DNA Brand Architects, a marketing and brand communications agency that's known for making wow stuff happen for brands, walked away with three honours at the 2017 instalment of the SA Small Business Awards by the National Small Business Chamber (NSBC). The awards ceremony is an annual project by the NSBC that recognises the tireless journey, hard work, outstanding achievements and vision of Small Business and Entrepreneurial Success. It is a celebration of the most outstanding small businesses and the exceptional entrepreneurs behind these emerging companies. DNA Brand Architects was honoured as one of top 20 Small Businesses in South Africa having met all criteria...

Earlier this month (April 2018), we were alerted by our patrons, that ZARA ( INDUSTRIA DE DISEÑO TEXTILE, S.A. (INDITEX S.A. Pty Ltd) company has copied one of our signature patterns. These patterns were appropriated & reproduced in as part of their sock range which they shared as new in their best-sellers on their online store (see image below). Their sock range resembles our Khanyisa Cardigan which was launch in March 2014 at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg. The cardigan is still available on our online store and has been on runways globally, the piece is still one of our best...

JOHANNESBURG - International luxury vehicle manufacturer Mercedes Benz apologised for "offending" South Africans following social media outrage over their Mother's Day advertisement The advert shows a woman playing different roles, from taking care of her child to owning a business. Mercedes Benz South Africa has since deleted the video on Twitter after some South African Twitter users pointed out that there were no black mothers in the advert. Mercedes Benz said the video was created "internationally" to lend the company's support for Mother's Day. "We under-represented the diversity of our followers in South Africa through the use of a single character. We apologise...

This is how our R500 bank note should look like in honour of Mama according to Romeo Romz-Deluxe Malepe   R300 note according to him. And finally R200 note in honour of Mama Winnie Madikezela Mandela according to Romz-Deluxe   Pictures courtesy of Romeo Romz-Deluxe Malepe: ...

by Herman Manson (@marklives) Avatar’s Cape Town agency has won the integrated agency business for global fashion retailer, H&M, in South Africa. Avatar, which is part of the M&N Brands group, will offer a number of services, including above the line, digital, social, below the line and public relations. “Help make a difference” “We’ve had our eye on H&M for a long time,” says Mthunzi Plaatjie, Avatar Cape Town managing director,  “And knew we wanted to help make a difference and help them navigate the local space. A win like this is also testament to the vision of building Avatar to be a world-class agency as we celebrate...

by Herman Manson (@marklives) The Odd Number has been appointed as lead agency for Wimpy, following a five-way pitch that included incumbent agency FCB Africa, King James II, Grey South Africa and Net#work BBDO. Xola Nouse, The Odd Number co-founder and managing director, says the agency is honoured to be working on such a truly iconic South African brand. “The partnership comes at the right time for our agency, and for the local advertising industry as a whole — it says a lot about Wimpy’s commitment to South African business, and to the future of our industry.” “Our Year 3 strategic objective in our five-year...

  Stadio Holdings — the listed, PSG-aligned, private tertiary education specialist behind the “Multiversity” concept — has chosen The Odd Number as its creative partner following a three-way pitch. “The concept of a Multiversity is all about respecting the uniqueness of each student and catering for the diverse and relevant needs of the South African marketplace,” says Julian Ribeiro, Stadio head of marketing. “When we put our business out to pitch, we weren’t just looking for an agency but a partner who believed in this way of thinking. The Odd Number really impressed us with their energy and passion. They went way beyond...

by MarkLives (@marklives) Avatar has been awarded the Caltex above-the-line account. The business will be shared between its Johannesburg and Cape Town agencies. This is the second major account win announced by the agency this year, following hot on the heels of the the integrated agency business win for global fashion retailer, H&M, in South Africa. “Our journey with Caltex started two years ago, when we were appointed as their digital agency, to now being appointed as the brand’s full-service agency,” says Mthunzi Plaatjie, Cape Town managing director. “It was a tough three-way pitch but our team’s experience, creative excellence and integrated approach won it for us.” “We are...

It's a touchy subject for some, but completely necessary to explore: Here's how Fort Review is amplifying the need to truly hear the black voices in advertising and stop being creative Jekyll and Hydes. [caption id="attachment_1015" align="alignnone" width="625"] Makongoza behind the decks at the Fort Review second edition VIP launch event, at Rockets' rooftop in Bryanston on 16 February.[/caption]   It’s no secret that the SA ad industry is in drastic need of transformation. It’s not necessarily that there aren’t enough black voices in the industry, more that those voices are not being heard, and those truths are not being well told. That’s...