information, the answer will undoubtedly be yes. Consumers are no longer naive about how their personal information should be protected and they are starting to expect businesses to respect their constitutional right to privacy. When the POPI act comes into full affect this year, customers will assume that their information will be more secure than ever before. This Act has been developed with the intention to place significantly more restrictions on how information is gathered by businesses and what can and can’t be done with…

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Improve your conversion rate with lifecycle marketing

If you want someone to buy you an ice-cream you don’t just walk up to them and say “Hey you buy me an ice-cream”. You would first introduce yourself and strike up a conversation. The aim would be to develop a relationship with points of common interest, you would then introduce the right messages at the right time about how hot it is say, or perhaps invoke a happy childhood memory of having ice-cream and then when you can see his mouth is watering for an ice-cream you mention that the little gelato shop on the corner makes the…

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