Decades ago, when marketing first emerged as a coined phenomenon and went on to become a major profession, the aim of the discipline was to understand consumers deeply, and use this understanding to apply effective principles and practices to create compelling messages. The model was straightforward: marketers give, consumers take. However, this simplicity couldn’t – and didn’t – endure forever. Today, [...]
Adelaide Tshabalala, Lead Strategist at Nerdware, discusses overcoming digital strategy barriers with unconventional wisdom. After 14 years in the digital trenches, I’ve seen it all. From the early days of SEO hacks and MySpace profiles to the rise of AI-driven marketing and TikTok trends, one thing remains constant: clients face barriers that can make digital strategy feel like climbing Everest in [...]
The ways in which adtech and marketing organisations leverage data and technology is about to fundamentally change. Adtech organisations sit at the very edge of innovation and the evolution of marketing. Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, the rise of data alongside the demise of the third-party cookie, have reimagined contextual messaging, creativity, and campaigns at scale. Over the past year, the [...]
Joe Hamman, Director Novus Group, says that with the rise of AI-generated content, reputation management matters now more than ever. At a time when AI-generated content is blurring the lines between what is real and what is fabricated with the capabilities to generate content at scale and influence public opinion, brand reputation management has become more important than ever. While media [...]
As we face large-scale problems like extreme weather events, political unrest and cyber threats, organisations of all sizes and across all sectors are recognising the need for proactive communication strategies. Beki Zondo and Kutloano Makgoro from Serufe outline trends that will be important in the public relations industry for the year. 1. AI-Enhanced Data Analytics In the dynamic realm of public [...]
According to Leslie Adams, Sales Director at Reach Africa, contextually relevant ads, the attention economy and more eyes on digital may shape South Africa’s advertising landscape in 2024. In a turbulent macro-environment, shifts in consumer behaviour become especially difficult to predict, said Adams. ‘The past few years have been extremely tough on South Africans from a financial standpoint, thanks to the [...]
Prabashni Reddy, Marketing Manager at Regent Business School, shares insights and strategies to build a strong personal brand in the digital age. The world we live in has become a hyper-connected world, and a strong personal brand is not just a nice-to-have, it’s an essential tool for professional growth and success. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the way we [...]
A crucial element in modern marketing strategies is unlocking the power of Generation Z (Gen Z). Gen Z stands out as a potent force, and according to Keleabetsoe Rammopo, Head Of Strategy at Penquin, understanding and engaging with Gen Z is an essential element of a robust marketing strategy. Gen Z: A Dominant Force in South Africa’s Population Gen Z, defined [...]
When it comes to Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday, which one takes the lead in terms of online sales? The popularity of online shopping continues to gain traction, even though many consumers have returned in-store. The Courier Guy monitored local shipments that took place during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday. According to The Courier Guy, the growth in total shipments [...]
Casey Mantle, Head of Chatterbox at 8909 Digital, discusses the difference between content creators and influencers in advertising. An influencer can be a content creator, a content creator can be an influencer, so what’s the difference? Quite a lot, actually. We see influencers as individuals who have the power to affect purchasing decisions and opinions of others because of their authority, [...]