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Exploring the transformations of ‘X’ (formerly Twitter)

In the constantly evolving world of social media, ‘X,’ previously recognised as Twitter, has undergone substantial metamorphoses and adaptations that have left advertisers and users equally captivated and at times perplexed. These alterations have not only reconfigured the platform but have also wielded a notable influence on contemporary marketing methodologies. In this blog, we will delve into the odyssey of ‘X’ and scrutinise how it has fundamentally transformed the landscape of social media marketing. The Evolution of ‘X’ The inception can be traced back to ‘Twitter,’ a microblogging platform that took root in 2006, gaining recognition for its 140-character confinement…

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The fastest growing brands in 2022

Social media, technology, and manufacturing companies lead the pack as the fastest growing brands in 2022. A pharmaceutical and biotechnology company are also listed on the fastest growing brands list – largely, if not solely, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is the list of the 10 fastest growing brands, according to Statista in 2022. TikTok Coming in at number one, TikTok has grown by 215 percent. TikTok is owned and was created by ByteDance, a Chinese company. Known as Douyin in China, Tiktok offers content creators the platform to create and post short-form…

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How has the marketing industry changed over the past few years?

Marketing has never been simple, but marketing was much simpler just a few years ago. The main objective of marketing used to be to create a smart, attention-grabbing marketing communication and then strategically place it to get as many views as possible. Today, marketers have to be much smarter and more intentional. Consumers are discerning and need more than a clever advert to be swayed. In today’s climate, marketers need to have a good understanding of human nature. Striking graphics, catchy slogans, and good copywriting aren’t enough. Marketers need social insight to truly capture the attention of their target market.

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How has marketing changed over time? From traditional to digital, the big shift!

The shift from traditional media marketing in the form of newspapers, television, flyers, billboards and pole posters, to digital billboards, social media, google ads and other major forms of digital media has been both quick and big. With the advent of services like MySpace and Bebo back in the early 2000s already, celebrities and brands found themselves using these age-old social media platforms to post fun personal photos, snippets of their thoughts and little albums or movie spoilers. But marketing on MySpace and Bebo was never as big as it is on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Twitter and TikTok…

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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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Are you measuring return on conversations?

Social media is a powerful channel to be taken seriously, one deserving of its own strategy and creative, says Cheryl Barnett. It plays a pivotal role in supporting above-the-line campaigns and achieving business objectives when executed correctly. Engagement, engagement, engagement. We all know how important this is in today’s connected world, a world in which customers are empowered to have their say in the public space of social media.  This exposure is 10 times more valuable than what an outdoor billboard can deliver, reaching more than a few passing eyes. In recent studies, 84% of customers will trust a…

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From the table to the market: Strategies used by food entrepreneurs to get noticed

Worth a whopping $82 million in 2019, South Africa’s food and beverage industry is expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2019-2023) of 10.5%, claims Statista. While these figures may seem unattainable to our local, independent enterprises, becoming a household brand is proving less formidable thanks to digital marketing, writes Lucinda Jordaan. The kitchen, they say, is the heart of the home. The designated space for preparing and sharing meals is also where the most innovative and inspiring creations are concocted – like Edward Molatela Kgarose’s sweet potato yoghurt. This innovative treat was dreamed up in the 29-year-old’s…

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What is an influencer and how you can spot a fake one

Social media is constantly evolving and has become so integrated into our personal lives that many people start their day by scrolling through their social media feeds to read the latest updates. From a business perspective, a social media presence creates brand awareness and a connection between the customer and the business. However, there is a different side to social media, where an individual can reach an almost celebrity status by establishing credibility within a specific community. Social media influencers have followers in a particular niche with whom they interact on a daily basis. An influencer is able to…

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Big things often have small beginnings

The role of social media in content marketing By Wendy Monkley CEO Digital Content Lab Attention with a Capital ‘A’ is what every marketer wants for their brand, especially online. But what makes people follow or unfollow a brand? Much research has been done in this area. Time and time again we are told what we probably already knew – that people follow brands that are interesting and entertaining. The term interesting not only refers to the products and services that are on offer or their relevant promotions and discounts, but also the content associated with that brand. This…

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Should brands try to change the world? What the research says.

Should brands try to change the world? What the research says. Psos researcher Nick Coates examines some of the recent adverts placing themselves in the firing line and the long-term consequences of aligning themselves with these messages, as well as some considerations prior to launching campaigns. It is the remit of advertising to elicit a reaction from consumers, but in the era of increasingly volatile public backlashes, brands are navigating very rough waters by placing themselves in the political or “social issue” space, especially with public feedback channels rapidly multiplying on social media.  Gillette’s controversial advert Gillette is the…

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