The enduring appeal and impactful nature of meticulously branded uniforms or corporate gifts play a significant role in forging connections with customers, enhancing recall and familiarity, fostering loyalty, and ultimately shaping purchasing behaviour. Barron shares some insights on some of the key trends in the branded merchandise and apparel market, and the important considerations to look at. Casual and comfortable styles: [...]
Janet Berger, lead strategist at Flow Communications, says everyone who works in communications will attest to the fact that this is a landscape that is fast-changing and often difficult to keep up with. Last year I was confronted with the reality of just how much it has changed. My generation of South African moms had Marina Petropulos’ Baby and Child Care [...]
In the mix of marketing strategies vying for a slice of your revised budget, influencer marketing stands tall. It’s not just a matter of following trends; it’s about leaning into a measurable, data-driven approach that stands up to scrutiny just as firmly as any ‘hard’ marketing tactic. Gone are the days when influencer marketing was a gamble – today, it’s a [...]
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 [...]
Mike Smollan, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer at Smollan, looks at trend developments that are on the radar as the retail industry transformation continues. As per the Edge Global Insights Report 2023, overall, the retail industry this year has navigated the lingering effects of the pandemic, embraced digital transformation, addressed sustainability concerns, and tackled supply chain challenges. That is coupled with [...]