Billboards taking over the suburbs
Are we allowing our suburbs to be overtaken by billboards and ad poles and is there a line to what should be advertised on them? 10 Jan 2006
Response rates
Concern around misconceptions by people who clearly do not know what they are talking about. 17 Nov 2005
Cinemas practising ''reduced prices ploy''
I recently went to the East Rand mall to see a movie. Upon my arrival I was told that the cinema has upgraded to "Classic" at a price of R35 or so, and no longer R12 on Tuesdays. 15 Nov 2005
What software helps marketers stay organized?
What tools are the best for bringing email, files, RSS, and other information sources together? 13 Nov 2005
No ho-ho!
The season of - "Oh hell, it's Noel" seems to come around a little faster each year, or are the retailers attempting to talk us in to Christmas specials earlier each year, in the hope that by the time that Christmas finally arrives, we will have been back for a second or third chance at the 'special offers'? 8 Nov 2005
Do you use Google to research people that you plan to employ?
One thing that I do is look up companies that I am either going to do some work for or if I am going for a job interview with them. I was just not sure if it work the other way round or do they take your CV at face value and a bit of work you have done on a CD. 7 Nov 2005
Corporate abuse of editors
A recent job ad called for 'editors' who would double up as sales consultants for all intents and purposes. 31 Oct 2005
Lack of support for local artists
I have a few pressing questions regarding support from the media for up and coming local artists that I just don't seem to have answers for. 30 Oct 2005
Smith and Pinkett hide themselves in cupboard
There have been a number of discussions centred on language and its use in the media, but for us whipcrackers even a dying hobbyhorse can do with a bit more flogging. 26 Oct 2005
The role of a press club
What role should a press club play in the media world, and what should it aim for? 10 Oct 2005
SABC TV commissioning
One production house is responsible for two sitcoms and some drama on SABC TV. Is it because there are not enough production houses to do the work or is this one particularly above the rest? 9 Oct 2005
Inferior language used in ads
Listening to radio commercials one frequently comes across spots being done by people who don't speak the language. 6 Oct 2005
What is it with some agencies that require people that are all rounders?
It is a bit like going to your general practitioner (Doc) to get a spine fusion done or your eyes fixed, that is what the specialists are there for. The design agency should work the same way, because when you employ general people you get general work but if you employ a specialist you get exceptional work. 29 Sep 2005
Poor service
There is never enough said on poor service in SA. Poor service extends right across the board. We need to keep the pressure up as consumers. 28 Sep 2005
Sponsorship in need of a paradigm shift
As a sponsorship practitioner it is both sad and unfortunate to see that major corporates are still biased and committed to investing most of their sponsorship budgets into sports. 27 Sep 2005
Potential design candidates appalling
I have been tasked to find a replacement for my position of Medium level Graphic Designer, and can't believe the poor quality of candidates out there. 26 Sep 2005
Difficulty getting sponsorship
I am in one of SA's fastest growing bands and we're looking for a financial partner. We've been to most of the big brands that usually get on board, but it seems that the wrong people are in charge of sponsorships and marketing these days. 15 Sep 2005
Unscrupulous small print publishers
I've recently observed that some small to medium sized publishers in this country have a unique practice. 7 Sep 2005
Outsurance ad misleading
At first glance an Outsurance ad that appeared on the front page of The Star on 29 August and on the inside back cover of the August issue of Car Magazine looked like a great offer. 31 Aug 2005
Media messages must be sensitive to the realities of life
The new Joko Tea ad is ill-conceived, condescending and trivialises the lifestyle of the working class. 22 Aug 2005
Spam or legitimate marketing?
I would love views and opinions on what constitutes spam and what is legitimate email marketing? 18 Aug 2005
Nonsense or rubbish?
Do we care what words really mean nowadays or has English lost its nuances as part of the dumbing down? 14 Aug 2005
Reebok advertisement: ''I am what I am''
It is with great dismay that I watched the Reebok "I am what I am" advertisement on television a couple of evenings ago. What does the rapper 50 cents being shot have to do with the sportswear label? More concerning however, is what message is being sent to our youth who looks up to the rapper and listens to his music? 9 Aug 2005
Cadbury vs. Beacon chocolate packaging design
I am sure that most people are aware of the 'newish' foil packaging of Cabury and Beacon chocolate slabs. 8 Aug 2005
Sponsorship, name dropping and product placements/mentions
I'm interested how these are set up and if agencies that provide these services, charge by once off fees or contracts... 2 Aug 2005
Poor support for Regional Call Centre Awards
If the country's President has singled out higher economic growth as a strategic priority and the contact centre industry has been identified as key to achieving this, then why is interest in recent industry events lacking? 1 Aug 2005
PR companies must be more selective in what they send out
Far too often these days PR companies are clogging up inboxes with unwanted, large size pictures. 31 Jul 2005
46 hours of annoying advertising
Is it just me or are the marketers of impotence medication getting a little too... in your face? 24 Jul 2005
Graphic Design vs DTP
What is the difference between Graphic Design and Desktop Publishing? 21 Jul 2005
Dodgy international ads
There's a lot of really crappy international spots on tv these days. Why can't agencies sell original work instead of dodgy international ads? 18 Jul 2005
